observation of all the commands of Christ. But it is such whom we intend who constantly fix their minds on the enjoyment of God as their chiefest good and utmost end who thereon duely consider the means of attaining it and apply themselves thereunto And it is to be feared that the number of such persons will not be found to be very great in the world which is sufficient to take off the reproach from some particular Congregations of the smalness of their number Such they ever were and such is it foretold that they should be Number was never yet esteemed a note of the true Church by any but those whose worldly interest it is that it should so be yet at present absolutely in these Natiâ—ns the number of such persons is not small 3. Of these persons it is said that it is their duty so to dispose of themselves It is not that which they may do as a convenience or an advantage not that which others may do for them but which they must do for themselves in a way of duty It is an Obediential Act unto the commands of Christ whereunto is required subjection of Conscience unto his Authority Faith in his promises as also a respect unto an appearaâ—ce before his Judgment-Throne at the last day The way of the Church of Rome to compel men into their Communion and keep them in it by fire and fagot or any other means of external force derives more from the Alcoran than the Gospel Neither doth ir answer the mind of Christ in the Institution End and Order of Church-Societies that men should become Members of them partly by that which is no way in their own power and partly by what their wills are regulated in by the Laws of men For it is as was said commonly esteemed that men being born and baptized in such a Nation are tâ—ereby made members of the Church of that Nation and by living within such Parochial Precincts as the Law of the Land hath Arbitrarily established are members of this or that particular Congregation At least they are accounted so far to belong unto these Churches as to render them liable unto all outward punishments that shall be thought meet to be inflicted on them who comply not with them So far as these perswasions and actings according unto them do prevail so far are they destructive of the principal foundation of the external Being and Order of the Church But that mens joyning themselves in or unto any Church Society is or ought to be a voluntary act or an act of free choice in mere obedience unto the Authority and commands of Christ is so sacred a truth so evident in the Scripture so necessary from its subject matter so testifyed unto by the practice of all the first Churches as that it despiseth all opposition And I know not how any can reconcile the common practice of giving men the reputation or reality of being Members of or belonging unto this or that Church as unto total Communion who desire or chuse no such thing unto this acknowledged principle 5. THERE is a double joâ—ning unto the Church 1. That which is as unto total Communion in all the duties and priviledges of the Church which is that whereof we treat 2. An adherence unto the Church as unto the means of Instruction and Edification to be attained thereby So persons may adhere unto any Church who yet are not meet or free on some present consideration to confederate with it as unto total Communion see Act. 5.13 14. And of this sort in a peculiar manner are the baptized Children of the members of the Church For although they are not capable of performing Church duties or enjoying Church-priviledges in their tender years nor can have a right unto total Communion before the testification of their own voluntary corsent thereunto and choice thereof yet are they in a peculiar manner under the care and inspection of the Church so far as the outward administration of the Covenant in all the means of it is committed thereunto and their duty it is according to their capacity to attend unto the Ministry of that Church whereunto they do belong 6. THE Proposition respects a visible professing Church And I intend such a Church in general as avoweth Authority from Christ 1. For the Minâ—sterial Preaching of the Word 2. Administration of the Sacraments 3. For the Exercise of Evangelical Discipline and 4. To give a publick testimony against the Devil and the World not contradicting their profession with any corrupt Principles or Practices inconsistent with it What is required in particular that any of them may be meet to be joyned unto such a Church we shall afterwards enquire 7. IT is generally said that out of the Church there is no Salvation and the truth hereof is testified unto in the Scriptures Act. 2.47 1 Pet. 3.20 21. Matth. 16.18 Ephes. 5.26 27. Joh. 10.16 8. THIS is true both positively and negatively of the Catholick Church invisible of the Elect All that are of it shall be saved and none shall be saved but those that belong unto it Ephes. 5.25 26 27. Of the Catholick visible professing Church negatively that no Adult person can be saved that doth not belong unto this Church Rom. 10.10 9. THIS Position of Truth is abused by Interest and Pride an enclosure of it being made by them who of all Christians in the World can lay the least and weakest claim unto it namely the Church of Rome For they are so far from being that Catholick Church out of which there is no Salvation and wherein none can perish like the Ark of Noah that it requires the highest charity to reckon them unto that visible professing Church whereof the greatest part may perish and do so undoubtedly 10. Our enquiry is what truth there is in this Assertion with respect unto these particular Churches or Societies for the celebration of Gospel-worship and Discipline whereof we treat And I say 1. No Church of what denâ—mination soever can lay a claim unto this Priviledge as belonging unto it self alone This waâ— the antient Donatism They confined Salvation unto the Churcâ—es of their way alone And after many false charges of it on others it begins really to be renewed in our dâ—ys For some dispute that Salvation is confined unto that Church alone wherein there is a Succession of Diocesan Bishops which is the height of Donatism The Judgments and Determinations made concerning the Eternal Salvation or Damnation of Men by the measures of some differences among Christians about Churches their State and Order are absurd foolish and impious and for the most part used by them who sufficiently preclaim that they know neither what it is to be saved nor do use any diligence about the necessary means of it Salvation depends absolutely on no particular church-Church-state in the world he knows not the Gospel who can really think it doth Persons of Believers are not for the Church but the Church is
for them if the Ministry of Angels be for them who are Heirs of Salvation much more is the Ministry of the Church so If a man be an Adulterer an Idolater a Rayler a hater and scoffer of Godliness if he choose â—o live in any known sin without Repentance or in the neglect of any known duty if he be ignorant and prophane in a word if he be not boâ—n again from above be he of what Church he will and whatsoever place he possess therein he cannot be saved And on the other side if a man believe in Christ Jesus that is know him in his Person Offices Doctrine and Grace trust unto him for all the ends of the wisdom and love of God towards Mankind in him if he endeavour to yield sincere and universal obedience unto all his coâ—mands and to be confirmed unto him in all things following his example having for these ends received of his Spirit though all the Churches in the world should reject him yet he shall undoubtedly be saved If any shall hence infer that then it is all one of what Church any one is I answer 1. That although the being of this or that or any particular Church in the world will not secure the Salvation of any men yet the adherence unto some Churches or such as are so called in their constitution and worship may prejudice yea ruine the Salvation of any that shall so do 2. The choice of what Church we will joyn unto belongs unto the choice and use of the means for our Edification And he that makes no conscience hereof but merely with râ—spect unto the event of being saved at last will probably come short thereof 2. ON this Supposition that there be no insuperable difficulties lying in the way of the discharge of this duty as that a person be cast by the providence of God into such a place or season as wherein there is no Church that he can possibly joyn himself unto or that he be unjustly refused Communion by unwarrantable conditions of it as it was with many during the prevalâ—ncy of the Papacy in all the Western Empire it is the indispâ—nsible duty of every Disciple of Christ in order unto his Edification and Salvation voluntarily and of his own choice to joyn himself in and unto some particular congregation for the Celebration of divine Worship and the due observation of all the Institutions and commands of Christ which we shall now farther confirm 1. THE foundation of this duty as was before declared doth lye in the law and light of Nature Man cannot exercise the principal powers and faculties of his Soul with which he was created and whereby he is enabled to glorifie God which is the end of him and them without a consent and conjunction in the Worship of God in Communion and Society as hath been proved before 2. The way whereby this is to be done God hath declared and revealed from the beginning by the Constitution of a Church-state through the addition of Arbitrary Institutions of worship unto what was râ—quired by the Law of Nature For this gives the true state and is the formal reason of a Church namely a divine Addition of Arbitrary Institutions of worship unto the necessary Dictates of the Law of Nature unto that end And the especial nature of any church-Church-state doth depend on the especial nature of those Institutions which is constitutive of the difference between the Church-state of the Old Testament and that of the New 3. SUCH a Church-state was constituted and appointed under the Old Testament founded in and on an especial Covenant between God and the People Exod. 24. Unto this Church every one that would please God and walk before him was bound to joyn himself by the ways and means that he had appointed for that end namely by Circumcision and their laying hold on the Covenant of God Exod. 12.48 Isa. 56.4 And this joyning unto the Church is called joyning unto the Lord Isa. 56.6 Jerem. 50.5 as being the means thereof without which it could not be done Herein was the Tabernacle of God with men and he dwelt among them 4. AS a new church-Church-state is prophesied of under the New Testament Ezek. 34.25 26 27. Isa. 66.18 19 20 21 22. and other places innumerable so it was actually erected by Jesus Christ as we have declared And whereas it is introduced and established in the place and room of the Church-state under the Old Testament which was to be removed at the time of Reformation as the Apostle demonstrates at large in his Epistle to the Hebrews all the commands promises and threatnings given or annexed unto that Church-state concerning the conjunction of men unto it and walking in it are transferred unto this of the new erection of Christ. Wherefore although the State of the Church it self be reduced from that which was Nationally Congregational unto that which is simply and absolutely so and all Ordinances of its instituted worship are changed with new rules for the observation of what we are directed unto by the light of Nâ—ture yet the commands promises and threatnings made and given unto it as a Church are all in full force with respect unto this new church-Church-state and we need no new commands to render it our duty to joyn in Evangelical Churches for the ends of a Church in general 5. THE Lord Christ hath disposed all the ways and means of edification unto these Churches so that ordinarily and under an expectation of his presence in them and concurrence unto their efficacy they are not otherwise to be enjoyed Such are the ordinary dispensation of the Word and Administration of the Sacraments For any Disciple of Christ to live in a neglect of these things and the enjoyment of them according to his mind is to despise his care and wisdom in providing for his eternal welfare 6. HE hath prescribed sundry duties unto us both as necessary and as evidences of our being his Disciples such as cannot be orderly performed but as we are members of some particular Congregation this also hath been before declared 7. THE Institution of these Churches is the way which Christ hath ordained to render his Kingdom visible or conspicuous in distinction from and opposition unto the Kingdom of Satan and the world And he doth not in a due manner declare himself a subject in or unto the Kingdom of Christ who doth not solemnly ingage in this way It is not enough to constitute a legal subject of the Kingdom of England that he is born in the Nation and lives in some outward observance of the Laws of it if he refuse solemnly to express his Allegiance in the way appointed by the Law for that end Nor will it constitute a regular subject of the Kingdom of Christ that he is born in a place where the Gospel is professed and so professeth a general complyance therewith if he refuse to testifie his subjection by the way that Christ hath appointed for that
to be blamed they do but discharge their Duty who refuse to receive into Church Communion such as are ignorant of the fundamental Doctrines and Mysteries of the Gospel or if they have learned any thing of them from a form of words yet really understand nothing of them The promiscuous driving of all sorts of persons who have been baptized in their Infancy unto a participation of all Church privileges is a profanation of the holy Institutions of Christ. This knowledge therefore belonging unto profession is it self to be professed 2. THERE is required unto it a professed subjection of Soul and Conscience unto the Authority of Christ in the Church Matth. 28.18 19 20. 2 Cor. 8.5 This in general is performed by all that are Baptized when they are Adult as being by their own actual consent baptized in the Name of Christ. And it is required of all them who are baptized in their Infancy when they are able with Faith and Understanding to profess their consent unâ—o and abiding in that Covenant whereinto they were initiated 3. An Instruction in and consent unto the Doctrine of Self-denial and bearing of the Cross in a particular manner For this is made indispensably necessary by our Saviour himself unto all that will be his Disciples And it hath been a great disadvantage unto the Glory of Christian Religion that men have not been more and better instructed therein It is commonly thought that who ever will may be a Christian at an easie rate it will cost him nothing But the Gospel gives us another account of these things For it not only warns us that Reproaches Hatred Sufferings of all sorts oft-times to Death it self are the common lot of all its Professors who will live godly in Christ Jesus but also requires that at our initiation into the Profession of it we consider aright the dread of them all and engage cheerfully to undergo them Hence in the Primitive Times whilst all sorts of miseries were continually presented unto them who embraced the Christian Religion their willing engagement to undergo them who were converted was a firm evidence of the sincerity of their Faith as it ought to be unto us also in times of Difficulty and Persecution Some may suppose that the Faith and Confession of this Doctrine of Self-denial and readiness for the Cross is of use only in time of Persecution and so doth not belong unto them who have continually the countenance and favour of publick Authority I say it is at least as they judge well for them with others it is not so whose outward state makes the publick avowing of this Duty indispensably necessary unto them And I may add it as my own thoughts though they are not my own alone That notwithstanding all the Countenance that is given unto any Church by the publick Magistracy yet whilst we are in this World those who will faithfully discharge their Duty as Ministers of the Gospel especially shall have need to be prepared for sufferings To escape sufferings and enjoy worldly advantages by sinful compliances or bearing with men in their Sins is no Gospel Direction 4 Conviction and Confession of Sin with the way of deliverance by Jesus Christ is that answer of a good Conscience that is required in the Baptism of them that are Adult 1 Pet. 3. 5. Unto this Profession is required the constant performance of all known Duties of Religion both of Piety in the publick and private Worship of God as also of Charity with respect unto others Shew me thy Faith by thy Works 6. A careful Abstinence from all known Sins giving scandal or offence either unto the World or unto the Church of God And the Gospel requires that this Confession be made with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation against 1. Fear 2. Shame 3. The Course of the World 4. The Opposition of all Enemies whatever Hence it appears that there are none excluded from an Entrance into the Church State but such as are either 1. grosly Ignorant or 2. Persecutors or reproachers of those that are good or of the ways of God wherein they walk or 3. Idolaters or 4. Men scandalous in their Lives in the Commission of Sins or Omission of Duties thro' vitious Habits or Inclinations or 5. such as would partake of Gospel Privileges and Ordinances yet openly avow that they will not submit unto the Law and Commands of Christ in the Gospel concerning whom and the like the Scripture Rule is peremptory From such turn away And herein we are remote from exceeding the example and care of the Primitive Churches Yea there are but few if any that arrive unto it Their endeavour was to Preach unto all they could and rejoiced in the multitudes that came to hear the Word But if any did essay to join themselves unto the Church their diligence in their Examination and Instruction their severe Enquiries into their Conversation their disposing of them for a long time into a state of Expectation for their Trial before their Admittance were remarkable And some of the Ancients complain that their promiscuous Admittance of all sorts of persons that would profess the Christian Religion into Church Membership which took place afâ—erwards ruined all the Beauty Order and Discipline of the Church The things ascribed unto those who are to be esteemed the proper Subject Matter of a Visible Church are such as in the judgment of Charity entitles them unto all the Appellations of Saints Called Sanctified that is Visibly and by Pâ—ofession which are given unto the Members of all the Churches in the New Testament and which must be answered in those who are admitted into that Priledge if we do not wholly neglect our only Patterns By these things although they should any of them not be real living Members of the Mystical Body of Christ unto whom he is an Head of spiritual and vital influance yet are they meer Members of that Body of Christ unto which he is an Head of Rule and Goveâ—nment as also meer to be esteeâ—ed Suâ—jects of his Kingdom And none are excluded but such as concerning whom Rules are given either to withdraw from them or to cast them â—ut of Church Society or are expresly excluded by God himself from any share in the Prieiledges of his Covenant Psal. 50.16 17. But unto the Wicked God saith What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes or that thou shouldest take my Covenant in thy Mouth Seeing thou hatest instruction and castest my wâ—rds behind thee Advertisement OF the Subject Matter of the Church You may be saâ—isfied farther in a Book lâ—tely Published Intituled Tâ—e true Nature of a Gâ—spel Church and its Government â—y the same Author wherein those following particulars are distinctly handled I. The Subject Matter of the Church II. Formal Cause of a particular Church III. Of the Polity unto or Discipline of the Church in General IV. The Officers of the Church V. The Duty of Pastors of Churches VI. The
heal even Babylon it self by a reduction of all things unto their first Institution if it would be healed Jerem. 51.9 and if not we are to forsake her and reform our selves Rev. 18.4 There is nothing therefore in all these pretences that should in the least impeach the infallible continuation of the Evangelical Churches and Worship as to their right unto the end of the world And the Heads of those Arguments whereby the Truth is invincibly confirmed may be briefly touched on 1. There are express Testimonies of the Will of Christ and his promise for its accomplishment that the Church and all its Ordinances of Worship should be continued always unto the end of the world So as to the Church it self Matth. 16.13 Rev. 21.3 The Ministry Matth. 28.20 Ephes. 4.13 Baptism Matth. 28.18 19 20. The Lords Supper 1 Cor. 11.26 As for other Institutions Publick Prayer Preaching the word the Lords day singing of Gods Praises the exercise of Discipline with what belongs thereunto they have their foundation in the Law and Light of Nature being only directâ—d and applied unto the Gospel-Church-state and worship by Rules of especial Institution and they can no more cease than the original Obligation of that Law can so do If it be said that notwithstanding what may be thus pleaded yet de facto the true state of Gospel-Churches and their whole worship as unto its Original Institution did fail under the Papal Apostacy and therefore may do so again I Answer 1. We do not plead that this state of things must be always visible and conspicuous wherein all Protestant Writers do agree It is acknowledged that as unto publick view Observation and Notoriety all these things were lost under the Papacy and may be so again under a renewed Apostacy 2. I do not plead it to be necessary de facto that there should be really at all times a true visible Church as the seat of all Ordinances and Administrations in the world but all such Churches may fail not only as unto Visibility but as unto their Existence But this supposition of a failure of all instituted Churches and Worship I grant only with these Limitations 1. That it is of Necessity from innumerable Divine Promises and the nature of Christ's Kingly office that there be always in the world a number greater or lesser of sincere Believers that openly profess subjection and obedience unto him 2. That in these Persons there resides an indefeazable Right always to gather themselves into a Church state and to administer all Gospel ordinances which all the world cannot deprive them of which is the whole of what I now plead for And let it be observed that all the ensuing Arguments depend on this Right and not on any Matter of Fact 3. I do not know how far God may accept of Churches in a very corrupt state and of worship much depraved until they have new means for their Reformation Nor will I make any judgment of Persons as unto their eternal Condition who walk in Churches so corrupted and in the performance of worship so depraved But as unto them who know them to be so corrupted and depraved it is a damnable sin to joyn with them or not to separate from them Revel 18.4 2. The Nature and Use of the Gospel church-Church-state require and prove the uninterrupted continuance of the Right of its Existence and the observance of all Ordinances of Divine Worship therein with a Power in them in whom that Right doth indefeazably reside that is all true Believers to bring it forth into exercise and practice notwithstanding the external Impediments which in some places at some times may interrupt its exercise In the observation of Christ's Institutions and Celebration of the ordinances of Divine Worship doth the Church-state of the Gospel as professing consist It doth so in opposition 1. Unto the World and the Kingdom of Satan For hereby do men call Jesus Lord as 1 Cor. 12.3 and avow their subjection unto his Kingly Power 2. Unto the Church-state of the Old Testament as the Apostle disputes at large in his Epistle unto the Hebrews And this state of the professing Church in this World is unalterable because it is the best state that the Believing Church is capable of For so the Apostle plainly proves that hereby the believing Church is brought 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which it was not under the Law â—hat is unto its Consummation in the most compleat Perfection that God hath designed unto it on this side Glory Heb. 7. â—1 19. For Christ in all his Offices is the immediate Head of it Its Constâ—â—uâ—ion and the Revelation of the ways of its Wâ—rship are an effect of his Wisdâ—m and from thence is it eminently suited unto all the ends of the Covenant both on the part of God and man and is therefore liable to no Intercision or Alteration 3. The visible Administration of the Kingdom of Christ in this World consists in this Church-state with the Administration of his Institutions and Laws therein A Kingdom the Lord Jesus Christ hath in this World and though it be not of the World yet in the World it must be until the World shall be no more The Truth of all God's Promises in the Scripture depends on this one Assertion We need not here concern our selves what Notions some men have about the exercise of this Kingdom in the world with respect unto the outward affairs and concerns of it Rut this is certain that this Kingdom of Christ in the world so far as it is external and visible consists in the Laws he hath given the Institutions he hath appointed the Rule or Politie he hath prescribed with the due observance of them Now all these things do make constitute and are the church-Church-state and Worship enquired after Wherefore as Christ alway hâ—â—h and ever will have an Invisible Kingdom in this world in the Souls of Elect Believers led guided ruled by his Spirit so he will have a visible Kingdom also consisting in a professed avowed Subjection unto the Laws of his word Rom. 10.10 And although this Kingdom or his Kingdom in this sence may as unto the essence of it be preserved in the external Profession of individual persons and it may be so exist in the world for a season yet the honour of it and its compleat establishment consists in the visible profession of Churches which he will therefore maintain unto the end But by Visible in this Discourse I understand not that which is conspicuous and eminent unto all though the Church hath been so and shall yet be so again nor yet that which is actually seen or known by others but only that which may be so or is capable of being so known Nor do I assert a Necessity hereof as unto a constant preservation of Purity and Regularity in Order and Ordinances according to the Original Institution of them in any place but only of an unalterable Right and Power in Believers to
A GUIDE TO Church-Fellowship and Order According to the Gospel-Institution WHEREIN These following Particulars are distinctly handled I. The Necessity of Believers to joyn themselves in Church-Order II. The Subject Matter of the Church III. The Continuation of a church-Church-state and of the Administration of Evangelical Ordinances of Worship briefly vindicated IV. What sort of Churches the Disciples of Christ may and ought to joyn themselves unto as unto Entire Communion By the Late Pious and Learned Minister of the Gospel John Owen D. D. John 5.39 Search the Scriptures c. London Printed for William Marshall at the Bible in Newgate-street 1692. A GUIDE TO Church-Fellowship and Order According to the Gospel-Institution CHAP. I. The Necessity of Believers to joyn themselves in Church-Order IT is the Duty of every Believer of every Disciple of Christ to joyn himself for the due and orderly observation and performance of the Commâ—nds of Christ unto the Glory of God and their own Edification Maâ—th 28.18 19 20. This in general is grâ—nted by all sorts and Parties of men the grant of it is the ground whereon they stand in the management of their mutual feâ—ds in Religion pleading that men ought to be of or joyn themselves unto this or that Church still supposing tâ—at it is thâ—ir Duty to be of one or another Yea it is granted also that Persons ought to chuse what Churches they will joyn themselves unto wherein they may have the best advanâ—age unto their Edification and Salvation They are to chuse to joyn themselves unto that Church which is in all things most according to the mind of God This it is supposed is the Liberty and Duty of every Man for if it be not so it is the foolishest thing in the World for any to attempt to get others from one Church unto another which is almost the whole business of Religion that some think themselves concerned to attend unto But yet notwithstanding these Concessions when things come to the â—riâ—l in particular there is very little gâ—anted in complyance with the Assertion laid down For besides that it is not a Church of Divine Institution that is intended in these Concessions when it comes unto the issue where a Man is born and in what Church he is Baptized in his Infancy there all choice is prevented and in the Communion of that Church he is to abide on the penalties of being esteemed and dealt with as a Schismatick In what National Church any person is baptized in that National Church he is to continue or answer the contrary at his peril And in the Precincts of what Parish his Habitation falls to be in that particular Parish Church is he bound to Communicate in all Ordinances of Worship I say in the judgment of many whatever is pretended of mens jâ—yning themselves unto the truest and purest Churches there is no Liberty of Judgment or Practice in either of these things left unto any of the Disciples of Christ Wherefore the Liberty and Duty proposed being the Foundation of all orderly Evangelical Profession and that wherein the Consciences of Believers are greatly concerned I shall lay down one Proposition wherein 't is asserted in the sence I intend and then fully confirm it The Proposition it self is this It is the duty of every one who professeth Faith in Christ Jesus and takes due care of his own Eternal Salvation voluntarily and by his own choice to joyn himself unto some particular Congregation of Christs Institution for his own Spiritual Edification and the right discharge of his Commands 1. THIS Duty is prescribed 1. unto them only who profess Faith in Christ Jesus who own themselves to be his Disciples that call Jesus Lord. For this is the method of the Gospel that first men by the Preaching of it be made Disciples or be brought unto Faith in Christ Jesus and then be taught to do and observe whatever he commands Matth. 28.18 19 20. first to believe and then to be added unto the Church Act. 2.41 42 46 47. Men must first joyn themselves unto the Lord or give up themselves unto him before they can give up themselves unto the Church according to the mind of Christ 2 Cor. 8.5 We are not therefore concerned at present as unto them who either not at all profess Faith in Christ Jesus or else through ignorance of the Fundamental Principles of Religion and wickedness of Life do dâ—stroy or utterly render useless that Profession We do not say it is the duty of such persons that is their immediate duty in the state wherein they are to joyn themselves unto any Church Nay it is the duty of every Church to refuse them their Communion whilst they abide in that state There are other duties to be in the first place pressed on them whereby they may be made meet for this So in the Primitive times although in the extraordinary Conversions unto Christianity that were made among the Jews who before belonged unto Gods Covenant they were all immediately added unto the Church yet afterwards in the ordinary way of the Conversion of men the Churches did not immediately admit them into compleat Communion but kept them as Catechumeners for the eâ—crease of their knowledge and trial of their profession until they were judged meet to be joyned unto the Church And they are not to blame who receive not such into compleat Communion with them unto whom it is not a present duty to desire that Communion Yea the admission of such persons into Church-Societies much more the compelling of them to be Members of this or that Church almost whethâ—r they will or no is contrary to the rule of the Word the example of the Primitive Churchâ—s and a great expedient to harden men in their sins We do therefore avow that we cannot admit any into our Church Societies as to compleat Membership and actual Interest in the priviledges of the Church who do not by a profession of Faith in and obedience unto Jesus Christ no way contradicted by sins of life manifest themselves to be such as whose duty it is to joyn themselves unto any Church Neither do we injure any baptized Persons hereby or oppose any of their Right unto and Interest in the Church but only as they did universally in the Primitive Churches after the death of the Apostles we direct them into that way and method wherein they may be received unto the glory of Christ and their own edification And we do therefore affirm that we will never deny that Communion unto any person high or low rich or poor old or young male or female whose duty it is to desire it 2. IT is added in the description of the Subject That it is such an one who takes due care of his own Salvation Many there are who profess themselves to be Christians who it may be hear the word willingly and do many things gladly yet do not esteem themselves obliged unto a diligent enquiry into and a precise
end It is true the whole Nation in their civil relation and subordination according to Law is the Kingdom of England But the representation of the Kingly power and rule in it is in the Courts of all sorts wherein the Kingly power is acted openly and visibly And he that lives in the Nation yet denies his hâ—mage unto these Courts is not to be esteemed a Subject So doth the whole visible professing Church in one or more Nations or lesser precincts of people and places constitute the visible Kingdom of Christ yet is no particular person to be esteemed a legal true Subject of Christ that doth not appear in these his Courts with a Solemn expression of his Homage unto him 8. THE whole Administration of the Rule and Discipline appointed by Christ is confined unto these Churches nor can they be approved by whom that rule is despised I shall not argue farther in a case whose truth is of so uncontroulable evidence In all the writings of the New Testament recording things after the Ascension of Christ there is no mention of any of his Disciples with approbation unless they were extraordinary Officers but such as were entire Members of these Assemblies CHAP. II. The Subject Matter of the Church THE Church may be considered eithâ—r as unto his Essence Constitution and Being or as unto its Power and Order when it is Organized As unto its Essence and Being its constituent parts are its Matter and Form These we must enquire into By the Matter of the Church we understand the persons whereof the Church doth consist with their Qualifications And by its Form the reason cause and way of that kind of Relation among them which gives them the Being of a Church and theâ—ewithal an Interest in all that belongs unto a Church either privilege or powâ—r as such Our first Enquiry being concerning what sort of Persons our Lord Jesus Christ requireth and admitteth to be the visible Subjects of his Kingdom we are to be regulated in our Determination by respect unto his Honour Glory and the Holiness of his Rule To reckon such persons to be Subjectâ— of Christ Members of his Body such as he requires and owns for others are not so who would not be tolerated at least not approved in a well governed Kingdom or Commonwealth of the World is highly dishonourable unto him But it is so come to pass that let Men be never so notoriously and flâ—gitiously wicked until they become pâ—sts of the earth yet are they esteemed to belong to the Church of Christ. And not only so but it is thought little less than Schism to forbid them the Communion of the Church in all its sacred Privileges Howbeit the Scripture doth in general represent the Kingdom or Church of Christ to consist of persons called Saints separated from the World with manâ— other things of alike nature as we shall see immediately And if the Honour of Christ were of such weight with us as it ought to be if we understood aright the nature and eâ—ds of his Kingdom and that the peculiar Glory of it above all the Kingdoms in the World consists in the Holiness of its Subjectâ— such an Holiness as the world in its wisdom knoweth not we would duly consider whom we avow to belong thereunto Those who know ought of these things will not profess that persons openly prophane vicious sensual wicked and ignorant are approved and owned of Christ as the Subjects of his Kingdom or that it is his will that we should receive them into the Communion of the Church But an old opinion of the unlawfulness of separation from a Church on the account of the mixture of wicked men in it is made a scare-crow to frighten men from attempting the Reformation of the greatest Evils and a covert for the composing Churches of such members only Some things therefore are to be premised unto what shall be offered unto the right stating of this Enquiry As 1. THAT if there be no more required of any as unto Personal Qualifications in a visible uncontroulable profession to constitute them Subjects of Christs Kingdom and Members of his Church but what is required by the most righteous and severe Laws of men to constitute a good Subject or Citizen the distinction between his visible Kingdom and the Kingdoms of the World as unto the principal causes of it is utterly lost Noâ— all negative Qualifications as that Men are not Oppressors Drunkards Revilers Swearers Adulterers c. are required hereunto But yet it is so fallen out that generally more is required to constitute such a Citizen as shall represent the righteous Laws he liveth under than to constitute a Member of the Church of Christ. 2. THAT whereas Regeneration is expresly required in the Gospel to give a Right and Privilege unto an entrance into the Church or Kingdom of Christ whereby that Kingdom of his is distinguished from all other Kingdoms in and of the World unto an Inteâ—est wherein never any such thing was required it must of necessity be something better more excellent and sublime than any thing the Laws and Polities of men pretend unto or prescribe Wherefore it cannot consist in any outward Rites easie to be observed by the worst and vilest of men besides the Scripture gives us a description of it in opposition unto its consisting in any such Rite 1 Pet. 3.21 And many things required unto good Citizens are far better than the meer observation of such a Rite Of this Regeneration baptism is the Symbol the Sign Expression and Representation Wherefore unto those who are in a due manner partakers of it it giveth all the external Rights and Privileges which belong unto them that are Regenerate until they come unto such Seasons wherein the personal performance of those Duties whereon the continuation of the estate of visible Regeneration doth depend is required of them Herein if they fail they lose all privilege and benefit by their Baptism So speaks the Apostle in the case of Circumcision under the Law Rom. 2.25 For Circumcision verily profiteth if thou keep the Law but if thou be a breaker of the Law thy Circumcision is made uncircumcision It is so in the case of baptism Verily it profiteth if a man stand unto the Terms of the Covenant which is tendered therein between God and his Soul for it will give him Right unto all the outward Privileges of a Regenerate State but if he do not as in the sight of God his baptism is no baptism as unto the real Communication of Grace and acceptance with him so in the sight of the Church it is no baptism as unto a participation of the external Rights and Privileges of a Regenerate state 4. GOD alone is judge concerning this Regeneration as unto its internal real principle and state in the Souls of men whereon the participation of all the spiritual advantages of the Covenant of Grace doth depend The Church is
judge of its evidences and fruits in their external Demonstration as unto a participation of the outward Privileges of a Regenerate state and no farther And we shall hereon briefly declare what belongs unto the forming of a right judgment herein and who are to be esteemed fit Members of any Gospel Church State or have a right so to be 1. SUCH as from whom we are obliged to with-draw or with-hold Communion can be no part of the matter constituent of a Church or are not meer Members for the first constitution of it But such are all Habitual Sinners those who having prevalent habits and Inclinations unto Sins of any kind unmortified do walk according unto them Such are prophane Swearers Drunkards Fornicators Covetous Oppressors and the like who shall not inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.9 10.11 Phil. 3.18 19. 2 Thess. 3.6 2 Tim. 3.5 as a man living and dying in any known Sin that is habitually without Repentance cannot be saved so a man known to live in Sin cannot regularly be received into any Church To compose Churches of Habitual Sinners and that either as unto Sins of Commission or Sins of Omission is not to erect Temples to Christ but Chapels unto the Devil 2. SUCH as being in the fellowship of the Church are to be admonished of any scandalous Sin which if they repent not of they are to be cast out of the Church are not meer Members for the Original Constitution of a Church This is the state of them who abide Obstinate in any known Sin whereby they have given Offence unto others without a professed Repentance thereof although they have not lived in it habitually 3. THEY are to be such as visibly answer the Description given of Gospel Churches in the Scripture so as the Titles assigned therein unto the Members of such Churches may on good grounds be appropriated unto them To compâ—â—â— Churches of such Persons as do not visibly answer the character given of what they were of old and what they were always to be by virtue of the Law of Christ oâ— Gospel-contitution is not Church Edification but Destruction And those who look on the things spoken of all Church Members of old as that they were Saints by calling lively stones in the house of God justified and sanctified separate from the World c. as those which were in them and did indeed belong unto them but even deride the necessity of the same things in present Church Members or the Application of them unto those who are so are themselves no small part of that woful Degeneracy which Christian Religion is fallen under Let it then be considered what is spoken of the Church of the Jews in their Dedication unto God as unto their Typical Hâ—linesâ— with the Application of it unto Christian Churches in real Holiness 1 Pet. 2.5.9 with the Description given of them constantly in the Scripture as Faithful Holy Believing as the House of God as his Temple wherein he dwells by his Spirit as the Body of Christ united and compâ—cted by the communication of the Spirit unto them as also what is said concerning their ways walkings and duties and it will be uncontrolably evident of what sort our Church Members ought to be nor are those of any other sort able to discharge the Duties which are incumbent on all Church-members nor to use the Privileges they are intrusted withal Wherefore I say â—o suppose Churches regularly to consist of such persons for the greater part of them as no way answer the Description given of Church-members in their Original Institution nor capâ—ble to discharge the Duties prescribed unto them but giving evidence of Habits and Actions inconsistent therewithal is not only to disturb all Church Order but utterly to overthrow the Ends and Being of Churches Nor is there any thing â—ore scandalous unto Christian Religioâ— than what Bellarmine affirms to be the judgment of the Papists in opposition unto all others namely that no internal Vertue or Grace is required unto the Constitution of a Church in its Members Lib. 3. dâ— Eccles. cap 2. 4. THEY must be such as do make an open profession of the subjection of their Souls and Consciences unto the Authority of Christ in the Gospel and their readiness to yield Obedience unto all his Commands This I suppose will not be denied for not only doth the Scripture make this Profession necessary unto the participation of any benefit or privilege of the Gospel but the nature of the things themselves requires indispensably that so it should be For nothing can be more unreasonable than that men should be taken into the privileges attending Obedience unto the Laws and Commands of Christ without avowing or professing that Obedience Wherefore our Enquiry is only what is required unto such a Profession as may render men meet to be Members of a Church and give them a Right thereunto For to suppose such a confession of Christian Religion to be compliant with the Gospel which is made by many who openly live in Sin being disobedient and unto every good work reprobate is to renounce the Gospel it self Christ is not the High Priest of such a Profession I shall therefore declare briefly what is necessary unto this Profession that all may know what it is which is required unto the entrance of any into our Churches wherein our Practice hath been sufficiently traduced 1. THERE is required unto it a competent knowledge of Doctrines and Mystery of the Gospel especially concerning the Person and Offices of Christ. The Confession hereof was the ground whereon he granted the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven or all Church Power unto Believers Matth 16.17 18 19. The first Instruction which he gave unto his Apostles was That they should teach men by the preaching of the Gospel in the knowledge of the Truth revealed by him The knowledge required in the Members of the Judaical Church that they might be translated into the Christian was principally if not solely that of his Person and the acknowledgment of him to be the true Messiah the Son of God For as on their unbelief thereof their Eternal ruine did depend as he told them if you believe not that I am he you shall die in your sins so the confession of him was sufficient on their part unto their Admission into the Gospel Church State And the Reasons of it are apparent With others an Instruction in all the Mysteries of Religion especially in those that are fundamental is necessary unto the Profession we enquire after So Justin Martyr tells us what pains they took in those Primitive Times to instruct those in the Mysteries of Religion who upon a general Conviction of its Truth were willing to adhere unto the Profession of it And what was their Judgment herein is sufficiently known from the keeping a multitude in the state of Catecumens before they would admit them into the Fellowship of the Church They are not therefore
Office of Teachers in the Church VII Of the Rule of the Church or of Ruling Elders VIII The Nature of the Polity or Rule with the Duty of Elders IX Of Deacons X. Excommunication XI Of the Communion of Churches Sold at the Bible in Newgate-street by William Marshal CHAP. III. The Continuation of a church-Church-state and of the Administration of Evangelical Ordinances of Worship briefly Vindicated THE Controversie about the Continuation of a Church-state and the Administration of Gospel Ordinances of Worship is not new in this Age though some pride theâ—selves as though the Invention of the Error whereby they are denied were their own In former Ages both in the Papacy and among some of them that forsook it there were divers who on a pretence of a peculiar Spiritually and imaginary Attainments in Religion wherein these things are unnecessary rejected their Observation I sâ—ppâ—se it necessary briefly to confirm the Truâ—h and Vindicate it from this exception because though it be sufficiently wâ—ak in it self yet what it is lies against the Foundation of all that we are pleading about But to reduce things into the lesser compass I shall first confirm the Truth by those Arguments or Considerations which will defeat all the Pleas and Pretences of them by whom it is opposed and then confirm it by positive Testimonies and Arguments with all Brevity possible First therefore I shall argue from the removal of all causes whereon such a Cessâ—tion of Churches and Ordinances is pretended For it is granted on all hands that they had a Divine Original and Institution and were observed by all the Disciples of Christ as thingâ— by him commanded If now therefore they cease as unto their force efficacy and use it must be on some of these Reasons 1. Because a limited Time and Season was fixed upon them which is now expired So was it with the Church-state and Ordinances of old they were appointed â—nto the time of Reformation Heb. 9.10 They had a certain time prefixed unto their duration according to the Degrees of whose approach they waxed old and at length utterly disappeared chap. 8.13 until that time they were all punctually to be observed Mal. 4.4 But there were many antecedent Indications of the Will of God concerning their Cessation and Abolition whereof the Apostle disputes at large in his Epistle unto the Hebrews And from a pretended supposition that such was the state of Evangelical Ordinances namely that they had a time prefixed unto their Duration did the first opposition against them arise For Montanus with his Followers imagined that the appointments of Christ and his Apostles in the Gospel were to continue in force only unto the coming of the Paraclete or the Comforter promised by him And adding a new Phrensie hereunto that that Paraclete was then first come in Montanus they rejected the Institutions of the Gospel and made new Laws Rules for themselves And this continues to be the principal pretence of them by whome the use of Gospel-Ordinances is at present rejected as that which is of no force or efficacy Either they have received or do speedily look for such a Dispensation of the Spirit or his Gifts as wherein they are to cease and disappear But nothing can be more vain than this pretence 1. It is so as unto the limitation of any Time as unto their Duration and Continuance For 1. There is no Intimation given of any such thing either in the Divine-Word Promise Declaration about them or the Nature of the Institutions themselves But whereas those of the Old Testament were in Time to be removed that the Church might not be offended thereby seeing Originally they were all of immediate Divine Institution God did by all manner of ways as by Promises express Declarations and by the Nature of the Institutioâ—s themselves fore-signifie their removal as the Apostle proves at large in his Epistle to the Hebrews But nothing of this Nature can be pretended concerning the Gospel Church state or Worship 2. There is no Prediction or Intimation of any other way of VVorship or serving God in this VVorld that should be introduced in the room of that established at first so that upon a Cessaâ—ion thereof the Church must be left unto all uncertainties and utter ruin 3. The principal Reason why a church-Church-state was erected of old and Ordinances of VVorship appointed therein that were all to be removed and taken away was that the Son the Lord over his own House might have the Preheminence in all things His Glory it was to put an end unto the Law as given by the Disposition of Angels and the Ministry of Moses by the Institution of a Church-state and Ordinances of his own appointment And if his Revelation of the Will of God therein be not compleat perfect ultimate unalterable if it be to expire it must be that Honour may be given above him unto one greater than he 2. It is so as unth their Decay or the loss of their primitive Force and Efficacy For their Efficacy unto their proper Ends depends on 1. The Iâ—â—â—iâ—ution of Christ This is the Foundation of all Spiritual Efficacy unto Edification in the Church or whatever belongs thereunto And therefore whatever church-Church-state may be framed or Duties ways or means of Worship appointed by Men that have not his Institution how specious soever they may appear to be have no Spiritual Force or Efficacy as unto the Edification of the Church But whilst this Institution of Christ continues irrevocable and is not Abrogated by a greater Power than what it was enacted by whatever defect there may be as unto Faith and Obedience in Men rendring them useless and ineffectual unto themselves however they may be corrupted by additions unto them or detractions from them changing their Nature and Use in themselves they continue to be of the same Vse and Efficacy as they were at the beginning 3. On the Promise of Christ that he will be present with his Disciples in the Observation of his Commands unto the Consumation of all things Matt. 28.20 To deny the continued accomplishment of this Promise and that on any pretence whatever is the Venom of Infidelity If therefore they have an irrevocable Divine Institution if Christ be present in their Administrations as he was of old Revel 2.1 there can be no abatement of their Efficacy unto their proper ends in the Nature of Instrumental Causes 3. On the Covenant of God which gives an infalâ—iâ—le iâ—seperable Conjunction between the Word or the Church and its Institution by the Word and the Spirit Isa. 59.21 God's Covenant with his People is the Foundation of every church-Church-state of all Offices Powers Priviledges and Duties there unto belonging They have no other end they are of no other use but to Communicate express declare and exemplifie on the one hand the Grace of God in his Covenant unto his People and on the other the Duties of his People according unto the Tenor of the same
Covenant unto him They are the Way means and Instruments appointed of God for this end and other end they have none And hereon it follows that if it be not in the power of Men to appoint any thing that shall be a means of Communication between God and his People as unto the Grace of the Covenant on the one Hand or the Duties of Obedience which it requires on the otherâ— they have no power to erect any new Church-state or enact any thing in Divine Worship not of his Institution This being the state of Churches and their Ordinances they cannot be altered they cannot be liable unto any decay unless the Covenant whereunto they are annexed be altered or decayed And therefore the Apostle to put finally and absolutely his Argument unto an Issue to prove that the Mosaical church-Church-State and Ordinances were changed because useless and ineffectual doth it on this ground that the Covenant whereunto they were annexed was changed and become useless This I suppose at present will not said concerning the New Covenant whereunto all Ordinances of Divine Worship are inseparably annexed Men might at a cheaper Rate as unto the Eternal interest of their own Souls provide another Covering for their sloth negligence unbelief and indulgence unto proud foolish imaginations whereby they render the Churches and Ordinances of the Gospel useless and ineffectual unto themselves thereby charging them with a decay and uselesness and so reflâ—cting on the honour and faithfulness of Christ himself 2. THEY do not cease because there is at present or at least there is shortly to be expected such an effusion of the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit as to render all these external Institutions needless and consequently useless This also is falsely pretended For 1. The greatest and most plentiful effusion of the Holy Spirit in his Gifts and Graces was in the days of the Apostles and of the first Churches planted by them nor is any thing beyond it or indeed equal unto it any more to be expected in this World But yet then was the Gâ—spel church-Church-state erected and the use of all its Ordinances of Worship enjoyned 2. The Ministry of the Gospel which comprizeth all the Ordinances of Church worship as its object and end is the Ministration of the Spirit and therefore no supplies or Communication of him can render it useleless 3. One of the principal ends for which the Communication of the Spirit is promised unto the Church is to make and render all the Institutions of Christ effectual unto its edification 4. 1 Joh. 2.20 27. is usually pleaded as giving countenance unto this fond pretence But 1. The Vnction mentioned by the Apostle was then upon all Believers Yet 2. It is known that then they all walked in Church-Order and the sacred observation of all the Institutions of Christ. 3 If it takes away any thing it is the Preaching of the Woâ—d or all manner of Teaching and Instruction which is to overthrow the whole Scripture and to reduce Religion into Barbarism 4 Nothing is inâ—â—nded in these words buâ— the dâ—fâ—â—rent way of Teaching and degrees of Success betwâ—en that under the Law and tâ—aâ— now established in the Gospâ—â— by the 〈◊〉 effusion of the Spiâ—it a◠〈◊〉 been 〈◊〉 at large elsewhere Nor 3. Do they cease in their Administration for want either of Authority or Ability in dispense them which is pleaded unto the same end But neither is thiâ— preâ—enâ—â— of any force it only begs the thing in Question The Auâ—hority of Office for the Administration of all other Ordinances is an Institution And to say that all Institutions cease bâ—cause none have Authority to administer them is to say they must all cease because they are ceased 2. The Office of the Ministâ—y for the continuation of the Church-state and Administration of all Ordinances of Worship unto the end of the World is sufficiently secured 1. By the Law constitution and appointment of our Lord Jesus Christ erecting that Office and giving waranty for its continuance to the Comsumation of all things Matt. 28.20 Ephes. 4.13 2. By his continuance according unto his promise to communicate Spiritual Gifts unto Men for the Ministerial Edification of the Church That this he doth so continue to do that is is the principal external Evidence of his abiding in the discharge of his Mâ—diatory Office and of what nature these gifts are I have declared at large in a peculiar Discourse on that subject 3. On the duty of Believers or of the Church which is to choose call and soâ—emnly set apart unto the Office of the Ministry such as the Lord Christ by his Spirit hath made meet for it according unto the rule of his word If all these or any of them do fail I acknowledge that all Ministerial Authority and Ability for the dispensation of Gospel-Ordinances must fail also and consequently the state of the Church And those who plead for the continuation of a successive Ministry without respect unto these things without resolving both the Authority and Office of it unto them do but erect a dead Image or embrace a dead carcase instead of the living and life giving Institutions of Christ. They take away the living Creature and set up a skin stuffed with straw But if these things do unalterably continue if the Law of Christ can neither be changed abrogated or disannulled if his dispensation of Spiritual gifts according unto his promise cannot be impeded if Believers through his grace will continue in obâ—dience unto his commands it is not possible there should be an utter failure in this Office and Office-power of this Ministry It may fail in this or that place in this or that Church when the Lord Christ will remove his Candlâ—stick But it hath a living root whence it will spring again in other places and Churches whiâ—st this world doth endure Neither 4. Do they cease because they have been all of them corrupted abused and defiled in the Apostacy which fell out among all the Châ—rches in the latter Ages as it was fully foretold in the Scripture For 1. This supposition would make the whole Kingdom of Christ in the world to depend on the corrupt Lusts and wills of men which have got by any mâ—â—ns the outward possession of the Administration of his Laws and Ordinances This is all one as if we should say that if a pack of wicked Judges should for a season pâ—rvert Justice Righteousness and Judgment that the being of the Kingdom is so overthrown thereby as that it can never be restored 2. It would make all the dâ—â—ies and all the priviledges of all true Believers to depend on the wills of wicked Apostares For if they may not make use of what they hrve abused they can never yield Obedience to the câ—mmands of Christ nor enjoy the priviledges which he hath annexed unto his Church and Worship 3. On this supposition all Reformation of an Apostarized Church is utterly impossible But it is our duty to