Coetus or Congregatio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 condixit so that it 's taken for the solemn assembly gathered together at Gods appointed time or for the assembly at the appointed place viz. the Tabernacle and therefore the Tabernacle of the Congregation which Congregation was the Church of old Act. 7.38 Ecclesia in the New Testament is taken for any assembly though rude and riotous Act. 19.32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not used v. 37. where our Interpreters use our English word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ought to be rendred robbers of Temples Heathenish and Jewish but it is mostly used for and appropriated to a sacred assembly as Mat 18.17 Act. 2.47 Ch. 8.1 Ch. 11.26 1 Cor. 1.2 c. Phil. What do you say then is a Church of Christ in the most comprehensive sence Christ A Church of Christ is a Congregation of Saints associated in Christ Jesus our Lord Eph. 3.21 In the Church in Christ Jesus Phil. Why do you say associated Christ Because a Church is not a transient and occasional Congregation but fixed and a joyned Society by Union and Communion with Christ and one another 1 John 1.3 and because the Saints are the members of Christ and he is the Head they are said to be gathered together always in Christ Jesus really or professedly they are gathered unto him by way of insertion mystically or Politically they are gathered together in his Name or Authority Phil. Then a Church comes under various considerations Christ Yes Sir it doth but the Church of Christ is properly but one as he is the one Head and only so the Body is but one 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the Body is one and hath many members and all the members of the one Body being many are one body so also is Christ i. e. Mystical Phil. I pray be as distinct as you can upon the several considerations of this one Church of Christ Christ I will you know the most comprehensive consideration of the Church of Christ is under the name of Catholick and there are two Articles in the Creed called the Apostles that express our Faith therein 1. I believe the Holy Catholick Church 2. I believe the Communion of Saints which two words Holy and Saints denote the Matter and Form of this Church that it is Saints in Christ Jesus it is a Holy Church made up of Saints and then that it is comprehensive of all Saints And lastly That the formal nature of this Church consists in a certain Union and Communion for the latter always implys the former Phil. But is there not particular Churches do you not call every single Congregation a Church Christ. Yes we do so but that you may have the right and distinct notion of it we must duly weigh the Catholick Church as to its Relation to Christ its Head The Catholick Church is to be considered as to its mystical and political standing in Christ In respect of its mystical standing these things belong unto it 1. That it is the general assembly or collection of real Saints Heb. 12.23 ye are come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Catholick assembly and Church or Congregation of first born whose names are written in Heaven This is the Heavenly Church to which he saith Believers in the Gospel days are come to which Church Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant is the Head of influence and to which all Saints as such are spiritually knit and with whom they have Communion and in him one with another 2. The Church in this sence is it which Christ hath purchased and are effectually partakers of all his benefits Eph. 5.25 26 27. to it belongs Election Redemption Effectual Vocation Justification Adoption Sanctification and Glorification John 17.9 10 11. Rom. 8.29 30. 3. Here in this respect the Church is said to be Catholick in relation to individual Saints only it 's not Catholick as a genus comprehending many species of Churches but as a totum integrale comprizing many parts and all have a coordinate standing in subordination only to Christ their Head yea they all conduce to the making up of Christ Mystical one body being members in particular 4. This Mystical Body is to be considered according to its manner of existing secundum modum existendi and that two ways 1. In its Militant State or Standing or in its Triumphant in Viâ or in Patriâ In its Militant State it comprehends all the true believers in the world existing at the same time whether they are visible by professing or not the complement whereof are all the Saints actually glorified or the Spirits of just men made perfect And this distinction is only of the Church in respect of the different state in the enjoyment of Christ in the way of Communion in Grace and Glory the difference is only gradual and no more the Union is the same 2. It is to be considered in its Invisible and Visible standing The Church's Invisible standing is wholly in respect of that inward spiritual Relation which the Saints have to Christ and one another It s Visible standing is in professing Saints that are real members of Jesus Christ Phil. I Pray Sir give a right understanding of the Church in its relation to Christ as a Political Head Christ Thus Christ is to be considered as King and Law-giver to his Church and People and he governs his Church either immediately by his ruling Spirit in the heart of every Member of his Body whereby they are influenced Eph. 4.4 There is one Spirit one Body one Lord c. Or he governs mediately as a Politick Head and that is only so far as the Church is visible and professing and as such he hath given Immunities Laws Officers Ordinances for establishment of Visible Polities Societies or spiritual Corporations And here we are to observe diligently these things 1. That under this consideration the Catholick Church is most large and extensive for it comprehends all credible Professors though not real and all actual Church-Members though secret Hypocrites Ephes 3.15 Of him the whole family is named in Heaven and in Earth i.e. real and professing 2. That the Church so far as it 's capable of Visible Communion and Fellowship is the subject of Christ's mediate Political Rule and Government and that is only in particular Congregations to them he hath given his Word Ordinances and Officers and to no other for he suited them to particular Societies neither hath he substituted any Officers or Ordinances to the meer mystical standing of the Church 3. All the Instituted External Worship though it be given to the Church in its visible standing which it hath in particular Churches yet it is for the sake of the Mystical Body for the edifying and building it up by the Means of Grace Eph. 4.12 13 and for the multiplying it by calling in the Elect. 4. In this sense and acceptation as the Catholick Church being a Political Body of all
Saints mystically and immediately under Christ their Head so this Political Body shews it self and becomes visible in some particular parts there-only which are called Visible Churches and are under a mediate Rule and Government of Christ and in this respect the Catholick Church comprehends particular Churches as some distinct parts and parcels thereof Phil. Then I suppose your apprehensions are that there is a Catholick Visible Church which is the next and immediate subject of all Officers and Ordinances Christ Mistake me not I have not said so as yet I say the Catholick Church becomes in part visible in particular Congregationâ—s and they are the immediate subjects of visible Ordinances and Officers which are instituted and placed therein for the edification of the Mystical Body of Christ Phil. But is not the universality of Saints Militant the Catholick Visible Church of Christ on Earth Christ The universality of Saints on Earth doth not constitute a Church in a visible standing for many are Believers that as yet make not themselves visible by profession 2. They are not nor can be bound together in visible Union and Communion That which makes a Catholick Church is a Catholick Bond of Union and Catholick Communion which is only mystical and invisible but there is not nor cannot be a Catholick visible Bond for as they cannot appear in one visible Congregation so they cannot be bound to walk together in Fellowship nor can have visible Communion as one Church in the same individual Administration if they profess the same Faith preach the same Word pray alike c. yet this makes not one particular Church 3. If there be a Catholick Visible Church then it must have Catholick Visible Officers every Officer must relate to the whole Church every ordinary Officer must be Officer to the whole Catholick Visible Church and there had need be a Visible Pastor Pastorum over them all 4. All Visible Members of the Catholick Church are not therefore Members of any Visible Church with Ordinances for they must be supposed to be Members of the Catholick Church before they can be made Members of a Visible Church with Ordinances 5. A Visible Church is Organized with Officers to the whole Church and not to a part of it A Pastor Elder Deacon are Officers to the whole and who will say a Deacon hath as much power in all the Churches on Earth as in the Church to which he is constituted he may as well say so as say a Pastor hath 6. If Christ instituted a Catholick Visible Church it was under the Old Testament or under the New but he did neither for there was but one Particular Congregation under the Old and Christ left but one when he ascended Chap. II. Of a Particular Church Phil. I Pray Sir come now to the main thing I aim at viz. to the true nature and constitution of a Gospel Particular Church Christ You mean such a Congregation as is the immediate subject of all the Ordinances and Offices of Christ's Institution where every Believer is bound to wait upon God in Gospel Faith and Order for the glory of Christ and his own edification Phil. Such a Church I mean may not a National Church be it Christ By no means it 's no Church but such whose Members may all meet together in one place for Communion in all Ordinances for so the first Church at Jerusalem did the greatest for ought I know that ever was since and all other that we read of in Scripture since If any comprized all the Saints in the Nation Province or Territory they all assembled for frequent Communion in one place under the same Officers We read of no Particular Church in Scripture but what was Congregational for the National Church of the Jews which was the only one of that kind which ever was in the World of God's Institution was Congregational for all the Males came to the Temple and before to the Tabernacle three times a year to appear before God to worship in acts of Communion therefore it was called the Tabernacle of the Congregation Phil. I am pretty well satisfied now from the weighty arguments I formerly heard from you though my thoughts through prejudice passed lightly over them then that all National Diocesan and Parochial constitution of Churches was merely from Man if not from the Man of Sin which latter I see cause enough to suspect But I pray give me a plain description of a particular Gospel Church Christ With all my heart Sir a Particuler Gospel Church is a separate company of Visible Believers with their Seed or Saints associated together in special bond of Union for the enjoyment of Communion with Christ and one another in all the Ordinances of Christs appointment for their edification Phil. You say the allowed matter of this Church is Visible Believers what understand you by a visible Believer Christ I mean one that makes a credible profession such an one as I am bound by all the rules of Charity to believe he is a true believer on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and I do not say 1. That it is necessary that therefore he be no Hypocrite for so he may be and I not know it 2. Neither do I say that his meer professing makes him a Church member for they in Act. 2. believed before they were Church Members and professed their Faith which gave them right of claim Yea there are many have right of claim and do profess but do not seek to joyn to a particular Church and it cannot be without a voluntary offer and subjection to the Order of the Gospel Phil. What is required to a credible profession for the due satisfaction of a particular Church of Christ Christ The Tree cannot be known to me but by the Fruits see Mat. 7.17 18 19. chap. 12.33 Luk. 6.44 the credible fruits are therefore Holiness of life and profession of Faith It 's required there be visible holiness of life Phil. 1.27 Let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel i. e. both the Doctrine and Order of it And this lies in negative and positive holiness appearing in the conversation 1. Negative that it be without blame Eph. 1.4 Phil. 2.15 1 Th. 5.23 2. A meer negative religion in respect of grosser and more observable sins is no more than what many a Carnal man may attain unto there must be the practice of positive duties required and not merely moral in justice and mercy but such by which a Christian is more peculiarly distinguished from Moral Heathens such as family duties of reading the word and daily prayer those of a more publick nature as constant attendance on the word Preached sanctifying the Lords day free distribution to the necessities of the Saints and a manifest readiness on all occasions to follow Christ as his disciple in all things Tit. 3.8 ch 2.11 12. yea in suffering Phil. But what more profession is needfull besides this visible practical walking is not this enough
are Members and capable of being judged by it so it is here Christians meet and agree together to walk in Church fellowship and what do they promise solemnly to God and one another to give up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk in all the ways ordinances and appointments of Christ Now I find this is that which is called adding to the Lord when a people first joyn themselves to Christ in Church fellowship and so the first gathering the Church at Antioch is expressed for Act. 11.19 some scattered upon the persecution by Saul men of Cyprus and Cyrene I doubt not but Prophets inspired at Pentecost Preached to the Grecian Jews the Lord Jesus Christ v. 20. and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number turned unto the Lord v. 21. Upon the tidings of this success Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem who was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith And much People were added to the Lord i.e. they by mutual consent gave up themselves unto the Lord Jesus Christ they turned to the the Lord by Repentance by the Preaching of these first comers But now the Spirit tells us the success of Barnabas his coming and it was upon his exhortation of them thereto v. 23. and when he was come and saw the Grace of God which had prevail'd unto conversion he rejoyced and exhorts them all with full purpose of Heart i. e. with sincerity and resolution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to joyn themselves for constancy unto the Lord in Church fellowship afterward when Paul comes v. 26. he finds them a Church and as such abides among them for an whole year for it 's said Paul and Barnabas assembled themselves with the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Preaching to a great multitude many of which were not yet of the Church and that this adding or joyning to the Lord is entring into the Church obligation is manifest also from Act. 5. where it appears upon the signal Judgments that Ananias and Sapphira fell under v. 13. of the rest such Hypocrites as they none durst joyn themselves the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to cement and unite into a Body it 's used for joyning to the Church of Jerusalem Act. 9.26 and 1 Cor. 6.17 in the same sence And it 's said here v. 14. Believers were the more added to the Lord which must be by some visible overt act whereby they became Members of the Church after believing for it cannot be meant of their mystical joyning to Christ by believing for then the Antithesis would not hold between them that durst not and them that did In the same sence is the adding a Member to a Church which is joyned to the Lord Act. 2.41 47. there they were first visible Believers then added to a society by some overt solemn act and therefore said to be added to the Church It would be too long in this way of conference between you and me to evince this Truth particularly from the method that God used in the constituting and maintaining a visible Church from the beginning to look back but as far as Abraham how he and his family and his seed became a Visible Church it was by explicite obligations and overt acts in binding them by Sacrifice I might mention the several express obligations that Church came under from time to time in Moses time at Horeb Joshua's the Judges Samuel's especially David's and the rest of the Reforming Kings remarkably by Josiah and after the Captivity in Ezra's and Nehemiah's days And that this was not a dispensation peculiar only to the Old Testament State and standing of the Church is manifest from Isa 56.3 4 5 6. for there God speaks of the priviledges of the Gospel Salvation which was near meaning the Gentile by the Son of the stranger and by the Eunuch any other excluded from the priviledges of the Church of the Jews and incapacitated by Levitical uncleanness these saith the Lord being Believers and joyning themselves to the Lord the words used in the acts and taking hold of his Covenant shall have a place and a name in my house i. e. to be Church Members and have right to all Church Priviledges And this is that bond of the Covenant which the Prophet Ezekiel foretells that the Great and Gospel restauration of the Jews should bring them under Ezek. 20.37 of which the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 50.4 5 6. and Zech. 2.10 11. I refer you in this matter to that clear discourse that the Learned Mr. J. Cotton hath upon this subject in his way of the Churches of N.E. Pag. 59 60 61 c. where you may receive full satisfaction in this point if what I have briefly spoken be not enough You may read also Mr. J. Davenport's power of Congregational Churches his answer to Mr. J. Paget where he shews pag. 27. that this Covenant obligation is the formal cause of a Church and sheweth the nature and evinceth the necessity of it to a Churches being as likewise Mr. Hookers survey chap. 4. page 45. Phil. Sir I thank you for discovering these authors to me I have heard of them that they were Reverend Pious Learned Men who suffered much for the Testimony they bore against our corruptions prejudice for a long time hath kept me off from reading the works of such men but I pray Sir give the heads of the Arguments they insist on for it Chr. 1. Believers are under Church power this way or quatenus Believers If quatenus professing Believers then where ever they come the Church and Officers there may challenge power over them as Members this will be denied by most till they voluntarily submit themselves it may be some will come for Church priviledges but will not admit of any Church power for their Reformation to be administred towards them 2. They argue from all Civil Societies of that nature and Marriage it self cannot have a formal being without mutual compact and agreement so there is a mutual relation that all Church Members stand in one to another and all of them to their Officers and their Officers to them and reciprocal duties to be performed these cannot be performed or will not without mutual consent and obligation 3. They argue from all the Metaphors whereby a Church is described a House and Temple is bound and pin'd together a natural body hath all the Members knit together by joints and bands it 's represented as a City compact Rev. 11.2 Eph. 2.19 and what City can become enfranchised but this way and manner 4. It 's no reason any should challenge priviledges of a Society without they be subject to the orders and rules of walking 5. If this be not but Members may come in and out as they please without obligation Churches have no power to keep themselves pure by Admission or Excommunication for as a Member can come at pleasure so he may depart 6. Lastly the practice of the Primitive
much impression upon me and fix'd me with more Resolution to adhere to the Church for I knew they were old Professors and as cunning Shifters as I was or I could be in matters of Religion I thought my self now but a fool to them seeing they had studied and practised this Point so thorowly and condemned a narrow throated Conscience for one of the worst things in the World for a Wise man it was fit only for Religious fools But I told them if I did keep my Church I would hear some or other that preached Salvation by Jesus Christ and if I found such an one I would go near to move my Family and come up to London so I took my leave and went away paying my Dish Christ And did you go to hear the man or men they directed you to Phil. Yea I 'le warrant you and with a greedy appetite and there was a great crowd of Whiggs many of which I knew when they would not have gone to Church for a great deal sed tempora mutantur nos c. Christ And what was the Subject he was upon Phil. Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in Trespasses and Sins c. He insisted on the dead state of the Natural man shew'd how all the Imagination of his Heart was evil he could not of himself do any good Rom. 3.12 and backed his Doctrine with so many full and plain places of Scripture that my mouth was fully stopped and my Heart became guilty before God I said with my self Blessed be God I hope some men in the Church have got the cue of the Gospel I hope all have not abdicated the thirty nine Articles from their Pulpits I went in the Afternoon to hear a man much commended too and he was on that Text Mat. 16.26 What will it profit a man c. And he described the excellency and worth of a mans Soul so well shewing nothing could be a valuable ransom for it but Christ and decried the world at such a rate especially when it comes in competition with the Eternal welfare of the Soul that my two great bulwarks were battered down in a manner in one day and Christ even ready to take possession I saw now I was but a poor undone wretched wicked condemned creature and that I had hitherto sold my Soul to preserve my Estate Whereupon I retired my self to my Lodging and spent much time in Prayers and Tears and resolved now if God would give me strength I would slip into a Conventicle which accordingly I did next Sunday where I heard a very awakening discourse upon Gal. 3.10 As many as are of the Works of the Law are under the Curse Whereby I understood the desperate Condition I was in in Relation to the Law which he opened exceeding well Whereby the Law came Sin revived and I died Rom. 7. After this I made a shift to get into a place where I heard a worthy man preach very lively and clearly on Act. 16 31. whence he opened the Nature of Faith and shewed how it saved viz. Instrumentally by closing with and laying hold upon the Lord Jesus Christ for Justification and Sanctification and how Christ was made Sin for us and bare the Curse After this I began to savour the preaching of Jesus Christ and found my Soul more refreshed with one of these Sermons than with an hundred others I heard also from Acts 4.12 There is no other Name under Heaven given whereby we can be saved and from Heb. 7.25 He is able to save to the uttermost all them that come c. from Joh. 14.6 I am the Way the Truth c. It would be endless to acquaint you with the precious discourses that I have since heard in London when I came up especially from the time of Liberty and what warmth of Love was wrought in me to the Lord Jesus Christ with some measure I trust of a true and lively Faith that through the strength of Free-grace I hope I shall be a Christophilus now all my days but I must tell you one thing that the Devil is a Conventicler too as well as a Son of the Church for I see many very loose persons there for hearers and not a little false Doctrine deliver'd in many of them Christ These things always have and will be as for prophane hearers I dislike not that for there is then the more matter for a converting Ministry to work upon and as for false teachers they were many in the Apostles time as Paul and Peter tell us in their Epistles This should not discourage you But be faithful to the Death and you shall have a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 Phil. I hope by the help of God I shall but I will tell you there is one difficulty I cannot get over yet and that is this I have heard you say it 's the Duty of a Believer to follow Christ fully to deny himself and take up his Cross and to add or joyn himself to some Church which I have not done any otherwise than to partake sometimes with the Church of England and sometimes at a Meeting which I am much dissatisfied in for many weighty reasons not to be now insisted on That which keeps me at this day is my great Ignorance of and Estrangedness to the order of the Gospel I being not fully satisfied whether Christ hath instituted any Stated Gospel Church and if he hath where among all your different perswasions in matters of worship it is to be found I wish you would be pleased to give me the clearest account you are able in brief of your perswasion and practice in these matters Christ Sir I shall chearfully endeavour it but that things may be more clear and plain to your understanding I pray make your enquiries of the points you would be resolved in and your objections as they occur Chap. I. Of the Church Catholick CASE II. Phil. I Pray Sir what doth the word Church import Christ Church or Kirk is but an abreviation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the proper idioms of Languages English and Scotch it signifies the House of God and hence our places of publick assembling are called Churches in Conformity to the Jews of old who called the Temple the House of God according to which Christ speaks Mat. 21.13 there being a Levitical Holiness ascribed to it which Holiness of places hath ceased with it and the Gospel Church is made only of living stones Heb. 3.8 1 Pet. 2.4 though when we in England speak of a place for publick assembly we call it a Church not that any wise Protestants do take it so in a proper sence but Metonymically only as for others they think and speak after the Papists Phil. What do the Greek and Hebrew words import Christ They always signifie an Assembly or Congregation there was two words used for it in the old Testament 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 both signifie
Religion But where this hope is you usually see how ready men are to speak of the Grace of God to Friend and Neighbour why not to a Church or its Officers that may bring their Relation to the Church You see how naturally in our discourse but now you fell into this when I took but occasion to ask how you came so suddenly in love with the Lord Jesus Christ you gave me a very full account of the Grace of God towards your Soul Phil. Why is it no more than such a poor account as I gave you but now alas I could have said a great deal more concerning Gods wonderful gracious dealings with me but that I hasted to this discourse with you about Gospel Church and Order which I have long wished for I had thought your members must have prepared some set speech in such exact form and manner as some men can do But alas how many good honest Christians cannot express themselves but they can tell you in their plain way of speaking what they were Drunkards Lyars Scoffers Debauched Adulterers Blasphemers c. And one will say God cast me down under the sence of sin by awakening my Conscience by such a Word or such a Providence and I began to think how I was in hastning to eternal destruction he will tell of the great struglings he had with Satan the World and his Company to hold him fast in his sinful ways he will tell you what good tidings to him the Revelation of the Free Grace and Love of God to Sinners was And how thereby his Heart was drawn forth to Faith in his blood and obedience to all his commands he will tell you the Sermon and places of Scripture some at least of the most remarkable which were made most effectual for his Souls benefit and advantage If this be all you stand upon I think none that hath tasted that the Lord is gracious will make any scruple of it As for my own part I could be willing to make it my frequent discourse to any faithful Friend in Christ to declare to him what God hath done for my Soul and should look upon it as the best entertainment he could give me to hear the like from him And I know not why any one should question the doing it to a Church of Christ where so many faithful ones labour under the sence of their own sins and weaknesses as well as a mans self Christ I find bashfulness is a great hindrance to many in some especially Women it is from their Sex and the natural temper of many of both Sex there is no remedy for them but to pray against it and for Church Officers to deal with them in all Tenderness and Condescention supposing still that there is much of the Grace of God and sence of Sin in them which is not expressed by what shews it self Again others are ashamed some upon this account viz. to tell the World how wicked and vile they have been others afraid they shall be rejected and that would be a great disgrace to them As to the first sort I say Churches do not stand upon this that every one should particularize the individual Sin that he hath committed it may be some of an heinous and enormous nature it is enough that he specifies the sence of the greatness of the sins he lived in in General unless he finds it for the honour of God and the good of others to declare what a wicked wretch in this or that kind he hath been which the world and his acquaintance knows as well as he and in that respect it is necessary for the honour of God and Paul did so that great Apostle I was a Persecutor c. And how often doth he aggravate his sin and magnifie the rich Grace of God that called and saved him That great notorious sin of his known to all he declares often to the Churches and others Then as to the declaring our Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in his great and precious Promises there is no reason any should be ashamed of it unless a man be ashamed the World should know he is willing to be saved and not eternally perish Rom. 10.10 11. The Apostle anticipates this Objection when he saith with the Heart man Believes and with the Tongue Confession i. e. of that Faith is made unto Salvation it immediately follows for the Scripture saith He that believeth on him shall not be ashamed i. e. To confess with his Mouth what he believeth in his Heart As for Confession of particular secret sins it is not expected by the Churches they have no such custom to require it but leave it to the wicked practice of the Romish Priests in Auricular Confession Phil. You have given very good satisfaction in this point for I have heard many that are not acquainted with the way of your Churches object this very strenuously as if your Ministers took upon them the practice of those Wicked Varlots who make Confession a stratagem to creep into acquaintance with mens secrets for their own advantage But I would have you answer the other objection that many are afraid they shall be rejected and I will tell you too many are loath to bewray their own ignorance and unacquaintedness with the things of God Christ As for such who fear they shall be rejected they are of two sorts 1. Such as are lifted up in themselves and put on Religion more for the applause of it than for the love of it these have not learned Christ for they know not how to deny themselves and therefore it 's better they stay off than offer themselves till their Hearts be enclined to love Christ and his commands more than the applause of men And these have usually one of these reasons for their fears first Either that they have lived in some known scandalous sins that they cannot give any sufficient grounds to others to believe they have thorowly repented of by a manifest Reformation and such had better forbear offering themselves till their Friends and Acquaintance observe some evident change in them Or it is by reason they fear as you say they shall bewray their Ignorance in the things of God if that be the reason it is much better for them to discover their Ignorance than to remain in it being the enquiries upon this account into mens Knowledge it is only in the great and weighty points of the Gospel without acquaintance with which a man cannot believe unto Salvation by Jesus Christ Besides what danger is there of publick disgrace If the way of the Churches be known no unprejudiced Christian can think there is any for if a man offer himself to joyn to a particular Congregation he goeth to the Pastor or Elder and acquaints him with his desire who will if he think there be reason first enquire of his knowledge in some great fundamental points wherein finding him grosly defective he gives him Information and desires him frequently
Inventions whereby also all Antichristian Abominations over-spread the whole face of the Christian World Phil. But did not Christ give other Ministerial Officers to his Church Christ The Officers which Christ placed in his Church for Edification were Extraordinary or Ordinary but both Pastoral for they that are called Elders and set for Doctrine and Administration in seals and Government I call justly Pastoral for feeding the Flock comprehends both in the true sence of the Spirit of God Phil. Who were the Extraordinary Officers Christ They were Apostolick and such who were not succeeded after the first Churches were planted but by ordinary Pastoral Officers and these were Apostles and Apostolick helps in the performance of their Office-charge Eph. 4.11 and were Prophets and Evangelists and were extraordinarily furnished with the gifts of the Holy Ghost and Power for the propagation of the Gospel and plantation of Churches but at the disposition and direction for the most part of the Apostles as all other Church-Officers as well as Churches were during their lives Phil. And our Bishops say they succeed the Apostles and all other Ministers are subordinate and subject to them Christ They may as well say the Pope succeeds Peter for it 's plain they were extraordinarily sent and inspired and therefore could not be succeeded but by such as were extraordinarily assisted as they were which hath been none or ordinarily and such are Presbyters and no others The Charasteristick Notes of the Apostles were 1. That they were to be such who were ear and eye-witnesses of Christ from the Baptism of John to the time of his taking up Acts 1.22 viz. of his Ministry Miracles Resurrection and Ascension 2. That they should be extraordinarily inspired by the Holy Ghost for the revelation of the mind and will of Christ since which none ever were 3. To have the gifts of Tongues and working Miracles 4. That they should have the charge of the Churches for the plantation direction and government of them every Apostle having the charge of all Churches in every Church whatever power was afterward ordinarily in each Church And though a Bishop now in an Apish imitation by a pretended plea of Succession would lay claim to power over many particular Congregations yet each Bishop is not allowed power in another mans Diocess And as to the former characters where's the Bishop can with a shew of any just pretence lay claim unto them Phil. What were the Prophets that accompanied and assisted the Apostles in their Ministry Christ Of this sort it 's said Acts 13.1 there were certain Prophets and Teachers I suppose not much differing one from another in respect of the extraordinary Mission and Qualification being Church-Members of the Church of Jerusalem on which the Holy Ghost fell in the appearance of fiery Tongues whereby they were furnished with Preaching Gifts and those of Tongues in order to the propagation of the Gospel in all Nations and to whatsoever People they came Jew or Gentile and went forth for this end in subordination to and by direction of the Apostles And the first time we read of the Travels is Acts 11.19 occasioned by Saul's persecution some of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene who when they had passed through other places Preaching came at last unto Antioch and spake unto the Grecian Jews Preaching the Lord Jesus Christ the effect of which was the believing and turning of many unto the Lord. These by the command of the Holy Ghost laid hands on Paul and Barnabas but we read not that they baptized or did perform any other Ministerial Act if that were one Probably they might convey the Gifts of the Holy Ghost on others by imposition of hands too Phil. What were the Evangelists Christ They were extraordinarily called to assist the Apostles also in Preaching the Lord Jesus Baptism and planting Churches with Ordination of Officers in them Philip Preached and Baptized and wrought Miracles Acts 8.5 12 39. But did not convey the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost they were bestowed by the prayers of Peter and John as the laying on of hands verse 15 16. and Philip is called an Evangelist Acts 21.8 Timothy was an Evangelist 1 Tim. 4.5 and Assistant to Paul in his Apostolick Function and he did lay on hands Now as to this that Philip did not and Timothy did I judge these secondary Apostolick men acted not as the Apostles by a general Commission but by the immediate particular dictates of the Holy Ghost or by the mediate Commands from time to time given to them by the Apostles to whom they were assistant and subordinate in their Actings there were some which we call Evangelists from their writing the History of the Gospel two of which were primarily Apostles viz. Matthew and John Mark and Luke might be Evangelists in the other sense Phil. Who were left the Pastoral Officers in the Church at Jerusalem upon Christ's Ascension Christ The whole Ministerial Office in that Church was left and placed at first in the Apostles both Pastoral and Diaconal and either of the Apostles might have presided but that by consent it may be grounded on the words of our Saviour Mat. 16.19 Peter took the Chair viz. the orderly management of the Keys That the diaconal Office was in the said Apostles at first is manifest from the account we have Act. 2.4 5. of the Members bringing their possessions and laying them at their feet to dispose of as a Church stock and from the reason given by the twelve to the multitude for the choice of Deacons they finding the serving tables to be to great a Burthen to them upon such increase of the Church Afterwards also as the necessity and state of the Church required there were Elders or Presbyters chosen distinct from the Apostles which appears from Act. 15.23 And it 's most plain the increasing and multiplying Officers in the Church was according as the necessary reasons thereof did arise from the increase or otherwise which necessities by the Holy Ghost breathing through the Apostles were provided for and supplied Chap. V. Of ordinary Officers Phil. WHat Officers do compleatly Organize a particular Congregation Christ Pastoral and Diaconal so that Pastor and Deacon do make a Church compleatly Organiz'd but through multiplication of a Church or for other reasons there may be good ground to chuse coadjutors in each Office aforesaid for the encreasing the Officers of one kind or another that the Church may be edified Phil. What is the Pastors Office Christ The Pastors Office is to feed the Church as the flock of Christ over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer or Bishop Which Pastoral feeding consists in Gospel Preaching administration of Sacraments and Government In the last respect more especially he is called a Bishop or Overseer Act. 20. Phil. What do you mean by Gospel Preaching Christ I mean a right dividing of the Word of God according to the revealed Will of God and it
Apostles at the same time and with them to all faithful Ministers There is another Key of the Kingdom of Heaven which is in the Church of the Gospel viz. The Key of Power which is either of Supream Church-power and is the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ which is Soveraign Absolute Legislative and therefore called the Key of David which he alone hath Rev. 3.7 And there is the Key of subordinate Power which is delegated by Christ unto his Church and therefore given by Christ unto Peter and the rest of the Disciples as his associated Church on Earth to which he himself was Pastor and to which he administred as such the Lords Supper The twelve Apostles had this Key given them as such in that for their time they had all Church Power committed unto to them did exercise it as occasion required as to Constitution of Officers receiving dismissing or excommunicating members But there being none in Succession unto them this Key of Power can be found no where lodged but in a particular Congregation built on the Faith which Peter in the Name of the rest professed Mat. 16.19 Phil. But the great Question is where the Power of the Keys lyes in a particular Congregation whether in the Fraternity or in the Eldership Christ I call the decisive Church Power the Key and say it lyes in the Majority as in all Societies that arise by mutual Consent or Agreement But I distinguish between the Keys and the management of them for a Key is dead and opens no door if there be not a hand to make use of it So that in an Organized Church the orderly managing and making use of the Churches Power lyeth in the Elders But if the Church be not Organized they are guided by a common rule of self-preservation and using all means to procure their well being they act by common consent as they came together in the Name of Christ till they be duely Organized with Officers And therefore they admit members or excommunicate if necessity require as they may before they have Officers But having chosen Officers the orderly way of proceeding is by the authoritative Power of the Officers in management of this Key which is the decisive Power Hence I distinguish between a Churches acting pro necessitate and pro regula ordinis Phil. What part have the ruling Elders viz. the Pastor if there be no more or if there be the ruling Presbyters that take part with him as assistants in admitting of a Member Christ The Elder or Elders work is 1. To speak with the party that desires admission propound him to the Church and upon mature deliberation cause the decisive Vote of the Church to pass upon him Whereby he is received or rejected If received the Elder declares the sence of the Church and doth solemnly in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Church enter into a mutual obligation with the said Member saying You are here now to give up your self and Children if he hath any to the Lord and this Congregation promising as Christ shall help you to walk and abide in and with this Church in all Gospel Conversation according to the rules of Faith and order of the Gospel submitting your self to the watch of the same and promise to bring your Children to the Ordinances of the Church educating them in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Likewise adds I do in the Name of Christ and this Congregation give you the right hand of fellowship and receive you in the Lord promising to perform all the duties toward you that are required of us in order to your Edification as Christ shall enable us Phil. Hath an Elder no more part in the decisive Power by Vote than an ordinary Brother Christ Though the Elders Judgment is usually hearkened to and sways many times much with the Congregation giving light unto them from the Word yet when a matter comes by Vote to be determined his Vote is but single as another Brothers and therefore we say this Key of decisive power is in the Fraternity though the orderly management thereof and authoritative declaration thereof in the Name of Christ belongeth to the Elder Phil. In what other Cases is this Key made use of Christ In letting shutting out and turning out of Members 1. In Letting out or translating Members from one Church to another when upon good reasons a Church Member desires to change his or her Communion and asketh a Dismission it is granted by the suffrage of the Church approving his reasons for it Phil. Is there any Scripture ground for a Dismission may not a Church Member not chargeable with any scandalous Sin go away to another Church without a Dismission Christ No! For it will cause Confusion in the Churches and God is the God of Order and not Confusion as in all the Churches of the Saints Besides it 's contrary to the Nature of such Societies and the obligation by which the Members stand mutually bound together in one Body And Christ hath provided as well the orderly departure as stay of Church Members The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 used Rom. 16.1 should be rendred statuo constituo in coetu vobiscum I dismiss to you for tho' our translators render it I recommend yet it should more rightly be rendred I dismiss or place in Church fellowship with you and so all the Apostle speaks afterward are terms of a dismission These Paul needs not he being an Apostle and having had a Seal of his Apostleship among them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are commendatory Letters with Dismission 2 Cor. 3.2 Phil. What then are your Letters of Recommendation Christ A Letter of Recommendation is but a Certificate under the hand of an Officer that this or that Brother or Sister is a Member of such a Congregation walking blamelesly and as becomes the Gospel that when any Brother or Sister comes to other Churches in their travels they may make no scruple to receive them to occasional or transient Communion but transfers not any as Members to another Congregation Phil. How is the Key used for Exclusion of a Member Christ A Church Member is excluded or put out of Communion by Himself or by the Church and either amounts to Excommunication for Excommunication is the putting one out of the Communion of a particular Congregation which is done when a Member doth disorderly withdraw and divide himself from the Church Communion obstinately refusing to be reduced to his place and duty in the said Church This is an usurpation of the Key of Power and separating of himself and I call it Indirect Excommunication because he divides himself violently and schismatically upon which the Church is to reassume the Key and shut the door of Communion upon him either by a direct Excommunication which is the regular way and may be justified from express places of Scripture such as Rom. 16.17 18. Or else if this way of Discipline will not be born Judicially to