there no remedy Though the case be deplorable 't is not desperate Were my Text but minded in it might be found a sure Recipe Christ is the Churches Head and Healer and were but Love revived it would quickly bring his Body to a better and more healthy temper Light may do much but Love will do more Love covers a multitude of sins Love cures a multitude of Maladies The Church encreases and edifies it self in Love Though the Apostle was a Prisoner yet we find his Heart enlarged towards the Ephesians Having before discoursed concerning the Mysteries of Faith in this Chapter he presses Vnity and Love with the greatest vehemency and in order hereunto he exhorts to all lowliness and meekness He knew that pride is the cause of contention and that humility and love are the way both to the Souls and to the Churches Rest He uses great strength and cogency of Argument that he may prevail The Saints are Members of one Body They have been regenerated and are acted by one Spirit who hath effectually called them to a lively hope of one and the same incorruptible Inheritance And in that Inheritance there is not there cannot be the least discord They serve one Lord who is best served when his Servants best agree together They are instructed in one Gospel justified by one Faith baptized in one Name Finally that God is one who is a most compassionate and indulgent Father to them all And from so many Premises how strongly and undeniably may we conclude that all Saints should be of one Heart and of one Soul The Apostle in thus preaching Love and Peace shewed he had a very great regard to the glory of Christ the Head who is ascended far above all Heavens that he might fill all things and that he had a great concernedness for his Body the Churches edification For according to my Text it increases and edifies it self in Love In the Words there are four Propositions worthy of our observation First The Church of Christ is compared to a Body Secondly This Body of Christ is imperfect in this world and therefore continually should be increasing Thirdly The Body of Christ should diligently endeavour the edifying of it self Fourthly The more Love abounds among the Members of the Church the more the whole Body will be edified Proposit 1. I begin with the first Proposition The Church of Christ is compared to a Body The Scripture often uses this Metaphor of a Body now a Metaphor is a similitude in a word and indeed there is a great resemblance between an Humane Body and the Church of Christ as by and by will be made evident Believers are sometimes called the Brethren of Christ Joh. 20. 17. which intimates a very near relation Sometimes they are called his Spouse whom he has betrothed to himself for ever Hos 2. 19 20. and that 's a relation much nearer and signifies a more intimate and dear affection and familiarity Sometimes they are called Branches Joh. 15. 1 2 3 4. and this expresses a nearer Union still and that both the life and fruitfulness of Christians depends upon their being and abiding in Christ the true Vine But because Branches though they grow are without sense and feeling so that neither themselves nor the Vine feel any pain when they are cut or broken therefore Believers are stiled Members the Church a Body and Christ is the Head who is very much concerned both in it and for it Eph. 5. 2 3. Christ is the Head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the Body So Eph. 3. 6. That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel Again Col. 1. 18. And he is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning and first-born from the dead that in all things he might have the preeminence Zanchius upon this Text takes notice of two things 1. That by the Body we are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phorius in scholiis to understand Verum Christi Corpus Mysticum the true Church the true mystical body of Christ This Church is made up of them that are really sanctified of this Hypocrites are not members for tho' such are visibly Saints yet in truth they are under the dominion of sin and shall receive for their hypocrisie greater damnation Tho' hypocrites profess themselves Christs members yet really they are not united to him Christ lives not rules not acts not in them as he does in sincere Christians Let them seem to be his followers let them pretend never so highly to be his friends yet really they are strangers whom Christ will profess at the great day he never knew Luk. 13. 26 27. Then shall ye begin to say We have eaten and drunk in thy presence and thou hast taught in our streets But he shall say I tell you I know you not â—hence you are depart from me all ye workers of iniquity 2. By the Church we are to understand the Church Militant that part of the body of Christ which is militant on earth not which is triumphant in Heaven The Church above needs not exhortations to grow and increase in Knowledge and Grace it needs not the means of edification Sermons of love are not to be preached there Glorified Saints have not the least sinful defect they see God face to face and Christ as he is and their love to their Father and Redeemer is answerable to the sight they have and as much as they are capable of And being refined from all remainders of sin they are become such lovely Creatures that they cannot but love one another with a most pure and perfect love 'T is the Church of Christ on earth the Apostle speaks of this is the Body that is to be edified and alas in how many respects how certainly in all respects does it stand in need of edification In the handling of this Proposition I shall first of all shew the great resemblance that iâ— between the Church of Christ and a Body Secondly What kind of body the Church of Christ is Lastly Make Application In the first place I am to shew the great resemblance between the Church of Christ and a Body 1. The life of the Body depends upon its conjunction with the Head Christ is the Churches life and the Nos Christo adglutinamur non sicut populus Principi sed sicut membra bumani corporis suo Capiti Church could no more live without Christ than a body could remain alive after the head were severed from it Our Lord calls himself the Way the Truth and the Life also Joh. 14. 6. By his blood he frees his Church from the sentence of death and condemnation which sin had brought her under and makes her spiritually alive by his quickning Spirit So that the Church breaths after God walks with him labours in his work and service all which are evidences of life spiritual We read 1 Joh. 5.
12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life They that by faith receive the Lord Jesus are purified are regenerated and shall live for ever but as many as through unbelief reject him remain dead in sin and doom'd to Hell Union with Christ is a most necessary a most happy union The Churches life from this has its beginning and continuance unto consummation 2. The Head has a mighty influence upon the Body There is a powerful influence from Christ upon his Church and what good it does is done by vertue of this influence He is said to be exalted far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Eph. 4. 10. Whatever grace and strength and comfort is communicated to believers it is really and all from Christ He fills Ordinances with efficacy mercies with sweetness afflictions with light and usefulness and Souls with greater degrees of Grace and Holiness out of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all-fulness it has pleased the Father should dwell in him Col. 1. 19. Our Lord tells his Disciples they must abide in him for separated from him they can do nothing Joh. 15. 5. No wonder the Apostle professes That Christ is all and in all Col. 3. 11. Though the Body the Church should be never so much increased a deficiency in the Head Christ need not be feared neither is it indeed possible for in him there is all the fulness of the Godhead And consequently his Rightousness and Grace must needs be sufficient for the whole 3. The Body has many Members and these members have different Offices The Church likewise has various members and their different stations relations callings diversify their work and duties and yet the doing of these duties is both comely and advantageous and the more every one does his own work the more all are benefited Rom. 12. 45. the Apostle tells us That 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 from thence infers that All should use the gifts they have received which are differing according to the grace and good pleasure of God the Giver It would be unreasonable for the Ear to attempt to speak like the Tongue or the Hand to see like the Eye The several members have their uses and work proper to them All are not Apostles all are not Prophets all are not Teachers all are not Governours 1 Cor. 12. 29. There are many indeed most in the Church that have need to be taught and governed and those that think themselves wise enough to instruct and govern themselves and so despise their spiritual Guides usually are the most ignorant and unruly and hugely need the help and conduct of others The members must abide in their place and calling Masters Servants Parents Children Husbands Wives Magistrates Subjects Pastors People doing their duties which the Scripture in their several stations and relations calls for 4. The Body is fitly joyned and thus fitly joyned is the Church of Christ The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies that there is a congruous order among the members of Christ Without Order an Army would be a Rout and not an Army a Kingdom would become a confused self-destroying multitude The Churches God is the God of Order and not of confusion 1 Cor. 14. 33. There is a rule for Order and Government and a subordination in the Church 't is not a body of levellers if there were a perfect parity all would affect to rule none would care to be ruled The reproof of two or three is more than the reproof of one the Churches admonition and censure is still with greater authority The flock is to submit themselves â—o their Pastors who are over them in the Lord. Heb. 13. 17. and both Pastors and people are to submit especially unto Christian Magistrates who are prophetically promised in the Old Testament that they should be Nursing Fathers to the Church under the New A right Order in Churches and Families will have a mighty influence to make believers stedfast against temptations both to Error and Wickedness The Apostle rejoyced in the Colossians chap. 2. 5. when he beheld their order and the stedfastness of of their faith in Christ 5. The Body is compact together so is the Church of Christ the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shews that the Church is firmly knit unto Christ the Head and the members one unto another The hypostatical Vnion between the Natures of Christ shall never be dissolved neither shall the mystical union between him and his members and if so then his true members must needs remain closely knit together There are ligaments joynts bands whereby the Body of Christ is held together The Spirit of Grace and Love unites the body to Christ and members to members The Ministers of Christ are subservient unto this union and ought to be preaching and commending love which is a grace of an uniting nature The Apostle had a concernedness for the Colossians which he expresses by a great conflict and that which he wisht so vehemently for was this that their hearts might be comforted beingknit together in love Col. 2. 1 2. Where is the member of the natural Body that grows weary of its fellowship and is willing to be cut off The Arms the Hands the Leggs the Feet are desirous to keep their places and and nature makes them abhor to be severed True grace makes the members of the Church to dislike separation As they believe so they very well like and are desirous of the communion of Saints A very black mark is set upon them who are of a contrary inclination 1 Joh. 2. 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest they were not all of us 6. God hath set the Members in the body as it pleased him the different gifts and graces which are in the Church of Christ and the members of it are according to Gods will and pleasure He bestowes larger gifts upon some and less upon others and yet those that have less are not unuseful Some Saints receive greater measures of Grace others smaller but all have that grace which is true and which at last will end in glory Some members of the Church are higher others lower and yet they should not envy or despise one another for God has assigned their place unto both the higher may direct the lower the lower may serve the higher The eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of thee nor the head to the feet I Have no need of you and those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary 1 Cor. 12. 21 22. By the grace of God the members of Christ are what they are They have nothing but what they have received and the more
any have received the more humble and diligent they should be for where much is given much will also be required 7. In the Body Nourishment is conveyed unto the parts and the whole is hereby sustained The body of Christ also by joints and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Col. 2. 19. The Church of Christ has food to eat which the world knows not of it has spiritual senses a spiritual appetite and its food is spiritual The word of God is compared to food here is milk for Babes and stronger meat for more grown Saints No food so profitable and nourishing no food so pleasant no food so necessary Heark to the profession of Job chap. 23. 12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food David cries out How sweet are thy words unto my taste yea sweeter than hony to my mouth Psal 119. 103. And the Prophet speaks to the same purpose Jer. 15. 16. Thy words were found and I did eat them and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart The body of Christ is nourished by his Word and other Ordinances are appointed for the increase of this body A famine of this word deserves to be dreaded as a very sore judgment The better the food if it be well digested the better the chyle and the purer the blood and the body will be more prosperous and healthy the more purely and sincerely the word of God is dispensed the members of Christ will become stronger and the inward man be the more renewed day by day As Christ gives his word so he vouchsafes himself to be food to his members His flesh is meat indeed his blood is drink indeed Joh. 6. 55. And by this they are nourished unto that life which is eternal It might also be added that Christ is the cloathing as well as the nourishment of his Body his Righteousness is the Robe which covers their guilt and nakedness his Grace beautifies and adorns his Saints therefore they are bid to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and to make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof Rom. 13. 14. 8. In the Body the Members and parts are operative and active for the good of the whole in the Church there is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 effectual working in the measure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phot. of every part that the whole may be increased The new Nature which is in sincere believers inclines them unto action suitable to that nature sloth is exceedingly opposite unto Religion God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him to seek him negligently is indeed to neglect him The members of Christ are industriously to do their duty towards their Father and their Head and likewise towards one another hence it is that we read of the labour of love which the Apostle requires and encourages Heb. 6. 10 11 12. God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which you have shewed towards his Name in that you have ministred to the Saints and do minister and we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end that ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises The members of Christs Church are to be active but in their place and calling for if they act irregularly that action will be against the Body and to its prejudice not to its edification Every part has its place and that place it must keep and not aspire higher without a call and that measure of grace which it has received it must faithfully exercise with a regard to the Churches good as well as its own 9. The whole Body and all its members are animated by one Soul and the Church with all its true members are animated by one and the same Spirit We read Eph. 4. 4. There is one body and one Spirit and again 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit The same Spirit which is in the Head is in all the members which are joyned to him And the Apostle sticks not to say If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. All that light which the members of Christ have is from the Spirit he has caused a marvellous light to shine into their hearts which before were under the power of darkness he likewise is the worker of that liberty and ability which they have unto what is good whereas before they had a freedom but it was only to evil continually These members of Christ are all changed into his image which is their glory but the beginning of that change and the progress of it unto greater glory is from and by the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17 18. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty but we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirits of the Lord. The Spirit dwells in all true believers and Christ has promised that he shall abide in them for over Joh. 14. 16 17. Soul and Body indeed may be separated but the Spirit and the Saint shall not The very bodies of believers are affirmed to be the Temples of the Spirit where he dwells and abides 1 Cor. 6. 19. What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you which you have of God and ye are not your own And if the body be his Temple surely the Heart and Soul should be as it were the sanctum sanctorum the holyest of all fill'd with light and grace that it may be also fill'd with peace and joy 10. The Body is under the Souls conduct and command the Church is conducted and ruled by the Spirit of Christ The eyes do see the ears hear the hands work the feet move according to the Souls will and pleasure and as it has despoticum imperium the command and government of the members so it acts them and their operations are from the Souls presence for if the Soul were gone the body would immediately become a clod of Earth and the members be deprived of all strength and motion The Spirit of Christ commands and acts his Members he makes them to see the invisible God and that world which is invisible he makes them hear the voice of Christ so as to obey his call he makes the hands holy having first purified the heart and employes them in working Righteousness He turns the feet into the way of Gods testimonies and strengthens believers so as that they run and are not weary they walk without fainting A Christians conversation is styled a walking in the Spirit Gal. 5. 16. This I say then walk in the Spirit in his
Light in his Strength and according to his will and fulfill ye not the lusts of the flesh Without this walking 't is a vain thing to pretend to be in Christ or to hope for Justification by his Righteousness for the Son of God was made a Sacrifice for sin that the Righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in them who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 4. What kind of Saints would there be What exemplary Members What illustrious Assemblies if every one had in a greater measure crucified the flesh with its lusts and affections and had a more attentive and obedient ear to hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches You see the Resemblance between the Church of Christ and a Body In the Second place I am to tell you what kind of body the Church of Christ is 1. The Church is a Body of Men. Ezek. 34. 31. And ye my flock the flock of my pasture are men and I am your God saith the Lord God I grant the Elect Angels have Christ to be their Head but all the Apostate Ones were left in that misery into which by sin they brought themselves And though the Son of God be the Lord and Keeper of the Holy Angels yet he is not their Redeemer as he is of his Church for whom he died When this Saviour was born the Tongues of Angels proclaimed peace on earth good will towards men Luk. 2. 14. Though the World lye in wickedness yet the Church is gathered out of the World The Saints themselves were sometimes dead in sins and trespasses and walked according to the course of this world according to the Prince of the power of the air fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the Children of wrath even as others Eph. 1. 1 2 3. All the stones of Gods spiritual Temple are dug out of the common Quarry of Mankind and to keep them humble they should often look to the rock from whence they were hewen All the Sons and Daughters of the Lord Almighty are of Adams lapsed race without exception The Grace of God is admirable in making a Church of such as these The Body of the first Adam was formed out of the dust but the Mystical body of the second Adam was formed out of that which is a great deal worse a meer masse of corruption And as there is not a Saint but was once a Sinner so those Sinners who are chosen and called and made faithful they are not of the wise commonly or of the mighty or noble of the World But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weak things of the World to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the world and things despised yea and things that are nor to bring to nought things that are that no flesh should glory in his presence but according as it is written He that glorieth let him glory in the Lord 1 Cor. 1. 27. 31. 2. The Church is a Body governed by the best Laws The Lord himself is their Law-giver and he is holy and just and good and his Commands are like himself holy just and good also Rom. 7. 12. There is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Law of sin which the men of the world obey This Law commands what the Law of God forbids forbids what the Law of God commands Darkness and light are not more contrary than these two Laws are But this Law of Sin is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Law of Death Obedience is destructive to him that yields it The Law of the Lord is quite of another nature there is life and peace in the doing of it Prov. 7. 2. Keep my Commandments and live and my Law as the apple of thine eye Psal 119. 165. Great peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them The more the Church conforms to the Laws of her Lord and Head she recovers the more of the Image of God which was lost by the Fall and partakes the more of the Divine Nature escaping that corruption that lust causes in the World This Law is written in the Heart which is changed and renewed and the Heart being suited to the Commandment delights in obedience Psal 40. 8. I delight to do thy will O my God yea thy law is within my heart This Law is of the highest authority therefore the Saints should endeavour to keep it without spot and whatever penalties they suffer they will never have reason to repent of their faithfulness to their Lord or their obedience to his Precepts 3. The Church is the wisest Body and Society in the World Indeed all the World besides are a company of meer Fools and mad-men Are not they fools that hate knowledge are not they fools that joyn with Satan to undo themselves are not they fools who venture for a meer trifle a little sinful gain or pleasure to lose their precious Souls which are of more value than the whole World put together are not they fools who have Salvation Life and Immortality offered to them and neglect the offer who are warned to flee from future Wrath and the vengeance of eternal Fire and yet will needs run thither and are angry with any that endeavour to stop them Oh how has sin bereaved men of their Wits and Understandings But the Church of Christ is sayingly enlightened all her true members made wise unto Salvation They are so wise as to make their peace with God believing in Jesus and relying on his blood for Reconciliation they are so wise as to follow the Lamb and that path must needs be best and safest wherein he leads them They are so wise as to make timely provision for eternity and to commit the keeping of their Souls into a strong hand which never lost any that it undertook to keep and to secure Therefore the Apostle speaks with so much confidence 2 Tim. 12. I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day What is the wisdom of this World compared with the Churches wisdom which is spiritual the Apostle undervalues the policy of Princes in comparison of the Gospel that policy comes to nothing this Gospel guides to glory 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect yet not the wisdom of this world nor of the Princes of this world who yet get most by their wisdom that come to nothing but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory 4. The Church is a Body of great beauty and excellency called therefore in the Song of Solomon the fairest among women Cant. 5. 1. Sion is affirmed to be the perfection of beauty Psal 50. 2. The Church is excellent in regard of her Original for she is of Heavenly
Member is under the Head's care and shall at last be fully happy in and with Christ Jesus To be a Door-keeper in the House of God was look'd upon as an honour and Priviledg by a King of Israel Psal 84. 10. The least degree of true Grace is more worth than all the Gold and Silver that God has made Saints are to be blamed when discontented because they are not of the highest rank for all Saints are Children all are Heirs all are first-born therefore the Church is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Church of the first-born Heb. 12. 23. nay they are all even the meanest of them advanced to Kingly Dignity Rev. 1. 5 6. To him that hath loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father to him be glory and dominion for ever 3. Let the Members of the Church be sensible of the need they stand in one of another How much are the higher Members of the Body beholding to the Feet which are the lowest of all the Body could not go without them but only lame and a Cripple God has ordered it so in his Church that as the Members are to have their main and principal dependance upon Christ their Head so they are to have some kind of dependance upon one another and the reason is that those two excellent Graces of Humility and Love may flourish among them Though the Hand by the Philosopher be fitly stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most useful Member yet it cannot do every thing It cannot see like the Eye nor speak like the Tongue and if a man should attempt to go upon his Hands he would walk after a sorry and odd fashion The strongest Saints nay the ablest Ministers are beholding to the meanest Believers the stronger are encouraged when the meaner do their Duty A word sometimes from a weak Christian may be much to the edification of a Christian more grown The Apostle says he lived if the Thessalonians stood fast in the Lord 1 Thes 3. 1. And a beggar could not beg more heartily for an Alms than he did for the Prayers of the Saints at Rome Rom. 15. 30. Now I beseech you Brethren for the Lord Jesus Christs sake and the love of the Spirit that you strive together with me in your Prayers to God for me 4. Let the Members of the Church have the same care one of another that they have of themselves 1 Cor. 12. 25. In the natural body it is thus if the Face be struck at the Arm endeavours to ward off the blow if the Body be in danger in one place the feet are ready to carry it to a place of greater strength and safety Christians should be concerned for their fellow Christians as for their fellow Members and mind that of the Apostle more 1 Cor. 10. 24. Let no man seek his own that is his own only but every man anothers wealth 5. Let the members of the Church sympathize with suffering members We are commanded to weep with those that weep Rom. 12. 15. The sorrows of afflicted Christians should be ours and we should feel their burthens 'T is the glass eye that sheds no tears 't is the wooden Arm and Leg that feels nothing Every Member of Christ should be full of Bowels The Injunction is plain Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them and them which suffer adversity as being your selves also in the body Those were upbraided and threatned severely for their carnal security and hardness of heart who were at ease when Zion was in trouble and were not at all grieved for the Afflictions of Joseph Amos 6. 6. 6. Let the members of the Church be concerned about such fellow members that are sinfully distempered If any part of the body natural aile any thing all the other parts are ready to afford the utmost relief and assistance they are able And why should Christians be careless of Christians as if they were of Cains temper who said Am I my Brothers keeper If a beast be fallen we pity him and are ready to help unto the lifting him up again and should not a member of Christ who has fallen into sin and hurt himself so much by his fall move our compassions We are indeed carefully to avoid infection by those that are lapsed yet 't is our duty to restore them in the Spirit of meekness considering our selves lest we also be tempted Gal. 6. 1. 7. If one member of the Church be honoured all the members should rejoice with it Is the hand envious at the eyes quickness or the ear envious at the hands activity Envy is as unreasonable in the body mystical as in the body natural We ought to rejoice in the gifts of others and in their graces and in their usefulness else the Spirit of God who has given these gifts and graces and has made them thus useful will be grieved and we shall hinder our selves of that profit which we our selves might reap from them 8. Let there be no discord among the members of the Church but they should perfectly agree together By that Apologue concerning the unreasonableness of the Members falling out with the Body Menenius Agrippa did put an end to a contention that was likely to prove fatal between the Roman Senate and the common people How unreasonable would it be that the hand should envy the eyes and endeavour to put them out that the feet should take it amiss that they are lowermost and should fall a kicking all the parts which are within their reach Discord among Saints is such a kind of unnatural and foolish contention If Abraham the Father of the faithful said unto Lot Let there be no strife between Me and Thee for we be Brethren Gen. 13. 8. surely Christians à fortiori may argue with one another Let there be no strife among us for we are Members 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 12. 5. USE III. Let the World take heed how they deal with the Church which is the Body of Christ 'T is Luthers observation That if any part of the Body be hurt and pained the signs of feeling appear in the Head the Brows are contracted the Tongue cryes Oh! the Visage is altered Christ the Head knowes all the sorrows of his Church nay in all her Afflictions he is afflicted When Saul made havock of the Body on Earth the Head in Heaven cryes out as having felt his fury Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9. 4. Let the world be wise and the highest and greatest in it for whatsoever injuries are done to Christians for Christs sake he accounts them as done to himself in hurting his Body they strike him there where he is most tender most sensible and such blows without Repentance will be dreadfully revenged Christ who is the Churches Head is to be the Worlds Judge and if when the Lord comes with ten thousands of his Saints hard speeches
that God would teach him that God would open his eyes and give him understanding Psal 119. which expressions shew a remainder of ignorance in him a trouble at it and a desire after a more perfect instruction 2. Holiness at present is imperfect in the best of men as well as Knowledg Other Graces cannot be perfect if Knowledge be not He that does not know the evil of sin so fully as he ought cannot hate it so much as he should He that is imperfect in his knowledge of God and Christ must needs fall short in his Faith and Love and holy Fear and Reverence There is not one sanctifying Grace in us but needs further degrees The Apostle makes it the constant work of Believers here below to be cleansing themselves from all filthiness both of the flesh and spirit and to be perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. 3. The victory over spiritual enemies is not yet fully obtained by militant Saints They are combating but they have not conquered they resist Satan and force him many times to flee but he returns again and renews his assaults and the God of peace has not yet done it though he has promised to tread him under their feet shortly Rom. 16. 20. They have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts but though the flesh is fastened to the Cross of Christ and therefore the old man is said to be crucified with him yet the flesh struggles upon the Cross the Body of Sin is not quite destroyed some fleshly and worldly lusts and affections are stirring which are not totally mortified Militant Saints are not as yet compleat Conquerours for their enemies still make a head and continue the war though at length they shall be made more than Conquerours through him that loved them Rom. 8. 37. 4. The Joyes of believers also are imperfect All tears shall at last be wiped away from their Eyes but at present their Eyes are full of them The worlds wickedness and folly in that wickedness professors degeneracy the Churches divisions and distresses and corruptions the dreadful tokens and signs of Gods displeasure if not of his departing finally their own spiritual distempers which are so far from being perfectly cured alas these are enough to hinder their joy from being perfect 5. Their Happiness is as yet but an imperfect Happiness All the world are miserable besides and the Saints are the only happy ones and yet these by many degrees are not so happy as they shall be This sad effect sin has by coming into the world that not a man not the best man can be fully happy till got out of the world The Churches true members are happy indeed because God is theirs Psal 144. ult because Christ is theirs but they must needs be happy only in part because God and Christ are but in part enjoyed In the second place I am to shew in what sense the Church should be continually increasing I. The Church should endeavour to increase in numbers and that the stone cut out without hands may become a great mountain and fill the whole earth Dan. 2. 34 35. 'T is the worlds misery that it hates and keeps at a distance from the Church of Christ But if this world were but taken into the Church and were brought to believe in the same Jehovah in the same Jesus and to yield Subjection to the same Gospel what a New and Happy world would there be presently This increase of the Church in numbers is to be endeavoured several wayes 1. Prayer should be constant and very fervent for this increase All the Sons and Daughters of Sion should be importunate that the City of God may be enlarged that the Church may not have a barren womb or dry breasts but that by reason of her numerous Offspring she may enlarge the place of her tent and without sparing she may lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes and stretch forth the curtains of her habitation Isa 54. 2. There is mercy enough in God though the miserable sinners that come to him are never so great a multitude The fulness of Christ is so infinitely unmeasurable that 't is sufficient to supply and to enrich the whole empty and beggar'd race of Adam Heaven is of capacity to contain millions of inhabitants more Let us therefore pray that the conversion of Souls may be by thousands and that they may flie as a cloud and as doves to their Windows Isa 60. 8. 2. The promises of the Churches increase are to be believed and pleaded In what a strain does God speak unto his Church what Promises does he make her Isa 60. 3 4 5. The Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightness of thy rising Lift up thine eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come to thee Thy Sons shall come from far and thy Daughters shall be nursed at thy side Then shalt thou see and flow together and thy heart shall fear and be enlarged Because the abundance of the Sea shall be converted unto thee And the Forces of the Gentiles shall come to thee And v. 11. Thy Gates shall be open continually they shall not be shut day nor night that still there may be greater confluence And v. 16. Thou shalt also suck the Milk of the Gentiles and shalt suck the breasts of Kings and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer the mighty One of Jacob. These and such like Promises are certain that God who has made them is easily able to make them good His Glory and Name and his Sons Honour are much concern'd in fulfilling them And he is delighted to see his Saints desirous with a respect to his Name that these Promises may be performed 3. The Church is to be increased by the powerful preaching of the Gospel This Preaching by all means is to be encouraged for Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10. 17. Those that most preach Christ and least themselves are likeliest to enlarge the Church of God Those that are most skilful to convince men of sin that are wise to win Souls that know Christ themselves and how to reveal him to others and with greatest zeal do press the love and practice of Holiness these are the Pastours after the Heart of God and are likely to do as Jacob did to Laban vastly to increase the Flock of Christ The Apostle was so far from hindring the preaching of the Gospel that he was glad it was preached by those that did not preach sincerely Surely the Church may have some benefit and enlargement by such Phil. 1. 15 16 17 18. Some preach Christ even of envy and strife and others also of good will the one preach Christ of contention not sincerely supposing to add affliction to my bonds but the other of love knowing that I am set for the defence of the Gospel What then I Notwithstanding every way
to suffer any of his faithful labourers and servants to want encouragement David had it in his heart to build him an house and God establishes the house of David 1 Chron. 17. 23. and his family was upheld till Christ the Son of David came I have done with the third Proposition That the Body of Christ should diligently endeavour the edifying of it self Proposit IIII. The fourth and last Proposition is this The more Love abounds among the members of the Church the more the whole Body will be edified or more briefly thus Love is exceedingly for the Churches edification I might be large in discoursing of Love to Christ and manifest how this will constrain all in whom it is to endeavour the edification of his Body and to seek the welfare of those for whom he died One who loves the Lord Jesus in sincerity how can he chuse but love all Saints though of different perswasions since notwithstanding that difference they are all so dear to him that he gave his life a ransom for them all and the blood of God was shed for every one of them that there might be a price paid sufficient for their Redemption But the Apostle is to be understood in my Text of Christians love one to another This is that Charity which the Scripture calls so loudly for Joh. 13. 34. A new Commandment I give unto you that ye love one another as I have loved you that ye also love one another the command is doubled and called a new commandment because though delivered long before yet here 't is delivered with a new example that of Christ himself as I have loved you and consequently with a new and strongly enforcing motive The Apostle Peter gives this charge 1 Pet. 4. 8. Above all things have fervent charity among your selves Gifts though excellent may be abused and perversely employed to instill Errour and rend the Church of God Knowledge if it be alone will not profit but puss up him that has it But Charity edifieth 1 Cor. 8. 1. Love is greatly beneficial its acts are pure and peaceable and gentle full of mercy and good fruits and 't is against the very nature of it to work ill to any In the handling of the Proposition I shall First Discourse concerning the Nature of Love Secondly Discover the Properties which the Scripture attributes to it Thirdly Demonstrate how it is for the Churches Edification Fourthly Shew the vanity of those excuses that are made for the want of love Lastly Apply In the first place I am to discourse concerning the Nature of love There is a fourfold Love Carnal Natural Civil Spiritual 1. Carnal and impure Thus Amnon loved his fair Sister Tamar 2 Sam. 13. 1. and Sampson fell in love with Delilah but this impure affection cost both these their lives and brought the one and the other to an untimely end This may more properly be called Lust than Love and in whatever heart 't is harbour'd how does it defile and harden If but a spark of lust be let alone what a flame may quickly follow which may consume the Estate the Reputation the Body and the Soul it may indeed be extenuated but 't is threatned with the wrath of God Not only for fornication but for evil concupiscence cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of disobedience Col. 3. 5 6. When Lust is suffer'd to conceive and bring forth actual Adultery how do the Adulterer and his Strumpet shew their hatred one to the other The mischief they do themselves is inconceiveable and how do they defile each the others Body wound each the others Conscience and delight in that whereby they damn each the others Soul 2. There is a Love which is Natural I mean Natural affection To have this natural affection is a duty for 't is planted in the heart by the wise and gracious God as that which has a mighty tendency to the conservation of Mankind therefore to be without natural affection the Apostle makes one of the crimes of them who were given up to a reprobate mind to do those things which were not convenient Rom. 1. 28 31. Natural affection we owe unto Relations which debt if we refuse to pay we shut our ears to the dictates of Nature as well as the word of Christ and become worse than Infidels nay worse than the beasts that perish Parents must love their Children Children their Parents Husbands and Wives be full of affection to one another But Grace should spiritualize this Natural affection Not only the persons of our Relations must be loved but their Souls and their eternal Salvation most earnestly desired and endeavoured and if we cannot bear the thoughts of a Parents Husbands Wives or Childs pain poverty slavery starving the thoughts of their being eternally damn'd should be much more intolerable and all means should be used to prevent it 3. There is a Love which may be styled Civil This is one of the great bonds of Humane Societies whereby they are kept together whereas hatred and discord do first divide and then destroy them This Amor patriae love to our Countrey the more it prevails the more will our Countrey flourish In a Kingdom the whole should be concerned for every individual and every individual for the whole and all the parts for one another No member should hastily be concluded a gangren'd one that is Ense recidendum ne pars sincera trahatur Presently to be cut off lest the whole Community be endanger'd Draco is not lookt upon as one of the wisest Legislators who made almost every Offence capital and therefore is said to have writ his Laws in blood A mild Government such as our English is does best suit with Christianity and is likeliest to attain the end of Magistracy the Highest Sovereigns glory the King and Kingdoms safety Love should make all the Subjects of a Kingdom to consider the Relation they have to and their concern in one another and no Plots and Conspiracies should be allowed but onely designs and endeavours of one anothers wealth and welfare especially the truest wealth and the welfare that is eternal I cannot but here bewail the want of this Civil love and the variance that is in my Native Country New Names of discrimination are invented which our forefathers knew not Breaches grow wide as the Sea who but the God of Love and Peace can heal them A perverse Spirit mingles it self among different Parties and differences are kept up and still increased with an unusual animosity When Phaeton had set the World on fire the Poet by an elegant Prosopopoeia brings in the Earth it self thus pleading Hosne mihi fructus hunc fertilitatis honorem Officiique refers c. And may not England which at this day is in a flame of Contention be introduced thus speaking to her Inhabitants O English-men what means this more than civil Discord and Fury among you In Me you have been born and bred And considering the