In whom in the great Inquisition that God will make will be found the blood of Prophets and of Saints and of all that were slain upon the Earth Rev. 18.24 In a word the Antichristian-church is that part of the body of professors that the great Antichristian-Apostasy spoken of by these Apostles gather's up who is described character'd by her false Doctrine idolatrous superstitious Worship of which before immorality in conversation persecution bloody cruelty against the Royal Seed the Saints of the most high Who so sear'd hardened in heart and conscience as without a blush from a soul filled with deep consternation can bear the sight of a thought springing up to affix the characters of this Antichristian-church unto the present Churches So then these being in respect of Matter Form Foundation Doctrine Worship Nature Characters perfectly different from the Antichristian-church must of necessity be the Churches of CHRIST and accounted so by all who are not resolv'd against the plainest Demonstrations to hold their perswasion with a nunquam persuadebis etiamsi persuaseris except some Hermaphrodyte-Church that is neither of Christ or Antichrist can be found out CHAP. IX The Church-state Gospel-Institutions are bottomed upon the Mediatory Office of Christ Their continuation from thence dedemonstrated Of Christ's Prophetick Priestly Kingly-Office Christ as the great Prophet of the Church hath revealed the Gospel-Church-state with the Institutions and Ordinances Christ call'd an Apostle and why Said to be sent by the Father Such a Prophet as never was in the World before nor hath there or shall there be any like him What of the Father he revealed The continuation of Gospel-Churches evinced from hence Of the Priestly-Office of Christ Gospel-Churches Institutions bottomed upon it at large demonstrated Of the Kingly-Office of Christ Gospel-Churches bottomed thereupon Demonstration IX THe Church-State Gospel-Churches Institutions are bottomed upon the Mediatory Office of Christ from whence a continuation of them till his next second glorious coming doth necessarily follow To Christ as Mediator a threefold-Office whereinto by Solemn Unction he was inaugurated by the Father doth appertain viz. Prophetick Priestly Kingly Arguments from each of these might at large be insisted on to demonstrate the truth we are at present contending for I. That Christ is the great Prophet of the Church will not be denied Deut. 18.18 Act. 3.22 and 7.37 As a Prophet he is fully acquainted with the Will of God and hath perfectly Revealed it to the Church both in respect of Doctrine Worship and Discipline The truth is his whole work as a Prophet is to reveal the Will of God and therein to Teach and Instruct us He is also call'd The Apostle of our Profession Heb. 3.1 The Prophetick-Office of Christ with respect unto his immediate Authoritative Mission from the Father is that which is intended by the expression He is said frequently to be sent by the Father Isa 19.20 and 48.16 and 61.1 Zach. 2.8 9. He whom the Father sent is the description he gives of himself Joh. 3.34 which is frequently repeated John 3.17 18 28 34. and 5.23 24 30 36 37 38. and 6.29 38 39 40 44 57. and 7.16 28 29. and 8.16 18 29 42. and 9.4 and 10.36 and 11.42 and 12.44 45 49. and 13.26 and 14.24 and 15.21 and 16.5 and 17.3 18 21 23 25. and 20.21 A Prophet he is and such a Prophet as never was in the World before nor any other like him was there to be and as a Prophet he reveals the Father himself John 1.18 And his Name Chap. 13.6 and 17.3 i. e. the mystery of the Covenant of the Grace of GOD his Love Kindness to the Sons of Men his Worship whole will respecting our Obedience and Salvation And for this work he was sent from the Father had his Authority from him and furnitures through the Spirit poured out upon him without measure for the dispatch of it So that he that hears Christ hears the Father and he that refuseth Christ refuseth the Father also because he acts in his Name Authority in this his Office That from hence the continuation of Gospel-Churches Institutions must necessarily follow is evident For 1. Christ as the great Prophet of the Church hath declared these to be one part of his Fathers Will that as such he was to Reveal as hath been proved That at any time it should be lawful for us to oppose the Will of the Lord thus solemnly revealed none will sure have the confidence to affirm 2. The Apostle to the Hebrews chap. 1. chap. 2. makes Christ's coming as the great Prophet of God one argument of the abolition of the whole Mosaick Paedagogy and the introduction of those Gospel-Institutions they were in the practice of God that spake in the Prophets hath spoken in his Son q. d. You expected a Prophet for so they did who should bring in a New-Ministration reveal the whole will of the Father to you this is He he is the Apostle sent from him for this end attend him consider him Heb. 3.1 Now certainly if the Apostle lookt upon this as a good argument for the same at least one of the same ends for which 't is produced by us 't will be immodesty for any to look upon it as impertinent incogent 3. Christ as the great Prophet when he Tabernacled in the World revealed this State the Laws Institutions relating to it Had we lived in the time when and been one of those to whom he had communicated them ought we to have believed obeyed subjected to them Sure 'T will not be denied but we ought Are not the same Laws delivered to the Apostles recorded in the Scriptures This will not be opposed What then Have the Laws of CHRIST by their being written lost their Authority This will not I am sure it cannot with any pretext of Reason be said It remains therefore that Churches with the Worship affixt to them being once of the discovery of CHRIST must still continue so to be and our practice suitable to that discovery necessitate precepti necessary 4. Is there any greater Prophet than Christ risen up Doth he come in his Fathers or in his own Name What 's his message that he brings Is he upon a new discovery of the Fathers will pouring contempt upon what hath been Revealed by Christ Every spiritual believer knows what reception he ought to have with him viz. neither he nor his Message to be received but rejected as an impostor a lye 2 John 10.11 5. Hath Christ ceased to be a Prophet Since he was signally inaugurated into that Office by the visible descent of the holy Spirit upon him in the form of a Dove Mat. 3.16 17 Shall he do so till he deliver up the Mediatory-Kingdom to the Father Neither the one nor the other will be asserted Doth he now any other wayes discharge that Office than by his written Word and Spirit opening the understanding of believers to perceive his Instructions contained therein Surely no. The
call upon the Name of the Lord or to call themselves by the Name of the Lord as the margin reads so are they upon the account of this act of theirs Stiled The Sons of God Gen. 6.2 7. About one thousand Years after all which time there was in a great measure purity preserved amongst them great corruption invades the Church The nature of it together with its occasion and spring we have an account at large of Gen. 6. And yet even now the Lord leaves not himself without a Witness The truth and purity of Worship together with practick-godlinesss being maintained in Noahs Family Gen. 6.8 9. 7.1 who are ensafed in a fluctuating Ark whilst the whole body of Apostates are swallowed up with the Waters of the Flood of which Peter speaks 2 Pet. 3.6 8. When Noah and his Family are brought out of the Ark the Waters of the Flood being gone from off the face of the Earth Jehovah enters into a solemn Covenant with him gives him several Statutes and Judgments to Conform to Gen. 9. These are generally said to be seven 1. The First 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against extraneous Worship or Idolatry the Worshipping the Stars or Images 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Blaspheming the Name of God 3. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against shedding Blood 4. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against unjust carnal Copulations 5. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against Rapine or Robbery 6. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Judgments or Punishments against Malefactors 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 against eating any member or flesh of a Beast taken from it alive A special blessing as to propagation is given to him Gen. 9.7 So that the Church in his Family soon enlarged its borders The purity of worship continues amongst them uninterrupted for fourty years or thereabout When the Wickedness of Ham committed against the light of Nature in discovering the nakedness of his Father breakes forth by whom he 's Cursed Excommunicated so the purity of the Church-state is preserved Gen. 9.25 Cursed be the Father of Canaan so the Arabick reads is About the Hundredth year after the Flood many Apostatized from the pure wayes of God rose up in rebellion against him in defiance of him will build a Tower the top whereof might reach to Heaven But yet even in this grand defection there were some at least of the posterity of Shem that kept pure with whom therefore the Hebrew language remained entire as Genebrardus Chron. lib. 1. tells us The truth is as the learned Bochartus saith in his Geographia Sacra l. 1. c. 10. It cannot be imagined that either Noah or Shem or Arphaxad or Sala or Heber with whom 't is groundedly to be thought not a few continued were in this mad attempt The Spirit of the Lord seems to intimate the contrary they which were engaged in it were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of Men Gen. 11.5 viz. an apostate vile crew who stand in direct opposition to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sons of God as the faithful were called in the dayes of Enosh as was before said How long the purity of Worship remained after this is uncertain This is most certain that when God called Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees Superstition Idolatry overspread all At that time both his Father and he were Idolaters Jos 24.2 9. This call of God to Abraham was effectual he obeyes it separates from the degenerate Idolatrous World constitutes a New-Church sets up the pure Worship of God in his Family Enjoyes more clear full openings of Divine Mysteries than any before him God enters into Covenant with him institutes circumcision See Gen. 12.3 7 8. 13.15 16. 15.1 5 6. 17.1 2 9. 22.17 18. So that the Church of God in Abraham's Family growes up in to greater glory visibility than before Several corruptions are not long after amongst them in Jacobs Family before their going into Aegypt which he reforms Gen. 35.1 2 3 4. They polluted themselves with Idolatry in the Land of Aegypt Jos 24.14 Ezek. 23.2 3. brought their Whordoms from thence ver 8. which they practised in the Wilderness Exod. 32. and never totally left till they were carried captive into Babylon Nevertheless the Lord casts them not off but oh the wonder of Love brings them from under their bonds leads them to Mount Sinai makes a Covenant with them gives them good Statutes and Judgments to walk by And now that Church becomes as a City on a Hill visible conspicuous unto the Nations round about is decked adorned with visible excellency and glory that her renown goes forth through the Nations Ezek. 16.14 But wo and alas after all the grace of the Lord shewed to her his wonders wrought for her she quickly forgets departs from him Is more notorious for spiritual Whordoms Wickedness than all the Nations round about her Yet God gives her not up woes allures her to return to him But all to no purpose Israel or the ten Tribes is led Captive by Salmanassur Judah or the two Tribes is not betterd by it but though now and then under the conduct of some good Kings a reformation is introduced yet anon all 's spoyled marr'd again Jehovah call's to return but their ear is deaf their hearts hardned none obey his voice He professes for all this he knows not how to give them up his bowels turn within him towards them repentings are enkindled for them Yet this affects them not so that at last he is forced to send them into Babylon yet doth not take off his love care for them there nor disregards them as a People unchurcht looks upon them as his own in Covenant with him brings them from thence to their own Land again Then is a new most absolute reformation begun by Ezra Nehemiah c. The Temple is rebuilt the men of the great Synagogue instituted A most diligent consideration of the exemplars of the Holy Scriptures is set upon The word of God is sedulously Preached Neh. 8.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8. The wicked are excomunicated Ezr. 4.2 3. From the mixt People there 's a perfect separation Ezr. chapters 9.10 Neh. ch ult So that the Church seems to be again comely through the comeliness that God put upon her But long abides not firm with him pollutes his Worship with the inventions traditions of men departs from the Doctrine he had delivered to her particularly the Doctrine of the free Justification of a sinner before God in opposition to which they introduce justification by the works of the Law In a word they become as filthy and abominable every way as a people can well be Nevertheless God bears with them their Church-state is not dissolved they have their Temple Ordinances and even the most holy amongst them attend there as Zachary Elizabeth Simeon The Lord sends a Prophet to them John Elias in spirit to reform bring them back from their Apostasie At last he sends his Son to
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
Father with a rejection of him and the Ministration introduced by him they are said to be Citizens that hated him and send a message after him saying We will not have this man Reign over us Luk. 19.14 'T is true Christ as King rules in the Saints by his Spirit Grace but visibly by his Word and Gospel-institutions doth he Reign over them These are his Chariot or Throne of State wherein he shew's himself publickly in Majesty and Glory They are his insignia regalia or Kinglyarms or Ensigns none can offer despite affront to these but they affront him and are guilty of high-treason against him We justly condemn the Papists as opposers of the Kingly-Office of Christ because contrary to his Precept they have taken away one part of the Institution of Christ viz. the Cup from the Laity and what is to be thought of those who turn their backs upon all and attempt the pulling down of that house of the appointment of Christ wherein they are to be ministred If Christ be King he hath his Churches over whom as such he doth preside and his Laws as royal Ensigns in the midst of them for them to conform to CHAP. X. A Tenth Demonstration of the Continuation of Churches Ordinances otherwise a great part of the Scriptures of the New-Testament have been are of little use to the Saints An Eleventh A Twelfth evidence to the same thing Christ hath power to preserve his Churches and 't is his will so to do There are special promises both under the Old oeconomy and the New to Saints as they attend upon Jehovah as a Church in the Observation of Ordinances Exod. 20.24 Explained And 29.42 43 44 45. at large Why the Tabernacle is call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Isa 4.5 6. Opened Zach. 2.10 Mat. 18.20 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 3.10 Considered A Thirteenth Fourteenth Fifteenth Sixteenth Demonstration of the continuation of Churches and Ordinances 'T is the duty of Saints in every generation to confess Christ Gal. 3.27 Opened Subjection to the Institutions of Christ one signal way of confessing him Saints are charged to hold fast whatever they have received from Christ till he comes Much of the Glory of Christ as Mediator of the New-Covenant lies in his Churches Many evil and absurb consequences of the denial of the Continuation of Gospel-Churches Ordinances remarked Demonstration X. IF there have not been be not a continuation of Gospel-Churches Ordinances a great part of the Scriptures of the New-Testament have been are of little use to the Saints Now it cannot be imagined that the Lord Jesus out of his special love to and care of his People should appoint the Scriptures to be written and yet no small part of them to be of no concern in this World to them Of this kind are all those Scriptures which contain rules of direction to the Saints touching their embodying together in order to their becoming a Church of Christ discovering who are fit matter their Power for the Election setting apart of Officers to minister in the name of Christ amongst them the qualification of such as are to be chosen by them their Office Work Duty in and to the Church the Churche's duty to them the way and manner of the management of the Institutions of the Gospel amongst them the mutual duties of Church-members each to other as they stand in a Covenant-relation together How great a part of the Scriptures of the New-Testament and particularly the Epistles to the Churches is taken up in these things is known to enumerate particulars is almost endless See Matth. 28.19 20. Act. 2.41 42. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 12. Matth. 18.17 18 19. 1 Cor. 4.17 7.17 Act. 14.23 Tit. 1.5 1 Tim. 3.15 2.1 Act. 6.4 13.2 3. Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Cor. 14.3 Act. 6.2 Heb. 13.7 Matth. 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 Rom. 12.6 7 8. Rev. 2.3 Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 14.15 Heb. 3.1 Jam. 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Act. 20.17 18. 1 Cor. 12.28 Eph. 4.11 Phil. 1. 1 Tim. 3.1 2. 5.17 Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Pet. 5.1 Eph. 4.8.13 Tit. 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 3.2 3 4 5 6 7. 1 Pet. 5.2 3. Act. 13.2 1 Tim. 5.22 4.14 3.10 11 13. 4.12 2 Tim. 2.3 Col. 1.24 Phil. 2.17 3.17 Heb. 13.17 Act. 20.28 2 Tim. 2.15 4.2 Rom. 12.6 7 8. 1 Tim. 6.20 Jude 3. 1 Cor. 4.1 2. 1 Tim. 3.15 4.14 15 16. Act. 20.18 19 20 25 26. 1 Thes 3.5 2 Tim. 2.24 25. Rom. 12.8 1 Tim. 5.17 3.5 Col. 4.17 2 Cor. 10.4 8. 1 Tim. 4.11 Tit. 2.15 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 1 Thes 5.12 13. 1 Cor. 16.16 Eph. 6.18 19. Col. 4.3 2 Thes 3.1 Gal. 6.6 1 Cor. 9.14 16.10 2 Tim. 1.16 17 18. 2 Tim. 4.16 Rom. 12.8 1 Cor. 12.28 1 Tim. 5.17 Act. 6.3 5 6. Phil. 1.1 1 Tim. 3.8 9 10 11 12 13. Phil. 2.15 16. 4.8 9. 1 Thes 3.8 1 Pet. 4.10 11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 10.23 Act. 2.38 39 46. 16.33 1 Cor. 1.16 11.20 21 22 26 28 29 33. Act. 20.7 Mat. 16.19 Rom. 12.8 2 Cor. 10.4 5 6. Rev. 2.2 20. Mat. 24.45 Eph. 4.13 14. 1 Tim. 3.5 5.17 Heb. 13.17 1 Pet. 2.3 1 Thes 5.12 Gal. 6.1 2. 1 Cor. 4.14 5.2 4 5. 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. 2 Tim. 4.2 Mat. 18.15 1 Thes 5.14 Tit. 1.13 2.15 2 Tim. 4.2 1 Tim. 5.19 20. Mat. 18.16 17. Tit. 3.10 1 Tim. 1.20 1 Cor. 5.5 Gal. 5.12 6.1 2 Cor. 2.7 2 Thes 3.15 Gal. 6.2 1 Cor. 5.2 4 5 12. 1 Cor. 6.2 2 Cor. 2.6 7 8. Phil. 2.10 2.15 1 Cor. 10.32 1 Thes 2. 11.12 Tit. 2.10 Joh. 6.15 Act. 26.18 1 Pet. 2.9 2 Cor. 4.3 4 6. 1 Tim. 1.19 20. 2 Tim. 4.3 4. Tit. 1.13 Jude 3. Eph. 4.20 21 22 23 24. 2 Cor. 8.5 Act. 8.20 23. Tit. 1.10 Rev. 2.2 Act. 18.26 1 Thes 2.7 8 11. Act. 9.26 27. Rom. 14.1 1 Cor. 13. throughout 10.32 Eph. 6.18 1 Tim. 2.1 2 Cor. 8.4 6. Act. 11.29 30. Rom. 15.26 27. 16.1 2. 3 Joh. 8.9 Act. 15.2 1 Tim. 3.15 Cum multis aliis Are all these Scriptures with many more of no use to the Saints Are they not at all concern'd in them Credat Apella And yet this must be asserted upon the supposition that there are no Churches of the Institution of Christ for as such are the Saints alone concerned in them Object If it be Objected that a great part of the Old-Testament is of little or no use to the Saints now therefore the argument is invalid of no weight Answ The Answer is easie 'T is readily granted that whatever is spoken in the Old-Testament touching Circumcision Priests Altar Temple Sacrifices Vestments c. We are not under the Gospel-Ministration at all concerned with an introduction of these things is a plain practick-denial of Christ come in the flesh But
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
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
rather with respect to that in as great safety as the Woman that before was fled into the Wilderness In answer to which the slaughter of the Witnesses is not cannot be a corporeal slaughter as amongst others is most evident from this single consideration viz. Such as their slaughter is such will their Resurrection be if their slaughter be corporeal their Resurrection must be so But their Resurrection is not cannot be a corporeal Resurrection because it crosses the Scripture 1 Cor. 15.23 Every one in his own order Christ the first-fruits afterwards those that are Christ's at his coming clearly asserting that the Saints rise not till the personal coming of Christ But now the Witnesses rise before as is granted by all 2. After this advance of the Dragon you hear no more of this remnant of the Womans seed till the great Randezvouz upon Mount Sion Rev. 14.1 Where they are the risen Witnesses represented under the notion of One Hundred forty and four Thousand with their fathers name upon their foreheads going forth under the conduct of the Lamb to execute the Judgements written against Antichrist ver 7.8 9 10 11 12. to the end And no wonder for all this while viz. from the time of their slaughter to the time of their rise they lie Dead as to any publick visible witness for Christ which formerly they bear till the Spirit of Life from God re-enters into them and they stand upon their feet 3. This War against the remnant of the Womans seed is much about the same time with her second flight into the Wilderness ver 14. That that flight of the Woman into the Wilderness is a second flight is evident For 1. She is represented ver 10 12. as coming out of it with Tryumph Shouting having greatned confidence that she should never return thither again for she sings ver 10. Now is come Salvation and Strength and the Kingdom of our God and the Power of his Christ 2. The Wilderness whether she flies is call'd HER PLACE ver 14. viz. with respect to what 's said ver 6. with relation to her first flying thither And the Woman fled into the Wilderness where she hath a place prepared of God Into this place which is now call'd her place because before prepar'd for her of God doth she now fly Now that second flight of the Woman into the Wilderness is exactly the same with the time of the Witnesses lying dead She is nourish't for a time times and half a time from the face of the Serpent So the Witnesses lye dead a time one Year times two Years and half a time half a Year viz. Three Years and a half which is congruous to the Scripture-Notion of time or times Dan. 4.23 25. VI. That in the time of this War there is a Gospel-Church-state is evident For 1. There 's the Woman i. e. the Saints in Church-Communion Worshipping God in the wayes of Christs Institution for upon this account she 's call'd the Woman Bride of Christ as hath been proved fled into the Wilderness just as 't were upon its commencement 2. The Remnant of the Womans seed which keep the Commandments of God ver 17. If by the Commandments of God we understand the Commandments of God the Father or of Jesus Christ it comes all to one For one great Commandment of the Father to the Sons of Men is to hear Christ Deut. 18.18 19. And on the Holy Mount a voice is heard to the same purpose Mat. 17.5 And Christ tells us that those that have heard and learnt of the Father come to him viz. to be instucted by him John 6.45 And he that hears him i. e. obey's subjects to him his in-doctrinations teachings hears the Father 3. They are also said to have the Testimony of Jesus i. e. 1. Negatively they hold not to the Decrees Canons Laws Institutions of Pope Councils Fathers c. They abhor to comply with any Antichristian Superstitions Worship Orders Ordinances would they have done so the Devil had never gon about to make War against them The Spirit testifyes of them that they were not defiled with Woman Rev. 14.4 i. e. with none of the Idolatries Superstitions Fornications of the great Whore or any of her Daughters 2. Positively they do visibly own Jesus Christ in all his Offices Laws Institutions nor will they be perswaded to leave them or cease to conform to them whatever it cost them The Lord testifies of them in their risen-state that they are Virgins Rev. 14.4 i. e. chast to Christ faithful to his Institutions And thus much touching the Third Period of time in which it's evident there are Churches of the institution of Christ That there are so 4. At the Witnesses rise and all along the pouring out of the Vials is very evident by the same Book of the Revelation By the way I would modestly give my Judgment touching Two things I. That the risen-Witnesses and the Vial-Angels contemporize This seems evident For 1. The time of the Witnesses Prophesying is a time of Mourning to them being in their Sack-cloth-state and for the most part the time of Antichrist rampancy but at the time of their rise the scene begins to alter and the Vengance of God falls so fearfully upon the Antichristians that the tenth part of the City falls or one of the Ten Kingdoms totally draws off from Antichrist and is brought into subjection to Christ The time of the beginning of the pouring out of the Vials is a time of Mourning to the Antichristians for the Vials are Vials of the Pure Wrath of God Almighty pour'd forth in his Authority and by his Appointment upon them 2. From the Witnesses rise the destruction of the Kingdom of the Beast or of Antichrist goe's on till he be wholly destroyed and the Kingdoms become the Lords Rev. 11.14 15 16 17 18. The same fate befals the Antichristians under the pouring forth of the Vials their Kingdom is gradually wasted consumed till it cease to be Rev. 16 from first to last But this is not a place fully to prosecute this matter II. That there are none of the Vials yet poured forth These few things amongst others which must not now be mentioned lead me captive to the belief of this Assertion 1. The Witnesses I humbly conceive are not yet risen 't is to be feared not yet slain Now the risen-witnesses and Vial-Angels synchronizing they not being risen these have not pour'd forth one Vial. 2. We have not yet seen the preparatory work to the powring forth of the Vials mentioned Rev. 15. 3. The subject of the Vials are the persons or things of Antichrist The Vials being Vials of pure Wrath on whatever persons or things they fall they totally consume them so as that they shall never stand up or exist more What of the Persons things of Antichrist have been thus removed destroyed Are they not all in their splendour height glory at this day 4. The Vial-Angels and the Stone-smiting Dan. 2.
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
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.
Revelation then made by him with respect to Institutions Worship is in every day to be attended to by the Saints A Church-state is then bottomed upon the Prophetick-office of Christ and to continue from the time of its erection by him to the consummation of all things II. As 't is bottomed upon the Prophetick-Office of Christ so 't is upon his Sacerdotal or Priestly The Apostle argues from the change of the Levitical priest-hood to the change of the whole of that Church-polity its Laws and Institutions Heb. 7.12 For the Priest-hood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the Law If this be a cogent Argument it follows strongly on the contrary If there be no change of the priest-hood as the Melchizedekian Priest-hood or the priest-hood of Christ after the order of Melchizedeck abides for ever as the same Apostle tells us then there is no change of the Law or institutions appertaining thereunto That the whole of Gospel-institutions have a dependance upon the Priestly-Office of Christ is manifest 1. That the legal Ministration or Worship was affixt to had a dependance upon the Aaronick Priest-hood the Apostle plainly enough declares in the forecited place Heb. 7.12 Now if the Worship of that day had such dependance upon that Priesthood that it liv'd and dyed stood and fell with it the Gospel-ministration and Worship must have the same dependance upon the real Eternal Priesthood of CHRIST for that was Typick of this throughout 2. Christ by his Death or the Oblation of himself which was a principal part of his Priestly-Office vertually put a period to the Law of Commandments contain'd in Mosaick-Ordinances Eph. 2.15 And so by the removing of them made way for the erection of the Gospel-church-state with the Institutions appertaining thereunto This the Apostle fully declares v. 18 19 20 21 22. For through him as our High-Priest for as such he 's discoursing of him as is Evident from v. 13 14 15 16 we both viz. Jewes and Gentiles have an access in Gospel-institutions by one Spirit unto the Father Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Forreinners but Fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the building fitly joyn'd together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. In whom you are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Nothing could be more Evident if written with the beams of the Sun than this that Gospel-churches call'd the Houshold the Building of GOD with all the Institutions of CHRIST through which they have access to God are bottom'd upon the Priestly-Office of Christ 'T is through him as our Priest that we have access in Worship to the Father and equally in and through him as such that we are of the houshold of God his Habitation Temple 3. All the fittings preparings of Souls as fit materials for this Spiritual-Temple Building and the management of the Ordinances thereof are bottom'd upon the Priestly-Office of Christ That men in their natural state are altogether unfit for such a building or work will be granted otherwise Arguments enough lie near at hand for it's confirmation Our Lord hath solemnly determin'd this Controversy if with any it be a Controversy Joh. 3.3 5. That persons fitness lies in the communication of the Spirit a divine principle of Life the participation of the grace of the Covenant that therein also lies their meetness ability for the work and service of this Temple will not be denied Now whence flowes all this but from the Oblation Intercession of Christ the two signal parts of his Priestly-Office Nay 4. The Saints comming to God with their Temple-Worship all of it hath its Foundation here were it not for the Priest-hood of Christ they must stand off at an eternal distance Jehovah would be a terror consuming fire to them This all know who have a sight of themselves in their lapsed corrupt depraved state and of the infinite purity and righteousness of God This the Apostle treats of Heb. 4.14 15 16. and 7.19 Yea 5. All the acceptance of their Persons and all their Temple-worship with the Father of Spirits is bottomed here Were not Christ our High-priest had he not as such made an Attonement Reconciliation for us did he not make Intercession as such for us both we and our most solemn performances would be loathed rejected by the Lord. 6. Their encouragement to come to God with boldness the great motive to abide in their Temple-Worship and not to forsake the Assembling themselves together to be diligent in the discharge of the duties they are obliged to perform to one another in their Church-relation is fixed here Heb. 10.20 21 22 23 24 25. Their rejection of Gospel-communion is accounted an undervaluing of the Priestly-Office of Christ v. 28 29. To which add 7. That the preservation of Gospel-churches Ordinances is a fruit of the Priestly-Office of Christ bottomed upon his Oblation Intercession Why are they not dispersed scattered Why have not their Adversaries ruin'd destroyed them Whence is it that they have liberty to tread the Lords Court and Worship before the footstool of his Throne in Peace yea whence is it That the Devil with all his power policy hath not been able to ruin destroy the Churches of Christ It 's Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who ever lives to make Intercession Rom. 8.34 so that in this matter hear's full measure of Demonstration pressed down running over that Gospel-Churches Institutions appertaining to them are bottomed upon the Priestly-Office of Christ If he continue our High-priest if there be any vertue in his death energie power in his Intercession they must continue also And when these fail we are content to sink perish Maluimus cum Christo perire quam cum Caesare regnare III. Gospel-churches Institutions are also bottomed upon the Kingly-Office of Christ whence their perennity perpetuity is Evident That Christ is a King hath his Subjects Laws by which he governs them cannot be denied That he hath yet doth exercised his Kingly-soveraignty over them will be granted if he do not do so he is not King his despotick authority is at an end Who are his Subjects Those that dwell in Sion his Church his Body his House his Kingdom which hath been demonstrated to be Saints embodied and worshipping him in a Gospel-church-state to these he is a Head Lord King What are the Laws he Rules them by gives forth for the tryal of their Faith Love Obedience They are Gospel-Ordinances of his own institution and appointment And as of old the people of the Jewes that Church of God when they rejected his Ordinances are said to reject him cast off his Soveraignty Ruledom So because of their pertinacious adherence to the Laws of Moses when Christ had perioded that Ministration had left the World and was gone to his
reclaim them Who would have gathered them as a Chicken under his wings but they would not Him they refused thrust away by wicked hands took condemned crucified slew him and now the measure of their Fathers iniquity being filled up and the time appointed by Jehovah to take down that Tabernacle being fully come and to set up another in the room of it by the Messiah CHRIST he puts a full period to it apotomizes cuts them off perfectly unchurches them and at last layes waste destroyes their City Temple with an utter Destruction Now was the total ruin of that Apostatick Judaick Church And to purpose in capital letters is Lo-ammi and Loruhamah written upon them viz. Ye are not my People I have no mercy for you and not so plainly at any time as now 'T were easie to make many remarks to the advantage of the present truth we are risen up in the defence of from the foregoing discourse The prudent Reader can do it himself To whom we leave it The whole Church-politie of the Jews being vertually dissolved at the death of Christ a New-Church-state is introduced by him New Churches formed according to his rule model new-institutions appointed by him which 't is the duty of those Churches to conform to Two things must here briefly be enquired into 1. What a Gospel-Church or an Instituted-Church of Christ is 2. That such a Church is of the Institution of Christ As touching the first A Cospel-Church is a Society of Believers once dead in trespasses and sins but now quickned by the Spirit sanctified justified by the Free-Grace of God in Christ illuminated by the same Spirit in the knowledge of his Will separated from the World and voluntarily joyned together for the exercise of the Communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Institutions Ordinances of Christ This description of a Gospel-Church is proved in every part of it from the ensuing Scriptures Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins ver 5. When we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are washed sanctified justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 1.2 Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints 2 Cor. 6.16 17. What agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of the living God Wherefore come out from amongst them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you Heb. 3.1 Holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly calling Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us by the word of Truth Rev. 1.20 The seven Golden Candlesticks which thou sawest are seven Churches 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. As touching the second that such a Church was instituted by Christ is evident 1. From Christs appointment and approbation of such a Church Mat. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. 2. Christ charges his Apostles Mat. 28. to teach those who should be converted by their Ministry to observe whatever he commanded them In pursuance of which charge we finde that as soon as any were converted to the Faith by the direction of the Apostles they were gathered into Church-Societies Acts 2.41 42 47. 8.1 11.26 14.23 27. 3. These are called the Churches of God of Christ Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 1.2 10.32 11.22 15.9 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.13 1 Tim. 3.5 Rom. 16.16 because of their institution establishment by him 4. The Apostles in the Name Authority of Christ direct their Epistles to them as such 1 Cor. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Col. 1.2 4.16 1 Thes 1.1 2 Thes 1.1 Eph. 1.1 compared with Acts 20.17 1 Pet. 5.2 or unto particular persons giving directions touching their carriage deportment and duty towards them 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.5 5. Christ calls them his Churches Rev. 1.20 6. Own 's himself to be their Head Husband Lord King they his Body Bride House Family of which afterwards 7. A great part of the Apostolick-writings consists in giving Precepts Exhortations Counsels to guide lead them in their duties to each other in such a relation and for their preservation in Purity and Order Of which we shall have occasion particularly to make mention in the ensuing Discourse 8. His special care of them 9. The particular notice he takes of them in the book of the Revelations sending particular Epistles to them Exhorting reproving counselling incouraging them taking no notice of any that did not appertain to them Rev. chapters 2. and 3. with much more that might be said doth abundantly demonstrate that the Church described was of the institution of Jesus Christ That the Ordinances practised in and amongst those Churches such as Preaching the Word Prayer Baptism breaking Bread c. were of the Appointment of Christ will not be denied se Act. 2.42 and 6.2 1 Cor. 14.3 2 Tim. 4.2 Heb. 13.7 Act. 6.4 and 13.2 3. 1 Tim. 2.1 Mat. 28.19 and 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 ERRATA Reader Some few mistakes in Printing are here remarked the rest being inconsiderable are left to thee to amend IN the Epistle to the Reader p. 10. l. 21. r. bloody l. 36. abominable p. 13. l. 3. hath In the body of the Book p. 7. l. 2. r. it 's l. 3. this p. 16. l. 10. blot out the. p. 17. l. 11. r. letter p. 20. l. 34. persons p. 21. l. 15 inasmuch l. 17. that p. 30. l. 14. their p. 39. l. 5. blot out are p. 54. l. 8. r 1 Job p. 56. l. 32. apostacy p. 63. l. 15. women p. 66. l. 33. after much r. as p. 73. l. 30. tu es p. 77. l. 19. increase p. 79 l. 30 throughout p. 85. l. 28. for have r. are p. 114. l. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 117. l. 22. after have add said Gospel-Churches A Standing ORDINANCE OF Jesus Christ CHAP. I. Gospel-Churches an Institution of Christ to continue to his next coming demonstrated from the Appellations given in Scripture to such Churches They are call'd 1. The Kingdom of God Why they are so call'd open'd Mark 9.1 Acts 1.3 and 19.8 9. Explained Several inferences from hence A two-fold Kingdom viz. of God and of the Devil and Antichrist Several wayes Satan takes for the support of the Antichristian Kingdom An Objection Answered 2. A House built upon a Rock Matth. 16.18 opened at large Peter not the Rock but Christ proved The Gates of Hell what they import Satan's attempts by subtlety and power to destroy the Church invalid An Objection Answered 3. The Kingdom of Heaven Why the Gospel-Church-State is so call'd An Objection Answered 4. A Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.27 28. explained 5. The Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.7 8. opened at large 6. The Body of Christ Gospel-Churches hereby intended proved Vpon what accounts they are so call'd shewn Several inferences from hence