Coetus or Congregatio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 condixit so that it 's taken for the solemn assembly gathered together at Gods appointed time or for the assembly at the appointed place viz. the Tabernacle and therefore the Tabernacle of the Congregation which Congregation was the Church of old Act. 7.38 Ecclesia in the New Testament is taken for any assembly though rude and riotous Act. 19.32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not used v. 37. where our Interpreters use our English word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ought to be rendred robbers of Temples Heathenish and Jewish but it is mostly used for and appropriated to a sacred assembly as Mat 18.17 Act. 2.47 Ch. 8.1 Ch. 11.26 1 Cor. 1.2 c. Phil. What do you say then is a Church of Christ in the most comprehensive sence Christ A Church of Christ is a Congregation of Saints associated in Christ Jesus our Lord Eph. 3.21 In the Church in Christ Jesus Phil. Why do you say associated Christ Because a Church is not a transient and occasional Congregation but fixed and a joyned Society by Union and Communion with Christ and one another 1 John 1.3 and because the Saints are the members of Christ and he is the Head they are said to be gathered together always in Christ Jesus really or professedly they are gathered unto him by way of insertion mystically or Politically they are gathered together in his Name or Authority Phil. Then a Church comes under various considerations Christ Yes Sir it doth but the Church of Christ is properly but one as he is the one Head and only so the Body is but one 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the Body is one and hath many members and all the members of the one Body being many are one body so also is Christ i. e. Mystical Phil. I pray be as distinct as you can upon the several considerations of this one Church of Christ Christ I will you know the most comprehensive consideration of the Church of Christ is under the name of Catholick and there are two Articles in the Creed called the Apostles that express our Faith therein 1. I believe the Holy Catholick Church 2. I believe the Communion of Saints which two words Holy and Saints denote the Matter and Form of this Church that it is Saints in Christ Jesus it is a Holy Church made up of Saints and then that it is comprehensive of all Saints And lastly That the formal nature of this Church consists in a certain Union and Communion for the latter always implys the former Phil. But is there not particular Churches do you not call every single Congregation a Church Christ. Yes we do so but that you may have the right and distinct notion of it we must duly weigh the Catholick Church as to its Relation to Christ its Head The Catholick Church is to be considered as to its mystical and political standing in Christ In respect of its mystical standing these things belong unto it 1. That it is the general assembly or collection of real Saints Heb. 12.23 ye are come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Catholick assembly and Church or Congregation of first born whose names are written in Heaven This is the Heavenly Church to which he saith Believers in the Gospel days are come to which Church Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant is the Head of influence and to which all Saints as such are spiritually knit and with whom they have Communion and in him one with another 2. The Church in this sence is it which Christ hath purchased and are effectually partakers of all his benefits Eph. 5.25 26 27. to it belongs Election Redemption Effectual Vocation Justification Adoption Sanctification and Glorification John 17.9 10 11. Rom. 8.29 30. 3. Here in this respect the Church is said to be Catholick in relation to individual Saints only it 's not Catholick as a genus comprehending many species of Churches but as a totum integrale comprizing many parts and all have a coordinate standing in subordination only to Christ their Head yea they all conduce to the making up of Christ Mystical one body being members in particular 4. This Mystical Body is to be considered according to its manner of existing secundum modum existendi and that two ways 1. In its Militant State or Standing or in its Triumphant in Viâ or in Patriâ In its Militant State it comprehends all the true believers in the world existing at the same time whether they are visible by professing or not the complement whereof are all the Saints actually glorified or the Spirits of just men made perfect And this distinction is only of the Church in respect of the different state in the enjoyment of Christ in the way of Communion in Grace and Glory the difference is only gradual and no more the Union is the same 2. It is to be considered in its Invisible and Visible standing The Church's Invisible standing is wholly in respect of that inward spiritual Relation which the Saints have to Christ and one another It s Visible standing is in professing Saints that are real members of Jesus Christ Phil. I Pray Sir give a right understanding of the Church in its relation to Christ as a Political Head Christ Thus Christ is to be considered as King and Law-giver to his Church and People and he governs his Church either immediately by his ruling Spirit in the heart of every Member of his Body whereby they are influenced Eph. 4.4 There is one Spirit one Body one Lord c. Or he governs mediately as a Politick Head and that is only so far as the Church is visible and professing and as such he hath given Immunities Laws Officers Ordinances for establishment of Visible Polities Societies or spiritual Corporations And here we are to observe diligently these things 1. That under this consideration the Catholick Church is most large and extensive for it comprehends all credible Professors though not real and all actual Church-Members though secret Hypocrites Ephes 3.15 Of him the whole family is named in Heaven and in Earth i.e. real and professing 2. That the Church so far as it 's capable of Visible Communion and Fellowship is the subject of Christ's mediate Political Rule and Government and that is only in particular Congregations to them he hath given his Word Ordinances and Officers and to no other for he suited them to particular Societies neither hath he substituted any Officers or Ordinances to the meer mystical standing of the Church 3. All the Instituted External Worship though it be given to the Church in its visible standing which it hath in particular Churches yet it is for the sake of the Mystical Body for the edifying and building it up by the Means of Grace Eph. 4.12 13 and for the multiplying it by calling in the Elect. 4. In this sense and acceptation as the Catholick Church being a Political Body of all
of it self Christ It is as the Church shall judge of it for they may be so well acquainted with the Faith as well as the visible holiness of some that there may not be the least doubt that the person offering himself is fit matter for the Spiritual building but the Church will it may be for the edification of others desire to hear the dealings of God with such an one rather than for satisfaction concerning his Spiritual state which they doubt not of Phil. But I pray Sir what is the nature of this verbal profession which you expect Christ There are two things besides what hath been said requisite in an adult Church Member 1. That he have a competent knowledge of God and Christ Prov. 19.2 He that hath not the knowledge of Christ cannot believe Rom. 10.14 ch 3.11 Pro. 9.10 Hos 4.6 2 Pet. 1.3 1 Tim. 2.4 therefore it 's requisite that such as are admited Church Members do shew that they have a knowledge of God in his essence and subsistences the person natures and offices of Christ the state of man by reason of the fall the nature of Christs Mediatory Office in his Humiliation and Exaltation and the great effects thereof in Justification Sanctification and Glorification Phil. I think indeed it 's very requisite that Church Members should have knowledge of Divine Mysteries so far as is necessary to Salvation or else they will but prophane holy things and turn them into meer superstition or Idolatry as the Papists have done who hugg Ignorance as the Mother of Devotion but many a man that hath had good Christian education may give a great account in these matters and not have a Grain of Grace in his Heart Christ So he may nay many â—n one that can discourse with much knowledge in all points of Divinity may be a very loose and wicked man in his life Rom. 2.17 18 19 20 c. nay he may do all externals in Religion and have no power of Godliness Wherefore 2. We go as far as we can to be satisfied and therefore inquire a reason of his Faith and Hope which when he hath satisfied us in we can go no further but own him fit to become a visible Member of the Church And these qualifications are expresly laid before us Rom. 10.10 The reason of the Faith that is in us is to be given when required 1 Pet. 3.15 be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in you It is therefore of the greatest weight to give this reason to a Church for their satisfaction when asked by it and we find that they that were added to the Church Act. 2. gave good evidence of their Repentance and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the effects of Peter's Sermon Phil. But they were presently added to the Church they allotted no time to make further inspection into their lives and conversations Christ There may be great reason for it for 1. It 's most probable these were all known to be very devout in the Jewish Religion such it may be for conversation as Zechary and Elizabeth and as Cornelius a Proselyte for they were Jews that lived at a distance in remoter Regions that came up constantly to Worship at the Feasts and now came to the Feast of 〈…〉 2. Peter and the rest of the twelve all presided in the Church who were extraordinarily inspired and therefore had a more infallible judgment or more infallible dictates of the Spirit to direct them in Church administrations than ordinary Church Officers since have as appears by many instances in the matter of Simon Magus Ananias and Sapphira c. but we are acquainted by the Spirit of God how true steps they made in receiving of Members that they were still such as should be saved we read not of any false-hearted of all that 3000 unless Ananias and Sapphira were of that number Phil. But is it absolutely necessary that every adult person be admitted into Church Communion and give credible evidence that he is a Member of Christ Christ Yes for 1. Visible Membership of the Catholick Church gives right of claim to Communion with a particular Visible Church a supposal of a persons mystical union to Christ is the true ground of claim of Communion with Christ and his People in instituted Ordinances 2. We have no other sort of Members but visible Saints spoken of as admitted in the primitive Apostolick state of the Churches Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Eph. 1.1 Coâ— 1.2 Saints and faithful Brethren in 〈…〉 Thes 1.1 Eph. 2.1 2. those of the Church of Thessalonica were in God the Father and in Christ Jesus In Solomon's Temple all the Stones were to be squared and fitted before laid a Type of Christ Mystical and Politick in visible church-Church-state the Apostle Peter alludes to it 1 Pet. 2.2.3 5. he shews the first effects of the Word of God's grace on Converts and then they come to Christ the corner-stone as living stones to be built a spiritual house in visible Communion of the Saints 2. That a church-Church-Member who ought to be cast out when in is not to be received in but if any surreptitiously crope in be made manifest not to have the fear of God before his eyes he is to be cast out therefore he that doth not appear to have the fear of God is not to be admitted a Church-Member See 1 Cor. 5.11 12. Phil. Your strictness in this kind keeps off many that would otherwise joyn themselves Christ And doth not the holiness of Gospel-Truths as much or more keep off carnal and wicked men from embracing them as they will say but the true reason is their rebellious hearts bigotted to their beloved sins Besides it 's very necessary there should be a bar to keep off unworthy persons from sacred things It is not meet to give holy things i. e. such as are peculiar to God's Children unto Dogs and such are Church-Priviledges 3. We would not willingly debar one even the least Babe in Christ from the appointed ways and means of Communion with Christ and therefore do willingly condescend to the modesty and weakness of any Age or Sex manifesting a spiritual hunger and thirst after the Lord Jesus Christ if there be a ground to judge there is truth of grace in the heart it is accepted and this is ordinarily perceived by them that are spiritual Phil. But you will ask hard Questions in the points of Knowledge Christ No harder than are asked in our ordinary Catechisms which we teach our Children trying only whether a grown Person understands in any competent measure what he saith according as Philip dealt with the Eunuch Phil. But this giving a reason of the hope that is in us is that which most are against and are loath to comply with Christ They that have it not cannot do it unless some glozing Hypocrite that by his Education and Parts hath got much brain-knowledge and can counterfeit any external part of
to repair to him for the more cherishing all good desires and affections in him till he arrive at a competency of knowledg but all this while doth not make him known to the Church so that his infirmities are not blazoned abroad in the World in the least by this way of proceeding Phil. My Friend I pray inform me what you intend by a separate Society and can you justifie separation you know how it 's cryed out against by most learned Divines Ch. Therefore I put in that word because I am sure Separation is a necessary adjunct that doth belong to every true Constituted Church of Christ nay is there any that doth pretend to be a Church of Christ that doth not separate more or less doth not the pretended Church of Rome separate from Turks and mere Pagans doth not our Church of England separate from Rome and why Either because some say it 's no true Church others because it 's corrupted in Doctrine and Worship though a true Church and thereby justifie their separation from it And may not other Churches upon the same ground separate from the Church of England either because as some will say it 's not a true constituted Gospel Church but Antichristian or because as others will say they allow it to be a Church of Christ but polluted in Doctrine Worship Manners both as to the Ministry and People and therefore to be separated from for the enjoyment of a purer Church State and Communion Again the Church of England in her Catechism teacheth separation and solemnly vows it Infants in Baptism Promise by the Sureties or Vangers to forsake the World the Flesh and the Devil What is this but separation And if this were practised as it is promised the members of the Church of England would be a separate people Lastly there is nothing clearer than that a visible Church of Christ ought to be separate 1 Pet. 2.9 What is a choice peculiar people a holy Nation to shew forth the praises of him that hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light but a separate people a Holy Nation in a world lying in wickedness a people called out of a dark world into marvellous light as the Church of old in Goshen had marvellous light while Egypt was in darkness and the praises of Christ thus separating themselves they shew forth in the Churches And what can be opposed with any evidence against that plain and full place to this purpose 2 Cor. 6.14 be not unequally-yoaked together with unbelievers ver 15. what part hath he that believeth with an unbeliever i. e. a visible unbeliever it ought not to be rendered an Infidel as if one sort of unbeliever only was meant for it 's the same Word every where else and v. 14. rendred unbeliever but our English Divines render the word Infidel insinuating that none but Turks and Pagans were to be understood by this Text that we are required to separate from But the Text is most express that it is from all visible Unbelievers The Temple of God is the Gospel Church the fellowship is Church fellowship therefore he bids us come out from among Unbelievers and from all false worship and be separate v. 17. and then God Promiseth to be their God to dwell with them c. I shall add no more at present on this point though much more might be said Phil. You have fully confirmed me in this point I pray tell me whether there be any that are not actual believers that are Church-members Christ All Church members come in upon the right of a Visible Profession but it follows not thence that all Church-members are actual believers for many Hypocrites come in upon the right of Profession but are not actual believers Again Infants and Children of believing Parents come into Churches and are justly made and called members upon the right of Profession but it is of their Parents not of their own Personal Profession neither are they actual Believers their Profession is in the Parents their Covenant Obligation is in the Parents the Priviledges they are capable of is belonging to them by virtue of a Promise wherein they are concerned with their Parents and primarily for the Confirmation of the Parents Faith and secondarily in order to the Salvation of their Children But a little more of this when I come to Baptism Phil. I pray Sir proceed then to speak to the Visible bond whereby this Church Society is bound together Christ I hinted before that Churches are denominated from their bond of Union as from their Communion from Mystical Union and Communion the Church is called Invisible from Visible Union and Communion it is that Churches are called Visible It 's thus in any civil Corporation and Society every man doth not come and partake of the Priviledges of it at his pleasure and leave it when he please no not every one of such a Profession qualified according to the Laws of the Society none but such as being qualified comes and lays claim to his admission on his qualifications wherein to be approved he puts himself upon the Test being approved he immediately enters into a mutual bond or obligation he promiseth by Oath or otherwise to submit to the Laws of the Society they admit him a member to partake of all the Priviledges So it is in Visible Churches which are so many particular Societies that have given up themselves to Christ and bound themselves to walk together in a visible submissionto constant waiting upon Jesus Christ in all his Gospel Institutions and Appointments and it 's requisite this obligation be explicite because first The Church Society is visible and explicite such therefore must the bond be 2. The Profession of his Faith is explicite such therefore should his obligation be to future walking 3. As no man can be a member of any Society constituted by voluntary consent without he voluntarily offer himself so none is governable there by the Laws of it without such an obligation and otherwise the Government of it would be wholly precarious for a man cannot be a subject duely unless a man be a slave and under compulsion to any society but by natural as a Child to a Family or voluntary submission and obligation as here 1. All societies of this nature do justly expect and demand that a Man be true to them and submit to their Laws if he will have protection and partake of their Priviledges Phil. But they say you have no Scripture grounds for this Bond or Church Covenant as some call it Christ It might be enough to say that a society must be encreased the same way as it is made at first and that after Members must be joyned upon the same terms on which the first embodied and associated together but there is no incorporate society but joyn together at first by mutual agreements under some Charter for enjoyment of some priviledges and submit to the prescribed Laws thereof and on these terms
ECCLESIASTICVM OR A PLAIN and FAMILIAR Christian Conference CONCERNING Gospel Churches and Order For the Information and Benefit of those who shall seek the Lord their God and ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward SAYING Come and let us joyn our selves unto the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten My People have been lost Cheep their Shepherds have caused them to go astray they have turned them away in the Mountains they have gone from Mountain to Hill they have forgotten their resting place Jer. 50.5 6. Shew me thy ways O Lord teach me thy Paths Psal 25.3 4. 27.11 119.12 33. How goodly are thy Tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel Numb 24.6 7. Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy flocks to lye down at noon for why should I be as one that turns aside to the flocks of thy Companions Cant. 1.7 LONDON Printed by T. S. for the Publisher and are to be Sold by W. Marshall at the Bible in Newgate-street 1690. THE PREFACE TO THE READER HOW small soever the stone cut out without hands now seems to be and hath been for many Ages viz. A poor afflicted People trusting in the Name of the Lord Zion whom no man regardeth a Remnant a Cottage a persecuted Woman in the Wilderness Yet it is great in the Eyes of the Lord and in the Eyes of every one that fears his Name even exalted above all Mountains and Hills in regard of it's spiritual beauty and preciousness and shall e're long in respect of Visible splendor and Prevalency be set on the top of every Mountain to fulfil those Prophecies Isa 2.2 3. Mic. 4.1 2. Zech. 8.20 21 22. When many People shall say Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob c. Which intends the mighty and chearful gathering and assembling that should be in the last days unto a Visible Church state and Communion in the Faith and Order of the Gospel then will the Lord assemble her that halteth and gather her that is driven out and her that he hath afflicted and then he saith he will make her that halteth those who are not rightly instructed in the Order of the Gospel a Remnant i. e. of living Stones to be built up on the Corner stone in the building of Zion and her that was cast far off by Antichristian corruptions a strong Nation and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth and for ever In this Glory shall the Lord appear when he buildeth up Zion Psal 102.16 And by Gods present Providences seemingly unfolding ancient Prophecies he is now arising to have Mercy on Zion the time of the end of one thousand two hundred and sixty days of her Desolation and therefore to favour her being come yea the set time ver 13. and no less seeming to be coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the Earth Isa 26.21 For all their cruel Persecution and hellish Idolatry to destroy Babylon that hath wasted her and the Children of Edom Protestant Persecutors of the Egyptian race that have so long been crying aloud to Babylon and the Antichristian Fowers against the inward court worshippers Race it race it even to the Foundation Psal 137. The building of this Zion will be gradual for a Nation cannot be born in one day this Royal Nation by the accomplishment of the great Prophecies by wonderful and great Providences and those of two sorts in breaking scattering and overthrowing the Antichristian Powers the Feet and Toes of Iron and Clay and in setting up a Kingdom of Saints which shall not be left to another People The Inchoation of which hath been already by Preaching the Everlasting Gospel the auspicious augmentation and growth will be in gathering the Saints into a Visible Church-state Churches shall be multiplyed and mightily encreased as of old Act. 2. 9.21 To hasten this great and expected Glory what can we do less than contribute by our Prayers and faithful endeavours to the appearance thereof and who that loves the Lord Jesus and his glorious appearance can do less than to come to our great Corner-stone as living stones that they may be built up an Holy Temple in the Lord and thereto be edified in all holiness serving him therein Day and Night And that this may appear to be the duty of every one professing Faith viz. to joyn himself in fellowship with a particular Church Visible is all that I intend to do at this time as a brief Preface to this short Treatise 1. It was the practice of Believers in the Primitive times Act. 2.41 They that were converted to the Faith of the Lord Jesus Christ by gladly receiving the Word of Promise ver 38.39 were added unto the Church to the number of three thousand Souls And it 's most evident that their believing of it self made them not Members of the Church for the Text is express in it that they first believed and then by another Act of their own and the Churches receiving them they were added to them that were before in fellowship the hundred and twenty and became Church Members as it follows ver 47. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved i. e. Such as were in a State of Salvation by believing The Lord is said to add them by his Grace that wrought effectually upon their Hearts to believe and believing enclined them also to joyn themselves unto the Lord in Church fellowship On the judicial proceeding of Christ by the Mouth of Peter against two Hypocrites that had joyned themselves and were discovered Act. 5.13 That of the Rest i. e. of the same sort durst none to joyn himself Ananias and Sapphira having been made so eminent Examples but the people magnified them i. e. the Church and the Apostles ver 14. And Believers i. e. sincere-hearted were the more added unto the Lord Multitudes both of Men and Women So that as soon as they believed they looked upon it as their next duty to joyn themselves to a Gospel Church Likewise see the same Practice by the Apostle Paul as soon as he was converted Act. 9.26 27 28. There is also another eminent instance at Antioch where the Disciples were first called Christians they that were converted by the scattered Disciples at Sauls Persecution were exhorted by Barnabas Act. 11.23 To joyn together in Church fellowship for it 's said when he came being sent for that end by the Church at Jerusalem and had seen the Grace of God in these converted ones he was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose or readiness of Heart they would joyn unto the Lord. i. e. In Church fellowship for these phrases of joyning and adding unto the Lord do express adding or joyning to the Church because the Church is the Lords and joyned unto him by a visible Covenant and every one
that joyns to the Church doth primarily and professedly joyn themselves to the Lord in Church Communion And the immediate declared event of this Exhortation of Barnabas was that they joyned to the Lord in Church fellowship and became a Church ver 26. See also Act. 16.5 2. It appears to be the duty of every Believer to joyn himself to a particular Church from the Nature of Conversion it is the turning the whole man unto God in all the ways and appointments of Christ wherein he is to be found but Church fellowship is a Divine Institution where God is to be found joyned with and submitted unto as is abundantly manifest from the currant of the Old and New Testament This seems to be the meaning of the Apostle when he doth beseech the Romans ch 12.1 by the Mercies of God to present their Bodies i. e. their Persons to give up their Persons by presenting them to or before the Lord viz. in Church Communion a living Sacrifice of thanksgiving Holy and Acceptable unto God which is your reasonable worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it should be rendred your word service or worship the word is used for the Word of God 1 Pet. 2. Or a service of Words As new born babes desire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the sincere Word the Milk or Milk of Word So that the Exhortation of the Apostle seems to be made to Believers to devote and dedicate themselves unto the Lord in Church fellowship by a Covenant or Obligation of Words being called their service of Words viz. their explicate word the Presentment or Devotement of themselves unto the Lord according to Hos 14.2 This Dedication or Devotement is lively signified in Baptism wherein every Believer doth federally oblige himself to Father Son and Holy Ghost and thereby doth both bind himself to joyn unto the Lord in professed Subjection to all his Ordinances and doth shew it Sign and Seal it before the Lord. And every adult one that professeth himself baptized and doth not actually joyn himself unto the Lord in Church fellowship doth practically deny his Baptismal Dedication wherein he is devoted to be a living i. e. visible lively Sacrifice of thanksgiving in his Person and all his performances unto the Lord. 3. That Believer that joyns not himself in Church Society falls short of many great ends of his professed high and holy Vocation for we are called according to Gods purpose of Grace to be a choice Generation a Royal Priesthood a People 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. for a peculiarity i. e. unto God for his special visible service to offer up Spiritual Sacrifices of a true Gospel Nature acceptable unto God through Jesus Christ ver 5. Wherein the Virtues of Christ are shewed forth or declared ver 9. Not only perceived in our selves but shewed forth in Practice and Profession and this is or can be no way so much as in Gospel instituted worship wherein a Believer comes unto and is built up in the Lord Jesus Christ as a living Stone The great reason of squaring a stone is to be laid in the building as the end of squaring the Stones in Mount Lebanon was to lay them in Solomons Temple a Type of a Visible Gospel Church Such I doubt not but the Holy Ghost means by the Apostle Peter saying Ye as lively Stones are built a spiritual House ver 5. and so the Apostle Paul Eph. 2.20 21. Again the Lord Jesus doth declaredly design that Believers should be visibly separated from the World to come out in the way of Gospel Communion from all unclean things and Persons 2 Cor. 6.14 15 16 17. From all Heathenish Antichristian or false unwarranted worship and from Communion with professed Vnbelievers and enter into a solemn explicite Covenant with the Lord without doing of which they answer not the end of their calling in Christ Lastly our Calling is not only to be the Lords singly but conjunctly with the Saints and redeemed ones to a mystical Relation to Christ in a Community of the Elect and called ones which is answered by us as in our inward and spiritual so by our external and visible joyning our selves to the Society of the faithful to serve the Lord in one Body with them for we are called to the Peace of God that rules in our Hearts in one body Col. 3.15 i. e. with other Saints and Believers and therefore are to walk worthy as it becometh this vocation not only as to Moral Duties but instituted worship Eph. 4.1 c. Phil. 1.26 Let your Conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ and this in our Order and stedfastness of our Faith in Christ Col. 2.5 4. There are Duties to be performed by every Believer by Virtue of his Relation to Christ as such which cannot be done but in a way of Church Communion for he is obliged to observe what ever Christ hath commanded Mat. 28.20 And how great things hath Christ required to be observed in a way of Church Communion as the exercise of Brotherly love Heb. 13.1.1 Joh. 3.11 And he there refers to our Saviours express command Joh. 13.34 The Obedience to which lyes in the sensible Expression thereof as it appears by what follows Hereby shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if ye have love one for another i. e. In outward visible acts And the Apostle speaks of the â—ommunion of Love fellowship of the Spirit Bowels of Mercy sameness of Mind c. Phil. 2.1 2 3. Love is a Grace that gives Life to all acts of Communion it flouâ—isheth and branches it self in the most lively manner in a Society and Societies are for the sake of it Destroy love and not only the ends but the very bond and Life of a Society comes to nothing There are great commands of Christ that we are not capable of obeying him in but in Church Communion As frequent assembling together provoking one another to love and good works Heb. 10.24 The remembrance of the Lords Death frequently in the Lords Supper And this is to be observed in a Body or Society of Believers See 1 Cor. 10.16 17. I might instance also in all Duties that concern brotherly watch Pastoral watch each Officers duties by their respective places and Members to them all Discipline actively or passively considered Christs Church Institution Ordinances and Statutes are those which are principally intended by David Psal 119. And such were those that Zechary and Elizabeth walked in blameless Luk. 1.6 5. Every one that supposeth himself in a state of Grace should use all endeavours required by Christ and means instituted by him for growth in Grace Now that Church fellowship and Ordinances are instituted by Christ for growth in Grace I think no sound Christian will go about to deny Believers are exhorted or commanded to grow in Grace 2 Pet. 3.18 And that Churches and their Officers and Ordinances are appointed for that end which we are to abide stedfast in the use of
is manifest from Eph. 4.14 15. compared with the Primitive practice Act. 2.42 ch 9.5 See also Eph. 2.19 6. All that profess themselves to be translated into the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ should walk as professed Subjects thereof and this they cannot do but in Communion with a visible Church for particular Churches are the visible parts of Christs Kingdom Here Christ rules as King Law-giver and appears as High priest and Prophet giving forth himself to the Faith of his People with all his fullness of Grace in Gospel Ordinances and Dispensations Here then it is that a Believer doth exalt the Lord Jesus Christ most eminently as to visibility in his regal Power and therefore so long as a Believer joyns not himself to a particular Church he stays in the Verge of Satans Kingdom exposeth himself at no small rate to his Temptations Rage and Tyranny and salls short of one great end of his Faith in the Salvation of his Soul which is to be a professed Subject of Christs Kingdom deals disloyally with Christ instead of promoting prejudiceth the Interest of Christ both in respect of himself and others in the World he may be a Nicodemus like Friend of Christ but why doeth he not professedly and openly practice Obedience to all the Laws and Ordinances of his House and bear witness thereto Is it not a tacite and implicite denying of Christ and will not Christ take it so and mens talking of Christs Kingdom is but a vain shew unless they do him this particular personal service as to joyn themselves actually and visibly to a Church of Christ therein espousing his Interest in giving up their Names unto him and walking in his Name as Micah 4.5 All people will walk every one in the Name of his God and we will walk in the Name of the Lord our God for ever and ever Objections that are made against this practice are very inconsiderable and should bear little weight in a Mind truely enlightned some of which are answered in the ensuing discourse others I should here remove if there were room for it I think the Naming them is the shaming of them to all men that have learned Christ and tasted that the Lord is Gracious 1. The scorn and reproach men shall fall under from the prophane World I think no wise man will be laugh't out of his Estate how much less out of his Religion and Souls Salvation 2. A Suspicion lest they should come under too strict tyes and bonds to Holy and Religious Conversation Read 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16 17 18 19. 3. Others are kept off by prejudices arisen by reason of the sins and failings of Churches and Church-Members But will wise men refuse a good Calling or Estate because there are so many abuse them And name a Church or Christian without failings and considerable ones It is your duty to choose the purest Society and you are at your Liberty to do it where you may have most Comfort and Edification Lastly Many are hindred from their ignorance or misled apprehensions concerning the Nature of a Gospel Church For their Information and Rectification especially I have published this Christian Conference that was in my hands and that it may obtain the desired end is the sincere wish and prayer of an unworthy Servant of Christ Isa Chauncy This Conference is managed by Mr. Cornelius Philomathes a Countrey Gentleman and Mr. Peter Christophilus a Minister Neighbour to him The Introduction Christophilus Mr. Philomathes I am heartily glad to see you methinks you are mightily enjoying your self in your pleasant and retired walks will not my company disturb your meditations Philomathes I take it kindly Sir you are pleased to give me a Visit for indeed I live somewhat lonely I am glad of good company especially sometimes for divertisement but there is no friend more welcome than your self to me because your chearfulness revives me and your discourse profits me Christoph Dear Sir I deserve not so great a character and commendation it is your generous disposition that leads you to speak these things for you know we use to differ pretty much in many things especially in matters of Religion and in discourse seemingly hot opponents of each other but I think never the worse Friends Phil. Sir I have so near as I know my own heart a most cordial love to every one that fears God though he be not in every thing of my mind but for you Sir I have more than an ordinary respect and esteem as having been my old acquaintance and intimate friend and neighbour in all the late Changes in Church and state for above these forty years we never had any lasting difference but for the most part a very friendly correspondence Christ And to your great honour with a grateful remembrance may I often rehearse to the praise and glory of God the marvelous Christian kindness and commiseration that you shewed to me and my wife and family in our late Persecutions that you often sheltered me from the rage of my enemies and when they haled me to Prison and plundered all my goods that my Wife and Children had not Beds to lie on Victuals to eat nor Vessels to dress any thing in left you were pleased to take them into your house and provide plentifully for them and this you did when you were in a capacity to have done us more hurt than they who did it and ran no small hazard from time to time in not doing it Phil. No no I hope God will keep me from a persecuting spirit I bless his name he hath kept me from it hitherto and it is a change in our Nation much to be admired that we have such a day of Liberty as we have that all good men may live quietly and peaceably one by another and serve God according to their Consciences Christ Ay Sir especially if we consider the stupendous circumstances of Providence these few last years past that hath wrought about matters to effect that which we so long prayed and waited for Phil. But my friend I must whisper a word in your ear things are not right yet Christ No no nor will not be yet as they shall be but blessed be God they are so well as they are and that God is going on so fast in the way of his Providence towards finishing his Mystery Phil. I see you are on your Prophetick hints still I must confess my self here Asinus ad lyram for the darkness of Prophecies and the disagreement of Interpreters and Events refuting so many that have been very confident hath quite discouraged me that as I look not into them my self so I give little heed to what others say for all men will abound in their own sense and a man may be saved whether he be right or wrong in those things Christ Well Sir then we 'll let those things alone I would not introduce any ungrateful discourse but would rather enter upon something more suitable to
are Members and capable of being judged by it so it is here Christians meet and agree together to walk in Church fellowship and what do they promise solemnly to God and one another to give up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk in all the ways ordinances and appointments of Christ Now I find this is that which is called adding to the Lord when a people first joyn themselves to Christ in Church fellowship and so the first gathering the Church at Antioch is expressed for Act. 11.19 some scattered upon the persecution by Saul men of Cyprus and Cyrene I doubt not but Prophets inspired at Pentecost Preached to the Grecian Jews the Lord Jesus Christ v. 20. and the hand of the Lord was with them and a great number turned unto the Lord v. 21. Upon the tidings of this success Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem who was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of Faith And much People were added to the Lord i.e. they by mutual consent gave up themselves unto the Lord Jesus Christ they turned to the the Lord by Repentance by the Preaching of these first comers But now the Spirit tells us the success of Barnabas his coming and it was upon his exhortation of them thereto v. 23. and when he was come and saw the Grace of God which had prevail'd unto conversion he rejoyced and exhorts them all with full purpose of Heart i. e. with sincerity and resolution 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to joyn themselves for constancy unto the Lord in Church fellowship afterward when Paul comes v. 26. he finds them a Church and as such abides among them for an whole year for it 's said Paul and Barnabas assembled themselves with the Church 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Preaching to a great multitude many of which were not yet of the Church and that this adding or joyning to the Lord is entring into the Church obligation is manifest also from Act. 5. where it appears upon the signal Judgments that Ananias and Sapphira fell under v. 13. of the rest such Hypocrites as they none durst joyn themselves the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying to cement and unite into a Body it 's used for joyning to the Church of Jerusalem Act. 9.26 and 1 Cor. 6.17 in the same sence And it 's said here v. 14. Believers were the more added to the Lord which must be by some visible overt act whereby they became Members of the Church after believing for it cannot be meant of their mystical joyning to Christ by believing for then the Antithesis would not hold between them that durst not and them that did In the same sence is the adding a Member to a Church which is joyned to the Lord Act. 2.41 47. there they were first visible Believers then added to a society by some overt solemn act and therefore said to be added to the Church It would be too long in this way of conference between you and me to evince this Truth particularly from the method that God used in the constituting and maintaining a visible Church from the beginning to look back but as far as Abraham how he and his family and his seed became a Visible Church it was by explicite obligations and overt acts in binding them by Sacrifice I might mention the several express obligations that Church came under from time to time in Moses time at Horeb Joshua's the Judges Samuel's especially David's and the rest of the Reforming Kings remarkably by Josiah and after the Captivity in Ezra's and Nehemiah's days And that this was not a dispensation peculiar only to the Old Testament State and standing of the Church is manifest from Isa 56.3 4 5 6. for there God speaks of the priviledges of the Gospel Salvation which was near meaning the Gentile by the Son of the stranger and by the Eunuch any other excluded from the priviledges of the Church of the Jews and incapacitated by Levitical uncleanness these saith the Lord being Believers and joyning themselves to the Lord the words used in the acts and taking hold of his Covenant shall have a place and a name in my house i. e. to be Church Members and have right to all Church Priviledges And this is that bond of the Covenant which the Prophet Ezekiel foretells that the Great and Gospel restauration of the Jews should bring them under Ezek. 20.37 of which the Prophet Jeremiah chap. 50.4 5 6. and Zech. 2.10 11. I refer you in this matter to that clear discourse that the Learned Mr. J. Cotton hath upon this subject in his way of the Churches of N.E. Pag. 59 60 61 c. where you may receive full satisfaction in this point if what I have briefly spoken be not enough You may read also Mr. J. Davenport's power of Congregational Churches his answer to Mr. J. Paget where he shews pag. 27. that this Covenant obligation is the formal cause of a Church and sheweth the nature and evinceth the necessity of it to a Churches being as likewise Mr. Hookers survey chap. 4. page 45. Phil. Sir I thank you for discovering these authors to me I have heard of them that they were Reverend Pious Learned Men who suffered much for the Testimony they bore against our corruptions prejudice for a long time hath kept me off from reading the works of such men but I pray Sir give the heads of the Arguments they insist on for it Chr. 1. Believers are under Church power this way or quatenus Believers If quatenus professing Believers then where ever they come the Church and Officers there may challenge power over them as Members this will be denied by most till they voluntarily submit themselves it may be some will come for Church priviledges but will not admit of any Church power for their Reformation to be administred towards them 2. They argue from all Civil Societies of that nature and Marriage it self cannot have a formal being without mutual compact and agreement so there is a mutual relation that all Church Members stand in one to another and all of them to their Officers and their Officers to them and reciprocal duties to be performed these cannot be performed or will not without mutual consent and obligation 3. They argue from all the Metaphors whereby a Church is described a House and Temple is bound and pin'd together a natural body hath all the Members knit together by joints and bands it 's represented as a City compact Rev. 11.2 Eph. 2.19 and what City can become enfranchised but this way and manner 4. It 's no reason any should challenge priviledges of a Society without they be subject to the orders and rules of walking 5. If this be not but Members may come in and out as they please without obligation Churches have no power to keep themselves pure by Admission or Excommunication for as a Member can come at pleasure so he may depart 6. Lastly the practice of the Primitive
Churches seems very clear as hath been touched but suppose it had not been so clearly expressed I know not out if God institutes a Society or other thing what ever is necessarily required to the very nature essence of the thing without which it would inevitably be destroyed ought to be done the general rule in such-cases ought to lead us to the practice of duty in all those particulars that must necessarily attend obedience thereunto Phil. But if this bond of visible obligation be the formal Cause of a Church then there is no true Churches but such where it is which seems to be hard Christ How far the Lord Jesus Christ will own a people professing themselves a Church and how far he will dispense with their failures and defects in matter of order especially while it hath been in the Antichristian Wilderness he himself only knows Much hath been done by Christ undoubtedly in the latter times of that great Apostacy in the days of Reformation and that he hath had his true Churches all along it 's not to be questioned but that for the most part was in a mystical not a visible organical standing and in many congregations where the Word and Sacraments have in some measure of purity been administred in respect of the matter of the Congregation visible Saints and the manner of administration freed from Romish Pollutions and humane Inventions we will not deny but there may have been a true though not right regulated Church of Christ without this express and solemn obligation it is implicit and such as is to be supposed as intended by their practice in attending and constant waiting upon God in all the Ordinances of his appointment in one assembly or congregation especially in that great Ordinance of Communion in the Lords Supper wherein they seal their union in one body 1 Cor. 10 17. And undoubtedly a people that is congregated having explicitely chosen their Pastor or implicitely subjected to him and received this Sacred Ordinance from his hands are bound to abide as a society mutually related one to another in constant and frequent Communion by the nature of the Ordinance it self But the coming of a Church thus together 1. Is far short of the order of the Gospel 2. The generality of communicants of this sort do not apprehend themselves hereby bound to one Congregation more than another and their Ministers look not upon themselves bound to one People more than another any more than for external emolument taking themselves to be Ministers to the Catholick Church and so may administer the Sacrament to as many people as they Preach to here or there without designing a peculiar flock to take charge of So that their Churches are occasional most times and but for a while during their pleasure to administer to them 3. Such a Congregation is not at all governable though as to priviledges so called they take and leave as they please yet for their disorders miscarriages and sins they think themselves not accountable to any And so liable to no censure and therefore though we would go as far as possible in allowing the Right Hand of fellowship to professing Protestant Congregations yet we cannot do to all promiscuously but may undoubtedly use the judgment of discretion therein so as we be careful we do not by our practices in this and other cases nullify the appointed order of our Lord Jesus Christ and pollute our Communions Phil. I pray what is the manner of a Peoples first entring into a Church State Christ I will tell you the usual manner of them in N. E. and other places who have chosen to practise most agreeably to Gospel order when a competent number of professing Believers living within a vicinity desire to joyn together in a Church State having good knowledge one of another and having solemnly sought God together for help and direction in this weighty matter they appoint a day for it and acquaint Churches with it that their Pastors or Messengers or as many of other Churches as please may be present at the time After spending some part of the day in such solemn duties as concern the matter in Hand they do declare the dealings of God with their Souls one after another then or before one being chosen by the consent of all to preside for order sake this day it may be some Brother upon whom they have their Eye for a Pastor he then declares in the name of all there now intending to associate naming each of them at which they are standing the speaker addressing himself to the Pastors and Messengers of other Churches present after this or the like manner Brethren you are Witnesses of that great and solemn obligation that we are entring into that we may have a name and a place within the Walls of the House of God together with you and may have but the Honour to be reckoned one of the least of the Tribes of Israel We therefore here upon mature consideration and chearfully do give up our selves with Children to the Lord Jesus and one another promising in the strength of the Lord to subject our selves to all the Commands and Institutions of Christ in the Gospel and continue stedfastly in fellowship one with another to the Glory of him that hath called us and our mutual comfort and edification and do accordingly receive each other in the Lord and cleave to each other in Brotherly love and mutual subjection according to God These words whether more or less to the same purpose may be used only to declare their professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ in Faith and Order Accordingly one of the Pastors or Brethren of other Churches stands up in the name of the rest of the Brethren of other Churches there present and declares their joyfulness and gladness of Heart to see their Faith and Order and accordingly doth reach out unto them the Right Hand of Fellowship with holy wishes and desires that as their Foundation is laid in Christ Jesus so they may be Edified in him walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost and be multiplied See Cotton's way to the same purpose Phil. Sure this practice looks very much as becomes the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ But what is the next thing to be done Christ Now the next thing is to Organize this Body with Officers in order to due administration of Ordinances Chap. III. Of Church Officers Phil. HAVE they power within themselves to choose their Officers Christ They must undoubtedly have the nature of the society is such that they must have it for they associate not themselves by the Command or Power of Man but of the Lord Jesus If none hath power over them but the Lord Jesus alone none but himself by their own free act can constitute a Pastor over them 2. The power of chusing their Officers is one of the subordinate ends for which they do associate because they will not
Inventions whereby also all Antichristian Abominations over-spread the whole face of the Christian World Phil. But did not Christ give other Ministerial Officers to his Church Christ The Officers which Christ placed in his Church for Edification were Extraordinary or Ordinary but both Pastoral for they that are called Elders and set for Doctrine and Administration in seals and Government I call justly Pastoral for feeding the Flock comprehends both in the true sence of the Spirit of God Phil. Who were the Extraordinary Officers Christ They were Apostolick and such who were not succeeded after the first Churches were planted but by ordinary Pastoral Officers and these were Apostles and Apostolick helps in the performance of their Office-charge Eph. 4.11 and were Prophets and Evangelists and were extraordinarily furnished with the gifts of the Holy Ghost and Power for the propagation of the Gospel and plantation of Churches but at the disposition and direction for the most part of the Apostles as all other Church-Officers as well as Churches were during their lives Phil. And our Bishops say they succeed the Apostles and all other Ministers are subordinate and subject to them Christ They may as well say the Pope succeeds Peter for it 's plain they were extraordinarily sent and inspired and therefore could not be succeeded but by such as were extraordinarily assisted as they were which hath been none or ordinarily and such are Presbyters and no others The Charasteristick Notes of the Apostles were 1. That they were to be such who were ear and eye-witnesses of Christ from the Baptism of John to the time of his taking up Acts 1.22 viz. of his Ministry Miracles Resurrection and Ascension 2. That they should be extraordinarily inspired by the Holy Ghost for the revelation of the mind and will of Christ since which none ever were 3. To have the gifts of Tongues and working Miracles 4. That they should have the charge of the Churches for the plantation direction and government of them every Apostle having the charge of all Churches in every Church whatever power was afterward ordinarily in each Church And though a Bishop now in an Apish imitation by a pretended plea of Succession would lay claim to power over many particular Congregations yet each Bishop is not allowed power in another mans Diocess And as to the former characters where's the Bishop can with a shew of any just pretence lay claim unto them Phil. What were the Prophets that accompanied and assisted the Apostles in their Ministry Christ Of this sort it 's said Acts 13.1 there were certain Prophets and Teachers I suppose not much differing one from another in respect of the extraordinary Mission and Qualification being Church-Members of the Church of Jerusalem on which the Holy Ghost fell in the appearance of fiery Tongues whereby they were furnished with Preaching Gifts and those of Tongues in order to the propagation of the Gospel in all Nations and to whatsoever People they came Jew or Gentile and went forth for this end in subordination to and by direction of the Apostles And the first time we read of the Travels is Acts 11.19 occasioned by Saul's persecution some of them men of Cyprus and Cyrene who when they had passed through other places Preaching came at last unto Antioch and spake unto the Grecian Jews Preaching the Lord Jesus Christ the effect of which was the believing and turning of many unto the Lord. These by the command of the Holy Ghost laid hands on Paul and Barnabas but we read not that they baptized or did perform any other Ministerial Act if that were one Probably they might convey the Gifts of the Holy Ghost on others by imposition of hands too Phil. What were the Evangelists Christ They were extraordinarily called to assist the Apostles also in Preaching the Lord Jesus Baptism and planting Churches with Ordination of Officers in them Philip Preached and Baptized and wrought Miracles Acts 8.5 12 39. But did not convey the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost they were bestowed by the prayers of Peter and John as the laying on of hands verse 15 16. and Philip is called an Evangelist Acts 21.8 Timothy was an Evangelist 1 Tim. 4.5 and Assistant to Paul in his Apostolick Function and he did lay on hands Now as to this that Philip did not and Timothy did I judge these secondary Apostolick men acted not as the Apostles by a general Commission but by the immediate particular dictates of the Holy Ghost or by the mediate Commands from time to time given to them by the Apostles to whom they were assistant and subordinate in their Actings there were some which we call Evangelists from their writing the History of the Gospel two of which were primarily Apostles viz. Matthew and John Mark and Luke might be Evangelists in the other sense Phil. Who were left the Pastoral Officers in the Church at Jerusalem upon Christ's Ascension Christ The whole Ministerial Office in that Church was left and placed at first in the Apostles both Pastoral and Diaconal and either of the Apostles might have presided but that by consent it may be grounded on the words of our Saviour Mat. 16.19 Peter took the Chair viz. the orderly management of the Keys That the diaconal Office was in the said Apostles at first is manifest from the account we have Act. 2.4 5. of the Members bringing their possessions and laying them at their feet to dispose of as a Church stock and from the reason given by the twelve to the multitude for the choice of Deacons they finding the serving tables to be to great a Burthen to them upon such increase of the Church Afterwards also as the necessity and state of the Church required there were Elders or Presbyters chosen distinct from the Apostles which appears from Act. 15.23 And it 's most plain the increasing and multiplying Officers in the Church was according as the necessary reasons thereof did arise from the increase or otherwise which necessities by the Holy Ghost breathing through the Apostles were provided for and supplied Chap. V. Of ordinary Officers Phil. WHat Officers do compleatly Organize a particular Congregation Christ Pastoral and Diaconal so that Pastor and Deacon do make a Church compleatly Organiz'd but through multiplication of a Church or for other reasons there may be good ground to chuse coadjutors in each Office aforesaid for the encreasing the Officers of one kind or another that the Church may be edified Phil. What is the Pastors Office Christ The Pastors Office is to feed the Church as the flock of Christ over which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer or Bishop Which Pastoral feeding consists in Gospel Preaching administration of Sacraments and Government In the last respect more especially he is called a Bishop or Overseer Act. 20. Phil. What do you mean by Gospel Preaching Christ I mean a right dividing of the Word of God according to the revealed Will of God and it
of that since neither doth the Spirit seem to limit to a certain number The Church is to Judge how many are requisite to perform the duties required in that Office according to their present stare and standing yea they may increase their number if they see need requires Phil. Is there any help in this Ministration speciffied by the Holy Ghost Christ Yes and it seems to be pretty plain that there were Widdows or Deaconesses or Matrons who were to do that part of the Office which was not so convenient for men such as to visit the Sick especially Sisters and enquire into their necessities and bring an account to the Deacons if any be without necessary supply for food raiment physick attendance and the like see 1 Tim. 5.5 9 10. And Phabe seems to have been a Deaconess to the Church of Cenchrea Rom. 16.1 Phil. You have spoken to all the fixed Officers in a particular Congregation although there are some who would deny some of these to be distinct Officers yet seeing here is in every Church these Office services to be performed and the Holy Ghost speaks of them distinctly under these two Heads Bishops and Deacons that the Pastor Teacher and ruling Elder all concur to the fulfilling the Pastoral or Episcopal Office for the Churches Edification and Men and Women Deacons make up the Liturgical or Diaconal Office I have received much satisfaction upon this account but methinks I am much to seek about one great concern of Christ and his Kingdom viz. The propagation of the Gospel to the unconverted for which work and service I cannot see how Christ hath provided since the Apostles times for all the Officers you have mentioned are Officers only in and to the Church and so far as men are capable of hearing the Word preached in the Churches they have a converting Ministry but they that are remote must be without a Ministry because there is no Churches Christ Christ hath constituted no stated Officers but in and to a particular Congregation He hath not called and sent any to the work of the Ministry for Conversion in the purest state and standing of the first Churches but from the Churches the first Apostles themselves went out from the Church of Jerusalem Paul and Barnabas from the Church at Antioch so that it is according to the prophesie of the latter days The Law shall go out from Zion and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem And Christ hath provided a way to send the Gospel to Infidels and unconverted ones for Rom. 10.14 15. How shall they preach except they be sent And though I doubt not but God hath had his way in a providential manner of sending the Gospel into the blind parts of the Earth when visible Churches were hardly to be found through Antichristian Darkness that overspread the Earth yet Christ hath an instituted way of sending the Gospel to the unconverted world For men may have a Call and Dedication to some peculiar work and service to be done for Christ out of the Church viz. To be an Ambassador for Christ to beseech men to be reconciled unto God The Word of the Lord hath providentially been sent to many places as the scattering the Church by Persecution was the occasion Act. 11.19 Of preaching the Gospel at Phoenice Cyprus and Antioch c. and when tidings of these things that were done came to the Church at Jerusalem they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Antioch and afterward he was sent forth again from the Church at Antioch I shall not enlarge now on this point I may meet with it again elsewhere the due and orderly way of going forth to the exercise of the Ministry is by the mission of a particular Congregation by the suffrage and Prayers thereof and he may be called a Teacher such as were in the Church of Antioch and so I distinguish of Teachers 1. Such as are stated Teachers to the Church wherein they are 2. Such that are sent forth to open blind eyes c. To preach to the World men lying in their infidelity Phil. You having given me a distinct account of the several Officers of a Gospel Church I desire to understand how they are made and constituted in an orderly regular manner Christ It can be but by Ordination Phil. What all of them by Ordination Elders and Deacons the Lay-Officers Christ I told you before we own no such Officers but them that are Ecclesiastically so and therefore not Lay-Officers the way of Ordination of ruling Elders and Deacons is the same with that of Pastor and Teacher Phil What by laying on of the hands of the Presbytery it seems to be a mighty prophanation of that Sacred ordinance to apply it to men that are illiterate and have not been at the University Christ Christ did not limit any Ordinances to Literate men and to University men his practice was quite contrary but I pray Sir tell me 1. Where imposition of hands is called Ordination 2. Whether the Deacons had not imposition of hands Act. 6.3 Where any other ordinary Church Officers had imposition of hands And therefore if there had not been some more reason of the Holy Ghost than ordinary for applying it to Deacons whether they should have had it If it was in an ordinary way of Administration and therefore all Church Officers to have it then they have eminent right to it still And then what prophanation is it to apply an Ordinance according to it's first institution Phil. You suggest strange notions about Ordination I must get you to clear them up to me Christ Sir you shall excuse me for the present I shall do it another time I only tell you now that all Church Officers are made by Ordination and ordained alike and that imposition of hands is not Ordination and if the most be made of it it 's but a Ceremony annexed which now is obsolete And that all Ordination belongs to the Church of whom the Person ordained is a member yea if imposition of hands be a necessary Ceremony therein it 's not to be performed by the Elders of other Churches but by the Presbytery or delegated Brethren of the said same Church These things shall be demonstrated to you according to that measure of light which Christ hath given Phil. These things look not only Heterodox in respect of the common sentiments of ordinary Professors of the reformed Religion but contrary to what many yea most of our Learned Divines have wrote and practised but I shall wait till you give me further light into them and demonstration for the assertions you have laid down In the mean time give a brief account of Gospel ordinances instituted by Christ for a Churches Edification Chap. VI. Of Church Ordinances of Christs Institution Christ THe instituted Ordinances of the Lord Jesus Christ are 1. Preaching the Word 2. Prayer and Praises 3. The Seals of the New Testament 4. The Keys which are the
over to Satan is as much as our Saviour by whose Spirit the Apostle enjoyns the use of this word expresseth Mat. 18. that such an one should be accounted as an excommunicate Person was by the Church of the Jews or as one out of that Churches Communion viz. An Heathen or Publican for such the Jews would not eat with and condemned our Saviour for so doing There are but two Kingdoms in the World Christs and Satans who is called the Prince of the World that ruleth in the Children of disobedience i. e. the Sons of Belial men that will not come under the yoke of Christs Government and with such Christ can have no concord in his Church 2 Cor. 6.15 And therefore to be put out of the Visible Church as a Child of Disobedience an incorrigible person hardened in sin and to be returned into the World as one that hath no right to the Childrens Bread And this is to be a means to humble him and bring him to shame and godly sorrow so that his flesh a Gospel expression for sin which is corrupt affections and lusts may be destroyed and that his Soul may be saved in the day of Christ And the consequent behaviour required towards such an one abundantly shews it that intimacy of familiarity is not to be kept with him 1 Cor. 5.11 And that such a Person is to be put away from Communion in this manner as to all sacred things peculiar to the Church ver 13. And what doth the Apostle intend 2 Thes 3.14 but the Excommunication of one that is unruly that he may be ashamed for it is setting a mark upon him that others may withdraw from him to his great shame but yet ver 15. to take all opportunities to admonish him in order to his recovery Phil. What rules are to be observed in the Denunciation of this solemn Sentence Christ All the rules of Christ according to the Nature of the offence being private or publick ought to be observed that all due deliberation be used and tenderness towards the offending Brother before the case be put to the suffrage of the Church That being passed and the Offender convict as guilty and ripe for censure the sin is to be laid open with all the aggravations thereof Then the nature of the Sentence and the true end and intent thereof shewed Solemn Prayer is to be made by way of Humiliation to the Church and Supplication for the Conviction Repentance and Humiliation of the Sinner that the Ordinance may obtain it's true and best effect upon him Lastly The Sentence is to be denounced solemnly in the Name of Christ by a ruling Elder if any if none by the Pastor and then the Ordinance is to be concluded with Prayer of Gods blessing of it unto the Sinner for his return and for the Church that God would preserve it from Impurities Apostacies and Decays in Grace and that the fall of this Brother may be a warning Example that He that stands do take heed lest he fall Phil. Is there not a lesser Excommunication which an offending Brother may be tryed with before you proceed to this great and tremendous one Christ There is with some that which they call Suspension but I know no ground for it from the word for a man that is an adult Member hath right to all Ordinances or not and right he hath still till he be duely convict and sentence passed upon him And I know no Power that any Church or Officer hath to debar him from any Ordinance of Church Communion till he be excluded judicially in the Name of Christ Phil. You are ready to receive an Excommunicate Person again upon credible manifestation of his Repentance Christ There ought to be great readiness to receive a repenting and returning Sinner with all Tenderness Compassion and Commiseration but with a due regard to the Honour of Christ his Church and Ordinance to endeavour to get as much satisfaction as may be concerning the Truth and Sincerity of his professed Repentance not only by manifested remorse but in some Cases by experienced Reformation Phil. You were saying that one that is an unjust divider from the Communion of the Church ought to be excommunicated by a direct Excommunication Christ I do verily believe it 's the mind and will of Christ and though our Churches that are now but in a declining state as to matters of Order will not receive it yet Churches have practised it and whenever the Churches flourish they will practise it My Reasons are briefly 1. That it is Schism of the highest nature being the actual dividing of a particular Congregation and there is no other Schism spoken of in Scripture that in the Church of Corinth was but Factions tending to this Division else the Apostle would have given command to excommunicate the causers thereof as well as the incestuous Person For the contentions and factions that had a tendency thereto they were highly rebuked 1 Cor. 1.11 12. ch 3.3 1 Cor. 11.18 2. What way is for marking and withdrawing from a Person but the Sentence of Excommunication Rom. 16.17 1 Thes 5.14 2 Thes 3.14 3. It 's a most scandalous Sin to Jew Gentile and Church of Christ nothing stains the Honour of Christ more in the Congregation 4. It 's a root of bitterness that infects many and ought to be plucked up by censure if it cannot be cured Heb. 12.15 5. To excommunicate such a person is no wrong because he hath excommunicated himself he hath but what he sought after and hath done 6. It 's fit such an one should be excommunicated judicially because he hath by usurpation excommunicated himself and the Church 7. It 's plain it 's a sin and such an one wherein he heareth not the Church and therefore to be made as an Heathen and Publican 8. It 's a gross breach of his Covenant at entrance into Church Communion Phil. Speak something now of the fifth Head of Ordinances which is Contribution to the support of Ordinances Ministry and the necessity of the Saints Christ Contribution on these accounts are manifestly the Office charge of the Deacons to call the Church to it's Duty in this kind and to take care for the faithful distribution of all Collections of this Nature and to give account thereof to the Church They are herein the Churches Stewards it 's fully manifest from the first institution of that Office Acts 6. and by their necessary qualifications spoken of 1 Tim. 3.8 Now the reason of this Office and Ordinance is not only the Gospel Institution which from the places forementioned are without dispute but from the Nature of the Church Society it self No Societies if but civil can be supported according to their Nature without charge and there are many charges necessarily required to support a Church Society for a Ministry must be maintained 1 Cor. 9.9 10 11 12. 1 Tim. 5.17 18. Gal. 6.6 Luke 10.4 Likewise there is charges as to places for the Church