inviolably to be observed to the end of the World To the proof of which we now address our selves I. Christ himself seems to intimate as much when he gives commission to the Apostles to go forth to preach the Gospel teaching them who shall be converted by their Ministry to observe his whole charge Mat. 28.19 20. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Teaching them to observe all things whatever I have commanded you and lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the World Two things are plainly asserted 1. That whatever Christ gave them in charge to communicate to others was to be observed and kept by them to the end of the World 2. That the Lord Jesus Christ would all along communicate his presence to such as should to that great period of time be found in the observance of what he commanded II. The great Apostle of the Gentiles who also had seen the Lord and converst with him when he was caught up into the third Heavens expresly asserts concerning one part of this Gospel-Ministration or one great Ordinance appertaining thereunto and such an one as none can regularly be found in the practice of but such as are in a Church-state Act. 2.42 viz. The Ordinance of Breaking Bread that it was to continue to the coming of our Lord 1 Cor. 11.26 For as often as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye do shew forth the Lords death until he come Christ commanded his Disciples a little before he was offer'd up a Sacrifice for them to be found in this practice Luke 22.19 20. This do in remembrance of me And afterwards charges them as they love him to be found in the observance of it as of other his Commandments John 14.15 If ye love me keep my Commandments Tells them it 's an argument of their love and true friendship to him so to do John 14.21 23. and 15.14 Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I command you Which saith our Apostle we are to do till our Lord comes Object 1. But we witness the Lord already come to us therefore we are no longer to be under the observation of it Answ And thus some in the Apostles dayes were wont to talk that they had experienced the Resurrection 't was to them past already so endeavouring to evert the great Doctrine of the Gospel the Resurrection from the Dead Against whom he smartly disputes 1 Cor. 15. But in what sense it is that any pretend that Christ is already come must be a little consider'd 1. He is come in Spirit Power say some Answ And so he was before the writing of this Epistle yea before any one particular Church was gathered by the Apostles Never such a coming of Christ in Spirit and Power as was that in the day of Pentecost Act. 2. Every believer 't is true witnesses his coming to him in Spirit Power Quickning Raising him from the death of Sin to the life of Righteousness Sanctifying Cleansing him which whoever doth not whatever his profession is or by what name soever he is call'd he is not a Believer but in this sense he was already come to these Corinthians before Paul writ this Epistle to them He ownes them for a Church of God affirmes that they were Sanctified in Christ Jesus call'd to be Saints that the grace of God was given them by Christ Jesus that in every thing they were enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge that the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them so that they came behind in no Spiritural gift that they were call'd unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 2.4 5 6 7 9. with much more that might be mentioned evidently declaring that Christ was in Spirit Power already come to them yet the Apostle speaks of another coming till which the Saints are to be found in the practice of this institution which coming also these Corinthians waited for 1 Cor. 1.7 Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Object 2. He is come already to some in person say others there 's therefore an end of this Institution the whole Ministration Answ But the coming of Christ in a corner is not the coming the Apostle here speaks of 'T is an unscriptural anti-scriptural notion as hath been demonstrated but that coming which the Corinthians with all the Saints ever since his departure have been waiting for viz. his Glorious Visible coming in the Clouds of Heaven when every eye shall see him III. The same Apostle most solemnly charges his beloved Son Timothy to keep the Commandment without spot to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 6.13 14. I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession that thou keep this Commandment without spot till the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ What 's meant by Commandment Answer The words in the Greek are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That you keep the Commandment So the Ar. Syr. V.L. render it His Commandment so the Aeth reads it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Commandment for the Commandments so Piscator renders it Vt serves haec mandata that thou keep these Commandments viz. the Commandments he had as the Apostle of Jesus Christ communicated to Timothy from Christ These Believers were to observe keep till the appearing of Christ Jesus If the words be strictly adhered to and there be no enallage of the number allowed it comes to the same purpose For 't will not I presume be denied that by Commandment we are not to understand any Commandment given forth by Paul's private Spirit but the Commandment of Christ through him Now of all Christ's Commandments there 's the same reason our reception owning of obedience to any one is grounded upon his Soveraign Authority If I may reject one I may reject all and if I am bound to attend to obey one I am bound to attend to obey all For 't is the same Law-giver that hath given them all forth Besides the Apostle in this Epistle Chap. 5.21 charges him before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels that he observe the things delivered to him without preferring one before another which seems to be the Commandment he thus solemnly charges him in the words under consideration to keep without spot and unblameable to the coming of Christ The plain meaning is the Apostle writes this Epstle to Timothy on purpose to instruct him how to behave himself in the Church of God Chap. 3.15 He had given him sundry directions touching the Officers to be chosen in the Church Chap. 3. Speaks of the Apostasie from the Doctrine and Worship of the Gospel that should be in an after-day Chap. 4. of which also he had treated in his second Epistle to the Thessalonians
They were not the Powers of the world nor the declensions apostacies of the Subjects of that Ministration that put a Period to it but the Act of God himself the Soveraign thereof 5. Whatever the corruptions of the Church-state were as they were very great 't is the commendation of the Lords poor people that they continued in it as Zachary Elizabeth c. because in so doing they testify their subjection to the Lord who Instituted it 6. Nor was it actually removed but by the introduction of a new more spiritual sublime Ministration set on foot by Jesus the Son of God fore-prophesied of as the great Prophet of the Church who was to period that Ministration and set up another to whom we are charged to attend in all things Secondly Gospel-Churches or the Gospel-Church-State are said to be a House built upon a Rock Mat. 7.25 and 16.18 Vpon this Rock I will build my Church 'T is necessary that we Enquire I. What we are to understand by this Rock 1. The Papists tell us that by this Rock we are to understand Peter The vanity of which pretension is evident For 1. 'T is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon This Peter but upon This Rock 2. Peter no where in any of his Epistles asserts himself to be the Rock upon which the Church is Built nor do any of the Apostles in any of their Epistles so affirm of him He accounts himself but as an Apostle of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Co-Elder with the rest of the Presbyters or Elders 1 Pet. 5.1 3. Christ is asserted to be the alone Rock Foundation of his Church 1 Pet. 2.4 5 6 7. 1 Cor. 3.11 in opposition to all others 4. He himself as well as other Believers was built upon the Rock which bare him and not he it or the Church 5. Paul expresly asserts 2 Cor. 11.5 that he was not inferior to the very chiefest Apostles which had been false if Peter had been constituted the Rock upon which the Church was built 6. If he were the Rock when he denied Christ as he did dreadfully and at last fell asleep What became of the Rock Foundation of the Church But this vain pretension is hardly worth our considering nor should it be granted would it at all conduce to the support of the Roman Papal Synagogue to which good service it 's design'd Therefore 2. By the Rock we are to understand the Lord Jesus Christ the Mediator of the New-Covenant He is expresly so call'd 1 Cor. 10.4 Upon what account is not to our purpose at present to Enquire II. What we are to understand by the Church 1. Not particular Believers in a scattered dispersed State But 2. Saints gather'd together in the order and fellowship of the Gospel This is evident as if written with the beams of the Sun for to particular Believers as such in their scattee red dispersed State the Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven ths Power of binding and loosing doth not appertain But to thi Church congregated it doth v. 19. III. What is signified by the gates of Hell which 't is said-shall not prevail against this Church First The subtlety policy of Satan Over the gates of the City was wont to be the Council-house Let all the Devils in Hell sin in Council against the Lords Church they shall not be able by all their cunning subtlety to prevail against it The subtle attempts of Satan to undermine destroy this Church have been are various To enumerate particulars is not our present design 'T is enough that our Lord assures us whatever they are they shall prove ineffectual Yet perhaps it may not be altogether impertinent to mention some few of his subtleties with respect to this matter He hath then attempted to destroy it in subtlety 1. With respect to Doctrin labouring to undermine destroy the fundamental Doctrines of the Gospel thereby subverting the Faith of some His attempts against the Person of Christ sometimes endeavouring to create a mis-belief with respect to his Eternal Deity to which John opposes himself in his Gospel by impregnable undeniable Arguments at other times to the verity of his Humanity against which the same Apostle advanceth himself in his Epistle 1 Joh. 1. his designs against the Offices of Christ were also early in the Apostle's days particularly against his Priestly Office labouring to introduce a justification by the Works of the Law or as it were by the works of the Law Rom. 9.32 viz. partly by Christ and partly by Works or internal Sanctification A design subtilly managed and carried on by the bloody Jesuits and others at this day as is known to which the Apostles in their Epistles and other Worthies since have oppos'd themselves But though he hath hereby drawn off at seasons not a few from the simplicity of the Gospel yet there hath all along been a Testimony born in the Churches against him which he hath not been able to withstand or repel 2. With respect to Worship and that two ways 1. By introducing humane Observances into the service of God and Christ so polluting defiling it that he accounts it not his Worship And hereby for a season he almost totally prevailed upon the body of Professors of Christanity So that the whole world as 't were wondred after this Beast Rev. 13.3 And the whorish Woman or false Church being her self bewitched with this intoxicating Cup of Fornication she held it forth to the Nations with External pomp and grandeur to drink of it and they generally drank of it and were drunk and mad with it Rev. 17.2 3 4 5. Yet all along Christ had his Remnant that witnes'd against these Abominations amongst whom the true Church-State was continued and the purity of Ordinances remained who also Sealed their Testimony with their Blood 2. By reproaching reviling contemning despising the pure Institutions of Christ as poor low and carnal pretending to a more sublime high spiritual Ministration As some even in the Apostles days and since And herein Satan eminently appeared as an Angel of Light withdrawing persons from the fellowship wayes of the Gospel under the pretence of greater Spirituality Heavenliness leaving the Word of the Beginning and pressing after Perfection A brave Pretext wherewith the minds of many have been are not a little taken ensnared But neither this way hath he been able to destroy the Church which hath weather'd this point also with and prevail'd against him Being from its own experience as from the Scripture ascertain'd that the more they are in a conscientious Observance of the Institutions of Christ the more do they grow up into the Spirit Life and Power of divine things Their spiritual progress and growth in Grace depending singly upon Jehovah's Blessing which is promised solely and they meet with it in their conscientious attendment on him in divine Appointments Secondly The force power tyranny oppressive destroying practices of the Wicked One
beseech you Brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not shaken in mind neither by Spirit i. e. by any that shall pretend to Revelations by the Spirit To mention what of this kind was in after dayes is endless somewhat is spoken to it chap. 3. Of the ensuing Treatise 5. Pretensions to a more than Ordinary Authority Power False-Prophets Pseudo-Apostles there were even in the Apostles dayes 2 Cor. 11.13 Such are False-Apostles Transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ See Mat. 24.5 11. Rev. 2.2 and many have risen up since whereby the Faith of some have been perverted and they have been drawn off from the wayes of Christ 6. False Miracles Lying Signs and Wonders Of this we have an account Mat. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders Mar. 13.22 2 Thes 2.9 Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signes and lying wonders Rev. 13.13 14. And he doth great wonders so that he maketh fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of men and deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of those Miracles Antichrists Kingdom hath been full of such lying signs and wonders whereby the Faith of some hath been Shaken and they drawn off from the pure Worship of Christ 7. Open avowed oppositions to Gospel-Institutions of this device of Satan to ruine the Churches of Christ we might give a distinct and large account some there were of old that opposed denied some particular Ordinances others refused communion with the Churches as no Churches of Christ In the third Century the Manichees denyed baptism with Water August l. 2. de mor. Manich. and l. 6. Contra Faust The Meletians in the fourth century refused communion with the Churches saith Theodoret. And Augustine ad quod vult c. tells us that they would not so much as Pray with the Saints The Audaeans or Anthropomorphites who held that God had a humane form or shape as a man denied communion with the Churches in the same Century Epiphan in Anacephal August ad quod vult c. Theodoret l. 4. c. 10. The Donatists held in the same century that the Church of God was wholly lost and to be restored by them amongst whom in Africa 't was only preserved August l. 2. Cont. lit Petil. c. 15. l. 2. Cont. Cres c. 37. for which they pretended Miracles Visions Dreams What open avowed oppositions have been are in our dayes made to the Churches Institutions of Christ is known and ought to be bewayled by us These things might have been more at large spoken to but I am sensible how far I have transcended the due bounds of an Epistle to so small a Treatise and shall only add That 1. I plead not for the Continuance of This or That particular Church of Christ Many such have been dis-churched and may be so God may be so far provoked against This or That Church as to Write Lo-ammi Lo-ruhamah upon it to disown his relation to it or its relation to him Where is the Church of Ephesus Pergamos Laodicea c. but only argue that God doth will continue the Gospel-Church-state Ordinances in some particular Church or Churches in the World to the next personal coming of Christ Much less 2. Do I plead for the corruptions of Churches which indeed are too many and great perhaps amongst the best purest Churches at this day and in some at that height as the synagogue of Rome that there is no communion to be held with them without God-provoking iniquity that will without Repentance bring his Wrath Vengeance upon us Rev. 18.4 3. That persons had need take heed how they speak evil of slight oppose persecute the Churches of CHRIST his Worship Institutions Ordinances The Judge stands before the door the Lord of the Vineyards is ready to be revealed and in flaming fire to take Vengeance on them that know him not and obey not his Gospel Nor will it be a sufficient plea at that day for any to say we accounted them not thy Churches Ordinances therefore we so managed our selves towards them a despising rejecting these is one way of casting off the Authority of Christ as we afterward demonstrate 4. That it highly concerns all that know the Lord who are either separated from or were never adjoyned to any Church of Christ to testify their love and subjection to him by subjecting to his Commandements in this matter lest not being found where Christ expects them they be blamed shamed at his day 5. That the utmost care should be taken industry used to keep those Iniquities out of particular Churches as may provoke the Lord to spew them out of his mouth as he did Laodicea of old Particularly 1. Schisms amongst themselves Which as they are an Argument of Carnality 1 Cor. 3.3 so they distast greatly provoke the Lord. 2. Formality Lukewarmness 3. Pride both inwardly in Heart Spirit outwardly in Apparel Garb God resisteth the Proud sets himself in battel-array against them 4. Covetousness which is Idolatry A wretched spirit that hath too much overspread prevailed upon the body of Professors Such as are Baptized into it are Enemies to the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 19. 5. Sinful complyance with and Conformity to this World 6. Carelesness as to sanctifying the Name of God in every part of Worship The nature of this great work is opened in the following Treatise with many other things of which we must not now speak 6. That particular Churches ought to be much often considering their ways get a sense of their miscarriages upon them pollutions amongst them to remember from whence they are fallen repent do their first works And if ever 't were the duty of the Churches of Christ to attend carefully to these things it 's much more now What languishing dying Churches have we How is Jehovah by word providential Dispensations crying aloud to them to be zealous Repent return What little attendment to his Voice amongst many How doth he discover his unwillingness to leave them How doth he seem to hover over them How many ways hath he been alluring drawing by cords of Love unto himself and if after all he should pull down these Tabernacles and erect others for himself in some remote part of the World leave poor England suffer Papal Darkness Superstition Idolatry to overspread the Land must we not say he is Holy we reap the fruit of our own doings He is faithful to his Word Churches Ordinances He will have in the world to bear his Name though we are reduced to Rubbish Ruins I have been am trembling within my self lest he should at last be provoked to leave us at least for a season Wo wo wo unto us if he depart from us Repent oh England Awake awake Churches awake awake Professors lay hold on God renew your Covenant with him labour to find
demonstrating the continuation of them 7. The Temple Tabernacle House Building of the Lord. Vpon what accounts they are so call'd An Objection Answer'd HAving already demonstrated what a particular Church of Christ is and that as such 't is one of the Gospel-institutions Commanded Erected by him i. e. 'T is the Will of Christ that all believers ordinarily should adjoyn themselves to some one or other such Church That which is Incumbent on us further to Evince is that such Churches or the Gospel-Church-State with the Institutions Ordinances Worship thereunto Affixed shall continue unto his next glorious Coming and Kingdom which we now Address our selves to the dispatch of Demonstration I. The Appellations given in Scripture to such a Church or Churches of Christ do evidently evince the Truth hereof First 'T is call'd the Kingdom of God Mar. 1.15 The Kingdom of God is at hand And Chap. 9.1 Till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with Power He seems to have respect to the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured down from on high on the Apostles who were then endued with Power from above according to the promise of Christ to them by which they went forth to preach the Gospel plant Churches c. Mar. 15.43 Who also waited for the Kingdom of God i. e. the Gospel-ministration Luke 7.28 He that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he See Chap. 10.9 and 23.51 Joh. 3 3 5 Act. 1.3 And speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God i. e. the Laws Institutions Rules Orders relating to the Churches See Ch. 8.12 and 19.8 9. disputing and perswading the things concerning The Kingdom of God But when divers spake evil of that way What way The way of Gospel-Ministrations or the worship of God in a Gospel-day which they spake evil of as Heretical After the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers Act. 24.14 Chap. 20 25 with 28. and 28.33 34. Upon what Accounts the Gospel-Church-State is call'd The Kingdom of God must a little be enquired into 'T is so call'd upon the Account 1. Of its Glory and Excellency Persons and things said to be of God are therefore so said to be As men of God Jud. 13.6 8. 1 Sam. 2.27 and 9.6 1 Chron. 23.14 Hill of God 1 Sam. 10.5 10. Psal 24.3 and 42.6 and 68.15 This ministration excels all that went before it for excellency and glory 2 Cor. 3.7 9 10. of which more anon 2. Of its Extract and Original There 's nothing of man in it 't is all of God given by the Father to Jesus Christ who came into the World to reveal and discover his Will touching that matter Joh. 1.14 3. Of Believers open visible subjection to owning acknowledging of God in their Obedience thereunto 4. Of Gods care of it protection over it engagement to continue support maintain uphold it to the end Whence it evidently follows 1. That there must be a continuance of this ministration of the Gospel the Gospel-Church-State with all the Laws Institutions Ordinances Orders thereto appertaining till it be suspended abrogated by Jehovah Who hath Power Authority over his Kingdom or can presume to disannul suspend any thing he hath therein Instituted but by such an Act he advanceth himself above God and so proclaims himself to be the Antichrist that was to come Denyes the Father and that supreme Authority from whence the original of the Gospel-ministration doth flow 2. The veracity faithfulness wisdom power of God are all engaged for the support and upholdment of this Ministration 'T is of him from him He 's oblig'd upon that foot of account to exert and put forth the perfections of his Nature for the upholdment of it What Devils beasts of Prey yea what inward lusts or corruptions in the Saints themselves shall be able to evert bring to nought that Kingdom he 's obliged to support and continue 3. That there must be a law produced from this High and Soveraign Lawgiver for the suspension perioding of this Ministration or it abides in force and will do so whether we be subject to it or not Our wills fancies humors imaginations any pretended Revelation will not justify any persons Non-conformity thereunto Let any Statute-law from Jehovah be produced for it's suspension dissolution and the Controversie is at an end Where hath God said My Kingdom shall continue only for a hundred two three or a thousand years and then period after which I 'll leave my Children to act as they please with respect to any Laws or Institutions relating to it If there be altum silentium a deep silence with respect to any such Laws it becomes and greatly concerns persons to take heed that they withdraw not themselves from oppose not his Soveraignty herein lest they be found fighters against God Besides 't is not inconsiderable that there are but two Kingdoms in the World 1. The Kingdom of God which as hath been shew'd as to visibility most eminently consists in Gospel-ministrations 2. The Kingdom of the Devil and Antichrist who receives his Seat Power and great Authority from the Dragon or Devil Rev. 13.2 and to one of these we must needs be visibly subject Two ways Satan takes for the support of the Antichristian Kingdom 1. The one is by establishing Laws forreign yea contrary to the Laws of Jehovah and compelling all to subject to them The other is 2. By casting a slight contempt upon the Laws of Divine appointment and whether the one way or the other he prevail upon poor souls he hath his end for Jehovah's Soveraign Authority is thereby trampled upon Objection If it be Objected that the legal Ministration is call'd The Kingdom of God and Christ tells the Jews nevertheless that it shall be taken from them and we know that an actual Period is put thereunto Mat. 21.43 so that the Church-state being call'd The Kingdom of God is no Argument to prove its continuance Answer The Answer is easie 1. It 's granted that the Mosaic Ministration is so call'd and that because it had it's Original from God who descending upon Mount Sinai by the Ministry of Angels gave forth the Law with the Statutes Judgments and Ordinances 2. It 's also granted that the Whole of that Ministration hath expired for above this One Thousand Six Hundred Years But 3. There were frequent intimations in the Scripture that it should so expire Deut. 18.15 18. Psal 40.6 Isa 65.17 Hag. 2.6 21. These present Heavens or Judaic Church-state with all the Institutions Ordinances thereto appertaining will I shake so as to remove totally abolish Mat. 24.2 The Temple to which the Judaic Solemn-Worship was affix'd shall be utterly destroyed so the whole of that service thereto appertaining cease Let but one the like instance of the purpose of God for the determination of the New-Testament-Ministration before the next glorious personal Appearance of Christ be produced and there 's an end of this Controversy 4.
are also intended by these Gates The armoury of the City was over the gates of it But in this forcible attaque of the Church he hath also fail'd He did his uttermost by bloody cruelty during the first Persecutions But what was the issue The executioners of his wrath the Roman-Pagan-Emperors had Torments within them perpetually gnawing them whilst the Holy Ones that kept the Commandements of Jesus were fill'd with Peace and Joy and triumph'd over them in the Spirit and Power of Jesus both living and dying The vengeance of God eminently wrought on their notorious Persecutors whil'st the blessing and good will of him that dwelt in the Bush was with these and the more they were Persecuted the more they grew So that it became a Maxim Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae The Blood of the Martyrs the seed of the Church And Satan not being able to hold it in the Roman-Pagan-State enters into the Papal-Antichristian-Monarchy and hath therein hector'd and ranted breathing forth nothing but threatnings and slaughters against the Saints of the Most-High who have the Commandments of God and Testimony of Jesus Millions of the Lords poor People have been destroyed by this Roman-AntiChristian-Beast in days past of late not a few In the Massacres of Paris Ireland and the Vallies of Piedmont c. Not to mention the Bonfires they made of the bodies of our Brethren in the bloody Mary's days Which notwithstanding their haughty confidence they 'l shortly pay dearly for The judgements of the Lord God Almighty will speedily come upon the great Whore for these cruelties his Wrath will consume Her utterly But what 's the Issue The number of the Lambs-followers are multiplied their faith confidence and courage heightned And let the Pope and that bloody Crew know that they are ready to withstand him in his next attaque and advance against them being encourag'd thereunto by that great Cloud of worthy Witnesses they are encompas'd about with and that plerophory of assurance that in this last Attempt he with his whole Party will stumble fall go into Perdition never to appear more The sum is 1. The Church is built upon a Rock who then is able to evert overturn it What winds blasts storms what ragings of Waves Seas can over-whelm destroy it Satan hath fail'd in all his Attempts hitherto against it and prov'd in-successful 2. Christ hath engaged that it shall continue un-shaken immovable notwithstanding all attaques by fraud or force Is he not faithful Will he not make good his Word Can he depart from it Wants he Will or Power to accomplish what he hath promised What more derogatory to Christ impious wicked can be Asserted Object But Churches may Apostatize and so dis-Church themselves They may provoke the Lord by his judgments to do so The first is notoriously Evident in the Church of Rome The latter manifestly true with respect to other Churches Answ Both the first and second is granted But 1. The promise of Christ cannot fail Therefore 2. The defection of this or that particular Church the removing the Candlestick from it the taking away its Church-state was never denyed by us Such a dispensation is not in the least contrary to the promises of Christ Mat. 16. But 3. A total Apostasy of all the Churches of Christ in the World with the suspension cessation of the Ordinances of the Gospel-thereupon is what is impleded by us as diametrically opposite to this promise of our Lord. Two things are also heedfully to be attended to 1. That we un-Church not a Church when that is not to be found upon it for which the Lord hath declared they are un-Churched nor before he doth un-Church them Some Errors in doctrine formallity luke-warmness departure from first-love doth not un-Church a Church rightly Constituted These things were found in the Churches of Corinth Ephesus Laodicea c. yet at the same time true Churches of Christ The latter are own'd writ to by Christ as such as the former was by the Apostle of the Gentiles when yet these evils were found amongst them 1 Cor. 1. 2 Cor. 2. Rev. ch 23. 2. That 't is the Duty of particular Believers upon the un-Churching a Church to joyn themselves to some other Church or if a number sufficient of themselves so to do to form themselves into a body or Church of Christ for otherwise they disobey and offer an open affront to the authority of Christ in that great Gospel-appointment of his and so indeed lift up themselves against his Kingly Soveraignty over them Thirdly This Church-state is represented under the Notion of the Kingdom of Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Kingdom of Heavens Mat. 13.24 31 33 44 45 47. 25.1 The Kingdom of Heaven shall be likned unto ten Virgins c. And it wants not its weight that this Kingdom of Heaven or Gospel-Church-State notwithstanding the declension drowsiness sleepiness of the subjects of it or Virgin-professors visibly Espoused to Christ in respect of their subjection to his Institutions 2 Cor. 11.2 is expresly affirm'd to continue unto the coming of our Lord v. 6 7 10. And at midnight there was a Cry made Behold the Bridegroom Christ cometh go ye out to meet Him Then all those Virgins arose and trimmed their Lamps c. And while they went to buy the Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut I. Why the Gospel-Church-State is represented under the Notion of the Kingdom of Heaven must a little be enquir'd into 'T is so upon the account 1. Of its Original from thence 'T is not of man but from Heaven as was John's Doctrin Baptism Ministry 2. Of its supereminent Glory whatever persons account of it 't is of Heaven heavenly beautiful glorious 3. Of the design of God in the Institution Erection of it viz. to lead Persons to Heaven Eternal Life 4. Of its Stability Duration Heavenly things are stable abiding The Kingdoms of this world are changing mutable the Kingdom of Heaven fixed permanent II. That none but He who dwells in Heaven is higher than the Highest who is the alone Supreme Soveraign of this Kingdom hath Power to alter the Frame of it put a Period to it The Devil hath no Power or Authority in it He 's indeed styl'd the Prince of this World Joh. 14.30 the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 The whole World is said to be in subto him 1 Joh. 5.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He hath a Presidency Authority in the Anti-christian Kingdom is the Head of it is Worshipt in it The Devil gave him the Beast the Pope his Power Rev. 13.2 4. And the Anti-Christians are expresly said to Worship Devils Rev. 9.20 because they Worship Idols of Gold Silver c. A Worship Instituted introduced at first by them But with respect to the Kingdom of Heaven he hath nothing to do nor can he by any of his Wiles Strength cause it to
Ministration of the Spirit we are to understand the whole Gospel-oeconomy or Ministration the Doctrine Worship Institutions thereof is evident 1. From its Antithesis unto the Ministration of the Letter or legal Mosaic observances call'd the Ministration of Death and Condemnation v. 6 7 9. which the Apostle tells us was done away now 't was that whole Ministration as made up of Institutions Ordinances peculiar to it that was done away 2. 'T was such a Ministration as the Apostles were Ministers of v. 6. i. e. which they Preach'd declared from Jesus Christ according to his charge to them Matth. 28.20 and were ministring to him and the Saints in 'T was not the Doctrine of the Gospel inward purity practick Godliness only that they declared as the mind of Christ but the Worship thereof institutions of his appointment thereunto appertaining No sooner were Persons converted to the Faith of Christ but they were gathered by the Apostles into a Church-state Acts 2.41 42 46. and 9.31 and 11.22 26. and 14.23 27. and 15.41 and 16.5 and 20.28 This is too evident to be denied 3. 'T was such a Ministration Wherein as in a Glass with open face compared to those vail'd dark sights they had in their Passover Sacrifices c. under the Mosaic Ministration they beheld the Glory of the Lord and were changed into the same Image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord v. 18. The first Primitive believers 't will not be denied attended upon the Lord in Gospel-Institutions 'T is evident they did so from the Scriptures but now quoted In their so doing they beheld the glory of the Lord had choice discoveries displayes of it grew up into a Conformity unto him in their conscientious waiting on him herein And whatever any say thousands of believers at this day that are found waiting upon the Lord in his own institutions such as the Church-Fellowship Breaking Bread Prayer c. meet with presence sights of Glory Divine Transformations renewals in the Spirit of their minds When any are found in institutions shaken in their minds touching them as the institutions of Christ that by virtue of His Soveraign Authority Command they ought to attend to 't is no wonder if they see not his Glory know nothing of his transforming power through them They come not in faith sanctify not his name in what they do therefore meet not with his blessing Quest The Question is upon what accounts this Ministration is called The Ministration of the Spirit Answ 'T is so called with respect 1. To it 's Super-eminent Super-excelling Glory For Excellency Glory far superiour unto any Ministration that went before it What compare is there betwixt Spirit and Letter that which hath life in it and that which hath none 2. To the Communication of the Spirit through it by it Gal. 3.2 Received ye the Spirit by the Works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith 3. To its being given forth by Christ through the Holy Spirit Acts 1.2 The Lord Jesus being constituted by the Father Mediator of the New-Covenant Prince Ruler Priest Prophet to the Church was to reveal the whole of his mind and Will to them as such For his inablement whereunto the Father pours out of the Spirit without measure upon him through this Spirit he gave Commandments to his Apostles relating to Gospel-Worship with a charge to them to Communicate them to others Matth. 28. ult Which also they did 4. To that Glorious effusion of the Spirit in the day of Pentecost Act. 2. at the beginning or first Publick setting up of this Ministration 5. To evince that 't is the highest last Ministration of institutions or visible Ordinances that Saints are to expect that when it s taken down there shall be no more nor indeed will there be need of any what Ministration can be supposed to be higher than the Ministration of the Spirit What can supersede it Yea the Apostle fairly intimates that it shall so remain not to pass away as the Ministration of the ter or Law that went before it 2 Cor. 3.7 which was to be done away For if that which is done away was Glorious much more that which Remaineth is Glorious And 't is not to be passed by in silence that the Apostle makes part of the excelling Glory above that of the Law of the Gospel-Ministration to consist in the duration of it If that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that fixed abiding unalterable Ministration 6. The managery of all the Worship Ordinances appertaining to this Ministration is to be in the Spirit Without whom all that 's done is not will never be acceptable to God 7. The means of its support upholdment continuance progress is the same Spirit 2 Cor. 10.4 The Weapons of our warfare are not Carnal but Mighty through God Antichrist hath other wayes to support promote his filthy Worship senseless traditions ridiculous fopperies viz. the arm of flesh Horrid Bloody Plots Conspiracies to massacre destroy cut off such as stand in the way of his devices Prisons Gibbets Stakes Flames to consume devour such as refuse to drink of the Cup of his Fornications but Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio the Law of Christ knows no such wayes methods for its support increase 'T is the Spirit Power of God by which it is ever was maintained a neglect of whom and turning aside to the Power Wisdom of Man warring after the flesh was the bane of Christianity and the first spring off the Antichristian apostacy Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That a slighting undervaluing withdrawing from Gospel-Institutions is a slighting of the most glorious Ministration that ever was set on foot in the World 2. 'T is a contempt undervaluing of the Holy Spirit of the Lord whose they are and from whom they did proceed Let persons pretensions be what they will it cannot be otherwise Gospel-Institutions are of through the Spirit to slight these is to cast contempt upon him from whom they are 3. That the Spirit is obliged to support maintain them against all oppositions He remains with his People for ever for that end John 16.13 Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come he shall guide you into all Truth v. 14. He shall Glorify me for he shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you And he hath actually done so hitherto keeping alive a blessed witness testimony to them for them in his called chosen witnesses more or less in every day Though sometimes this their testimony hath cost them dear viz. loss of Goods Enjoyments Friends Liberty Life it self yet they have Gloryed Triumph'd under all through this Spirit of Glory and of God that rested upon them and enabled them in this work The very truth is as the great controversie of Christ with the Nations of the European World hath been upon the account of their Spiritual fornications or false worship
Rev. 1.13 20. and 2.1 5. Nothing unclean might come into the Temple nor any impure unholy persons into the Churches of Christ If any such privily creep in when discover'd they are to be ejected cast out 6. There was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Daughter of the Voice the Answer of God who spake unto the people from the Oracle The secret voice and teachings of God is amongst these Isa 8.16 The Vial-Angels have light into their work in the Temple or Gospel-Churches for out of it they come when they address themselves to it Rev. 15.5 6. 7. In the Temple every one spake of his Glory Psal 29.9 in and amongst these is he praised Eph. 3.21 8. All the solemn Worship of God was of old affixt to the Temple 'T is now to Gospel-Churches 9. His special care protection was over his Temple to preserve defend it So 't is over his Churches Hence is their continuance notwithstanding the furious various advances of Men and Devils against them 10. He severely punish'd the violaters destroyers of his Temple Jer. 50.28 and 51.11 He hath done will do so with respect to such as attempt the ruine destruction of these Five things evidently follow from what we have been discoursing touching this matter 1. That Gospel-Churches being God's Temple c. He is obliged to support defend uphold his own Building House Temple 2. That if there be no Churches at this day he hath no Temple nor solemn visible Worship 3. That none have Power over these Churches to plant pull down nor have they or shall they have permission so to scatter destroy them that the Church-state should not somewhere or other be kept up in the World 4. That Gospel-Churches are Honourable Glorious They are God's Temple House Building 5. That those who reproach revile them Blaspheme God his Temple Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven Rev. 13.6 Object But though the Tabernacle Temple were God's Building yet both the one and the other were taken down abolished Answ True And so shall the present Church-State be dissolved at last But 1. Neither the one nor the other were taken down but by God's own Authority and Appointment and that too at last to make way for a more glorious State 2. The Worshippers in that Tabernacle Temple never deserted it till God drove them out of it They offer'd not violence to it themseves attempted not with their own hands to consume destroy it 'T is true as to the last Temple Josephus tells us that the Jews themselves set fire on 't but these were not the Worshippers in it but a company of apostate deboyst miscreants that cared neither for God Temple or Worship CHAP. II. The continuance of Gospel-Churches farther evinced from the Titles given to Jesus Christ with respect to such Churches Christ the Builder of them Zach. 6.12 Heb. 3.3 4. explained What Christ did doth as the Builder of these Churches Christ the Foundation Head Lord of Gospel-Churches In what sense He is so The Husband Bridegroom of them Vpon what accounts he is so called Objections Answered HAving in the former Chapter evinced the continuance of Gospel-Churches from the Titles given by the Spirit of the Lord to the Gospel-Church-State and those who Worship him therein We purpose in this Chapter further to evince the truth thereof From Demonstration II. The Titles Appellations given to Jesus Christ with respect to such Churches each of which is an unshaken basis upon which their continuation is founded We think it necessary to premise that 't is not our intendment to discourse of all the Titles given to Christ in the Scripture but only of such as give countenance assistance strength to the matter of our present enquiry and of these only so far as is necessary thereunto I. Then the Lord Jesus Christ is styled in Scripture the Builder of these Churches Zach. 6.12 He shall build the Tem-of the Lord. So the Vulgar Latine The House of the Lord Seventy Ar. The Temple of the Lord Syr. The Chaldee reads the whole verse thus Behold the Man his Name is Christ who is to be revealed and magnified and about to build the Temple of the Lord. For he shall Build the Temple of the Lord and he shall bear the Glory The Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Behold the famous Noble Man the Branch 'T is evidently-spoken of Christ who is frequently called Tsemach the Branch Isa 4.2 Jer. 23.5 33.15 Zach. 3.8 Of whom Joshua was a Type 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He himself shall build that Temple of Jehovah viz. that Temple which was to be erected upon his coming into the world whereof the Temple that Joshua and Zerubbabel were in building was a Type viz. Gospel-Churches These Christ is said to Build because he gave forth Directions Laws to his Apostles for their Erection Establishment Heb. 3.3 4. Inasmuch as he who hath builded the House hath more honour than the House For every House is builded by some Man But he that built all things is GOD. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is put for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all these things the the Church Persons Ordinances pertaining thereunto The design of the Apostle is to evince Christ's preheminence above Moses 'T is true Moses was an honourable Person he received testimony from God that he was faithful in his House but he was but a servant in it a part of it Christ is the Builder of the House or Church For that by House we are to understand the Church or Churches with all the Ordinances of Worship in it was before proved Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rock I will build my Church Three things Christ did doth as the Builder of this House 1. Gives forth the idea and plat-form of it in its Laws Ordinances and Institutions 2. Provides materials by his Spirit in the Ministration of the Gospel quickning sanctifying making lovely excellent glorious dead polluted vile base sinners 3. Closely conjoyning compacting these materials that they may grow up together a spiritual House an habitation of God through the Spirit To this he uses not outward Compulsion Force Violence but sweetly allures inclines their hearts by the power of his Spirit making them willing visibly to give up themselves to the Lord and one another by the Will of God And in this work the Lord Jesus met meets with the greatest opposition imaginable All the Power Wisdom of Satan the greatest wisest of the World appearing against it Sin Corruption in the hearts of those that are to be prepared for materials for it advancing also against it but Christ being invested with infinite Power carries the work through the difficulties and makes the greatest Mountain become a Plain before him and having erected set it up comes and takes up his dwelling makes his abode in it as was before proved Four things necessarily follow from hence 1. That there is really a Glory in the Churches of Christ 'T is true they have been are as to outward view
Holy City so long are the Witnesses to Prophesie A few things must further be enquir'd into 1. Who we are to understand by the Gentiles 2. What by the Holy City 3. What their treading under foot the Holy City means 4. What space of time the fourty-two Months take up in which 't is said the Gentiles shall tread down the Holy City 1. By the Gentiles we are to understand the Antichristians particularly the bloody Papists headed by the Pope That 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Man of Sin that Son of Perdition that Lawless One 2. Thes 2.3 8. These are call'd Gentiles because 1. Of their Introduction of Idolatrous Worship practised amongst the Gentiles I mean not only the Worship of Statues Idols of Wood Stone Brass Silver Gold but the Worship of Heroes or Saints in imitation of the Gentile-Heroes whom they Worship'd 2. Of their being actuated by the same Spirit of bloody cruelty against the Worshippers within the Temple and Altar or the true Spiritual Worshipers with which the Gentiles before them were actuated against the Primitive Believers and actually murdering the true Servants of the Lord as they did 2. The Court without the Temple and the Holy City which Type out the same thing is the Antichristian Church-state Worship Worshippers Orders Ordinances The Temple of God the Altar and the Worshippers therein v. 1. are the Gospel-Church-state with the Worship and Worshippers thereunto belonging as hath been proved The Court then without the Temple and the Holy City to be left out as a matter of no worth is the false Church-state with its Worship and Worshippers 3. Their treading under foot the Holy City denotes 1. The numerousness of the Antichristian Worshippers 2. Their frequency in their Antichristian Service as the Phrase is taken Isa 1.12 Psal 121.2 q. d. Measure not the Court The false Worship Worshippers are so contemptible vile they deserve not to be taken notice of are so numerous that they cannot well be measured They throng the City as if they would tread it under foot at once 4. The fourty-two Months cannot possibly denote fourty-two ordinary Months or One thousand two hundred and sixty natural Dayes or three years and an half for these Reasons 1. The Papacy represented under the notion of the Gentiles have been already rampant hundreds of Years persecuted murder'd destroyed millions of Saints for not treading together with them the Holy City 2. As was said The forty-two Months and the One thousand two hundred sixty dayes are the same Now a day for a year is the prophetick reckoning See Num. 14.34 Ezek. 4.6 So in the prophesie of Daniel Chap. 8.21 23. and 9.24 and 12.11 12 And for ought I find in all Prophetick Books where any signal time is spoken of 3. That the Gentiles treading down the Holy City and the wild Beast Rev. 13.2 3. are the same hath hitherto been taken for granted and 't is evident they are so as from other considerations so from this that the same term is given to them both ver 5. And Power was given to him forty-two Months or One thousand two hundred and sixty Dayes as was before intimated Now t is impossible that what is said to be done by and ascribed to this wild Beast should be shut up in so short a period as three years and an half For 1. He brings the whole world under his subjection is a dread and terror to them grows so considerable that none is able to make War with him ver 4 7. And they Worshipped the Beast saying Who is like unto the Beast Who is able to make War with him 2. All the World wonders after the Beast ver 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Word is very emphatick denoting honour reverence fear of any one upon the account of some wonderful strange thing done by him 'T is translated Jude 16. The having mens persons in admiration It comes from the Hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 greatly to observe reverence worship to magnify have in great esteem Some read it He was admired in the whole Earth The Arabick translates it The whole Earth wondring followed the Beast Which is indeed the sense of the place q. d. such wonderful things shall be done by the Beast in the sight of the World that with the greatest admiration highest approbation and consent they shall take the Beasts part list themselves under his standard The Aethiopick reads And the whole Earth wondred and followed this Beast to the same purpose 3. He makes War with the Saints and overcomes them v. 7. Acts that must certainly take up more time than three Years and an half for their production III. Antichrist who is the same with the Wild Beast but now mentioned as is granted by all was in the womb in the Apostles dayes wrought then under ground in a mystery labouring to come forth which he at last did Exalting himself above all that is called God or worshipped shewing himself that he is God 2 Thes 2.4 7. He more openly shew'd himself whilst the Apostle John was yet alive than he did in Paul's dayes John 2.22 23. and 4.2 3. So that it 's evident that the Antichrist was in the womb in the Apostles dayes and openly discover'd himself not long after the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that which letted call'd the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Letter or he which letteth 2 Thes 2.6 7. was taken out of the way Various are the sentiments of the Learned touching this Letter The Learned Brightman makes him to be the sixth head of the Roman Empire others think him to be the Holy Spirit who by his signal presence power with the Primitive believers kept Antichrist from ascending to that heighth of dignity supremacy he aimed at Some adjudge it to be the apostasie spoken of ver 3. Except there come a falling away first and that man of Sin be revealed the Son of Perdition q. d. The general Apostacy must first be ere the man of Sin or Antichrist openly manifest himself when that is he will quickly appear to head it It s not yet coming is that which lets his Revelation The generality take it for the Roman-Pagan-Empire or Emperour in his full Power and Majesty flourishing and living at his seat in Rome Which I humbly conceive is Paul's intendment For 1. No reason can be given why Paul expresses himself in so dark terms that which letteth this Letter if the Roman-Pagan-Empire be not intended but if so the reason is obvious They had an opinion that this Empire was everlasting to have talk'd of its removal would have stirr'd them up to have persecuted the Saints as the Enemies of it Less occasions they many times took so to do 2. Antichrist's seat was to be Rome Rev. 17.9 The seven heads are seven Mountains on which the Woman sitteth i. e. The City built on seven Hills is Antichrists Seat viz. Rome alone famous amongst Historians upon that account Septem urbs alta jugis toti quae
of Christ Mal. 4.4 with Deut. 34.10 and that upon this foot of account because till Christ none rose up greater than he Therefore Paul going about to demonstrate to the Jews the abolition of the Mosaick Ministration layes the Foundation of his discourse in the super-eminent Authority of the Lord Jesus 'T is true the Law was most solemnly given forth by the Ministration of Angels in the hands of Moses but Christ is above Angels Heb. 1.4 and 2.2 above Moses chap. 3.3 Is there any greater superiour to Christ If not as most certain it is there is not to assert it is the height of Antichristianism 't is blasphemy against the Son then the Ministration instituted by him must of necessity continue till he come to put a period to it For it must be a greater and superior that can abolish or alter what is establisht CHAP. VI. The end for which Christ Instituted the Gospel-Church-state Churches Ordinances the same and will continue so to the time of the consummation of all things The particular ends instanc'd in Sanctifying the Name of the Lord in Worship what it is A solemn publick avowed owning subjection to Christ setting forth the Lords honour publishing his praises Eph. 3.21 Explained Saints mutual edification growth The confirmation of their mutual Love to each other Are some of the ends for which Christ instituted Gospel-Churches Ordinances demonstrated Demonstration VI. THE end for which the Lord Jesus establisht the Gospel-Church-state Gospel-Churches Institutions Ordinances is the same that ever 't was and will continue so to be till the time of the consummation of all things Whence its continuation necessarily follows Let 's a little consider what were the ends for which God from the beginning instituted a Church-state in the World Amongst others that perhaps might be mentioned these are the chief I. The Sanctification of his name therein Lev. 10.3 This is that which the Lord hath said I will be Sanctified in all those that draw nigh to me 'T is of the solemn Worship of God in that Church-state he is there speaking In particular touching that Institution of sacrificeing to the Lord. The sanctification of his name therein is asserted to be one great end of the Lord in that institution a failure wherein cost Nadab and Abihu dear they thereby provoked the Lord and he brake forth in his fury against them and slew them before the People This also is asserted to be the end of the Gospel-Church-state Gospel-Institutions Heb. 12.28 29. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be shaken let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with REVERENCE and GODLY FEAR for our God is a consuming Fire By the Kingdom which cannot be shaken we have already demonstrated is meant the Gospel-Church-state therein they were to serve God acceptably with reverence and Godly fear i. e. they were to sanctifie his name in their attendment on him in the Institutions appertaining thereunto which if they neglect to do they may expect to find the Lord as Nadab and Abihu did a consuming fire to them Before we come to a full Conclusion of this matter 't will not be altogether impertinent or unprofitable to remark what it is to sanctifie the Name of the Lord in Solemn-Gospel-Worship In order whereunto there must be 1. A single respect to a Holy reverence of God's Soveraign Authority in its appointment The Laws Edicts of men have no place here Should we be found in the practice of what God commands and therein have no regard to his Commandment Authority but the Commandments Injunctions of men we sanctifie not his name therein The Authority of God instituting it is laid as the Foundation of and motive to all our Worship Deut. 6.4 5 6 7. and 28.58 Mat. 28.18 19 20. Heb. 3.4 5 6. What 's bottom'd meerly upon the wills laws of men is not the Worship of God 't is Superstitious Idolatrous Vain Empty good for nothing that which the Soul of the Lord loaths abhors it provokes him to Jealousie whatever outward splendour beauty shew of Devotion it may seem to have in it How great a part of the Worship of the Papacy is hereby discarded is known It being solely built upon the Authority of Popes Councils Fathers Traditions Laws Edicts of Men totally forraign contrary to Jehovah's Law 2. There must be also Faith in the Promises of God annexed to the observance of these Institutions That there are special promises of Favour Grace Kindness to such as Conscientiously attend upon him herein shall afterwards be demonstrated Faith is required with respect to these Promises He that comes unto God draws nigh to him in Gospel-Institutions must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him Heb. 11.6 3. There must be a Holy Awfull regard unto his special Presence in them He walks in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.13 dwells in his Churches 2 Cor. 6.16 'T is true he fills Heaven and Earth with his presence is indistant to no creature the vilest of Men or Devils but he hath promised a more special Presence with his Children as they are attending him in his own appointments for their further enlightning quickning comfort strengthning growth increasment in the Grace of God Mat. 18.20 If persons attend on Divine Institutions and realize not the special presence of the Lord there no wonder if they are carnal formal dead lifeless in them meet with no feeling of his Power sights of his Glory 4. There must be an attendment to the due order in which the Lord will have all managed A failure herein caused the Lord of old to make a breach upon Vzzah he smote him slew him when they were about to bring the Ark from Kirjath-jearim 1 Chron. 13.11 1 Chron. 15.13 The Lord our God made a breach upon us for that we sought him not after the due Order All must be managed in the Spirit Power of Jehovah he 's put into office by the Father and the Son to enable in the managery of Divine Service Rom. 8.26 Alas sorry weak man is altogether unable for the dispatch of such sublime Heavenly Work Let men at their utmost peril contemn deride the assistance of the Spirit herein they never worship God aright who are strangers to it nor without it will ever be able to please him in what they do 5. There must be also a holy delight in God the lively stirring up exertings puttings forth of the grace of God in us 'T is not so easie a matter for persons to sanctifie the Name of God in Worship as many suppose it to be We cannot of our selves in our own creaturely power serve him who is a jealous God 6. There must be a perseverance continuance unto the end in obedience to him in a due observation of and subjection to him in Gospel-Institutions otherwise we deny his name prophane it as much as in us lyes make Religion Christianity a ridicule contempt in
Conscientiously be atended to CHAP. VII The Gospel-Church-State with the Institutions Ordinances thereunto appertaining is annex'd unto and bottomed upon the New-Covenant Demonstrated from Scripture-Prophesie Isa 59.21 Ezek. 11.19 20. and 36.25 26 27. at large explained From several places in the New-Testament wherein 't is clearly asserted so to be Luk. 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. Heb. 10.16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25. Considered That they belong not to the Old Covenant proved The donation of the Spirit Faith Peace Joy c. From the New-Covenant these Communicated as we are found attending on the Lord in Gospel-Institutions These are given forth to the Saints for the trial of their Love Loyalty as they stand related are betrothed to him in the New-Covenant Jer. 3.14 15. Explained Demonstration VII THE Gospel-Church-state with the Institutions Ordinances thereunto appertaining is annexed unto bottom'd upon the New-Covenant Therefore it 's perpetual abiding The consequence is evident what is annext to bottom'd upon that which is permanent cannot be it self otherwise it must abide continue as that to which it 's affixt on which it 's bottom'd does The whole Judaick-Church-State with all its Ordinances Institutions was built upon that Covenant God of Old took Israel into Heb. 9.1 This Covenant was mutable changeble a time was fixt by the Lord for it's abolition Represented at first in the breaking of the Tables of Stone in which the Law or Covenant was writ Exod. 32.19 Yet so long as that abode the Institutions thereunto appertaining were in force therefore the Apostle being to prove the cessation of the Jewish-Church-state amongst other mediums makes use of this as one that the Covenant God took that people into was perioded abolished Heb. 8.6 7 8 9 10 13. So then if the Gospel-Church-state Ordinances are annext to the New-Covenant they are cannot but be permanent except that Covenant also be supposed and can be proved to be otherwise That the Gospel-Church-state and all the Ordinances thereof are annext to and bottom'd upon the New-Covenant is evident from 1. Scripture-Prophesie declaring that so it shall be Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord My Spirit that is upon thee and My Words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed's Seed saith the Lord from hence-forth and for ever 'T is the Covenant that God takes believers into the Gospel-Covenant that he speaks of This is my Covenant with them these are call'd Christ's Seed So Chap. 53.10 Concerning them he saith that the words which he puts into the mouth of Christ i. e. whatever he gave Christ as the great Prophet of the Church in charge to communicate to them all the Laws Institutions given forth by Christ were part of Gods words he put into his mouth Shall not depart out of their mouths i. e. they shall be found in the practice of subjecting to them whilst there are any Saints in this World they shall be so And this as a branch part of that Covenant God takes them into Ezek. 11.19 20. And I will give them one heart and I will put a new Spirit within you and I will take the stony-heart out of their flesh and will give them an heart of flesh that they may walk in my Statutes and keep mine Ordinances and do them and they shall be My People and I will be their GOD. The former part of the words I will give them one heart and the latter they shall be my People and I will be their GOD are the sum and substance of the New-Covenant Jer. 32.29 Unto this then the Statutes and Ordinances do evidently appertain for the Lord takes them to be his People gives himself to them to be their GOD gives them one heart puts a new Spirit within them that they may walk in his Statutes keep his Ordinances and do them If there be any Saints under the New-Covenant if a new Spirit be put within them then are there also Statutes and Ordinances Gospel-Institutions for them to walk in and in their doing so they discover themselves to be Gods People as he is their God Ezek. 36.25 26 27. is fully to the same purpose Then will I sprinkle clean Water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your filthyness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you A new Heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the Stony-heart out of your flesh and I will give you an Heart of Flesh And I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to Walk in in my Statutes and ye shall keep my Judgements to do them If the donation of the Spirit Regeneration Sanctification be a part branch of the New-Covenant the Statutes and Judgments of the LORD are so too and these such a part of it that there 's at least ground of Jealousie whether any are really made partakers of the former who are found except under the power of temptation in the total neglect rejection of these for the Spirit c. is given to cause them to Walk in Gods Statutes and to keep his Judgments And it 's worthy observation that God hath equally obliged himself to cause his People to walk in the wayes of his Institution as to give the Spirit c. to them So that evidently there must be a continuation of Churches Ordinances or there are no Saints there 's an end of the New-Covenant 2. And as it 's fore-prophesied of that in the dayes of the New-Covenant-oeconomy thus it should be so it 's evidently declared that upon the Introduction of that Ministration so it was Gospel-Institutions and Ordinances are plainly asserted to be annexed to the New-Covenant Christ himself intimates as much Luke 22.19 20. And he took Bread and gave Thanks and break it and gave unto them saying This is my Body which was given for you This do in remembrance of me likewise also the Cup after Supper saying This Cup is the New-Testament in my Blood which is shed for you As circumcision was call'd the Covenant as upon other acounts so because 't was a part or branch of it so is this institution of Christ call'd the New-Testament because a part or branch thereof And if it be Objected That this is only asserted of the Cup one part of one institution not of the whole much less of all Gospel-Institutions The Answer is easie what 's asserted of any one part is true of the whole and if the Cup be the New-Testament the Bread is so and if one institution be so every one is so too At the same rate the Apostle speaks after he had seen the Lord and convers'd with him 1 Cor. 11.24 25 26. And most evidently fully Heb. 10.16 to 26. where he tells us that our drawing nigh viz. to God in wayes of Gospel-Institutions the
profession of our Faith which lies eminently in our subjection to him therein the assembling our selves together to exhort one another which he would not have us forget is annext to bottomed upon the New-Covenant of which he is ex professo treating And a wilful rejection of these in open despight of Christ and contempt of his Authority he calls v. 29. A treading under foot the Son of God because it 's a high affront to his Soveraign Authority an accounting the Blood of the Covenant an unholy thing not only because these Institutions are annext to that Covenant which was ratified by the blood of Christ but also because they have all their Foundation in that Blood our approximation to God in them our advantage by them is the issue of its effusion and a doing despite unto the Spirit of Grace because as hath been proved they are all the Ministration of that Spirit should God immediately by himself speak from Heaven to us and declare in so many words These Gospel-Institutions establisht by My Son are all of them bottomed upon annext to the New-Covenant we could not have a greater certainty that they are so than what is in that Scripture-evidence we have hitherto been discoursing of But 3. They belong to the Old-Covenant or the New There 's no medium To the Old-Covenant it 's most certain they appertain not Other manner of Ordinances which were only to continue to the Gospel-day as Circumcision Sacrifices appertained thereunto not the least notice under that Covenant as any part of the oeconomy thereof of particular Churches Baptism Breaking-Bread Christ came to put a Period to that Paedagogie and all the Laws Institutions thereunto appertaining and vertually did so by his Death actually by providential dispensations taking out of the way destroying that Temple to which they were peculiarly affixt And becoming a Mediator of a better Covenant established uppon better Promises as such he gives forth the Laws and Institutions we are pleading for of which afterwards 4. The Communications of Divine Life the Royal manifestations of the Love of GOD to us the bestowment of the Spirit upon us Divine peace comfort support upholdment with whatever Grace we are made partakers of are all conveyed in the way of the New-Covenant Now whatever any talk the communication of these as 't is promised to us as we have found attending upon the Lord in his own Institutions of which more anon so the Saints in every day at this day through wonderful riches of Grace are under the enjoyment of The Spirit is received Faith communicated Peace and Joy shed abroad upon the hearts of Believers as they conscientiously attend on these appointments of Christ Such as know not these things or having known them through the power of temptation slight undervalue them are to be pitied not attended to or regarded in their present apprehensions touching them 5. That God hath a people that he hath in the New and everlasting Covenant taken unto himself for a peculiar People will not be denied To these God gives himself as their GOD he betroths marries them to himself and they give up themselves spontaneously unto him as a People to own subject to his Authority Soveraignty and to profess their so doing by a conformity to whatever Commands Injunctions he shall lay upon them Gospel-Institutions he gives forth for the trial of their Love Loyalty to him charges them to be found in the practice of them as hath been proved Their obedience subjection hereunto he looks upon as a great part of their Loyalty to him in the Conjugal-Covenant he hath taken them into with himself Jer. 3.14 15. Turn O back-sliding Children saith the Lord for I am married unto you and I will take you one of a City and two of a Family and I will bring you to Zion And I will give you Pastors according to mine Heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Where coming unto Zion or our attendment on God in wayes of his own Appointment is asserted to be that wherein our Marriage-relation to him stands Hence departing from these is call'd Whoredom Adultery and those that do so The great Whore the Mother of Harlots and fornications of the Earth The sum is Gospel-Churches Institutions are bottomed upon the New-Covenant therefore abiding CHAP. VIII The Churches that have been are are the Churches of Christ or Antichrist They are not the Churches of Antichrist proved The matter of Antichristian-Churches and of the present Churches The Form Foundation Doctrine Worship Nature Characters Properties of the one and the other considered 1 Tim. 4.1 The Daemons there mentioned what they are Their Original Office manner of Worshipping them the Doctrines of Daemon's the Doctrine of the Apostatick-Synagogue of Rome Demonstration VIII THat there have been persons under the profession of the Name of Christ congregated together for the solemnization of Ordinances from the first-times of the Gospel hitherto hath been before proved That there are so still cannot be denied Now these Churches must be either the Churches of Christ or the Churches of Antichrist There 's no medium A Church that was neither of Christ nor Antichrist was never yet heard of in the world since the first-dawning of the Gospel-day So then if we demonstrate that the present Churches are not Antichristian-churches we evince them to be the Churches of Christ and a continuation of the Gospel-Church-State at least hitherto is evidently discover'd That they are not Churches of Antichrist is easily demonstrated They wholly differ from the Antichristian-Church in respect of matter form foundation doctrine worship nature characters properties Touchching which it 's needful that we particularly discourse First then the Matter of the Antichristian-church is whoever own 's the Christian Faith make 's a Profession of it though never so deboysh vile wicked to every good work reprobate Notwithstanding all their pompous shews of Religion Forms of Godliness they are really such as have pleasure in Unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.12 Is this the matter constitutive of the present Churches Do they admit persons of so black a character into their Communion If any such spots are found amongst them do they tollerate indulge them Are not the rules of Christ prosecuted till they appearing to be persons of a reprobate mind are rejected out of their fellowship Is it not the avowed principles of all the Churches that such as these are not fit matter for any Church of Christ Can they be charged with walking contrary to their principles in this matter Who hath the confidence impudence thus to charge any one of them 'T is true now and then some scandalous persons are found amongst them and so there were in the Primitive Churches as in the Church of Corinth c. that crept in unawares but they are matter of grief humbling to them and they do not dare not cannot suffer them in their Communion 2. The Form if it may be so call'd of the Antichristian-Church lie's in a
forcible compelling persons into and violent keeping them in its communion and fellowship If you 'l not be one with them then Fines Imprisonment Bonds attend you Penal Laws and Statutes are Enacted for this end and by these are men brought into and kept in the Antichristian-church And were these weapons of its warfare taken away 't would soon become as a garden of Cucumbers or perish with its own weight The attempts of the Papacy to reduce persons into their Communion by Fire and Sword their labours to preserve the Uninity of their Church this way is known Is there any thing like it owned by or to be found amongst the present Churches Do they not with one mouth affirm that 't is a voluntary departure from the worlds way and a spontaneous giving up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk with him in a subjection to his institutions wherein the form of the Churches lies Herein is a most Evident difference betwixt Them and the Antichristian-Church They talk of no compulsions but those of the Spirit and Love that make a people Volunteers in the day of the Lord's Power Lex nova non se vindicat ultore gladio is their Motto as is known 3. The Foundation of the Antichristian-Church is not Jesus Christ but the Sons of men one or other of them their Laws Canons Decretals upon which it is built Is this the case of the present Churches Do they not all of them with full consent proclaim their abhorrency of such a Foundation Is not CHRIST in their account the alone Foundation of all the True Churches in the world and they practise accordingly Their debates touching this matter with the Papelins about Mat. 16.18 from whence these endeavour to prove Peter and consequentially as they 'd have it the Pope to be the Rock upon which the Church is built is known to all that look upon themselves concern'd in these matters 4. The Doctrine of the Anti-christian-Church is a Doctrine of Devils 1 Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the doctrines of Daemons so the learned Mede renders it Some carry it thus doctrines which devils are the Authors of There 's a great deal of truth in that all the doctrines of the Anti-christian-church that are peculiarly hers are the doctrines of Devils But I rather think with that learned person that by doctrines of Daemons is meant those doctrines that have the Daemons for their Object Now these Daemons that were worshipped by the Pagans were 1. For their nature and degree supposed by the Gentiles an inferior and middle sort of divine powers between the soveraign and heavenly Gods and mortal Men. 2. For their Office to be as mediators and agents between these soveraign Gods and Men. 3. For their original either Angels or the Deified-souls of Worthy-men after death 4. For the way of Worshipping them to find and receive benefits from them 't was by Consecrated-Images and Pillars 5. Their very Reliques were adored and brought into Temples They that desire to see more touching this matter may at their leasure consult the famous Medes Apostasie of the latter times The Doctrines of Daemons then are the Doctrines of the Apostatick Roman-Antichristian-Synagogue touching the worshipping of Saints and Angels in imitation of the Pagan Daemon Worship But take the words in the largest Sense as comprehensive of all those Doctrines that are not of Christ have the devil for their Author Some whereof are mention'd by the Apostle afterwards v. 3. Forbidding to Marry and commanding to abstain from Meats the Doctrines of Justification by Works or inherent Sanctification of Purgatory or a state of Purifying after this life any Principles Opinions contrary to sound Doctrine the form of wholesom words or the Doctrine which is according to Godliness which of the Churches can be justly charged with holding maintaining any such Principles 'T is true perhaps amongst some of them there may be found one or other that speak perverse things as there was of old in the Church of Corinth and some other Churches in the Apostolick times but are they countenanc't therein Can their corrupt Doctrines be charged as the Doctrines of the Churches What more evidently notoriously false can be suggested or fixed on 5. The Worship of the Antichristian-Church is a Worship of devils idols of gold silver wood stone the work of men's hands Rev. 9.20 'T is an idolatrous whorish adulterous superstitious Worship Rev. 17.1 2 4 5. whose whole substratum foundation is the Commandments of men Mat. 15.9 Traditions c. 'T is formal sapless lifeless It 's managery in the Spirit is not at all attended to His Assistance is contemned reviled blasphemed as that which is phantastick whimsical heretical schismatical for any to talk of or pretend to Is the Worship of the Churches such a Worship Who hath the forehead to aver it They witness against all such Worship and Worshipper's both in Word and Writing as is known Are studious to walk by Scripture-rule in their Worship both with respect to the matter and manner thereof 6. The nature characters properties of the Antichristian-Church are amply described by the Apostles of our Lord. They are such as receive not the love of the Truth that they might be saved upon whom God hath sent strong delusions that they should believe a lye that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in Vnrighteousness 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. That give heed to seducing Spirits and doctrines of Daemons speaking lies in hypocrisie having their conscience sear'd with a hot iron forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. covetous boasters of themselves blasphemers disobedient to Parents unthankful unholy without natural affection truce-breakers false Accusers or make-bates incontinent fierce despisers of those that are good traitors heady high-minded lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5. Such as Worship the Dragon gave power unto the Beast and Worship the Beast Rev. 13.4 5 8. Receiving his mark in their right hand or in their foreheads his Name or the number of his Name which whosoever did not might neither buy nor sell v. 16 17. The great Whore that sits upon many waters with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her Fornication A Woman sitting upon a scarlet-colour'd Beast full of Names of Blasphemy having seven Heads and ten Horns The Woman arrayed in Purple and scarlet colour and decked with Gold and precious Stone and Pearls having a golden cup in her hand full of Abominations and filthiness of her Fornication upon whose forhead is a Name written Mystery Babylon the Great the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth The Woman drunken with the blood of the Saints and with the Bloud of the Martyrs of Jesus Rev. 17.1 2 3 4 5 6.