Europe is made a shambles wherein the Blood of millions of the Innocent Lambs of Christ hath been poured forth for which they shall be plagued destroyed in the time appointed by the Lord These things are known to all who have thought it their concern in the least to turn aside to consider of them The boody cruelties of the Antichristian Party against the Bohemians in Holland also the Massacre of Paris Ireland the Valleys of Piedmont c. wherein many thousands of the Lord 's Innocent Ones have been barbarously murder'd for no other reason in the World but because they laboured according to their Light to maintain and be found in the Doctrine and Worship of Christ is yet recent in the memory of most What heart so rocky as to read the Histories of the deep suffeings of those worthy witnesses of our Lord the Waldenses without pouring forth floods of tears What treacheries clandestine Plots breach of Covenants Oaths have the Antichristians been found guilty of pursuant to that bloody principle Nulla fides No Faith is to be kept with Haereticks and all are such in their account that embrace not their heresie abomnable Idolatries that they might obtain their end to waste destroy root out the Heritage of God Another way Satan hath taken to accomplish this his design is 2. Schisme amongst the Churches of Christ This was early set on foot even in the Apostles dayes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 When ye come together in the Church I hear that there be divisions Schisms among you and I partly believe it and hath been more or less with cunning heat violence managed ever since by Satan to the disturbing breaking crumbling into nothing some Churches of Christ The frequent charging and recharging of Schism upon each other by those that truely fear the Lord and agree in the fundamentals of Christianity hath been no small machine of the wicked one to weaken destroy them A work he 's still managing and we are too too little awakened to see his design and to study in the right Spirit to prevent it 'T would make ones heart to bleed to see hear with what keenness acrimony bitterness some Protestants are acted against others who are not of the same mind in all things whilst the Devil in the Papacy stands laughing to think what an easie prey hereby he shall make of them all Ah! alas where is the Christian simplicity amity How little respect have some to the great Commandment of Christ to Love one another who yet would be accounted his Disciples Were it not for a hasty Spirit bitter envying that is upon some one would think they had no concern for Religion at all and yet even this discovers that they are too little impregnated with the Spirit of the true Religion of Jesus Christ which engages to love meekness condescention mutual forbearance amongst Saints 3. False Doctrine Worship This also had an early entrance amongst the Churches The denial of the Resurrection of the dead substituting in the room thereof a metaphorick Resurrection betimes infected some at least of the Church at Corinth 1 Cor. 15. with 2 Tim. 2.18 Justification by the Law by Works was introduced into many of them as the Churches at Rome Galatia c. against whom the Apostle of the Gentiles Paul smartly disputes in his Epistles directed to them Into the pure Worship of God the inventions traditions of men were at last so introduced that God could no longer own it as his Worship at all And in respect of both these none ever were so degenerate corrupt as the Synagogue of Rome To enumerate particulars were endless what more contrary to Truth sound Doctrine than their assertions that the Original Hebrew and Greek of the Old and New-Testament is corrupt That the Scripture is not perspicuous cleer That to one Man the Pope the interpretation of Scripture doth belong who is Infallible and Judgment Conscience all is to be subjected to him That he is the alone Judge of Controversies who hath the Spirit of God given to him above others for his so doing That the Pope can dispense with the Law of God That he is Universal Head of the Church That he is not to be questioned for his Doctrine or Actions Si Papa infinitas animas in infernum traheret tamen nemo debet ei dicere quid facis If the Pope should carry an infinite number of Souls headlong to Hell none ought to say to him what doest thou For the will of the Pope stands for reason Glossa By his own Authority he can make Laws to bind the Consciences of the faithful He hath Power Authority over Princes can crown un-crown set up depose as he pleases That the Scriptures are not a sufficient Canon or rule of Faith and Manners but Traditions written and un-written are also necessary That Traditions are sufficient without the Scriptures but the Scriptures are not sufficient without Traditions That Christ is mediator only according to his humane Nature That 't is unlawful for Priests to marry That there is a certain place in which as in a prison after this life souls are purged who were not here perfectly purged that being so purg'd they might enter into Heaven That Saints are to be Worshipped That Images are to be Worshipped with the same Worship that is due to those whose Images they are as the Image of God Christ yea so that the Worship be terminated in the Image That the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato That they justify That there are seven Sacraments That the Church hath power to Institute new Ceremonies for spiritual ends That persons un-Baptiz'd are damn'd there 's no salvation without it That Baptism takes away all sin That the Bread and Wine is converted into the Body and Blood of CHRIST That the Priest offers up Christ a propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and dead to God the Father That there are sins in their own nature Venial That Concupiscence in those that are renued is no sin That men may be sav'd if they will 't is in their own power to believe c. That men are not justified by Faith without Works That inherent Righteousness justifies That none can be certain in this Life either of their Election Justification Perseverance to the end or Eternal Life That we are justified by Works that we merit Eternal Life by them And these are some of those pure streams that too many have a great mind to return to drink of and would by force bloody cruelty compel others to drink and be poysoned with them 4. False Visions lying Revelations upon which many times false Doctrine Worship hath been built supported Somwhat of these was also in the Apostles times Divine Visions Revelations there were many see Act. 10.11 16.9 18.9 10. 23.11 27.23 24. Gal. 1.12 2.1 2. 2 Cor. 12.4 Act. 7.55 10.3 Some also there were who were full of their false Visions Revelations 2 Thes 2.2 Now we
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
Ministration of the Spirit we are to understand the whole Gospel-oeconomy or Ministration the Doctrine Worship Institutions thereof is evident 1. From its Antithesis unto the Ministration of the Letter or legal Mosaic observances call'd the Ministration of Death and Condemnation v. 6 7 9. which the Apostle tells us was done away now 't was that whole Ministration as made up of Institutions Ordinances peculiar to it that was done away 2. 'T was such a Ministration as the Apostles were Ministers of v. 6. i. e. which they Preach'd declared from Jesus Christ according to his charge to them Matth. 28.20 and were ministring to him and the Saints in 'T was not the Doctrine of the Gospel inward purity practick Godliness only that they declared as the mind of Christ but the Worship thereof institutions of his appointment thereunto appertaining No sooner were Persons converted to the Faith of Christ but they were gathered by the Apostles into a Church-state Acts 2.41 42 46. and 9.31 and 11.22 26. and 14.23 27. and 15.41 and 16.5 and 20.28 This is too evident to be denied 3. 'T was such a Ministration Wherein as in a Glass with open face compared to those vail'd dark sights they had in their Passover Sacrifices c. under the Mosaic Ministration they beheld the Glory of the Lord and were changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord v. 18. The first Primitive believers 't will not be denied attended upon the Lord in Gospel-Institutions 'T is evident they did so from the Scriptures but now quoted In their so doing they beheld the glory of the Lord had choice discoveries displayes of it grew up into a Conformity unto him in their conscientious waiting on him herein And whatever any say thousands of believers at this day that are found waiting upon the Lord in his own institutions such as the Church-Fellowship Breaking Bread Prayer c. meet with presence sights of Glory Divine Transformations renewals in the Spirit of their minds When any are found in institutions shaken in their minds touching them as the institutions of Christ that by virtue of His Soveraign Authority Command they ought to attend to 't is no wonder if they see not his Glory know nothing of his transforming power through them They come not in faith sanctify not his name in what they do therefore meet not with his blessing Quest The Question is upon what accounts this Ministration is called The Ministration of the Spirit Answ 'T is so called with respect 1. To it 's Super-eminent Super-excelling Glory For Excellency Glory far superiour unto any Ministration that went before it What compare is there betwixt Spirit and Letter that which hath life in it and that which hath none 2. To the Communication of the Spirit through it by it Gal. 3.2 Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith 3. To its being given forth by Christ through the Holy Spirit Acts 1.2 The Lord Jesus being constituted by the Father Mediator of the New-Covenant Prince Ruler Priest Prophet to the Church was to reveal the whole of his mind and Will to them as such For his inablement whereunto the Father pours out of the Spirit without measure upon him through this Spirit he gave Commandments to his Apostles relating to Gospel-Worship with a charge to them to Communicate them to others Matth. 28. ult Which also they did 4. To that Glorious effusion of the Spirit in the day of Pentecost Act. 2. at the beginning or first Publick setting up of this Ministration 5. To evince that 't is the highest last Ministration of institutions or visible Ordinances that Saints are to expect that when it s taken down there shall be no more nor indeed will there be need of any what Ministration can be supposed to be higher than the Ministration of the Spirit What can supersede it Yea the Apostle fairly intimates that it shall so remain not to pass away as the Ministration of the ter or Law that went before it 2 Cor. 3.7 which was to be done away For if that which is done away was Glorious much more that which Remaineth is Glorious And 't is not to be passed by in silence that the Apostle makes part of the excelling Glory above that of the Law of the Gospel-Ministration to consist in the duration of it If that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that fixed abiding unalterable Ministration 6. The managery of all the Worship Ordinances appertaining to this Ministration is to be in the Spirit Without whom all that 's done is not will never be acceptable to God 7. The means of its support upholdment continuance progress is the same Spirit 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal but Mighty through God Antichrist hath other wayes to support promote his filthy Worship senseless traditions ridiculous fopperies viz. the arm of flesh Horrid Bloody Plots Conspiracies to massacre destroy cut off such as stand in the way of his devices Prisons Gibbets Stakes Flames to consume devour such as refuse to drink of the Cup of his Fornications but Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio the Law of Christ knows no such wayes methods for its support increase 'T is the Spirit Power of God by which it is ever was maintained a neglect of whom and turning aside to the Power Wisdom of Man warring after the flesh was the bane of Christianity and the first spring off the Antichristian apostacy Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That a slighting undervaluing withdrawing from Gospel-Institutions is a slighting of the most glorious Ministration that ever was set on foot in the World 2. 'T is a contempt undervaluing of the Holy Spirit of the Lord whose they are and from whom they did proceed Let persons pretensions be what they will it cannot be otherwise Gospel-Institutions are of through the Spirit to slight these is to cast contempt upon him from whom they are 3. That the Spirit is obliged to support maintain them against all oppositions He remains with his People for ever for that end John 16.13 Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come he shall guide you into all Truth v. 14. He shall Glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you And he hath actually done so hitherto keeping alive a blessed witness testimony to them for them in his called chosen witnesses more or less in every day Though sometimes this their testimony hath cost them dear viz. loss of Goods Enjoyments Friends Liberty Life it self yet they have Gloryed Triumph'd under all through this Spirit of Glory and of God that rested upon them and enabled them in this work The very truth is as the great controversie of Christ with the Nations of the European World hath been upon the account of their Spiritual fornications or false worship
Rev. 1.13 20. and 2.1 5. Nothing unclean might come into the Temple nor any impure unholy persons into the Churches of Christ If any such privily creep in when discover'd they are to be ejected cast out 6. There was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Daughter of the Voice the Answer of God who spake unto the people from the Oracle The secret voice and teachings of God is amongst these Isa 8.16 The Vial-Angels have light into their work in the Temple or Gospel-Churches for out of it they come when they address themselves to it Rev. 15.5 6. 7. In the Temple every one spake of his Glory Psal 29.9 in and amongst these is he praised Eph. 3.21 8. All the solemn Worship of God was of old affixt to the Temple 'T is now to Gospel-Churches 9. His special care protection was over his Temple to preserve defend it So 't is over his Churches Hence is their continuance notwithstanding the furious various advances of Men and Devils against them 10. He severely punish'd the violaters destroyers of his Temple Jer. 50.28 and 51.11 He hath done will do so with respect to such as attempt the ruine destruction of these Five things evidently follow from what we have been discoursing touching this matter 1. That Gospel-Churches being God's Temple c. He is obliged to support defend uphold his own Building House Temple 2. That if there be no Churches at this day he hath no Temple nor solemn visible Worship 3. That none have Power over these Churches to plant pull down nor have they or shall they have permission so to scatter destroy them that the Church-state should not somewhere or other be kept up in the World 4. That Gospel-Churches are Honourable Glorious They are God's Temple House Building 5. That those who reproach revile them Blaspheme God his Temple Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven Rev. 13.6 Object But though the Tabernacle Temple were God's Building yet both the one and the other were taken down abolished Answ True And so shall the present Church-State be dissolved at last But 1. Neither the one nor the other were taken down but by God's own Authority and Appointment and that too at last to make way for a more glorious State 2. The Worshippers in that Tabernacle Temple never deserted it till God drove them out of it They offer'd not violence to it themseves attempted not with their own hands to consume destroy it 'T is true as to the last Temple Josephus tells us that the Jews themselves set fire on 't but these were not the Worshippers in it but a company of apostate deboyst miscreants that cared neither for God Temple or Worship CHAP. II. The continuance of Gospel-Churches farther evinced from the Titles given to Jesus Christ with respect to such Churches Christ the Builder of them Zach. 6.12 Heb. 3.3 4. explained What Christ did doth as the Builder of these Churches Christ the Foundation Head Lord of Gospel-Churches In what sense He is so The Husband Bridegroom of them Vpon what accounts he is so called Objections Answered HAving in the former Chapter evinced the continuance of Gospel-Churches from the Titles given by the Spirit of the Lord to the Gospel-Church-State and those who Worship him therein We purpose in this Chapter further to evince the truth thereof From Demonstration II. The Titles Appellations given to Jesus Christ with respect to such Churches each of which is an unshaken basis upon which their continuation is founded We think it necessary to premise that 't is not our intendment to discourse of all the Titles given to Christ in the Scripture but only of such as give countenance assistance strength to the matter of our present enquiry and of these only so far as is necessary thereunto I. Then the Lord Jesus Christ is styled in Scripture the Builder of these Churches Zach. 6.12 He shall build the Tem-of the Lord. So the Vulgar Latine The House of the Lord Seventy Ar. The Temple of the Lord Syr. The Chaldee reads the whole verse thus Behold the Man his Name is Christ who is to be revealed and magnified and about to build the Temple of the Lord. For he shall Build the Temple of the Lord and he shall bear the Glory The Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold the famous Noble Man the Branch 'T is evidently-spoken of Christ who is frequently called Tsemach the Branch Isa 4.2 Jer. 23.5 33.15 Zach. 3.8 Of whom Joshua was a Type 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He himself shall build that Temple of Jehovah viz. that Temple which was to be erected upon his coming into the world whereof the Temple that Joshua and Zerubbabel were in building was a Type viz. Gospel-Churches These Christ is said to Build because he gave forth Directions Laws to his Apostles for their Erection Establishment Heb. 3.3 4. Inasmuch as he who hath builded the House hath more honour than the House For every House is builded by some Man But he that built all things is GOD. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all these things the the Church Persons Ordinances pertaining thereunto The design of the Apostle is to evince Christ's preheminence above Moses 'T is true Moses was an honourable Person he received testimony from God that he was faithful in his House but he was but a servant in it a part of it Christ is the Builder of the House or Church For that by House we are to understand the Church or Churches with all the Ordinances of Worship in it was before proved Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rock I will build my Church Three things Christ did doth as the Builder of this House 1. Gives forth the idea and plat-form of it in its Laws Ordinances and Institutions 2. Provides materials by his Spirit in the Ministration of the Gospel quickning sanctifying making lovely excellent glorious dead polluted vile base sinners 3. Closely conjoyning compacting these materials that they may grow up together a spiritual House an habitation of God through the Spirit To this he uses not outward Compulsion Force Violence but sweetly allures inclines their hearts by the power of his Spirit making them willing visibly to give up themselves to the Lord and one another by the Will of God And in this work the Lord Jesus met meets with the greatest opposition imaginable All the Power Wisdom of Satan the greatest wisest of the World appearing against it Sin Corruption in the hearts of those that are to be prepared for materials for it advancing also against it but Christ being invested with infinite Power carries the work through the difficulties and makes the greatest Mountain become a Plain before him and having erected set it up comes and takes up his dwelling makes his abode in it as was before proved Four things necessarily follow from hence 1. That there is really a Glory in the Churches of Christ 'T is true they have been are as to outward view
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
of Life and from the things which are written in this Book Evidently God tyes up his people under Law and Gospel to a strict and sole attendment unto what he hath given forth in the Scriptures And that because V. These are sufficient able and perfect as he affirms of them to instruct and guide us Psal 19.7 The Law of Jehovah is perfect 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of Prophesie more sure than what than the voice that came from the excellent Glory when Christ was transfigured upon the Mount whereunto we do well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark place untill the day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts The word of Prophesie contain'd in the Scripture is a sure word 't is a light every way sufficient as such to direct us in the way we should take and is carefully to be attended to till the morning of the day of the Son of Man or the Revelation of Jesus 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. Thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are are able to make thee wise unto salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good works The sum of what we have been Arguing Proving is this That the Holy Scriptures are our Directory with respect to Worship all then and no more whatsoever Christ hath commanded his people therein Saints are bound to attend and give up to And if so as is clearly demonstrated then Christ having given charges therein touching Saints walking together in the fellowship of the Gospel Worshipping Waiting on him in Gospel-institutions Praying Preaching Baptism breaking Bread is unquestionably the duty of Saints in every generation Quod erat demonstrandum Object T is true these things were once of the institution of Christ but they are now ceased Answ 1. They are the Scriptures of the Lord as we have proved we are solely to attend to both with respect to Doctrine and Worship let but then one syllable tittle be produced there-from that demonstrates the cessation of these Institutions of Christ and the matter is at an issue The honour of our Lord Jesus being so deeply concerned herein no sober Christian except under a great power of temptation will be willing to part with them upon easier terms 'T is not pretensions to Visions Revelations Angelick Appearances that will remove them from their stedfastness to the institutions of Christ those that depart from them upon such pretensions will never answer it in the day of Christ But 2. By the same reason the institutions Ordinances under the Mosaick Ministration might long before the fulness of time for their dissolution have been exploded so all the Authority of God with respect to Worship been rejected To the very time of their passing away by the exhibition of Jesus who was greater than Moses by whom the Law was given John 1.17 greater than Angels whose Ministry was made use of in its solemn Promulgation Act. 7.53 The Lord charges his People to be found in the practice of them Mal. 4.4 And those that were so as corrupt as the then Church-state was were honoured signally blessed by the Lord as Zachary Elizabeth Simeon 3. There 's not the least mention of the freedom exemption of any of the Lords Children from these Institutions till the personal Appearance of Christ but the contrary Object 2. Well then it seems 't will be granted that when Christ doth personally appear on earth there is to be a cessation of and period put to this Church-state with the Institutions and Ordinances thereunto appertaining what if he hath so appeared already Answ 1. As touching the first we very readily grant it upon Christ's next visible glorious appearance there will certainly be a dissolution of this Fabrick But 2. As to the question whatever the pretensions of any are or may be of Christs personal appearance to them it s evidently false and untrue not to be believed heeded or attended to for these Reasons 1. Christ foretels us there shall be such pretenders and charges us not to believe them or go forth after them Mat. 24.26 Therefore if they shall say unto you Behold he is in the desert go not forth Behold he is in the secret chambers believe it not 2. The Scripure mentions but one second coming of the Lord Jesus Heb. 9.28 And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Upon this pretext there may be must be many comings of Christ 3. The Heavens must receive him till the times of the restitution of all things when and not before God the Father will send him Act. 3.20 21. Of these times there 's nothing appears that bears the least resemblance 4. Christ gives his Church no notice of any such thing which had he designed and for such an end as is pretended viz. to put a period to the present Ministration and to erect a new one send forth new Apostles c. he would certainly have done A total silence herein were there any such thing intended by him is perfectly inconsistent with the Love he bears to his Children 5. 'T is expresly said he must sit at Jehovah's right Hand till his Enemies are made his Foot-stool Psal 110.1 which as yet we are sure they are not 6. The Work of Intercession now in Heaven where he is constantly to attend it will not admit him to come from thence tell he bring the New Jerusalem down with him For he makes Intercession as God-Man in that Nature Body in which he was Crucified which though a glorious Body yet is limited circumscribed else 't were not a Body 7. The Scripture is express that when he comes from thence he comes visibly as he went away so that every eye shall see him Mat. 24.27 30. For as the lightning cometh out of the East and shineth even unto the West so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in Heaven and then shall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great Glory Act. 1.9 10 11. And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he Christ was taken up and a Cloud received him out of their sight And while they looked stedfastly towards Heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in White Apparel which also said Ye men of Galilee Why stand ye gazing up into Heaven This same Jesus which is taken up from you into Heaven shall SO COME in like manner as ye have seen him go into Heaven Rev. 1.7 Behold he cometh with Clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him 8. When Christ comes Satan shall be bound Rev.
20.1 2. the dead Saints raised 1 Thes 4.16 1 Cor. 15.23 Antichrist perfectly destroyed 2 Thes 2.8 The Kingdoms of this World become his Dan. 7.13 14. Object But Christ came personally on Earth to Stephen Paul John Answ Nothing more false As to Stephen 't is expresly said concerning him that he saw Jesus in Heaven standing on the right hand of God Act. 7.55 The same line of Interpretation is to be drawn over that sight that Paul had of him 'T was a sight of him not on Earth but in Heaven May be when he was caught up into Paradice John's was evidently visional For 1. He expresly tells us he was in the Spirit in a Prophetick exstasie or rapture Rev. 1.10 taken out of himself when objects are not presented to the outward senses which are not in an extasie capable of seeing or beholding them but to the inward mind 2. He also tells us that he whom he saw was only like unto the Son of Man ver 13. was not really substantially so 3. If it were a real personal appearance then the seven golden Candlesticks must be seven real golden Candlesticks the white Garment down to Christ's feet the golden Girdle girt about the paps the seven Stars in his right hand the sharp two-edged Sword coming out of his Mouth must also be real which is absurd ridiculous to imagine 't were to make Christ a monster 4. 'T is expresly said that he sent and signified the Revelation God gave him by an Angel Rev. 1.1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ every particular the whole of what 's contain'd in this Book which God gave unto him he sent and signified it by his Angel unto his Servant John Repeated again Rev. 22.6 The Lord God of the Holy Prophets sent his Angel to shew unto his Servants the things which must shortly be done John 't is true mistakes him for Christ ver 8. but is quickly rectified ver 9. I am thy Fellow-Servant and of thy Brethren the Prophets and of them which keep the sayings of this Book CHAP. IV. The Book of the Revelaetion containes a Prophetick discovery of the State of the Church from the time of its being given forth to the glorious personal appearance of Christ The continuance of Gospel-Churches prophesied of in this Book to the time of Christ's coming The seven Churches of Asia a Type of Gospel-Churches and their continuation to that time Four signal periods of time mentioned in the Revelation viz. The time of the Roman-Pagan Empire of the Prophesying of the Witnesses of the last Dragon-War of the Witnesses rise and pouring forth of the Vials which periods in the personal coming of Christ The continuation of the Church-state through these several periods of time demonstrated The Womans or Church's flight into the Wilderness and the Witnesses prophesying in sackcloath contemporize Her feeding in the Wilderness what the manner of it An Objection answered The two Witnesses are not two particular Persons proved They are before the last of the last dayes Who meant by the Gentiles Rev. 11.2 Why call'd Gentiles The Court without the Temple and the Holy City the treading under foot of the Holy City the Temple of God the Altar and Worshippers therein Explained The fourty-two Months or 1260 Dayes not ordinary Months or Dayes evinced The Antichrist is long since come The Papal Kingdom is the Antichrist Rev. 12.17 at large explained The Dragon Woman remnant of her Seed who they are to what period of time that Prophesie hath relation The slaughter of the Witnesses not a corporeal slaughter proved The risen Witnesses and the Vial-Angels Contemporize None of the Vials yet poured forth Rev. 15.5 at large opened What 's meant by the Temple Why call'd the Temple of the Testimony What the opening of the Temple signifies Demonstration IV. THroughout the Book of the Revelation we have a plain and full account of a Church-state or Saints Worshipping God in Gospel-Churches till the Personal appearance of Christ Two things must be premised 1. This Book of the Revelation is a discovery from God the Father to Jesus Christ of things especially relating to his Churches that were shortly to come to pass Rev. 1.1 i. e. the accomplishment of some of the things there prophesied of was immediately to take place Yet 2. It containes a prophetick discovery of the State of the Church from that time to the personal coming of the Lord Jesus Rev. 20.1 And I saw an Angel Constantine say some an Arch-Angel so others Christ the Angel of the Covenant so rather come down from Heaven having the Key of the bottomless Pit Christ alone hath so Rev. 1.18 chap. 21.3 The Tabernacle of God is with men And 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen even so come Lord Jesus So then if we demonstrate that the Continuance of a Church-state or Gospel-Churches is prophesied of throughout this Book the continuation of Gospel-Churches with the Worship Ordinances Institutions peculiar to them cannot be denied A late learned Author and some others before him asserts that by the seven Churches of Asia Rev. 2. 3. the State of the Church of Christ downwards to the end of all things is represented And the truth is with that strength of Arguments that I know not how it can be refelled The Church of Ephesus representing the State of the Church of Christ to the tenth of Nero's raign A.D. 63. Smyrna the State of the Church from 63. tell A.D. 324. when Constantine had subdued the most potent Enemies of the Church and comprises the Ten Presecutions Pergamos the state of the Church from 324. to A.D. 1242. when the Popes Legate Amelin made an end of the Albigensian War with Trancavel Bastard of the Earl of Beziers Thyatira the State of the Church from 1242. till whole Nations fell off from the Papacy Sardis from the rise of the Witnesses to the last Vial. Philadelphia from the time of the Last Vial to the fourth Thunder Laodicea the State of the Church from the fourth and fifth Thunders i. e. from the loosing of Satan to the appearing of Christ's coming to Judgment under the sixth Thunder Now though I have several reasons why I cannot comply with this Learned Author as touching the computation of time yet his Arguments to prove the State of the Church from that time to the Confummation of the World to be represented by the seven Churches of Asia seem unanswerable As 1. The title of the Revelation ver 1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ to shew unto his Servants things which must shortly come to pass The Asiatick Churches then were this Book containes a Revelation of things that were to be 2. John's present saluting of the Seven Churches upon his calling this a Book of Prophesies with this Salutation Grace be unto you and Peace from him which is and which was and which is to come manifests as much 3. The description he gives of Christ which is and which was and
difference God makes betwixt Professors some he curiously Measures others he deals not so with as not worth minding being Virgins Nullius Pretii of no reckoning value 4. That the building of the Church is Gods work his measuring-line not Man's must be stretcht over it 5. His care to preserve this remnant in that purity simplicity of Worship that was according to his Will and they had attain'd to during the whole time of the Antichristian Apostacy and Prophesying of the Witnesses against it Measuring in Scripture somtimes at least denotes the care concern of Jehovah for the thing measured III. All the time of Antichrist's rampancy there are two Witnesses that have Power given them from the Lord at least till the time of their slaughter to prophesie against Antichrist i. e. to stand by the Lord of the whole Earth against him Rev. 11.3 4. viz. to take Christ's part against Antichrist maintain defend the things of Christ against the incroachments devices carnal inventions of Antichrist Now this man of Sin made not onely advances against the Doctrine of the Gospel but against the oeconomy order thereof with respect to Worship Christ hath his particular Churches with fixed Officers in them Institutions Orders of his own affixed to them all gather'd by the Power of the Spirit and voluntarily giving up themselves to the Lord and one another Pastors Teachers chosen by them from amongst themselves He the Head of them all Antichrist hath his oecumenical Universal Church Officers Institutions Ordinances Forraign contrary to Christ's He sets up himself as Head of this Antichristian-Church gathers into it by force violence rules governs it by Canons Laws of his own If then Christ hath his Witnesses and their work be to Witness for him against Antichrist's innovations they must be found not only pleading against these which would be only a negative testimony but witnessing for the Order Institutions of Christ and so consequently be in the practice of these For it cannot be imagin'd that Christ's Witnesses should own that in Principle and plead for it which they are themselves out of the practice of Nay the truth is this last is that wherein their witness signally lyes IV. That the Woman's flight into the Wilderness Rev. 12.6 and the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloth contemporize is not onely generally granted but 't is from hence evident because the time of the Witnesses prophesying in Sackcloth and the Womans continuing in the Wilderness is the same Rev. 11.3 They shall Prophesie a thousand two hundred and sixty dayes clothed in sackcloth Rev. 12.6 And the Woman fled into the Wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and three-score dayes That she was in the Wilderness in a Church-state waiting upon the Lord in Institutions Ordinances of his own appointment is evident 1. She is therefore call'd the Woman as the false Church is call'd the whorish Woman because of her Antichristian Church-state Worship Ordinances 2. 'T is said They should feed her there Quest Who shall feed her there Answ Persons appointed by the Lord and chosen by the Church in this her Wilderness-state shall do it Quest How should they feed her Answ There 's no extraordinary way of feeding pointed at by the Spirit of the Lord therefore she 's to be fed in God's Ordinary way in her attendment on Institutions of his own appointment for that end So that evidently there were Churches Church-Institutions Worship all the time of the Witnesses prophesying Object All this may be granted and yet the continuance of Gospel-Churches not proved for the Witnesses began not to Prophesie till a few years ago Answ Though this Objection be very weak frivolous the basis upon which it is built generally exploded by all Reformed Christians and therefore may seem not worthy our notice yet resolving not willingly to pass by any thing that may seem to have the least shadow of Argument in it against what we are pleading for and for the sake of some that are or may be in danger to be led aside by such pretensions as these we shall particularly examine it Several things are supposed as the basis upon which this Objection is built that are evidently false which being demonstrated to be so the Objection will presently evaporate into smoke and vanity As 1. That the two Witnesses spoken of are two particular Persons 2. That they are to come in the last of the last dayes 3. That the time of their Prophesie is but One thousand two hundred and three-score natural dayes Now the Heterodoxy of all this will presently appear I. As touching the first 't is true Bellarmine the Jesuite and others tell us not only that they are two particular Persons whom some of late follow but also who they are viz. Enoch and Elias who they say shall come and fight against Antichrist in Jerusalem and there be put to death by him Bellar. de Rom. Pontif. l. 3. c. 13. But that they are not cannot be two particular Persons is evident 1. The Two Witnesses are call'd two Candlesticks which Christ interprets to be Churches as was said before 2. The Two Witnesses Prophesie all the Wild Beast's Antichrist's Reign viz. Fourty-two Months or One thousand two hundred sixty dayes viz. prophetick dayes i. e. Years as shall by and by be demonstrated 'T is not to be imagined that any two particular Persons should ever live so long 3. During the time of their Prophesie They torment them that dwell upon the Earth Rev. 11.10 i. e. the Antichristian Kingdom which 't is not probable two particular Persons especially considering that those which hold this notion assert also that the 1260. dayes are natural dayes or three Years and an half should do in so short a time 4. When they are slain and lye dead in the street of the great City three dayes and an half natural dayes as they 'l have it they of the People and Kindreds and Tongues and Nations viz. the multitude over which Antichrist presides see their dead bodies and rejoyce over them Which that they should do if but two particular persons and they lye dead for so short a time is the first-born of absurdities 'T is impossible within that limit the persons mention'd should all hear of it much more come to see it II. That the two Witnesses are to come in the last of the last dayes is also an unscriptural-vanity as is evident 1. The two Witnesses Prophesying and the Gentiles treading under foot the Holy City contemporize Rev. 11.2 3. But the Court which is without the Temple leave out and measure it not for it 's given unto the Gentiles and the holy City shall they tread under foot fourty and two Months And I will give Power unto my two Witnesses and they shall Prophesie 1260 Dayes cloathed in Sackcloth The fourty two Months according to the Grecian account are exactly 1260. Dayes so long then as the Gentiles tread down the
Holy City so long are the Witnesses to Prophesie A few things must further be enquir'd into 1. Who we are to understand by the Gentiles 2. What by the Holy City 3. What their treading under foot the Holy City means 4. What space of time the fourty-two Months take up in which 't is said the Gentiles shall tread down the Holy City 1. By the Gentiles we are to understand the Antichristians particularly the bloody Papists headed by the Pope That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man of Sin that Son of Perdition that Lawless One 2. Thes 2.3 8. These are call'd Gentiles because 1. Of their Introduction of Idolatrous Worship practised amongst the Gentiles I mean not only the Worship of Statues Idols of Wood Stone Brass Silver Gold but the Worship of Heroes or Saints in imitation of the Gentile-Heroes whom they Worship'd 2. Of their being actuated by the same Spirit of bloody cruelty against the Worshippers within the Temple and Altar or the true Spiritual Worshipers with which the Gentiles before them were actuated against the Primitive Believers and actually murdering the true Servants of the Lord as they did 2. The Court without the Temple and the Holy City which Type out the same thing is the Antichristian Church-state Worship Worshippers Orders Ordinances The Temple of God the Altar and the Worshippers therein v. 1. are the Gospel-Church-state with the Worship and Worshippers thereunto belonging as hath been proved The Court then without the Temple and the Holy City to be left out as a matter of no worth is the false Church-state with its Worship and Worshippers 3. Their treading under foot the Holy City denotes 1. The numerousness of the Antichristian Worshippers 2. Their frequency in their Antichristian Service as the Phrase is taken Isa 1.12 Psal 121.2 q. d. Measure not the Court The false Worship Worshippers are so contemptible vile they deserve not to be taken notice of are so numerous that they cannot well be measured They throng the City as if they would tread it under foot at once 4. The fourty-two Months cannot possibly denote fourty-two ordinary Months or One thousand two hundred and sixty natural Dayes or three years and an half for these Reasons 1. The Papacy represented under the notion of the Gentiles have been already rampant hundreds of Years persecuted murder'd destroyed millions of Saints for not treading together with them the Holy City 2. As was said The forty-two Months and the One thousand two hundred sixty dayes are the same Now a day for a year is the prophetick reckoning See Num. 14.34 Ezek. 4.6 So in the prophesie of Daniel Chap. 8.21 23. and 9.24 and 12.11 12 And for ought I find in all Prophetick Books where any signal time is spoken of 3. That the Gentiles treading down the Holy City and the wild Beast Rev. 13.2 3. are the same hath hitherto been taken for granted and 't is evident they are so as from other considerations so from this that the same term is given to them both ver 5. And Power was given to him forty-two Months or One thousand two hundred and sixty Dayes as was before intimated Now t is impossible that what is said to be done by and ascribed to this wild Beast should be shut up in so short a period as three years and an half For 1. He brings the whole world under his subjection is a dread and terror to them grows so considerable that none is able to make War with him ver 4 7. And they Worshipped the Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast Who is able to make War with him 2. All the World wonders after the Beast ver 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Word is very emphatick denoting honour reverence fear of any one upon the account of some wonderful strange thing done by him 'T is translated Jude 16. The having mens persons in admiration It comes from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 greatly to observe reverence worship to magnify have in great esteem Some read it He was admired in the whole Earth The Arabick translates it The whole Earth wondring followed the Beast Which is indeed the sense of the place q. d. such wonderful things shall be done by the Beast in the sight of the World that with the greatest admiration highest approbation and consent they shall take the Beasts part list themselves under his standard The Aethiopick reads And the whole Earth wondred and followed this Beast to the same purpose 3. He makes War with the Saints and overcomes them v. 7. Acts that must certainly take up more time than three Years and an half for their production III. Antichrist who is the same with the Wild Beast but now mentioned as is granted by all was in the womb in the Apostles dayes wrought then under ground in a mystery labouring to come forth which he at last did Exalting himself above all that is called God or worshipped shewing himself that he is God 2 Thes 2.4 7. He more openly shew'd himself whilst the Apostle John was yet alive than he did in Paul's dayes John 2.22 23. and 4.2 3. So that it 's evident that the Antichrist was in the womb in the Apostles dayes and openly discover'd himself not long after the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which letted call'd the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Letter or he which letteth 2 Thes 2.6 7. was taken out of the way Various are the sentiments of the Learned touching this Letter The Learned Brightman makes him to be the sixth head of the Roman Empire others think him to be the Holy Spirit who by his signal presence power with the Primitive believers kept Antichrist from ascending to that heighth of dignity supremacy he aimed at Some adjudge it to be the apostasie spoken of ver 3. Except there come a falling away first and that man of Sin be revealed the Son of Perdition q. d. The general Apostacy must first be ere the man of Sin or Antichrist openly manifest himself when that is he will quickly appear to head it It s not yet coming is that which lets his Revelation The generality take it for the Roman-Pagan-Empire or Emperour in his full Power and Majesty flourishing and living at his seat in Rome Which I humbly conceive is Paul's intendment For 1. No reason can be given why Paul expresses himself in so dark terms that which letteth this Letter if the Roman-Pagan-Empire be not intended but if so the reason is obvious They had an opinion that this Empire was everlasting to have talk'd of its removal would have stirr'd them up to have persecuted the Saints as the Enemies of it Less occasions they many times took so to do 2. Antichrist's seat was to be Rome Rev. 17.9 The seven heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth i. e. The City built on seven Hills is Antichrists Seat viz. Rome alone famous amongst Historians upon that account Septem urbs alta jugis toti quae
of Christ Mal. 4.4 with Deut. 34.10 and that upon this foot of account because till Christ none rose up greater than he Therefore Paul going about to demonstrate to the Jews the abolition of the Mosaick Ministration layes the Foundation of his discourse in the super-eminent Authority of the Lord Jesus 'T is true the Law was most solemnly given forth by the Ministration of Angels in the hands of Moses but Christ is above Angels Heb. 1.4 and 2.2 above Moses chap. 3.3 Is there any greater superiour to Christ If not as most certain it is there is not to assert it is the height of Antichristianism 't is blasphemy against the Son then the Ministration instituted by him must of necessity continue till he come to put a period to it For it must be a greater and superior that can abolish or alter what is establisht CHAP. VI. The end for which Christ Instituted the Gospel-Church-state Churches Ordinances the same and will continue so to the time of the consummation of all things The particular ends instanc'd in Sanctifying the Name of the Lord in Worship what it is A solemn publick avowed owning subjection to Christ setting forth the Lords honour publishing his praises Eph. 3.21 Explained Saints mutual edification growth The confirmation of their mutual Love to each other Are some of the ends for which Christ instituted Gospel-Churches Ordinances demonstrated Demonstration VI. THE end for which the Lord Jesus establisht the Gospel-Church-state Gospel-Churches Institutions Ordinances is the same that ever 't was and will continue so to be till the time of the consummation of all things Whence its continuation necessarily follows Let 's a little consider what were the ends for which God from the beginning instituted a Church-state in the World Amongst others that perhaps might be mentioned these are the chief I. The Sanctification of his name therein Lev. 10.3 This is that which the Lord hath said I will be Sanctified in all those that draw nigh to me 'T is of the solemn Worship of God in that Church-state he is there speaking In particular touching that Institution of sacrificeing to the Lord. The sanctification of his name therein is asserted to be one great end of the Lord in that institution a failure wherein cost Nadab and Abihu dear they thereby provoked the Lord and he brake forth in his fury against them and slew them before the People This also is asserted to be the end of the Gospel-Church-state Gospel-Institutions Heb. 12.28 29. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with REVERENCE and GODLY FEAR for our God is a consuming Fire By the Kingdom which cannot be shaken we have already demonstrated is meant the Gospel-Church-state therein they were to serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear i. e. they were to sanctifie his name in their attendment on him in the Institutions appertaining thereunto which if they neglect to do they may expect to find the Lord as Nadab and Abihu did a consuming fire to them Before we come to a full Conclusion of this matter 't will not be altogether impertinent or unprofitable to remark what it is to sanctifie the Name of the Lord in solemn-gospel-Solemn-Gospel-Worship In order whereunto there must be 1. A single respect to a Holy reverence of God's Soveraign Authority in its appointment The Laws Edicts of men have no place here Should we be found in the practice of what God commands and therein have no regard to his Commandment Authority but the Commandments Injunctions of men we sanctifie not his name therein The Authority of God instituting it is laid as the Foundation of and motive to all our Worship Deut. 6.4 5 6 7. and 28.58 Mat. 28.18 19 20. Heb. 3.4 5 6. What 's bottom'd meerly upon the wills laws of men is not the Worship of God 't is Superstitious Idolatrous Vain Empty good for nothing that which the Soul of the Lord loaths abhors it provokes him to Jealousie whatever outward splendour beauty shew of Devotion it may seem to have in it How great a part of the Worship of the Papacy is hereby discarded is known It being solely built upon the Authority of Popes Councils Fathers Traditions Laws Edicts of Men totally forraign contrary to Jehovah's Law 2. There must be also Faith in the Promises of God annexed to the observance of these Institutions That there are special promises of Favour Grace Kindness to such as Conscientiously attend upon him herein shall afterwards be demonstrated Faith is required with respect to these Promises He that comes unto God draws nigh to him in Gospel-Institutions must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 3. There must be a Holy Awfull regard unto his special Presence in them He walks in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.13 dwells in his Churches 2 Cor. 6.16 'T is true he fills Heaven and Earth with his presence is indistant to no creature the vilest of Men or Devils but he hath promised a more special Presence with his Children as they are attending him in his own appointments for their further enlightning quickning comfort strengthning growth increasment in the Grace of God Mat. 18.20 If persons attend on Divine Institutions and realize not the special presence of the Lord there no wonder if they are carnal formal dead lifeless in them meet with no feeling of his Power sights of his Glory 4. There must be an attendment to the due order in which the Lord will have all managed A failure herein caused the Lord of old to make a breach upon Vzzah he smote him slew him when they were about to bring the Ark from Kirjath-jearim 1 Chron. 13.11 1 Chron. 15.13 The Lord our God made a breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due Order All must be managed in the Spirit Power of Jehovah he 's put into office by the Father and the Son to enable in the managery of Divine Service Rom. 8.26 Alas sorry weak man is altogether unable for the dispatch of such sublime Heavenly Work Let men at their utmost peril contemn deride the assistance of the Spirit herein they never worship God aright who are strangers to it nor without it will ever be able to please him in what they do 5. There must be also a holy delight in God the lively stirring up exertings puttings forth of the grace of God in us 'T is not so easie a matter for persons to sanctifie the Name of God in Worship as many suppose it to be We cannot of our selves in our own creaturely power serve him who is a jealous God 6. There must be a perseverance continuance unto the end in obedience to him in a due observation of and subjection to him in Gospel-Institutions otherwise we deny his name prophane it as much as in us lyes make Religion Christianity a ridicule contempt in
the World instead of Sanctifying it Are any of these things vacated not to be heeded attended to Who that pretends in sobriety to Christianity hath the forehead to avouch affirm it II. Another end of Gospel-Institutions is Our solemn publick avowed owning of subjection to the Lord Jesus 'T was from the beginning one end of God in his erecting of Worship that his People might therein solemnly own avouch him to be their God Lord Soveraign and they his Loyal Subjects faithful Servants Deut. 26.16 17 18. This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these Statutes and Judgments Thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thy heart and all thy soul Thou hast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God and to walk in his Wayes and to keep his Statutes and his Commandments and his Judgements and to harken unto his Voice And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar People as he hath promised thee and that thou shouldest keep all his Commandments If we will have God for our God visibly own him as such we must conform to his Institutions our publick acknowledgment of him as such lyes therein The World know nothing of the Saints actings of Faith Love the secret communion they have with GOD nor do they can they take much notice of them as to their Closet Family-Service but when found in the practice of the Institutions of the Lord then are they in the view of men publickly declaring that God's their God and they his People Josh 24.18 21 22. is to the same purpose 2 Cor. 8.5 First gave their own selves to the Lord i. e. chose him for their God resign'd up themselves all that they were and had wholly to the Lord to be at his dispose And unto us by the Will of God i. e. they solemnly avouched publickly owned declared this God to be theirs by their entring into the fellowship of the Gospel walking in the wayes of his appointment owning subjecting to the Ordinances of Jesus declared to them by us Nor can there be a full owning of the Lord to speak modestly without a conscientious walking herein neither will the Lord look upon ought we do whilest in the wilful neglect of his Institutions to be such an owning of him He will be acknowledged to be our God not in the way of our own wills but in the wayes he hath appointed us so to do The sole question is and yet one would wonder it should be a question amongst any that profess the fear of the Lord Whether it be the duty of Saints publickly to own acknowledge him to be their GOD Which if granted it cannot be denied but the Gospel-Church-state with the Institutions thereunto belonging is yet in being and must be so whilest there are any Saints in this World whose duty 't is so to own him for one end aimed at by the Lord Jesus in the establishment of these Institutions was as hath been proved that Saints should solemnly own acknowledge him therein III. A third end of this Gospel-Church-state is to set forth the Lords honour publish his praises Eph. 3.21 Vnto him be glory in the Churches by Christ Jesus throughout all Ages World without end Amen Two things are here plainly asserted by the Apostle 1. That there shall be a continuation of Churches thoughout all ages World without end and of such Churches both for Matter and Form at least as were in the Apostles dayes walking with Christ in all the wayes of his appointment One would wonder at the confidence of persons who have the forehead to assert the cessation of Churches Ordinances in open opposition to what is affirmed here by the Apostle of our Lord who speaks so fully plainly to their continuation 'till the end of the World that all the wit of man cannot possibly find out any evasion Had he said only They should continue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to or throughout Generations or Ages 't would have been said true but when the Apostles fell asleep and a second Generation also was past a general apostacy came in and there was a period of the Church-state To obviate which cavil he industriously as 't were affirms their continuance 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into all or throughout all Generations or Ages and as if that were not full enough to express his intendment of their continuance till time should be no more he adds that they should be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 throughout all Ages of the World of Worlds or Age of Ages The Apostles seems to allude to two Hebrew Phrases 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Psal 10.6 I shall never be in Adversity the word is unto Generation and Generation And that Isa 45.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded World without end Their continuance till the end of this World is evidently what 's his intendment 2. That one end of the Institution of these Churches is that God may be praised in them by them is also asserted Is this end terminated Is it not the duty of Saints to praise the Lord and to praise him in the wayes he hath appointed If he hath instituted Churches for this end 't is the duty of Saints to praise him in them If for this end he hath Appointed their continuance throughout all Ages they must of necessity so continue or God failes of his end which is abominable Blasphemous to assert See to the same purpose Heb. 2.12 1 Pet. 2.9 IV. Another end of the Gospel-Church-state is Saints mutual Edification Growth till they all come in the Vnity 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 1 Cor. 14.26 Let all things be done to edifying Eph. 4.11 12 13 29. 1 Thes 5.11 Jude 20. Have Saints no further need of edification building up Are they come to a Perfect man unto the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ Who dare aver it Can there be a more proper medium way or means fixt upon for the effecting this noble and glorious end than what the Lord propos'd viz. their walking together in the fellowship of the Gospel in the practice of all the Institutions of Christ What ever persons may think as none can desert the way Appointed by the Lord for the production of this end without a tremendous advance against the Wisdom of God his Love to and Care of his Children so they 'l find any other fixt upon by them will prove altogether insuccessful as to the end aimed at V. The confirmation of the Saints mutual love one to another is also frequently asserted to be one great end of this Appointment Eph. 5.2 1 Thes 3.12 1 John 3.22 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 'T is certainly our duty to keep this Commandment of our Lord yea to abound in love more and more each to other The means then appointed by the Lord for that end must
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-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
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
so the great controversy of Antichrist against the Lord's Children hath been is and will be till he be destroy'd upon the account of their abiding by the institutions of Christ Rev. 12.17 The Dragon or Devil was wroth with the Woman the Church and went to make War with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandments of God Commandments What Commandments Such as relate to what is obvious to the eye of the Devils Instruments viz. Gospel-Institutions of which afterwards Sixthly Gospel-Churches are said to be the Body of Christ Rom. 12.4 5. But as we have many members in one body and all members have not the same Office So we being many are one body in Christ and every one members of another 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ Christ the head and Saints the members make but one Christ Mystick v. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in Particular Eph. 4.15 16. The Head Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyn'd together maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in Love In which places the Church is called a Body the Body of Christ Two things are briefly to be enquired into 1. What we are to understand by the Church 2. Upon what account it 's called the Body of Christ I. As touching the first I shall not run over the various acceptions of the word Church in the Scripture I have done it elsewhere That in every one of the places instanc'd in a particular instituted Church of Christ is intended is evident For 1. Paul directs his Epistles to them as such Those whom he stiles the Church in the beginning of his Epistles 1 Cor. 1.2 or beloved of God call'd to be Saints Rom. 1.7 i. e. the particular Church at Rome Rom. 16.1 21. Or the Saints which are at Ephesus the Faithful in Christ Jesus Eph. 1.1 i. e. that particular Church there Rev. 2.1 He afterwards calls the Body of Christ in the places fore-quoted 2. Such a Church is intended amongst which a Schism may be 1 Cor. 12.25 but Schism is entirely in one Church among the members of one particular Society 3. 'T is such a Church as hath Officers set and placed among them 1 Cor. 12.28 29. see Act. 18.8 9 10. 1 Cor. 3. 21 22. These are placed of God in particular Churches relate to them as such Act. 14.23 and 15.2 4 6 22 23. and 16.4 and 20.17 and 21.18 Tit. 1.5 Jam. 5.14 Act. 20.28 II. Upon what account this Church is called the Body of Christ must nextly be considered 'T is so called because 1. Of the forming fashioning of Christ Particular Churches whatever is pretended may not be modified formed fashioned according to the wills humors or lusts of men but according to the Type or Pattern of them given forth by Jesus He shall build the Temple of the Lord Zach. 6.12 2. Of their Union with relation to the Lord Jesus The Union betwixt Head and Body is a real near Union cannot be separated but by the Destruction of the whole 3. Of Christ's Love to care of defence over it The Head is careful of the Body Nor can it be supposed without the highest advance against the Faithfulness Wisdom Love of the Lord Jesus that he should not be so to his Church Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That Christ is obliged to preserve his Gospel-Church-state in some particular Churches who may glorifie him in their professed subjection thereto They are his Body now every one will nourish cherish his own Body 2. That therefore this Church-state in some particular Churches is preserved by Jesus Christ If it be not he 's unfaithful fills not up that relation he stands in to his Body the Church Besides if he preserve it not 't is either for want of Love or Power so to do The first cannot be asserted for no man yet hated his own flesh but loves nourisheth cherishes it nor the second for all power in Heaven and Earth is given to Him 3. If the Church-state be not continued then Christ hath now no body is a head without a body For they are Saints as walking in such a state viz. the Order and fellowship of the Gospel that are so called as I have proved Seventhly Gospel-Churches are stiled The Temple Tabernacle House Building of the Lord. 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of the Living God 2 Cor. 6.16 Ye are the Temple of the Living God Rev. 13.6 And he opened his mouth in Blasphemies against God to Blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle Prov. 9.1 Wisdom hath builded her House i. e. Christ hath done so Builded Planted his Churches She hath hewen out her seven Pillars Christ's House or Churches is said to be built upon seven Pillars to point out its sure and stable Foundation Heb. 3.6 Whose House are we 1 Cor. 3.9 Ye are God's Building 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual House Saints are the House building of Christ saith a reverend and learned Author upon a treble account 1. Of their peusons In them he dwells really by his Spirit Eph. 2.20 21 22. 2 Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 John 14.17 2. Of their being compact together in Church-Order according to his institution whereby they are built up cemented united and become an House like the Tabernacle or Temple of God Eph. 4.16 Col. 2.19 3. Of their Joynt-Worship performed in that order wherein and whereby he also dwells among them or is present with them unto the Consummation of all things Rev. 21.3 Mat. 28.20 This must be a little further considered Saints Congregated together in the Fellowship of the Gospel are his Temple Tabernacle House Building in a scattered divided state they cannot strictly be so call'd and so denominated in Scripture with respect to the Tabernacle Temple of Old that were the Lords Building viz. Built by his Command express direction in every part of them These were Types of Gospel-Churches Now insomuch as the Temple of Old was the most considerable type hereof Let 's a little consider upon what accounts Gospel-Churches are so call'd with respect to the Building They are so upon various accounts 1. The Temple of Old was built of precious hewen-stone ready prepared for the building 1 King 5.17 18. and 6.7 Gospel-Churches are made up of Living-stones formed prepared as fit materials for this Royal Building 1 Pet. 2.4 5. 2. That was built by Solomon an Eminent Type of Christ These by Christ himself Zach. 6.12 of which afterward 3. That was renowned for its Magnificence Excellency and Glory These however debased reproached by one and another shall be so Isa 60.13 4. That had in it the Ark the Mercy-Seat all Types of Christ and the special presence of Jehovah These have most eminently the presence of the Lord with them Mat. 18.20 2. Cor. 6.16