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.
her Lords work and cast out the fear of suffering for his sake for a strong love is stronger than Death and has a most vehement flame many waters cannot quench it neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. 2. The Church must Edifie it self that it may become Larger Prayer should be instant and constant and pains should be taken both by Pastors and People and Godliness should be both in Form and Power that so the Mountain of the House of the Lord may be established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills and all Nations may flow unto it Isa 2. 2. 3. The Church must Edifie it self that it may become more Beautiful and Glorious The great day of the Churches publick Marriage to the Lamb is approaching how careful should she be to cleanse and adorn her self that she may be found of him in Peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3. 14. This Beauty and Glory which the Church is to endeavour after and to long and hope for you have described Rev. 21. 9 10. Come hither and I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having the Glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jaspar-stone clear as Chrystal the walls were high the twelve Gates were all Pearls the Street of the City was pure Gold as it were transparent glass and I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof What is the glory of Solomons Kingdom or Temple or of the whole World if compared with the Beauty of the new Jerusalem which the most valuable things in nature as Gold and Jewels are used to set forth but fall exceeding short of what they signifie I shall now make a brief Application USE I. It is matter of great Lamentation that the Church at present is so far from Edifying of it self that 't is doing quite the contrary 't is about to be Felo de se to destroy and to pull it self down to the ground if the God of Wisdom Love and Peace do not hinder The Poet lookt upon it as truly lamentable that the Roman State was engaged in a Civil War where there could be no Triumph after Victory that Pompey and Caesar both brave both Roman Generals should fight so eagerly so bloodily one against the other but surely 't is one of the saddest sights in the World to see the Members of the Body of Christ at variance and biting and devouring and doing that to one another which the siercest Persecution was never able to effect Alas for Wo that the Church of Christ should be militant not only because of her fighting with Enemies but because of the Discord among her own Members Suis ipsa Ecclesia viribus ruit The Church employes her own force to her own ruine Pastours are set against Pastours Saints against Saints Sermons against Sermons nay Prayers against Prayers and Sion is become like a Babel of Confusion Quis talia fando Temperet à lachrymis Well may the Prophets words be here applyed Ezek. 19. 14. This is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation USE II. Of Advice Let the Churches Edification be minded Let all study and follow the things that make for Peace and things wherewith one may Edifie another Rom. 14. 19. 'T is not below the greatest of men to put their hands to this work of Building the House of God indeed it should strenuously be set about by All Magistrates Ministers People 1. The Churches Edification is to be minded by Magistrates Their Authority should be subservient to the Authority of Him by whom they Reign Prov. 8. 15. By me Kings Reign and Princes decree Justice The Laws of Kingdoms and States should alwayes promote and encourage the Progress of the Gospel Truth and Holiness do ever deserve the countenance of Authority but sin is worthy of a frown Those Princes who are most for the Churches welfare do most consult their own If Righteousness exalts a Nation and sin be the reproach and â—â—â—ine of any People Prov. 14. 34 then the more the Church is Edified the more firmly both Throne and Kingdom are established Hezekiah his Zeal for Religion was attended with a blessed Prosperity 2 Chron. 31. 21. In every work that he began in the Service of the house of God and in the Law and in the Commandments to seek his God he did it with all his Heart and he prospered 2. The Churches Edification is to be minded by Ministers 't is their office more peculiarly to be Labourers together with God in his Husbandry and Building 1 Cor. 3. 9. They should Pray Preach Live so as to Edifie Reputation and worldly advantage are poor things Edification Edification is most truly considerable and should sound in their Ears should be upon their Hearts and endeavoured with their utmost abilities They must be blameless as the Stewards of God and faithfully dispense food to Souls They must not be Self-willed not soon Angry not given to Wine no Strikers not given to filthy Lâ—cre but lovers of Hospitality lovers of good Men Sober Just Holy Temperate Tit. 1. 7 8. Then they are like to Build the House of God indeed 3. The People also should endeavour the Edification of the Church They should by a good example provoke one another to love and good works No corrupt Communication should proceed out of their Mouths but that which is good to the use of Edifying and which may administer Grace to the hearâ—rs Eph. 4 29. They are to please one another for Edification Rom. 15. 2. And in all Reproofs let Love and a desire to Edifie be apparent in the Reprover I conclude with a few Arguments to perswade all to Edifie the Church 1. The Church of Christ is hugely out of repair the breaches are great and there is much rubbish to be removed and where there is so much work to be done the Labourers should be the greater number and the more diligent 2. While you are building his Church the Lord himself will be with you and then no matter for opposition Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the World When Nehemiah was building Jerusalem he was derided he was opposed but he was not discouraged neither did the work cease and the Enemies were forced to an acknowledgment that God was with him 3. Your labour shall not be in vain either as to success or as to reward Some good you shall do who do desire it and God takes notice how much more you would do and will reward you accordingly The Lord is too good a Master
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
extraction and born of God himself All her true members are new Creatures they are beautified with the image of God and resemble him in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness As Sin is the greatest deformity so Holiness is the truest beauty 't is this which makes the Angels shine nay 't is the glory of God himself Exod. 15. 11. Who is like unto thee O Lord among the Gods who is like thee glorious in Holiness How certain is it that the Righteous man is more excellent than his Neighbour Now the Church is called the Generation of the Righteous The Church is likened to a Woman because the Woman excells the man in beauty but she is such a Woman as the like is not to be found Rev. 12. 1. She is cloathed with the Sun the Moon is under her feet and upon her head a Crown not of Gold and Diamonds but better a Crown of twelve Stars What can equal this Glory of the Church All flesh is grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the field which soon withers and fades away She is said to be cloathed with the Sun because justified by Christ the Sun of Righteousness the Moon is said to be under her feet because all changeable things are below her spiritualized and raised Affections the twelve Stars which are her Crown signifie the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb whereby she is inlightned and brought at length to that light which is everlasting 5. The Church is a Body of great strength for this Body is strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Sinners are without strength they cannot please God they cannot profit themselves but the Churches members are strengthened with might by the Spirit in their inward man so that they can do things beyond the power of Nature they can see the invisible God they can believe against hope they can overcome and deny themselves they can wrestle with the Almighty and as Princes prevail with him they can foil the Principalities and Powers of darkness they can fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold of eternal life and all these are mighty acts indeed too great to be performed by any that are Hypocrites and ungodly The Church is most opposed and yet is most victorious and will still abide in the world notwithstanding all the worlds rage like the Immortal Regiment among the Persians that never was destroyed till the Empire was destroyed for if any Souldier was killed another presently was listed in his room This bush of the Church is unconsumed in a flame nay it has been most green and flourishing when the flame has been fiercest God has strengthened and preserved her and her preservation may be look'd upon as one of the greatest Arguments and Miracles of a Providence 6. The Church is a Body to whom the whole world is beholding It should be the joy for it is the security of the whole earth How soon would the Tares be pluck'd up bound in bundles and cast into the fire if it were not for the Wheat which grows among them Mat. 13. 29. The Church is a Friend and wishes well to Mankind 't is her Prayer that Gods way may be known on earth and his saving health among all Nations that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ And like a Mother she is in travel for the conversion and salvation of a greater multitude of Souls Why should the World be angry and recompense evil for good they should all be wise at length and desire to be incorporated into the Church and be resolved to go with her for they may be well assured that God is with her Zech. 8. 23. 7. The Church is a Body that will at length by many degrees be made more glorious than 't is at present Now 't is truly sanctified 't is highly dignified but it does not yet appear what it shall be 1 Joh. 3. 2. But when Christ the Head shall appear the second time without sin to salvation what a glorious Church will appear with him Col. 3. 4. Every member will shine as the Sun in the Fathers Kngdom Mat. 13. 43. And what a glorious spectacle will that be to behold all the Saints together in a company and every one of them shining forth as the Sun and the Son of God at the head of them all How with our cries and groans and serious diligence in preparing for it should we continually be hastning the coming of that day of God! Christs Body the Church has its defects and blemishes while it sojourns here below but at the last day all the spots will be off all the wrinkles smoothed and the end of Christs death will be fully attained Now the Apostle tells us He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctify and cleanse it and present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 26 27. How gorgeously apparrel'd how richly adorned how amiable and lovely will the Lamb's Bride at last be when Satan shall be quite vanquisht Death swallowed up in Victory and sin shall cease to have a being when light shall be without any darkness joy without sorrow purity without the least mixture of defilement When Christ does put the Crown of Life upon his Churches Head then that Scripture will be fully verified Cant. 4. 7. Thou art all fair my Love there is no spot in thee I come now to the Application USE I. Let the Church and all the members of it consider their relation unto Christ their Head and doe that duty which such a relation calls for They are Christ's and not Mammons they are Christs and not their own they are his purchase his Spouse nay parts and pieces and Members of him which he has bought and united to himself 'T is highly against all reason that they should seek or please themselves in a sinful and self-destroying manner Their Duty towards Christ their Lord and Head is in several Particulars 1. The Members of Christ should love him in great sinoerity The Apostle wishes that the grace of God may be with all such sincere Lovers Eph. 6. 24. Dissembled and seeming Love is really none at all and in several respects worse than none Christs Love to his Church was most real How exceeding low was his humiliation that she might be advanced how great his Sufferings for her eternal Redemption The Apostle speaks as one amazed at the height and length and depth and breadth of this love of Christ which passes knowledge Eph. 3. 18 19. And if the Head be so full of love to all the Members certainly the Members will be in the worst sence unnatural if they return not love to their Head and Saviour they should prize him most highly counting all things but loss and dung that they may win him Phil. 3. 8. They should mourn
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
shall be remembred Surely the Worlds hard usage of his members shall not be forgotten shall not pass unpunished If at the great day the not feeding and cloathing of hungry and naked Saints will be punished with everlasting fire oh what a sin will it be found to take away their food and rayment from them if Christ will be so angry with those who visited not believers in Prison Mat. 25. 42 43. where shall they appear that were the Imprisoners of them The World should not be cruel to Christians since Christ will quickly appear to judge the World in Righteousness So much for the first Proposition That the Church of Christ is compared to a Body Proposit II. The second Proposition is this That this Body of Christ is imperfect in this World and therefore continually should be encreasing Hence it is that Christians are exhorted to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Pet. 3. 18. and not only to be stedfast and unmoveable but always to abound in the work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. In the handling of this Proposition I shall first shew in what respects the Church of Christ here on earth is imperfect Secondly In what sense the Church should be continually increasing Thirdly I shall produce several Reasons for this Increase of the Church Lastly I shall give you the Vses that may be made of it I begin with the first of these and shall shew in what respects the Church of Christ here on Earth is imperfect Two things are here to be considered First The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated Secondly Those Members which actually are of the Church are imperfect the very best of them as long as they remain in this World 1. The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated There are more still to be called out of the World and brought home to Jesus All are not gathered which the Father has designed to give him Joh. 10. 16. And other sheep I have who are not of this Fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall he one Fold and one Shepherd 1. Many 't is to be hoped who have heard the Gospel shall be converted though as yet they are not Though they have hitherto resisted the Holy Ghost yet at last they shall yield unto his Call and striving When once the day of power and the time of love is come they shall be made willing to receive a Saviour to be the Lords and to serve the Lord though now never so great an obstinacy and unwillingness is discovered Psal 110. 3. 2. Many who are in the loyns both of Believers and Unbelievers shall in due time be born and born again The Church shall never quite discontinue it may indeed sometimes be less visible but it always has a Being God will have a Seed to serve him in every future Generation Psal 22. 30. 3. The Natural Branches are to be graffed in again to their own Olive-tree Rom. 11. 24. For if thou wer 't cut out of the Olive-tree which is wild by nature and wer 't graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive-tree how much more shall these that is the Israelites which be the natural branches be graffed into their own Olive-tree Blindness in part is happened to Israel but they are still beloved for their Fathers sake and at length the veil which is upon their Hearts shall be taken away and they shall look unto him whom their Fathers crucified and be saved by him For he is the Messiah the deliverer that is come out of Sion and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. Now when Israel shall be added to the Christian Church how will this Church be encreased it will be a very glorious augmentation like a Resurrection from the dead Rom. 11. 15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead 4. The Kingdoms of the world are to become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. I grant this is in part already the Gentiles have been preached to and have obeyed the Gospel Christ according to the Fathers Promise has had the Heathen given to him for his Inheritance and some of the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession but we may rationally conclude after the destruction of Antichrist and the utter overthrow of his power and usurpation that many more Kingdoms of the world will submit unto the Lord Jesus and his Church hereby will have a vast increase We find Rev. 18. Babylon destroyed the Kings of the earth and the Merchants that committed Fornication with her crying Alas alas and lamenting her sudden and utter downfall The Heavens and the holy Apostles and Prophets rejoycing over her because God had avenged them upon her And then it follows Rev. 19. 12. that upon the head of Christ were many Crowns which shews the subjection of many Kings to him and v. 6. there is a voice of a great multitude as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundrings as if all the World did joyn together in saying Alleluia for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth From all this it appears that the Church as yet is incompleat and that greater numbers of Converts are to be expected and how should the Promises of the Churches enlargement in the latter dayes be thought upon with joy and how earnestly should we pray that those Promises may be accomplished 2. Those Members which actually are of the Church are imperfect the very best of them as long as they remain in this World How plainly does the Wise man speak Eccl. 7. 20. There is not a just man upon Earth that doeth good and sinneth not There is many a just man upon earth and every just man his practice is to do good but there is not one that so does good as not to be chargeable with the least evil The Apostle James that is so much for joyning good works with faith yet acknowledges in many things we offend all Jam. 3. 2. And the Apostle Paul that great Saint and Preacher speaks thus of himself and surely he would not tell a lye through abundance of humility Phil. 3. 12 13. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but forgetting the things which are behind and reaeching forth to those things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God The imperfection of the Saints and Members of the Church on Earth will be evident in several respects 1. The Knowledge of the Saints is imperfect He that knew as much as any sayes We know in part and prophesy in part and now we see through a glass darkly 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. David who was wiser than his enemies who had more understanding than all his Teachers than the Ancients yet prays still
whether in pretence or in truth Christ is preached and therein I do rejoyce yea and will rejoyce 4. The avoiding of Scandal is much for the Churches Increase The Scandalous and loose lives of Professors make the World conclude the Gospel but a cunningly devised Fable and harden the men of it in Irreligion and a profane contempt of God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent The evil works of such as are called Christians for many of these latter Ages has been a great impediment to the spreading of Christianity Our Lord sayes Woe to the World because of offences Mat. 18. 7. for the World hereby is confirmed in prejudice and Wickedness and at last more certainly ruined But when the Members of the Church do work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling and shew a vehement desire after the Worlds Salvation also this is the way to gain the World to Christ and to turn it unto righteousness 5. The Church is mightily increased by the exemplary conversation of her Members When Believers are zealous of good Works and without rebuke and blame When they are patterns of Piety Justice Mercy Meekness Patience Self-denial when they go about doing good and by the heavenliness of their discourse and carriage declare plainly that they seek a better countrey than is to be found in this World hereby they adorn the Gospel and render it more lovely in the Worlds eye and more likely to be entertained the ignorance of wicked and foolish men is silenced by well doing 1 Pet. 2. 15. nay they be forced to a confession that God is in his Church of a truth and may at length consent and desire to be Members of that Church where there is so much of God and of his presence visible and apparent 2. As the Church should increase in numbers so all the Members of the Church should strive to increase more and more in grace and goodness They should strongly be induced to this because of their own imperfection in Grace which imperfection fills them many times with inward trouble and tormenting doubts and fears and makes outward affliction but highly necessary Besides Holiness is of such an excellent nature and so perfective of the Nature of man that the strongest desires are to be justified the most diligent endeavours after it to be commended Grace is increased in the Members of Christ several wayes 1. By a Serious and frequent engaging in those Ordinances which he has instituted He that has instituted these has promised his blessing and adds the efficacy Prayer Fasting giving of thanks receiving the Supper of the Lord attending upon the Word preached and searching the Scriptures and the like means of Grace when seriously used do exceedingly promote the growth of a Christian making him to become strong in Spirit The Church is the Garden of God the Saints are planted there the Word and Ordinances of Christ are like the showers from Heaven and the Husbandmans pains which makes these Plants to thrive and flourish Psal 92. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the Courts of our God But still it must be remembred though means are to be used yet we must look beyond them unto him that has appointed them else they will never attain their end 1 Cor. 3. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing nor he that watereth but God that giveth the increase 2. Grace is increased by the improving of Providences The Dispensations of Providence were various towards David he was exercised with great Severity and likewise with great Goodness we read Psal 116. 3. That the sorrows of Death compassed him and the pains of Hell gat hold upon him he found trouble and sorrow and v. 10. He was greatly afflicted in this distress he calls upon that God who is merciful and gracious for deliverance and his calling is heard and his Soul is delivered from Death his Eyes from Tears and his Feet from Falling And now how is his Heart affected his Graces strengthned He is filled with Love he is resolved to give himself to Prayer as long as he lived his Soul is at rest in God who had dealt bountifully with him he offers the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving and he cryes out Oh Lord I am thy Servant truly I am thy Servant v. 16. as if he should say Lord thou art a Master beyond all comparison and as it is my firm resolution so 't is my Happiness and Honour as well as Duty to be a Servant to thee 3. The Covenant of Grace is to be Studied and the Promises applyed in order to a Christians increase God has assured his People that he will perfect that which concerns them and that he will not forsake the work of his own hands He has said that his Servants shall Spring up as among the Grass and as Willows by the Water-courses Isa 44. 4. That the Righteous shall hold on his way and they that have clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger Job 17. 9. That they shall bring forth fruit even in Old Age and even then be flourishing and this shall be to shew that the Lord is upright Psal 92. 14 15. Such Promises being prized and applyed will make the New Creature full of vigour and perseverance will be certain Heark to the Apostle Phil. r. 6 7. Being confident of this very thing that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ even as it is meet for me to think this of you all 4. Grace is increased by Having recourse unto that fulness which dwells in Christ Therefore growing in Grace and growing in the Knowledge of Christ are joyned together for Christ is full of Grace and Truth and out of his fulness sayes St. John We all have received and Grace for Grace Joh. 1. 14 16. that is Grace answerable to that Grace which is in him Grace is his purchase he has it in Possession he gives it to all that have it and every new degree is from the same hand He is the Object the Author and the Finisher of Faith Heb. 12. 2. They are the most growing and established Saints that are least taken with the World that have least confidence in themselves that do best understand and most look unto Jesus 5. All impediments of increase must be carefully shunn'd as Pride and sloth and earthliness carnal and corrupt affections if these or things of like nature prevail they will prove to the Soul what Diseases are to the Body and make the Members of Christ to be feeble and languish depriving them both of their Strength and Beauty These are like peccant humours which must be Purged if we would have our Souls healthy and prosperous These are like weights which must be laid aside if we will run the Race that is set before us so as to obtain the Prize Heb. 12. 1. In the third place I am to produce several reasons why the Church
should be continually increasing 1. This increase is for the Fathers glory the more Saints there are God is honoured by the more and the more any are Saints he has still the more glory from them The stronger the members of Christ grow their Faith in God is firmer their fear more filial they love him more with their heart and Soul and strength they walk more humbly with him all which shews what right apprehensions they have of him and that they glorifie him as God believing his presence power mercy truth and righteousness That our Lord might perswade unto fruitfulness and increase he sayes Joh. 15. 8. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples 2. This increase of the Church is for the honour of Christ the Churches Head The largeness of a Dominion and the multitude of Subjects is the honour of a Prince The more sincere Christians there are the Kingdom of our Lord is the more enlarged and He himself is magnified the more The Redeemer is glorified when the Everlasting Gospel runs when his word which is the Scepter of his Kingdom is believed and obeyed when Souls by whole multitudes come flocking to him to be justified by his blood sanctified and healed by his grace and saved to the uttermost How was Christ honoured when after the ten first Persecutions the Roman Empire submitted to the Faith the Eagle gave way to the Cross and Constantine the Great threw down his Crown at the feet of the Lamb of God Then was that Scripture signally fulfilled though a further accomplishment is still to be expected Isa 55. 5. Behold thou shalt call a Nation that thou knowest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the Holy One of Israel for he hath glorified thee 3. In this increase of the Church the operaetion of the Spirit is very illustrious He wrought the miracles for the confirmation of the Gospel and made it at first to be entertained in the world Wherever there is true Faith it is of his bestowing Those that are regenerated are said to be born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 6. The renewing of a Soul is of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. All spiritual gifts all true grace all solid comforts are from the Spirit The more therefore Light is spread the more largely gifts are distributed the more plentiful communication there is of grace the more peace and joy abounds the greater is the Spirits glory The Nicene Creed calls the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord and Giver of life Quot Membrae tot Miracula So many members as Christ has so many miracles there are of the Spirits working for he has raised them all to life who were once dead in sins and trespasses as well as others 4. This Increase is for the Churches advantage therefore it should be endeavoured 'T is matter of joy and praise to Saints to behold sinners converted and sanctified to see Prodigals coming to themselves and coming home to their Fathers House to see strangers and forreigners made fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Eph. 2. 19. And when these Saints perceive that more of light is imparted to themselves and that they are filled fuller with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Glory and praise of God they must needs apprehend this to be for their profit if the truest riches may be called gains and Pearls of the greatest price be of any value 5. The World is benefited by the Churches increase Not a Soul gathered out of the World but something is secured of greater value than the World If a City were on fire and burning apace to the ground the more persons are saved the more Goods are secured the greater kindness is done to that City because these Persons these Goods escape the fury of the flames Sin is ruining the World apace but all that in time come out from the World and touch not the unclean thing and are incorporated into the Church of Christ are safe as in a Sanctuary shall be delivered from the common destruction and scape the vengeance of eternal fire in which all the wicked must burn for ever 6. The Angels themselves are concerned at the increase of the Church The Apostate Ones are confounded when by all their subtilty and strength they are not able to hinder the increase of Christs Government nay that they are so over-ruled that they are made to promote his Kingdom by those very means which were designed to overthrow it And the Elect Angels are affirmed to rejoyce at the Repentance and Conversion of a Sinner Luk. 15. 10. Likewise I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth And if they are so glad at the Conversion of one what an accession would it be to their joy to behold thousands and millions added to the Church of Christ 'T is pleasing to the Angels to behold peace on Earth and Gods good-will expressing it self in the Salvation of Men Luk. 2. 14. and upon this account they cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glory be to God in the highest The Application follows USE 1. Of Reproof to them that hinder the Churches increase The furtherers of it I am sure are few the hinderers many therefore the more are concerned in the Reprehension 1. Enemies without endeavour with might and main to hinder the increase of the Body of Christ They hate the light and would fain hinder it from shining they are grieved that Jesus is preached are angry as well as grieved for they are unwilling his Subjects should become numerous The World upon this account raises Persecution and how many at such a time do fall away Mat. 13. 21. Cyprian laments the pressure of that Persecution which had so wofully wasted the Flock he was over and sayes that positi erant inter plangentium ruinas timentium reliqutas inter numerosam languentium stragem exiguam stantium paucitatem L. 4. Ep. 4. Many were ruined the rest feared the Church languished and few did stand against so furious an assault We have large Martyrologies but if all Apostates were registred how vast would be the Catalogues of them 'T is well Tribulation lasts but ten dayes a short time else the World might tread the Church under But the Worlds rage is without reason against the Church of Christ which will do no harm and desires to do the World the greatest kindness 2. Hypocrites within are to be reproved for they hinder the Churches increase fitly compared to Vipers which are said to eat the bowels in which they were bred Our Lords anger is very hot and his words sharp against Hypocrites Mat. 23. 13. For they shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men they refuse to go in themselves neither suffer they them that are entring to go in They profess high but when
they fall and notoriously discover their unsoundness they wound the reputation of Religion unto the Churches grief and disadvantage and the hardning of the Ungodly in their wickedness their Convictions hereby being quite and clean extinguished 3. The Churches increase is likewise hindred by imprudent Members Such are not so careful to avoid appearances of evil themselves and they blaze abroad the Infirmities of others which love should find a Mantle to cover nay many times they hear and report the most errant lies and slanders whereby not only the Person slandered but likewise Religion and the Church suffers These fools deserve to be lash'd severely for their inconsiderate talkativeness and uncircumspect walking And they should remember that the Disciples of Christ are to be wise as Serpents and harmless as Doves Mat. 10. 16. 4. Erroneous Members and Church-dividers are deeply guilty of hindring the increase of the Church Errour has a natural tendency to division for they that speak perverse things endeavour to draw away Disciples after them Act. 20. 30. And Division is a grand Impediment to edification The Church of Christ after the giving of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost did grow exceedingly and one reason was because the Multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul Act. 4. 32. But division weakens the Churches strength and turns her own Members against her by turning them one against another The Apostle severely rebukes the Corinthians upon this score 1 Cor. 3. 3. For ye are yet carnal for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions are ye not carnal and walk as men q. d. This unpeaceable and dividing temper makes you act not not like Members of Christ but like Men of the World whom Christ bids his Disciples to beware of as Enemies to his Interest and Kingdom Indeed the Corruptions of others are not to be approved yet what is good and sound is to be own'd and we are to be taken with the Image of Christ in whomsoever we see it shining 5. Slothful unfaithful proud and selfish Paâ—tours deserve as sharp a rebuke as any because the Churches increase is hindred by these with a witness Such seek their own things not the things of Christ their own profit not the profit of many that they may be saved 'T is ordinary with them to make the heart of the righteoâ—â— sad whom God has not made sad and to strengthen the hands of the wicked that he should not return from his wicked way by promising him life Ezek. 13. 22. The Prophet prophesies sharply against the Shepherds of Israel Ezek. 34. 2 3. 4. Woe to the Shepherds of Israel who feed themselves not the flock The diseased have ye noâ— strengthened neither have ye healed that which was sick neither have ye bound up that which was broken neither have ye brought again that which was driven away neither have ye sought that which was lost but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them Now if the flock be thus neglected 't is likely to be lessen'd and the Church to be brought very low Oh dreadful account that such Pastours have to give both of themselves and of the flock unto the Great Shepherd at the last day USE II. Of encouragement unto the Church of Christ notwithstanding her Imperfection Her Spirit should not sink into despondency because perfection is not yet attained to but several truths may be offer'd as grounds of support 1. That Righteousness which is imputed to the Church of Christ is perfect Though their Faith though their evangelical obedience be imperfect yet the Righteousness of Christ which their faith layes hold on is every way compleat The obedience of one that is the Son of God is sufficient to make many righteous though never so many do believe Rom. 5. 19. By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified Heb. 10. 14. The Apostle indeed is ashamed of his own Righteousness and afraid to be found in it and desires to be found in Christ and that he might have on that Righteousness which is of God by faith The obedience and sufferings of Christ are the Righteousness imputed to them that believe and 't is called the Righteousness of God because God contrived it and accepts it and Christ who obeyed and suffered is not only man but over all God blessed for ever Christ has done and suffered enough to satisfie divine justice to ransom and save souls and to obtain eternal Redemption for us and here is a firm ground for the Churches consolation 2. The Sins of the Churches Members are all pardon'd not so much as one is unforgiven Col. 2. 13. Having forgiven you all trespasses Psal 103. 12. As far as the East is from the West so far hath he removed all our transgressions from us Vxori lis non intenditur The Church is espoused to Christ and he has satisfied the Law and Justice for all her offences it may joyfully be said therefore There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 1. Her Head and Husband having paid the Churches debts payment from her is not expected shall not be demanded 3. Though the Churches members are imperfect yet the least degree of true grace shall be owned The smallest Stars are Stars and are fixt in Heaven as well as the greatest The weakest Saints are Saints and as such shall be regarded 'T is said of Christ He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd he shall gather the Lambs with his Arm and carry them in his bosom Isa 40. 11. The feeblest of Christians stanâ— in need of cherishing and they shall have â—hat they need Our Lord will not break the bruised reed nor quench the smoaking flax untill he sends forth judgment unto victory Mat. 12. 20. 4. The Church of Christ notwithstanding her imperfection is in a safer state than Adam was in Innocency The Union between his Creator and Him was not so indissoluble as the Union between Christ and true Believers Life was promised to him upon condition of his perseverance in obedience but he had not a Promise of Grace to make him persevere But the Saints have such a Promise God has said He will put his fear in their Hearts that they shall not depart from him Jer. 32. 40. That he will strengthen and uphold them with the right hand of his righteousness Isa 41. 10. That none shall pluck them out of the hand of Christ nor out of the Fathers hand who is greater than all Joh. 10. 28 29. That nothing shall be able to separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord Rom. 8. ult Adam was intrusted with a Treasure in his own keeping but he lost it and beggar'd himself and his whole Progeny Believers therefore are not thus trusted both themselves and their Treasure are in the hands of him that is able to save to the uttermost and so both are secured Their life
is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. USE III. Of Advice unto the Church of Christ and all her true Members 1. Let their imperfection keep them humble There is not a Soul without a stain nor a Grace without a mixture nor a Duty without a failing nor a Saint without some sin remaining All therefore nay the very best of all have reason to be low in their own eyes The more humble we are the more our hearts are suited to our present imperfect state and the more of Gods reviving Presence notwithstanding our imperfection will be vouchsafed For thus saith the High and Lofty One who inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Isa 57. 15. 2. Let the Churches Members hunger and thirst after a greater measure of righteousness Those that to do so are blessed for they shall be filled sayes he in whom all Fulness dwells Mat. 5. 6. This is an hunger truly sacred that never ends in starving but in satisfaction We should long more for the Waters of Life the Soul should thirst more vehemently for the living God desiring to behold his glory and to be changed more fully into his glorious Image Such kind of desires widen the Souls capacity and make it meet for a larger participation both of Grace and comfort 3. Let the Church believe and long for that enlargement and glory that is promised in the latter dayes but especially to be translated unto those Mansions above which her Head is gone to prepare for her Let her long that her Warfare may be well accomplished her course faithfully finished and the Crown of Life and Righteousness received And to this end let all her Members tear the Air and pierce the Heavens with their cryes Come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22. 20. Thus of the Second Proposition That the Body of Christ is imperfect in this World and therefore continually should be encreasing Proposit III. The Third Proposition follows That the Body of Christ should diligently endeavour the edifying of it self Before the Apostle had used the Metaphor of a Body now he uses another Metaphor of an Edifice or Building The Church is to edify it self but the Power to do this is from God and her Lord who acts and strengthens her in this action lays a just claim to all the glory The Church is an Edifice or an House but a Spiritual one therefore called a Temple Eph. 2. 21 22. In whom that is Christ all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord In whom you also are builded together for an habitarion of God through the Spirit This Temple is holy for God hath set apart such as are godly for himself The Stones are lively for all Saints are quickened to live to God and act for him In this Temple Sacrifices are offered but they aâ—e spiritual Prayers Praises other Duties and the Heart of him that performs them And though these Sacrifices are never so spiritual yet they are not accepted upon their own account but they are acceptable unto God througâ— Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. In the further handling of this Proposition I shall First Shew upon what foundation the Church is to Edify it self Secondly To what end this Edification must be Lastly Make Application In the first place I am to shew upon what foundation the Church is to edify it self 1. The Knowledge of God is styled a Foundation 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his God has from eternity foreknown and chosen his Church in Christ that she should be holy and without blame before him in love Eph. 1. 4. This is a Foundation laid before the Foundation of the World and will endure infinitely longer than the World shall The Churches Members should give all diligence to make their calling and Election sure for if they do these things they shall never fall but an abundant entrance shall be administred to them into the everlasting Kingdom 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. Now Election is made sure by hearkening to and obeying the call of the Gospel and departing from Iniquity 2. Christ the Rock is called a Foundation 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. Though he was set at nought by the Jewish builders yet he is the head Stone of the Corner neither is there Salvation in any other The Churches Faith must be firmer in Christ her hope in him more and more abundant and she may build without fear for the Foundation will never fail the Superstructure 2. The Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets is also styled a Foundation Eph. 2. 20. Both were inspired by the Holy Ghost and the harmony and agreement between Apostles and Prophets between the Old Testament and the New makes the Foundation more sure The Church that she may edifie her self is to eye the Scripture then she will build according to the right rule Vnwritten Traditions that would impose upon her Faith what the Scripture has not revealed are to be rejected and that light within that would lead her away from the written Word is no more to be followed than a foolish Night-fire If she has Scripture for her Faith and Practice she has good ground for both and both may be justified before the Judge of all the World 4. Obedience and good Works are called a Foundation 1 Tim. 6. 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good Foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on Eternal life This is done by doing good by being rich in good works Though good works are not meritorious for Eternal Life is the Gift of God yet they are necessary to evidence out Faith and that the Promises may be fulfilled Glory and Immortality is promised to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for it Rom. 2. 7. He builds firm that builds his house upon a Rock and he builds thus who hears the Words of Christ and does them But he that hears and does them not is a foolish man and builds his house upon the sand and when the rain descends and the winds blow and the floods come and beat upon his house it will fall and great will be the fall of it Mat. 7. 24 25 26 27. In the second place I am to tell you to what end this Edification of the Church must be 1. The Church must Edifie it self that it may grow Stronger The stronger her Faith is the more will she Glorifie that God in whom she believes Rom. 4. 20. 't is said of Abraham He staggered not at the Promise of God through Vnbelief but was strong in Faith giving glory to God The stronger her Love the more it will constrain her to labour in
his love to others He must not have persons in admiration because of advantage nor allow of any Hypocrisy which Conscience cannot chuse if tender but condemn Therefore sayes the Apostle Let love be without dissimulation Rom. 12. 9. Conscience observes whether our inward affection answers our speeches our shews and our pretences and should be able to bear witness of our integrity Our love to our neighbours should be for Christs sake and should make us to pursue the ends for which Christ died on their account 3. Love must flow from faith unfeigned In that fore-cited place 1 Tim. 1. 5. Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned There must be a firm belief of Gods good-will towards men of Christs love to his Church so as to give himself for its Redemption and Salvation and that he much insists upon this Command that Christians should love one another and when love is the product of this belief then 't is right then 't is acceptable The Apostle gave thanks without ceasing in the behalf of the Ephesians when he heard of their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the Saints Eph. 1. 15 16. How can he refuse to love any one Saint who unfeignedly believes that Christ died for all especially if withall he be upon good grounds perswaded that Christ loved him und gave himself for him 4. Love must be fervent 1 Pet. 1. 22. Seeing ye have purified your Souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto the unfeigned love of the Brethren see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently 'T is ill with the Body if the natural heat abates it argues a dangerous decay in the new Creature if Love wax cold If Christians Love one towards another languish proportionably there will be also a languishing of their love to Christ himself and this is very perillous When there was not a fervency but lukewarmness in Laodicea Christ threatens to spue her out of his mouth Rev. 3. 16. When Ephesus had left her first love he sayes I will come unto thee quickly and remove thy Candlestick out of his place except thou repent Rev. 2. 4 5. The great love of God in Christ his frequent injunctions that love may continue the excellency sweetness usefulness and even absolute necessity of love for the Churches conservation all this should be as perpetual fewel to maintain this holy fire 5. Christians Love must be Brotherly Christ sayes to his Disciples All ye are Brethren Mat. 23. 8. The whole Body of Believers is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Brotherhood 1 Pet. 2. 17. Christians are all Children of the same heavenly Father who by one Spirit according to his abundant mercy has begotten them again to a lively hope all of them have Christ to be their Elder Brother and are born again of the same seed which is incorruptible how reasonable then are those injunctions Love as Brethren 1 Pet. 3. 8. And let Brotherly love continue Heb. 13. 1. Alas for woe that the sinful Defects and Passions of Brethren are to be found among Professors but not the Affection Multitudes at this day resemble the Brother spoken of by Solomon Prov. 18. 19. A Brother offended is harder to be won than a strong City and their Contentions are like the bars of a Castle 6. Love should be extended so as to become Catholick and the more extensive 't is the more it makes a Man resemble God himself 1. Love is to be extended to the whole Church to all Saints When Love is limited to a party 't is Imprisoned as it were which ought to enjoy the greatest Liberty 'T is common and needful to distinguish between Conversion to a party and Conversion to God There is a distinction likewise to be made between Love to a party and Love to the Church of God 'T is but too apparent that men place too much in being of such a party and Perswasion and therefore all Receeding though done with a clear Conscience and for the Churches Peace is nick-named Apostacy And though a man walks as closely with God lives as well as ever loves more Saints and Saints more than ever yet because he is not rigidly of such a way he is censur'd belyed reproacht and shunn'd as if he were an Heathen man or Publican Oh Love why sleepest thou awake awake wherever thou art planted revive and flourish and bring forth the fruits of kindness peaceableness tenderness and moderation All true Saints of all Perswasions are beloved of God and purchased with his blood and nothing shall be able to separate them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord Rom. 8. ult Disaffections therefore and distances one from another are very unseemly very sinful Though God does love all his Children freely yet they are all worthy of one anothers love and this love is a just Debt which they owe one to another If Saints are loved as Saints all Saints will be loved à quatenùs ad omne valet consequentia And if we love not all 't is but too plain that we love none at all truly 2. Love is to be extended to the Jews if they are beloved for their Fathers sakes Rom. 11. 28. Christians should love them and express that love by Prayer that they may not still abide in their Unbelief but look unto Jesus whom they have pierced and obtain Mercy 3. Love is to reach unto the uncalled Gentiles The worlds blindness and wickedness should move our Compassion and since the Mercy of our God is so unconceivably large we should desire that more may partake of it and since Christ is a Propitiation sufficient for the sins of the whole World 1 Joh. 2. 22. We should pity the millions of Souls that never heard of him and beg that the sound of the Gospel may come to their ears and that through this Jesus they may be reconciled and saved 4. Love is to be extended even to enemies and Persecutors Christians must not render evil for evil reproach for reproach cursing for cursing but if they are reviled they are to bless if they are defamed they are to intreat and they must endeavour the Worlds benefit though they are made the filth of the World and the off-scouring of all things 1 Cor. 4. 12 13. A Saints Patience should alwayes be greater than the Passion of a Persecutor a Saints love than a Persecutors hatred 'T is an excellent Spirit and the right Spirit of Christian charity to be meek and kind to those that are most bitter against us to speak the best of those who speak the worst of us to Pray that our most spightful Enemies may be forgiven and that the injuries which are done us being Pardon'd may not do an eternal harm unto the Injurers 7. Love should never fail but more and more increase It must be a constant fire never to be extinguished nay it
things wherein they agree than of those wherein they differ And be sure to deafen your ears to Tale-bearers whose business is to destroy Love and sow Discord The words of a Tale-bearer are as Wounds and how deep do they go Where no Wood is the Fire goeth out and where there is no Tale-bearer the Strife ceaseth Prov. 26. 20. 6. Let this be your frequent Petition That you may be taught of God to love one another Pray that the Word which commands Love may be more deeply engraven in your Hearts and rule there at all times and that all exasperating thoughts and surmises all unruly passions which are contrary to Love as enemies to you to the Church to God himself may be brought into Captivity unto Christ the Prince of Peace USE V. Of Consolation to the distracted drooping desponding Church of Christ and all the sincere Members of it The grounds of Comfort are these 1. The Church of Christ shall be upheld noâ—withstanding all her Divisions What heats what Heresies in the Primitive times If one reads the Catalogue of Errours in Epiphantus and St. Augustine which men professing Christianity embraced and what rents these Errours made it will be just matter of wonder that the Church was not torn to pieces by her own Members Satan has been striking at Faith and Charity and yet still there is a Church and when he has done his worst there will be one 2. The Love of Christ towards his Church is unchangeable The Members may fail in their duty one towards another but the Faithfulness of the Head never fails His care is constant he is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13. 8. 'T is said Joh. 13. 1. That Jesus having loved his own that were in the World he loved them to the end And this love secured them to the end 3. There will be no want of love in Heaven Though Christians may not fancy to travel in one anothers company yet they are all going towards the same Countrey and place of eternal rest and when they are once come thither they shall rest from sin and contention as well as from trouble and affliction In that glorious place and state there will be no errour no culpable ignorance remaining both light and love will be in their perfection and because perfect love is there perfect peace and joy will be there also Jerusalem above is a City indeed that is compact together strongly founded for its builder and maker is God Heb. 11. 10. and 't is to last for ever and is built accordingly The triumphant Saints that inhabit there how near are they brought unto God who is all in all How closely and inseparably are they knit together in love St. Paul and Barnabas will no more fall out being both in Heaven and Luther and Zuinglius are perfectly agreed When St. Augustine as he tells us in his Confessions had been discoursing with his Mother concerning Heaven the Crown the Joys the Peace the Pleasures there his Mothers heart grew warm with Sacred Fire and that warmth at length was heightned into an Heavenly Rapture making her cry out Quid hic faciam What shall I do here below How shall I with patience stay in a vale of fears who have had such a sight of the glory such a taste of the joyes of the New Jerusalem Certainly it should make sincere Christians long to be above and it should comfort them that it will not be long ere they are above when they behold the Church on Earth so rent and torn by Pride and Ignorance and unruly Lusts and Passions and when withall they remember that among the innumerable Company of Angels and all the glorifyed Saints there is not the least discord but a compleat and everlasting Harmony I have finished my Discourse concerning Love and the Churches Edification I shall add a few Verses which I made when Prisoner in the Marshalsed I find that Musick relieved Saul when the Evil Spirit came upon him and composed the Spirit of a Prophet when it was ruffled and out of order and perhaps Poetry may have an effect of the like nature The Versâ—s are these Now use thy liberty my Mind Who art not in the least confin'd The whole Earth over thou may'st go And view the All that it can shew And that great All which thou can'st see Is not enough to satiate Thee From Gades to Ganges thou may'st run Thy thought 's much swister than the Sun And in thy travel nothing spy But what is vexing Vanity The greedy Worldling spares no pains The morâ— he has the less he gains To profit others does refuse Nay locks up all from his own use Sensual pleasures mixed be With an inward Anxiety The brutish part they only please But are the Mind's snare and disease Th' Ambitious Man strives to climb high That he may stand more slippery The glist'ring Crowns which Monarchs wear Have less of Honour than of Care Vain World produce even all thy store Thou art indeed a thing but poor Nay Heavens Heirs have felt thy rage In this as every former Age. If not by an excessive love An Idol made of thou do'st prove A Hell or Shambles unto them Who dare thee with thy all contemn The Church is too much like the World Into a strange confusion hurl'd Envy and Wrath and Pride and Strife Imbittering this present life By all is plain enough exprest Arise depart here 's not thy Rest Trample on Earth then take thy flight Immortal Soul Things out of sight Above the Sun or any Star Are worthy'st of thy thoughts by far Let not thy Senses Jaylors be Nor what suits them infatuate thee Open thy eyes behold thy God Rise with thy Lord that thy abode May be with him that 's Light and Love Nay All in all that are above The Persecution most fierce Can no way hinder thy Converse With Heaven Though in a Dungeon deep As the Earth's Centre Foes should keep The Body close yet thou art free And thy best Friend to visit Thee The joyful tokens of his Love Prisons are Palaces do prove Nay Paradises of Delight Although they silly Nature fright Sorrow is Joy and Pain is Pleasure Disgrace is Honour Loss a Treasure The World when worst is best of all To those God does to suffer call The New Jerusalem comes down Is clearly'st seen when Men most frown And with the sharpest Thorns thee Crown Take up thy Cross which is thy Tryal And taste the Sweets of Self-denial God is thy Father and thy Rest Abide with him and thou art blest The Following Poem was more lately Composed A Welcome to Disesteem I. THe World 's a Syren and its sweetest Song The greatest Wrong Th' Applause of Men the Prais'd endangereth Like poysonous breath The Wings of Fame like those of Icarus Pernicious He that Ambitious is of Estimation Shews himself fond of Peril and Temptation II. I' th most of Men a change is seen as soon As him i' th' Moon A word a look can quench the hottest Love And anger move The fondest Friend oft turns the worst of Foes And fury blows Whoso does think to make men alwayes kind He may as well attempt to hold the Wind. III. On Mountains high the Tempests fiercest are And nothing spare The tops of loftiest Buildings in a Town Are soonest down He that 's Above is envied to Death By those beneath Ambition does prove a fatal Charm And makes a man expose himself to harm IV. Vnconstant World how low should wise men deem Thy high esteem To better bad men Honour has no force Makes good men worse Honour is fitly styl'd the Foolish Fire That flies desire But fondly follows such as scorn and fly it That they may be misled and ruin'd by it V. What peace and safety is in being low The Prudent know Christs Head did fly the Circle of a Crown And great Renown The whole World offered He did refuse And Meanness chuse To follow Wisdoms Pattern can't be folly Dishonour's no just ground of Melancholy VI. False World thy ill report I 'le not deserve It shall me serve Thy frowns and slanders shall a kindness do Not make me rue When Friends turn Foes and Foes more Foes I see It weaneth me From things below and kills excessive Love Where doating my destruction might prove VII I will the Rage of Froward Men and Spight With Love requite It troubles me to see Professors Ire Burning like Fire I wish I were all Tears to check the Flame And quench the same If Wrath shut ears against my Ministry I will to God for all the louder cry N. V. THE END