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Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	apostle_n	church_n	prove_v	2,236	5	6.1879	4	false

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A78093	Temple-defilers defiled, vvherein a true visible Church of Christ is described. The evils and pernicious errours, especially appertaining to schisme, anabaptisme, and libertinisme, that infest our Church, are discovered. And directions to preserve from the sin and punishment of temple-defiling, delivered in two sermons preached at the lecture in Kingston upon Thames, Feb. 20. & 27. 1644. out of I Cor. 3.17. / By Richard Byfield pastor in Long-Ditton, Surrey.	Byfield, Richard, 1598?-1664.	1645 (1645)	Wing B6394; Thomason E278_20; ESTC R200019	46,454	48

be worse that ruines the foundation but vain curious unnecessary doubtfull tending to jangling strife and divisions perhaps true but unprofitable like the Genealogies in the which the Jewes were curious or else erroneous and of ill consequence though not in it self impious Such in a word as suites not with the foundation such as is not like gold silver and precious stones these only are fit for this building suitable to Christ the foundation the Apostle reasons against their bringing such stuffe to Gods building and in this verse bringeth his Argument from the greatnesse of the sin and the certain●y of the punishment Their sin is the defiling of Gods Temple their punishment shall be destruction 2. Again his Argument against such ill Church workes lyeth also against Schisme Divisions and Factions in the Church as appeareth to the diligent and intelligent Reader by that in the chap. 1. ver 10. 12. and in this chap. 3. ver 3 4 5. The Apostle is still about the cure of this one disease and this verse we are upon argues against it as a Temple-pollu●er and destructive to those that are guilty of it 3. To whom he speaks 1. To the Church of Corinth called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Consider it 1. He speaks not to them without there were within the Church too many defilers of Gods Temple 2. He speaks not to a party in that Church the house of Cloe a choice party separating from the faulty party making up a new Church l●st they should be pollu●ed in holding Church Fellowship with them that were such sinners The house of Cloe knew how tostand free from partaking with them in their sins and yet retain Gospel Union to seek a Medicine and not make a rupture The Apostle guided by the spirit of Vnion love and a sound minde breathes forth nothing to make Rents but what ever might be to make up breaches He directs not the Epistle to the house of Cloe that stood sound and untoucht though they gave him notice of the evils that infested the Church at Corinth But 1. To the whole company of Professors of Christianity in that great City to the whole society of Christians there 2. And that also to such a society as were enriched in gifts and graces so that he fi●st breaks out in the mention of them with solemne Thanksgiving to God they were enriched in every thing by Christ in all utterance in all knowledge they came behinde in no gift as in chap. 1. ver 4. 5. 7. Yet many of ●hese fell into this sin of Schisme these must take heed how they walk on in that sin for they may fall under this destroying judgement of God 2. To the whole and Vniversall Church of God ver 2. of chap. 1. All in every place that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours One Lord in common of one visible Church in all the world which is one body under that one head par●icular visible Churches are not so many Independant Churches those that so teach m●ke Jesus Christ monstrous The Papists make Christs Church a Monster in that they hold that Christ is the head of the Church which is most true and yet withall that the Pope is the head of the Church The Church then is a body that hath two heads And those make Christ yet more monstrous that setting up so many Independant Churches as there be Christian Congregations in the world which they call each s●verally the mysticall Body of Christ do make Christ a head that hath so many bodies but there is but one Body all particular Churches make up one Church and visible universall society in which Church he sai●h not Churches God hath set Apostles Prophets Teachers Miracles gifts of healings helps Governments diversities of Tongues Therefore many of us also must beware of that and such like sins of Divisions that defiled the Church at Corinth for the Ax of this Sentence in this Text is by the Apostle laid also to every of our roots While therefore these words are handled according to the truth Look not on me as if I spake of my self look not off your selves blesse not your selves under the vain thoughts of Gospel-Grace that you will hear and only that or Gospel-graces and gifts wrought in you or your freedom from other grosse-sins as if this of falling into divisions were no sin but consider who speaks How and to whom And the Lord Jesus Christ make all saving to you though for the present it should not savour you The Substance of the Text hath three words to be opened 1. The Temple of God He means not hereby the materiall Temple in Ierusalem first or second nor the Tabernacle built in the wildernesse but the latter end of this verse sheweth clearly he means Christians which Temple are ye every particular Christian every of you and ye the Church of Christians both then at Corinth and also every where not only the Christian that hath truth of grace and is so inwardly as well as outwardly but the Christian by outward calling for to these he wrote also not only every particular member but chiefly the Church the Society This word ye referred to all in Corinth called to be Saints and to all in all the world that call on the name of the Lord Iesus Christ doth fully evince thus much They are called Gods Temple continuing the Metaphor of a building considered severally and in a Church-society with Relation to the typicall Temple to shew that the truth of that type is now remaining 2. Defile Destroy The Greek word is but one in divers tenses it signifieth both to Defile and Destroy to corrupt and violate the Greek is thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The translation would render the Originall more naturally if we retained one English word either thus If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God defile or thus If any man destroy the Temple him will God destroy It is an Elegancy and not barely so but pregnant in instruction for it teacheth that the punishment of such offenders shall be in justice proportioned to their offence Defiling for defiling violence for violence degree for degree if they 'le be dilapidating and corrupting Gods house they shall have enough of it God will dilapidate and corrupt them 3. If any man him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any do it that same man shall feel it whoever he be Teacher or hearer of high esteem for place in the Church or for gifts and graces this man God will certainly meet withall this his sin shall finde him out Now from hence arise three Doctrines worth our through perusall and attention 1. Doct. Every Christian professing the true Faith much more every true Professor of that true Faith is the Temple of God And every particular visible Church or Society of these Professors and the whole Church or universall society of Christians professing the true faith are the Temple of God

fornicators of the Church these we judge If we doe neglect this Discipline the Apostle doth not say separate you that are Saints indeed set up a new Church but blames us saying Doe not ye judge them that are within 1 Cor. 5. 12. and injoynes reformation not a separation for such a fault saying Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked Person It is a lamentable thing to read in the Church of Corinth the Temple of God which is holy this mixture brother Fornicator brother Drunkard brother Idolater c. yet so it was “ Aug. Tom. 7. cont Ep. Parmen l. 2. c. 1. Quisquis vel quod potest arguendo corrigit vel quod corrigere non potest salvo pacis vinculo exclu●it vel quod salvo pacis vinculo excludere non potest aequitate improbat firmitate supportat hic est pacificus ab isto maledicto immunis quod Scriptura dicit vae his qui dicunt quod nequam est bonum quod bonum est ncquam so it hath been in the Primitive purest times if it be so now be not so offended as to run out of your little wit while you are running from pollution run not from Gods Temple while you flee the touching of the unclean thing rather let your holinesse be accompanied with love your love with severity your severity with tolerance and longanimity your long-suffering with zeal your zeal with compassion and all with meeknesse of wisdome 2. For the Structure 1. The Temple was built on mount Zion which was first a strong hold of the Jebusites but conquered and taken by David was called the city of David and because a mountain therefore strong and steddy So Christ hath no Church but what he gets by spiritual conquest they were before calling a Fort of Jebusites but our David subduing the strong holds of Satan brings them to God the Rock of Ages Is 26. 4. Jer. 17. 5. 7. the only Iehovah and on him that is on him as he hath named revealed himself in his holy word are they built 2. The Temple had goodly foundations so the Church is built on Christ the Foundation-stone elect and precious tryed and sure on whom whosoever beleeveth shall never be confounded It is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Apostles are the highest Office and Calling that ever was in the Church and therefore named first not upon their Persons but upon their Doctrine called the foundation because it layeth Christ the Foundation and layeth him out and sets him in his proper place to the full in two sorts of fundamentall truths the Law and Gospel or as it is in Revel 14. 12. The Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus The Church is the Communion of Saints that keepeth these two This is the Zion of God opposed to Antichristian Babylon There is not a clearer Text in all the Bible nor more lively distinguishing it concerns our dayes well is this Book of Prophesies called the Revelation not onely because it opens and reveals the Prophesies of things to come all Prophesies but also because it carries such beams and rayes of lightsome doctrinall truth wherewith it is bespangled and shines in severall parts of it to enlighten the times which the Prophesies concern 3. The walls of the Temple were conjoyned by corner-stones Christ Iesus is the chief corner stone that holds both parts of this spirituall building both Iews and Gentiles that are called fast together so that they do concorporate Eph. 3. 6. 4. The severall stones in this Temple or curtains with tapes and loops and tenons posts and sockets are the severall members variously gifted and yet united in the unity of profession and of the spirit and of faith and of Baptisme and in the bond of Peace 5. The outer and inner coverings are the double condition of the Church the inward Psal 45. 14. comely and glo●ious the outward black and tann'd with afflictions and persecutions Cant. ● 5. 6. The Temple had pillars and walls and the visible Church in respect of the Ministery of it is the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3. 17 Gal 2. 9. Col. 2. 19. The Officers and Members in the Church are the sustainers of the fabrick and the body 3. But for the Furniture chiefly is the Church of God his holy Temple For. 1. There being retained held and held forth the Doctrine of Reconciliation by Christ alone that one Mediatour that God is onely to be found gracious to a sinner in Christ fully satisfied in his blood which is belonging to no sinner but to him that beleeveth here is the true Mercy-seat God in Christ We need not say O thou that dwellest between the Cherubims but know and pray to God as the God Father of our Lord Iesus Here being taught that Christ is true God and true Man in one Person here is the Ark over laid with gold the true flesh of Christ under which his God-head was covered is the Vail between the Holy-place and the Holy of Holies 2. The Doctrine of Christs sacrifice on the Crosse and of his intercession in heaven is both the Altars the Altar of whole burnt-offering and the Altar of incense 3. The Tables of the Covenant in the Ark the Manna and Aarons rod by it this is in the Church that sets up Christ the Bread of Life the onely Prophet that teacheth to profit and the high Priest over the house of God whom we ought to obey 4. The Candlestick is the light of the Word the Law and Gospel that all in Gods house may walk in the light of the Lord and see to do his work 5. The Laver is the Doctrine of Regeneration and Iustification by Christs blood and spirit 6. The Golden Instruments and vessels for Incense-offering and sprinkling with the rest are the gifted Ministers gifted with pastorall and teaching aptnesse and abilities and sanctified for the applying of Christ and his benefits by their Ministery which gifts Christ giveth but the Church upon due triall acknowledgeth owneth receiveth confirmeth with her testimony and honoureth 4. For the glory inhabiting there 4. God in Christ is there giving the blessing and life The name of that City is Iehovah-Shammah Ezek. 48. 35. or The Lord is there 5. For the cover on it all 5. There is over every such assembly and over the whole Zion of God Isa 4. 5 6. a speciall Protection a speciall Direction and a speciall safety to them that shrowd there from the heat and from the storm This is the defence upon all the glory Now from this branch of the Doctrine and from this true and plain explication of the same we may describe or direct to the infallible note of the true Church on earth and of a true particular visible Church 1. Where ever Iesus Christ is held for the foundation and corner-stone and the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles touching the faith of Iesus and the Commandments of God

and of godlinesse make a m●rchandize for their own filthy lucre Such a●e those pretenders to Reformation now among us that make up their private estates out of the Publique being carried with self-seeking they dread not the ex●mples of Councellors Nobles Iudges Prelates Gentry that now before their eyes lye under Gods avenging hand their carcases for they are cast out and nought of them remaines but their dead contemned bulkes and on them their Worme feedes and dyes not and the fire is not quenched these their miserable carcases they may goe out and see and looke upon the contempt that God hath and doth poure upon them for the abusing of their power to their owne lusts and for making a prey of the Publique and yet they greedily follow the way of such Balaamites All that are intrusted and imployed for the publique in this great service of seeking Reformation set them feare lest if found in the like sinne they should fall into greater condemnation The Lord is a jealous God 2. All that make Schismes and divisions in the Church the context sheweth this these are properly and directly intended here by the Holy Ghost In the Church of Corinth many stood guilty of this sin their factious studies rented them into Sects 1. By contentious siding falling into parties according to their Teachers whom they affected 1 Cor. 1. 12. 2. By affectation of humane wisdome and foolish admiration thereof in the Preaching of the Gospell Ch. 17. 2. 1. 4. 3. By building Heterogeneall stuffe of a divers kind and unsuitable as wood hay and stubble upon the foundation Ch. 3. 12. 4. By undervaluing their faithfull Teachers Ch. 4. 1. and neglecting their spirituall Father that had begotten them in Christ Iesus through the Gospell ver 15. of Chap. 4. had you saith the Apostle ten thousand instructers yet I am your Father you have not many fathers this unnaturalnesse in matters of Grace is found in some of this place that Minister that begot you you cast off he continuing in his integrity and you heap to you instructers yet I thinke not so many as yet that we should reckon them by the thousands 5. By over-valuing themselves Ch. 4. 8. 10. in their owne conceit they were full rich and reigned as Kings without their faithfull Teachers they were wise strong and honourable now they were in the right now their joyes and light abounded but without us saith the Apostle I would saith he yee did reigne this their happy estate was but in their conceit These things made them be puffed up one against another 1 Corinthians 4. 6. Of this sin are they also guilty that fall under that admonition in Rom. 16. 17. that make divisions and offences contrary to the Doctrine of the Apostles the Greek Preposition signifieth both contrary and besides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Significat praeter contra the peace of the Church and the purity of Doctrine is sinfully violated by those that divide and lay stumbling blocks in the waies of Christians by contending for any thing that is against or besides Scripture-truth The Scripture is the Rule by which we discerne of Division and offence-makers Schisme is a sin that stickes fast the Apostle spends in one Letter foure Chapters u●on it for this discourse begun in the first is continued to the fifth Chapter The greatnesse of this sin the Apostle sheweth many wayes 1. Schismes divide Christ so this sin is parricide Is Christ divided 2. Schisme giveth Christs honour to another so it is Sacriledge Was Paul crucified for you 3. It breakes our faith in Baptisme so it is perfidiousnesse Were yee Baptized in the name of Paul Chap. 1. v. 13. 4. It is a glorying in men Chap. 3. 21. and to glory in men that first proves men c●●nall for it fills men with envying and strife and divisions and tha● is to walk as men not as christians Ch. 3. v. 3 4. Ob. Some of them were ready to say Why spend you your time about this matter why come you not to us with meat we are strong we are spirituall teach us some deep Mysteries and hig●er Doctrines Sol. The Apostle prevents this and layes it upon themselves their Rudity their rawnesse required his plainesse they kept him to be laying of the Principles his faithfulnesse and Pastorall discretion and wisdome kept him fast to this way of dispensing the Truth to them Were they spirituall that thus strove and stood divided They were carnall they were babes the spoone was fitter for them then the knife they were not fit to be their owne carvers v. 1 2 3. Secondly this glorying in men makes as if the Ministers were Lords of our Faith whereas they are but Ministers v. 5. Thirdly it makes as if our profiting did depend on the Ministers whereas they are only planters and waterers it is Gods giving the increase that doth the deed v. 6 7. Fourthly all Ministers are but one though some are gifted above others some labour more than others they are all but Servants in one Worke imployed in Tilling Gods Field in building Gods House v. 8 9. 5. Schismes are of our owne spirit the Spirit of God is not factious Ch. 3. v. 16. 6. They wrong Gods Temple as in the text in hand dividing it when it is but one prophaning it when it is holy 7. Schisme is the bad effect of two evill causes 1. Self-confidence Anthadie and boasting as the Apostles words shew Let no man deceive himselfe if any man thinke he is wise Acts 8 9. 2. Vaine admiration upon vaine wisedome ver 18. every one with Simon Magus would faine be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some great one 8. It is derogatory both to the Christians honour and to Gods order v. 21. All is the Christians he is Christs and Christ is Gods Thus Paul here sets out the greatnesse of the sin of Schisme and Divisions to which I shall adde but that one word of the same Paul in Gal. 5. 19 20. that it is a manifest worke of the flesh the workes of the flesh are manifest which are divisions Their waies of deceit in sowing divisions are excellently deciphered in Rom. 16. v. 18. they are not easily discerned for they paint with two colours 1. They glory they are the Servants of our Lord Iesus Christ 2. They use good words and faire speeches their tongues meere sugar blessing Grace goodnesse in their lips with such sobernesse gentlenesse meeknesse lowlinesse insinuations of faire speech as one would not thinke but God and goodnesse were confined to that sort of people these catch the simple but indeed they serve their owne bellies they have the teeth of Lions with those Locusts Rev. 9. 8. though they have the hair of women Now this schismaticall spirit is in all things most dangerous because it agrees every way and takes wonderfully with corrupt nature which is full of self-love pride and dotage 3. All Hereticks these ruine the foundation those before mentioned make rents in

shadows we may with pleasing delight imbrace the body of those shadows here are also Emblems Similitudes and expressions of Gods own devising out of Gods own mint which with safety and profit we may and ought to use This fancifull age may here please their fancy and yet retain and grow more in the soundnesse of faith and love which is in Christ Iesu● Secondly that there is the same God in both Testaments the same Christ “ Evacuatur in Christo non vetus Testamentum sed volamen ejus ut per Christum intelligatur quia sidenud●tur quod sine Christo obscurum quia adopertum est non igitur per Domini gratiam tanquam inutilia ibi legerentur ablata sunt sed tegmen potius quo utilia ●●gebantur Aug. Tom 6. ad Honor Contra. Manichaeos de util Credendi 63. the same Covenant though there be different wayes of Ministery and degrees of manifestation and clarity that place in Heb. 8. 8. 10. taken out of Jer. 31. 31 32 33. which speaketh of a new old Covenant is thus to be understood not of two Covenants differing in substance not of the two Covenants the Covenant of workes and the Covenant of Grace but of one and the same Covenant of Grace distinguished in their different manner of Administration the one in Ceremonies Types shadows to signifie and lead to Christ that was to come the other in the substance of spirituall things themselves the body the truth exhibiting Christ now already come this place is much abused through inadvertency Here also we see that a proof out of the old Testament is as much Gospel if rightly applied as any in the New-Testament Thirdly that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to preach Gods wrath to evill Christians Fourthly that they ought to preach wrath not only to those Christians of evil life and manners but also to those of evil Doctrine of errors in Religion of Pride dissensions and faults in that kinde where they are not yet fallen to notorious Hereticall Doctrine these are threatned in this Text by the Apostle 2. We should be exhorted and perswaded to our duty even those duties which are to be pressed unto that we may escape this sin and punishment they respect our selves and others 1. For our selves let us see how far in any kinde we are guilty and be humbled for the same in confessions and godly sorrow and then do as Paul who preached the Faith which once he destroyed Gal. 1. 23 24. Build up the Temple which once we destroyed that all the gracious that see or hear of it may glorifie God in us 2. For others these duties lie charged upon us to escape pollution and destruction 1. We must try the spirits the Doctrine of those Teachers that say they teach by the spirit they bring the doctrine of Gods spirit not of their own spirit we must not receive what they say upon trust but try it 1 Joh. 4. 1. 2. We must marke those that cause divisions and offences contra●y to the doctrine received and avoid them Rom. 16. 17. Ob. They seek to set up the Lord Iesus Christ Sol. v. 18. They serve their own bellies observe them well and you will finde it again they seek to draw away disciples after them and not to bring men to be disciples to Iesus Christ Act. 20. 30. Quest But may we not hear them in their separated meetings Ans That is not to avoid them you are by the command of the Apostle to avoid and decline them but by this you incourage them and feed their proud humour who glory in having their meetings frequented 3. We must place all in their due place Ministers in their place fathers let them be fathers and evil workers and dogs in their due place that is without Rev. 22. 15. Let no man corrupt your mindes from the Gospel and its Simplicity 4. We must hold the unity of Faith and love that we may with one minde and mouth glorifie God The Father of our Lord Iesus Christ Rom. 15. 5. 6. 7. If we have bitter strifes and envyings the never failing fruits of erroneous opinions and divisions let us not glory that we are true Christians and lie against the truth as we do in saying so to persist in such evils proveth that we are no true Christians Iam. 3. 14 15 16 17. “ Paraeus in Loc. Quid gravius hodie ecclesiam affligit cursum evangelij magis remoratur quam Schismaticae doctorum contentioues Viderint isti quid se mancat nos dise●mus templum D●i reveren ter in pace exornare Doctrinâ fide vitâ purâ Vt enim sui templi vastatores tyrannos Haereticos Schismaticos deus destruat Ita fideles Architectos cultores defensores gratia benedictione cumulabit juxta promissionem Ego me diligentes diligo Honorantes me honorabo What is there in the world that doth more heavily afflict the Church at this day that doth more retard the course of the Gospel than the Schismaticall contentions of Teachers Let these men see what abides them as for us let us learne with fear and trembling and in all peaceablenesse to adorne the Temple of God with sound doctrine the power of Faith and the purity of an holy life For as the Lord will destroy the destroyers of his Temple Tyrants Heretiques Schismatiques and the rest of the Litter of all the Foxes the little Foxes So he will Crown with his Grace and blessing all Masters builders Repairers Beautifiers faithfull Labourers and Defenders thereof according to his Promise Those that love me I ever love and those that honour me I will honour FINIS 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉