his Spirit prepare and fit men for this state build them up and stamp his own and his Father's name upon them but also he dwells in them and makes them his walks palaces and places of his delight Here says he will I dwell for I have desired it Psal 135.14 yea these Churches are his chosen and most pleasant habitations Psal 132.13 where he rests and reposes himself v 14. and that for ever not to look on or visit them now and then but to rest himself and dwell there for ever not for a few days but for ever And in Rev. 2.1 the Lord Jesus tells the Church at Ephesus that he walked in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks which were the seven distinct particular and congregational Churches Rev. 1.20 and in the 2 Cor. 9.16 says he I will dwell in them and walk in them that is in the particular Church at Corinth Now particular congregational Churches are of God or Men but they cannot be of mens devising and setting up because God owns them and confirms them with his presence desires and chuses them for his Rest and dwells in them continually with delight and complacency and therefore they must be of God for the great and holy God will not own the devices of men in and about his name and worship but abhorrs and loaths them condemns and rejects them as filthy and abominable things Lev. 10.2 Sam. 6. and much less will he delight and rest in them Thirdly That particular congregational-Churches of Believers are of divine Institution is further evinced and confirmed by the constant and universal practice of Believers in the Apostles daies for no sooner were any Jews or Gentiles converted to Christ but assoon as they had opportunity they joyned to or congregated into Churches So Acts 2.41 42. it is said that they were daily added to the Church vers 47. and Acts 5.14 This is evident in the places where the Apostles preached amongst the Jews and Gentiles and the Gospel was received that assoon as a number were converted they congregated as being the first work they were to do after they had received Christ Jesus the Lord. Col. 2.6 and ever after they were called Churches of Christ and Temples of God a multitude of them you read of in the Acts Epistles of Paul and in the Revelation And what they did therein was by the doctrine and advice of the Apostles and according to what they taught them from and in the name of Christ 1 Cor. 11.23 2 Pet. 1. ult Now what they did and practised by Apostolical direction and with the approbation of Jesus Christ hath the binding force and power of a divine precept 1 Cor. 11.1 Heb. 6.12 It was the universal practice of the primitive Saints to joyn themselves to some Church of Christ insomuch that we can hardly find any one of them continuing out of a Church-state any time after their conversion We seldome read in divine histories of any believers but what had relation to one Church or other planted and watered by the Apostles or Evangelists 1 Cor. 3.6 By which said universal practice we may conclude that particular Churches of Believers are of Gods owne Institution For the Saints of God durst not do then as many dare do now namely to live in the willful neglect of so great a Duty and priviledg the love and fear of God and the will of Christ easily perswaded them to give up themselves unto Christ in universal obedience unto his whole revealed will And they could not congregate and joyn into Churches nor abide and worship God in them in faith and obedience unless they had known that what they did therein was the will of Christ and their duty Fourthly This Truth is further confirmed by the Laws Rules and Orders that Jesus Christ hath given to his Churches as Churches and not as to individual and single Believers Almost all the Epistles of Paul are written for and directed to Believers as inchurched and incorporated into bodies and distinct congregations and he directs his Epistles to them under the stile and Title of Churches To the Church of God which is at Corinth 1 Cor. 1.2 and To the Church of the Thessalonians 1 Thes 1.1 In which Epistles are all the Laws Rules and Orders for all the members of the Churches walking and practice contained which shall be afterwards opened when I come to speak of the duties of Churches and the Epistles of Paul to Timothy are written and sent to him to direct him how to behave himself in the House of God and to shew him what his work and duty was in the Church 1 Tim. 3 14 15. So other Epistles are given to the Churches that they might know how to behave themselves in that state and Relation There are Rules and Laws for their faith and Love and orders for their walkings and practices There they are Instructed and taught how to carry themselves towards God the Father and Jesus Christ their Head and Ruler towards their Pastors and Teachers and towards one another as fellow-Members There they have laid down their particular works and duties towards God and Men and shewed how they should perform them as also motives and encouragements to move and quicken them to diligence and faithfulness in the practice of them And although all sorts of duties are there laid down and commanded namely such as respect other Relations and Capacities as of husband and wife parents and children c. yet the chief and great end matter and scope of them are intended for them as Believers in a Church-state and Relation as will further appear when I come to speak of the special and particular duties of Church Members as such Now then if God hath given his Laws Rules and Orders unto Churches or to Believers as in a Church state and condition for their holy and regular walking towards God and one another as in that relation then undoubtedly particular congregated Churches of Believers are of God and of divine Institution For surely the holy and jealous God would never so far own and priviledge the devices and Institutions of men in matters that so nearly concern his worship and Glory as to dignify them with his holy Laws and Ordinances as he hath done to his own Churches that are of his own Institution and appointment Fifthly This Truth is further ratifyed and confirmed by the Officers he hath given to them for their well-being ordering and managing of Church-affairs and concernments in his name for his glory and their profit These Officers are specified and enumerated in Eph. 4.11 1 Cor. 12.28 Phil. 1.1 1 Tim. 3.1 Tim. 5.17 and elsewhere as in Acts 20.17 c. And they are not given by men but God authorized impowred by him to act and officiate as such in the Church 1 Cor. 12.28 God hath set them in his Church And Acts 20.28 says Paul to the Elders of the Church at Ephesus Take heed to your selves and to the
then the stony Ground would be in as good and safe a condition as the good Ground but the contrary is apparent Matth. 13. and Matth. 7. But it is certain that they are not built on Christ by faith but are vocted in themselves and build their vain hopes on a sandy Foundation Job 8. Matth. 7. and in many other Scriptures is manifest Therefore if there persons are not built on Christ their Church-state is not but upon the Sand. Hence then it follows that only sound Believers are built on Christ and so they are the persons only that Christ will have built up into Holy-Temples because the Churches that Christ builds he himself says he will build upon himself that they may stand inpregnably in all weathers and that is only of such as are united unto him by Faith and have chosen him for their only Rock and Foundation by a lively Faith and not of such as do secretly reject him Obj. If it be said that the Text in Matth. 16. speaks of the invisible Catholick Church I Answer And I am speaking too of the Members of the Catholick Church and say that all particular congregated Churches of Believers are or ought to be such as are united unto and built upon Christ by Faith and that these ought to congregate and become Churches of God and none else and that according unto the directions of the Gospel of Christ and then if they be indeed such that promise in Matth. belongs to them and they shall be secured by it as well as the Catholick Church although they be formed up according to Christs his Institution into particular congregational Churches And although after they are thus formed they may be broken in a Sense and scattered as the Church at Jerusalem was Act. 8.1 yet they are still secured by that promise and have communion with each other in Faith Love tears and Prayers in Judgment and affection The Lord Jesus suffers in name and Glory by the fall of his Churches or such as pretend to be so as he that built his house on the sand is called a foolish man by Spectators Matth. 7. and if Churches should be so built either for want of a good Foundation or good matter or wise and carefull cementing and forming up the materials how greatly will the Wisdom and care of Christ suffer by the Tongues of his Enemies because such Churches took upon themselves the name of Christ and pretended to be his people and to walk by his Laws And as the fall of them will be a Reproach to Christ so it will be matter of grief and scandal to the weak Members of Christ also whether they were in or out of those Churches thus fallen and it will greatly harden the hearts of Sinners against the good ways of God and cause them to think that there is no reality in his Gospel Religion and therefore Christ cannot endure to see his houses fall to the ground but takes care that all that he builds by his Word and Spirit be so built and secured as that the Gates of Hell shall not overthrow them nor by any means prevail against them to destroy them and that because they are founded secured supported by his promise and Spirit I might produce many other Reasons for the proof and confirmation of this Truth that none but real Believers ought to be formed up into a Church of Christ As concerning the priviledges and promises that belong to a Church of Christ There are many of them which may be spoken of on an other head which are two high and glorious for the Inglorious professing Hypocrities and therefore they must be entayled only on the true heirs of them viz. the living Members of Christ and Children of God Hypocrites who refuse to have Christ on his own Terms and who preferr their Lusts before him and their own Righteousnesse before Christs and daily make him a Lyar 1 John 5. have nothing to do with them There is a little Remnant called out of the World to whom they do onely belong and they and only they may claim them as their own Again because only Believers are Christs willing subjects such as have freely put their necks under his Yoke and given up themselves in universal obedience to him and that have heartily chosen him for their Lord and Governour and his Laws for their Rule and practice But it is well known that all other men do reject him and yeild obedience unto the Devil and their Lusts They will have the Lord Jesus bow down to their Terms but they will not come up to his They say as those in Joh. 6.60 this is a hard Yoke who can bear it and therefore although we will professe him that we will not have him rule over us And therefore he doth not call them to partake of the Children of the Kingdomes Bread or to his true Subjects priviledges and Blessings whilest they continue such Moreover only true Believers are Clean and Pure all others are unclean They are strangers to him and his People unwashed and uncircumcized in Ears and Hearts They are not Justifyed nor Sanctifyed nor purged from their uncleannesse by the blood of the Lamb and therefore they may not come near to or touch the holy things of his Church which are holy pure things and sanctifyed unto the holy use of his enchurched-members I would not be tedious and therefore shall wave all further consideration of this matter although I could multiply Reasons to prove that only real true Believers should be Church-Members But I shall speak a few words for the removing of an objection advanced against this Truth which is this But we read of Tares in the field amongst the good wheat good and bad fishes caught in the neet of the Gospel and brought into the Kingdome which is the Church of God as also many evil members in several of the Congregational Churches mentioned in the Scripture and therefore Churches may consist of good and bad men All this may be true and yet the Truth insisted on not at all touched or weakened thereby It is true if there were evil members in those Gospel Churches and they proved evil Members indeed and great afflictions to blessed Paul and the good Members of them But what then ought they to have been there or were they known to be such indeed to the Apostles and other good men when they admitted them were they there by Christs call and with his approbation and allowance although he permitted them to creep in among his People Now unlesse it can be proved that they ought to be there that they were admitted when known to be such as afterward they appeared to be that it was their duty and priviledge while such and that Christ approved there being there I say until that be proved by the word of God we must conclude that they were Vsurpers and had nothing to do in the Churches of Christ I do not discourse of who were in the
holy ends of God in desiring Communion with them As 1 To enjoy God and hold communion with him in all his ordinances and appointments 2 To worship God there in Spirit and Truth and give him your homage and service in his house 3 To shew and declare your subjection and obedience unto him and to make a publique and open profession of him before men 4 To receive of his Grace to enrich your Souls with his fulnesse and to be sealed by his Spirit unto the day of your Redemption 5 That you may walk orderly and beautifully and shine as Lights in the Churches and in the world before Saints and Sinners 6 That you may be established in the Truth live under the watch and care of Christs Ministers and of fellow Members that by their inspection and faithful dealings with you you may be kept from and brought back from sin to God by their wise Reproofs and holy Instructions 7 That you may yield up your selves in Universal obedience unto Christ and do all things whatsoever he commands you that you may have the right use and enjoyment of all your purchased priviledges and be secured against the Gates of Hell Are these and such like ends in your minds and hearts in your walking in Church-fellowship and can you find the forementioned mark or signs of Grace in you in measure though not so clearly and fully as you would Why then I may boldly and humbly tell you that you are fitted and qualified for Church membership that you are called and invited into the house and Temple of God and that you are indispensibly bound to answer to the call of God and say behold Lord we come unto thee and will freely without delay thankfully without grudying humbly without pride with mourning and rejoycing enter into thy Courts joyn with thy Churches and grow into a holy Temple to thy Praise and Honour We will no longer slight our great priviledges neglect our great and indispensible Duties or walk disorderly as we have done but we do now willingly come and offer our selves unto thee and to enter into a solemn engagement to be thine to walk in all thy ways and do the things that please thee I say that Church priviledges are yours the doors of Gods house stand open for you Christ stands at the door and waites for you he invites you to come in sit down at his Table and you shall be most freely and heartily welcome to your Lord and his people And know that it is your unavoidable and indispensible duty to enter into his house 5. Quest Ought a Church of Christ especially the Guides thereof to let in any that professe the name and waies of Jesus Christ and offer themselves unto them or ought they not to try and prove them first whether they are rightly qualified by the grace of Christ for full membership with his people if so then what are the qualifications they should look for and find in them for their own satisfaction which they admit into the holy Temple of God Answ 1. It is certain that all that professe the name of Christ and his waies ought not may not be admitted into the Lords holy Temples because many if not the most of them are very Ignorant of Christ and his ways and notorious scandalous in their Lives as sad and wofull experience shews 2. It hath been I think sufficiently proved before that not any but real-hearted sound Believers are fit materials for a house and holy Temple of God and if so then a Church or the Guides thereof may not admit any into it but such only as they judge by the word of God and their own charitable discretion are such indeed although 't is possible they may be Hypocrites but they may not admit them if they groundedly know or think them to be such For if they should admit such against their knowledge they betray their Trusts and defile Christs holy Temple by taking in such persons as they know or ought to know Christ would not have there And that they ought to try and prove persons that they may know their worthinesse and fitnesse before they admit them in is clear in Acts 9.26 and because Christ hath committed the keys of his Temple unto them to take in and put out according to his will and Appointment Moreover he blames Some for suffering Tares if meant of persons to be sowen in his Kingdome and not endeavouring to prevent and keep them out Matth. 13.25 says he while men Slept the Enemy came and sowed Tares that is while such as should have kept the Temple Gates shut against them to have kept them out were negligent and carelesse of their duty for they should have done all they could to have kept out the Devils seed for what agreement hath the Seed of the Serpent with the Seed of the Woman the Rebells with the true Subjects of Christ or as Paul saith what concord hath Christ with Belial 2 Cor. 6.14 3. As to satisfying qualifications in persons desiring admission into Churches I say that when they have been well tryed and are found in the Judgment of Charity such as Christ hath received and competently qualifyed for Church membership they ought to receive them in the Lord Rom. 14.1 Rom. 15.7 1. If they can make forth and declare unto the Church their at least seemingly Regeneration Conversion Repentance and Faith in Christ their knowledge of Christ and his ways Laws and Ordinances of their lost and perishing state in Sin and by reason of it and their sincere desires and Resolutions to become the Lords and to walk with him unto all well-pleasing in all his ways 2. If they are sound in the Faith of the Gospel I mean in the chief and principal Doctrines and Truths thereof although they may be ignorant of or err in lesser matters If they have some distinct knowledge and Faith concerning these and other such Truths and matters contained in the word of God As of the state and condition wherein man was first created How he lost that holy and blessed State and the misery he brought himself and all his posterity into thereby Concerning themselves that they are by nature Children of wrath dead in Sins and Trespasses and condemned to eternal Death That they are Enemies to and at enmity with God That they have neither will nor power by nature either to will or do that which they ought and is pleasing to God That they have forsaken God and are under the Curse of the Law and that they are the Children Subjects and Servants of the Devil World and their own Lusts That God left not all men in this State and condition but provided an all-sufficient Remedy namely Jesus Christ and that by an Everlasting Covenant entered into with Christ in the behalf of men before the Foundation of the World Tit. 1.2 2 Tim. 1.9 Prov. 8. and that in pursuance thereof he elected and gave some to Christ that he might
save them and that of his meer Grace and Love Joh. 6.37 40. Joh. 10. Joh. 17. Eph. 2.4 That God the Father gave and set his Son the second person in the Trinity to mediate peace between God and Men and to reconcile men to God by his active and passive Obedience That Jesus Christ gave himself and became a propitiation for their Sins That he assumed our nature and took it up into a personal Union with himself whereby there are two natures in one Person by which he was made capable of his Mediatorship That he being God-man in one Person took upon himself our guilt and punishment obeyed the whole Law of God that men had broken and did always do the things that pleased God That when he had finished his active obedience he became obedient unto the death of the Crosse to the wrath of God and curse of the Law Gal. 3.12 Phil. 2. That he really dyed and was buried lay in the Grave and rose again the third day and after forty days he went up into Heaven and sate down on the right Hand of God and that he will come again to Judge the Quick and Dead That he is King Priest and Prophet A King to give Laws unto men and command their obedience to them to rule and Govern his Subjects and to reward the obedient and punish the disobedient That all power in Heaven and Earth is committed unto him and that he is coequally and coeternally God with the Father and holy Spirit As a high priest he dyed and made Atonement for the Sins of his People and sits in Heaven to make Intercession and appear in the presence of God for them Heb. 7.25.9.24 That there are three persons in the God-Head but one God That the Holy Ghost is eternall God was sent into the World came from the Father Son for the elect sake that it is he that regenerates Persons works effectually in their Hearts applies Jesus Christ and all his benefits to men and savingly Convinces his Elect of Sin Righte ousness and Judgment Joh 3.5 Joh. 16.1 8.13 14 15. That all that rightly Believe in Christ shall be saved but those that believe not shall be damned and that all that believe in Christ must be careful to do good Works That Believers are made righteous with the Righteousness of Jesus Christ and that they have none of their own to commend them unto God That God hath made Jesus Christ unto his chosen Righteousnesse wisdome sanctification and Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 and that they are made the Righteousnesse of God in him 2 Cor. 5. ult That God imputed their sins to Christ and imputes the blood and Righteousnesse of Christ to them and that they are justified thereby and not by inherent holynesse and Righteousnesse That God Loves Pardons Justifyes and Saves men Freely without any respect to their good Works as any cause thereof but all the moving cause without himself is Jesus Christ and his mediation That the Ground and reason of their obedience and doing Good works is the revealed will and pleasure of Christ commanding them and the ends of them are to expresse their thankfulness to God for his Grace and Love to please and honour Him to meet with God and enjoy communion with him to receive of his Grace and the good of many promises To shine as lights in the World and be useful unto men to declare whose and what they are and to lie up for a reward in another World to keep their Lusts under and their graces in use and exercise and to manifest their Respect and Subjection to Jesus Christ his Authority and Law That the Law for the matter of it as qualified by Christ is the Rule and Law of all obedience that all are bound to yield obedience subjection to it That there shall be a Resurrection of the just and unjust That Regeneration is absolutely necessary to Salvation and that without it none can enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Joh. 2.3 5 7. That the Scriptures of the Old and New-Testament contain and hold forth unto men the whole revealed will of God and are sufficient to make the man of God perfect thorowly furnished to every good Work 2 Tim. 3.16 17. and that whatsoever you are to believe and do is contained therein and that it is the ground of their Faith Hope and Practice That Jesus Christ hath instituted and appointed many Ordinances of Worship for his own Glory and his Peoples profit and that all are bound to observe and waite on God in them That all persons are indispensibly bound to mind and carefully to observe the principal manner and end of all their duties and to see that they be right holy and Spiritual indeed and not please themselves with the matter of duty without them That no men can serve God or do any acceptable work unto him until they are regenerate and put into a state of Grace These are some of the matters of Faith that they should rightly in measure understand and believe that are admitted into full membership in the Churches of Christ And these and other Truths must not be notionally lightly and in the general known and believed but heartily powerfully and particularly not for others but themselves or else their faith and knowledge will no way profit their Souls to Salvation 3. They must be qualified also with blameless conversations Their Conversations must become the Gospel Phil. 1.27 or else they are not meet for membership with Gospel-Churches Carnal walkings will not suit spiritual Temples For they will greatly pollute and defile them stain and darken their beauty and Glory Therefore they must not be brawlers or contentious Persons they must not be coveteous and worldly minded vain and frothy Persons They must not be froward and peevish Persons neither must or may they be Defrauders or such as detain others dues carelessy from them nor such as slight the worship of God in their Families or are carelesse of Governing and educating them in good manners and the things of God They may not be such as are known to neglect duties and ordinances in their times and seasons or to have vitious families through their neglects nor any other such kind of persons whose stinking Spirits and conversations are odious to God and his People And therefore whatever their profession be they may not be accepted or received into the holy Temples of God until they have repented of these or any other hateful and scandalous evil in their carriages and walkings 4. If they are such as have chosen the Lord Jesus Christ for their King and head given up and made over themselves to Jesus Christ to live in him and to him have singled him out and set him apart as it were to be the object of their trust Love and delight of their service and obedience If they have chosen and closed up with him upon his own Terms as they hope renounceing and rejecting all their own
their Ministry to the glory of Christ and the profit of the Church And if they have not power to and do not exercise the Authority and execute the Laws of Christ to see too and require orderly walking of all the Members and Authoritatively to deal with Offenders and Transgressors of his Laws who hath power or can do it A Church of Believers as hath been shewed is a Family a Corporation and houshold of God and it is known to all men that all Families and incorporated bodies of men do or ought to live under and submit unto the Laws Orders and Discipline of those Families and Corporations whereunto they belong and in order thereunto they have such among them as have power and Authority to exercise Discipline and execute Laws to Command Order and Appoint what where when and how matters and things shall be done amongst them for the good of the whole I think that the Discipline of a Family or Church of God ought most carefully to be attended too and practised and who shall exercise it but his Ministers and Overseers Act. 20.17 28. It is true that Christ hath set in his Church also another sort of Rulers which I think are said to be helps to which Governments is joyned 1 Cor. 12.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is as I judge God hath chiefly entrusted the ruling power in the Church in the hands of his Teaching Elders and impowered others to help and assist them namely such as are called Ruling Elders in 1 Tim. 5.17 For they have need enough of such helps in their well governing a Church of Christ Of which more afterward This is another part or parcel of Teaching-Elders work Thirdly Their work is to Watch I say to watch over the Church They are the Churches Watchmen to take the oversight of them and to make inspection into them Acts 20.17 28 31. 2 Tim. 4.5 1 Pet 5.2 They are to watch the Wolves and Devil that would come amongst them to sow false Doctrines and Divisions to the breaking of their Peace and spoiling their Communion and that would corrupt their faith and leaven their judgments and drive them away from the Sheep-fold Acts. 20.29 30 31. Tit. 1.10 11 12 13. They must also watch their walkings and conversations and see if they are such as becomes the Gospel of Christ Phil. 1.27 or whether they be reprovable and scandalous so also if they keep to and practise their several duties to God and one another or neglect them that they may from Christ encourage the obedient and rebuke the negligent 1 Thes 5.14 They must also watch and make inspection into the state and condition of their Souls and see how matters go or stand with them that they may know how to administer Remedies to them as their cases do require They should enquire into their growth or decayes in grace whether the word Ordinances of Christ do profit or disprofit them as much as possible they should know what use and improvement they make of their Gospel-mercies as also their Tryals and Temptations their faith and judgments whether they continue found and sincere The Elders of a Church of Christ must not only carry about the names of watchmen but they must do and attend with diligence the real and full work of watchmen they are set by him upon his walls to watch and inspect his Church which indeed is no easie work but full of care trouble pains and difficulty And therefore 't is no wonder the Apostle says who is sufficient for these things for they are to take care of all the spiritual and soul-concernments of the whole Church Fourthly They are to endeavour the preservation of all the Truths and Ordinances of Jesus Christ amongst them and to maintain them in their power and purity in the Church When they know any truth or matter of faith or practice doubted of or called into question by any in the Church they must with all possible care wisdom faithfulness and diligence endeavour the removal of the doubts and questions maintain the Truths and establish all the Members of the Church in them for should the errours at any time sowen among them be let alone and suffered to take Root in their heads they will eat into the heart like a Canker or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cancer or Gangrene To prevent which the Apostle charges Timothy and Titus and all Elders of Churches in them to hold fast the form of sound words 2 Tim. 1.13 And to hold fast the faithful word Tit. 1.9 That by sound Doctrine they may convince Gainsayers And this was alwayes Paul's care and practice as was shewed either to prevent the corrupting of Truth and mens Souls with errours or to overthrow and root them up where they were entertained Thus the Ministers of Christ ought to do now and that for Christ his Truths and Churches sakes Fifthly They must administer all Church-Ordinances with all possible diligence care zeal and faithfulness It is their work and place to do it and therefore they must not be careless or negligent but watch seek for and observe all opportunities for the doing of it that the Church suffer no detriment by their neglects which they will quickly do if neglected as experience shews They must not only care to Preach well but to administer all other Appointments of Christ also in their seasons for all the Ordinances of Jesus Christ are the Churches food and provisions and the means and way appointed by him for the Communicating and dispensing of his Grace Spirit yea and himself unto their Souls and indeed without the Ordinances of the house the house or Church cannot subsist and they are the authorized Stewards of the house to give the Lords Houshold all their provisions in due season that they may be fat and flourishing under his keeping and Donations 1 Cor. 4.1 2. Mat. 24.45 Psal 92 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.5 Every Church Ordinance is a Golden Pipe to convey light life and holiness into Believers hearts and as Breasts to convey nourishment to the Soul They are spiritual Ladders to carry the hearts and graces of Believers up to Heaven and lodge their minds and affections there and they are as the Ark where God will come and meet his people Esa 64.5 Therefore they must be carefully frequently and holily dispensed and administred by them who are set there to do it Sixthly They must stand between God and the Church with holy hearts hands and tongues lifted up to Heaven for the Church or in their behalf and that privately and publickly For their work and office is not only to Minister to them from Christ but they are to present their wants desires and gratitude to God for them also which is no easie work to do They must pray and wrestle with God for them as for their own Souls and carry them upon their hearts and souls in their secret addresses to God and plead with God importunately for them
when we meet let our coming together be for the better and not for the worse Surely I think it is your Duty to give me loving Visits as well as I you and that when you come you shew a readiness to spend our Time and improve our Visits to the profit of our Souls unless the meeting be designed for other business The strangeness of some is no small burden to my spirit and I know not how their Consciences do dispence with such Omissions How can we think that such do really Love one another who regard not each others Company nor though they live near together will vouchsafe to give them a Visit in a whole year together For true Love inclines to Communion free and open-hearted Society together and it is so far from being burdensome to true Lovers so to do as that it is their delight Church-members are bound in duty to give their Teachers friendly Visits to encourage them in their Works and to get some good from them to their own Souls They should come and propound Cases to them that concern their Faith Practise Peace and Comfort and declare to them their Soul troubles and temptations and likewise their profit and gettings by their Ministry They should open unto them their Soul-wants and Spiritual diseases that so they may know the better how to suit their Ministry to them and apply words in season to their Conviction Instruction and Comfort For the Priests Lips should preserve knowledge and the People should seek the Law at his mouth for he is the Messenger of the Lord of Hosts Mal. 2.7 Mark it It is not said that they should always or mostly go to their People but that the People should seek to them Thus the Disciples came to the Lord Jesus with their Cases And truly Friends you would greatly rejoyce my heart if I might see the same practised by you in a holy and serious manner I do assure you that you should be very welcome to me and I shall most freely afford you my help and give you what assistance I can And I do further request and entreat you that when I come to visit you that then I may find you ready to entertain me with some profitable discourse that may better us in the Inner man for that is the best Entertainment I desire or expect from you and it is that which I am sure will turn to the best account now and at the last day These are some of my reasonable requests to you for my self which I hope you will not deny me 2. I have a few requests to you for God and your Head and King the Lord Jesus Christ 1. That you would still remember how you have received him as your Lord Jesus Christ and so walk ye in him Col. 2.6 Examine the Foundation you stand upon and take not up with Reformation without Regeneration and real Vnion with Christ by Faith It is to be feared that too too many Church-members sit down short of Christ a new State and a thorow change of heart that they content themselves with their being in the Churches of Christ the use of Ordinances and with their Church-priviledges We read of five Foolish Virgins in fellowship with five Wise Virgins and we read of bad Fishes in the Nets with the good of Tares growing amongst the good Wheat and of Hypocrits in the Kingdom of Heaven the Churches which Christ shall gather out and cast into the fire Matth. 25.2 Matth. 13.47 48 49 50. Isa 33.14 Take good heed that none of you be such You have past the Test of mens judgments and they take you for true Saints in their Char table judgments but you may be notorious Hypocrites for all that and you must pass under the Infallible Tryal and Judgment of God too who can and will make a true Judgment of you Therefore do you endeavour to know your own States by serious and diligent search 2 Cor. 13.5 2 Pet. 1.10 You may be Members of a true Church of Christ and yet not be true Members of Christ you may be Vnited to his People in Church-fellowship whilst you are Strangers to Christ And know that if you are Hypocrites in the Churches you are an Abomination to him you defile his holy Temple and his Soul abhors you But I say if upon your serious tryal of your selves you find indeed that you are new Creatures and have really received Christ the Lord on his own terms then do you walk in him and worthy of him Col. 1.10 Own him Trust him Love him Obey him Subject and Live to him as to your Head Lord and King Receive and walk by his Laws and Rules only and give him the Honour and Glory of his Headship and Authority over you in and by your so doing Luk. 6.46 Remember that you are the Servants of Christ bought with a price even the price of Christ's Blood that you should be his Servants and Subjects therefore be you not the Servants of men in his matters and concernments 1 Cor. 7.23 2. Do you stand up and be Zealous for and in the cause of your Lord and King Rev. 3.19 You are redeemed to it Tit. 2.14 and your Head expects it from you Keep your hearts with him and for him and suffer no Stranger no Lust Self or any Creature to Vsurp and Possess his Throne in you Shew your Zeal against all Intruders and fight them off when ever they assault you or attempt to get possession of your hearts Be you Zealous for and in his pure Gospel-worship and Ordinances for and in upholding sanctifying and celebrating of them in the Church 3. Encourage and promote the Interest of Christ in each others hearts and to enrich one another with the Truths and Grace of Christ as much as you can for it is your duty so to do and you will thereby please and glorifie him 1 Thes 5.11 Jude 20. You should labour to augment encrease and nourish the Graces Comforts and Experiences provoke strengthen and stir up one another to Love Trust Fear Honour and Serve Christ more and better For this is the Will of God concerning you 1 Thes 5.18 4. Honour Christ by reproving your sinning-Brethren and endeavouring all you can to hide it from the knowledge of others and to restore them with a spirit of meekness not suffering sin to rest upon them Gal. 6.1 Lev. 19.17 Lift them out of the ditch of Sin whereinto Temptation hath cast them and that with all possible secrecy and privacy for the honour of Christ and your Brethren and for the good of their Souls who have sinned Sin especially in Church-members carries Reproach in its mouth on Christ his Ways and Temples and therefore by the same Argument and Reason and for the self-same cause that we are to honour Christ and prevent all Reproach to his Name Gospel and People we should hide each others sins as long as possible and there is hope and endeavour privately to heal offences and
his Gospel-Ordinances in Obedience to his Holy Will for his Glory and their own Spiritual profit Rom. 1.5 6. 2 Cor. 8.5 Heb. 3.1 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22. 2 Cor. 4.6 1 Pet. 2.9 Eph. 2.1.5 Col. 2.6 2 Thes 1.5 This Church so united and built is called a Church a House a Temple Habitation of God and Jesus Christ and they own it as their own call it by their own Names and confirm it with their Presence in it And as such a Church it is the proper seat and subject of all the Gospel-worship and ordinances of Christ in the world as will appear in the other Chapters and therefore I shall not insist on it here Onely take these sew hints of this Church along with you 1. It is an Instituted Church of Jesus Christ namely a Church of his own appointment and erection of his own making and forming according to his own will and pleasure by his own Authority and Approbation 2. The materials or persons constituting this Church are said to be holy persons called out of their old worldly state of death blindness and unbelief unto the knowledg that is the saving knowledg of Christ and his will and unto the Obedience of Faith 3. The Instruments that call them and work them for this state and that is the Word and Spirit of Christ 4. The form of this Church namely their own free special and voluntary agreement among themselves giving themselves to the Lord before each other and then to one another by the will of God entering into a holy band or Engagement to live and walk together through divine assistance in Love peace and in the celebration and practice of all the Laws worship and ordinances of Christ in the Church in obedience to his holy Will 5. The ends of their so doing namely the Glory of Christ and their own spiritual profit These are some of the chiefest things to be observed in this definition of an Instituted Gospel-Church All which I shall through God's help prove and demonstrate hereafter under several heads 2. Quest Of what Extent should an Instituted Gospel-Church be or how many persons should it consist of Answ It should be formed of so many persons as may capacitate them to perform all necessary-Church Acts in pursuance of Christ's Laws and Rules by which the Society ought to walk Mat. 18.15 16 17. and of no more than may conveniently meet together in one place for the celebration of all Gospel-Ordinances and the Edification of the whole Church Now How many persons precisely are requisite to make and constitute such a formal Church I cannot determine but undoubtedly there ought to be such a number as may orderly and regularly deal with and proceed against a delinquent-member according to that Rule in Mat. 18. And as the Church should consist of so many so it should have no more persons in it then as was said may comfortably and conveniently meet or assemble together for the worship of God and profit of the whole Church in one place and that 1. because they are one congregation by their own consent and agreement and so ought not to devide and separate themselves one from another in the worship and ordinances of God but there at the same times with one heart and one mouth glorify God Rom. 15.6 2 Because the whole Church is bound at all times excepting extraordinary cases to wait and attend on the administration of their own Officers by virtue of Christs Law Heb. 13.17 enjoyning them so to do and also by virtue of their own engagement and relation they stand in to them 3 For their own comfort and edification in the Church and ordinances of God This is one of the great ends of Churches and the worship and ordinances of God there namely the profit and edification of all 1 Cor. 14.3 31. But how can it be unless they can all hear and joyn one with another in the ordinances 4 Because a Church ought to observe ordinances and worship God as a Church and not as or under the notion of single and individual Believers but as an united Body and society they must all at once and in the same numerical duties and ordinances in one place joyn together as with one Heart Mouth Mind and Judgment designing aiming at and carrying on the same holy Ends in all the worship of God Therefore a Church of Christ may not exceed such a number of members as may conveniently meet altogether in one place 1 Cor. 5.4 But I shall not enlarge on this head CHAP. II. Shewing that a particular Church of Believers is of divine Institution 3. QUestion Whether particular Churches of Believers be of divine Institution or whether they be of God Answ They are appointed and Instituted of God by Jesus Christ which will appear in or by these particulars First The Scripture tells us that the Spirit is the former and builder of them The Text is clear for it in whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit vers 22. These are the words of Christ by Paul unto the particular congregational Church of the believing Ephesians as is clear in the 20 Chapter of the Acts 27 28. Rev. 2.1 Where the Lord Jesus calls them a distinct Houshold Church or Body of Saints gathered or joyned together in his name for his glory the celebration of his worship ordinances and appointments I say Christ stiles them a Church and speaks to them as a Church and distinct Body or house of Saints from all other persons or Churches whatsoever and this Church was not formed and built by man but by the will power light and direction of the holy Ghost therefore the particular congregational Church of Ephesus is called the House of God 1 Tim. 3.15 and the Church of the living God in the same vers and the distinct particular Churches are called the Churches of God 1 Cor. 11.16 2 Thes 1.4 2 Cor. 1.1 and the Churches of Christ Rom. 16.16 Act. 20.28 And the Lord added to the particular Church at Jerusalem such as should be saved Act. 2. vlt. The holy Spirit by the appointment and with the consent and Authority of God the Father and Christ his Son who is also God blessed for ever Rom. 9.5 prepares materials for a Church and then he joyns them together and makes them a holy and glorious Temple or Church of God Eph. 2.21 22. and Chap. 5.27 So that we have enough to confirm this Truth viz. that particular Churches of Believers are of God in this one particular namely Because God himself is the former and builder of them Mat. 16.18 Isa 43.21 Secondly It further appears by the Lord 's owning of them promising and vouchsafing his presence with them which he would never do if they were not of his Institution and appointment But now the Lord declares his owning of and promises his presence and abode with them as his Churches Jesus Christ doth not only by
Church over which the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ad pascendam Ecclesiam Dei to feed the Church of God And in Eph. 4.11 he that is Christ vers 10. gave Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry vers 11. And as they are given authorized and sent of God or set by him in the Churches so he hath allotted and appointed them their several distinct works and businesses there and charged them to take heed and see they do it as he appoints Acts 20.17 18. Rom. 12.7 8. Heb. 13.17 1 Tim. 5.17 and takes special care about their qualifications for their work 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. yea he gives and bestows Gifts and abilities himself on them for the Churches sakes that they may be able ministers of the New-Testament not of the letter only but of the Spirit and promises to be with them himself in all their endeavours to discharge their Trust and perform their works Eph. 4. Rom. 12. Mat. 28. vlt. and will bless and prosper their labours to his Glory and the Churches benefit Now assuredly God would never have made such provisions for Churches of humane Invention and setting up he would never so far own the works of mens hands without his mind Authority appointment and therefore seeing God hath provided and set Officers in them appointed them their works qualified fitted them by his Spirit promised to be with them particular Churches of Believers must be of divine Institution of God not of men Sixthly This further appears by the order and discipline Christ hath appointed and required to be observed and practised in his Churches He hath appointed and given Officers unto them as before-said and to them hath he committed the use exercise and power of the Keys to open and shut his door to execute his Laws and to manage his concernments and houshold-affairs therein namely in his Name and by the Authority he hath given them for that end and purpose and he hath charged the Churches to Obey and submit themselves to them in the Lord in the exercising of their power and Authority in his name to his Glory and the Churches profit according to his direction Heb. 13.7 17. 1 Thes 5.12 These Officers or Elders have the power and Authority of Christ in their hands to correct offenders to instruct admonish and reprove and in case of obstinacy to cast them out or remove them from their membership in the Churches which the Churche's suffrage and upon Repentance to receive them in again Mat. 16.18 19. 1 Cor. 5.4 5.7 12 13. 2 Cor. 2. The neglect of which Christ reproves the Churches of Asia for Rev. 2.14 20. And as the Churches have by their Elders the orders and discipline of Christ with power and Authority to use and exercise the same so each particular Church hath power to chuse and appoint Officers for themselves namely such as they judge the Lord Jesus hath appointed and fitted for them such as he offers and presents to them and gives a place and interest in their hearts Acts 14.23 Acts. 6.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quumque ipis per susfragia creassent per singulas Ecclesias Beza a Church may Authoritatively do that which Believers cannot so do in a single and individual capacity as Believers but they may as a congregated Body and as an incorporated society who have voluntarily given up themselves and engaged to one another to Jesus Christ by the Will of God to submit to walk together by the same Laws and Rules of the Society or Corporation These have not singly but joyntly as a Corporation the power and exercise of discipline When ye are come together deliver such a one to Satan in the Name of the Lord Jesus 1 Cor. 5.4 and if he will not hear thee tell it to the Church c. Mat. 16. So then if Christ hath given Rules laws and power of order and discipline to particular congregated Churches of Believers then they are of divine Institution And indeed spiritual discipline cannot elsewhere be rightly exercised Seventhly This Truth is further confirmed by their names and honourable Titles God the Father and Jesus Christ his Son calls them by their own names and so owns them for their own Churches 1 Cor. 3.16 17. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy for the Temple of God is holy which Temple ye are So 2 Cor. 6.16 And as Jesus Christ honours them with the high stile and Title of his holy Temple so also his Habitation Eph. 2.22 and his Houshold Eph. 2.19 as also the Houshold of Faith Gal. 6.10 And further he intitles them his Churches or the Churches of God and Christ and golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.20 Rom. 16.16 1 Cor. 11.16 2 Thes 1.4 And that in allusion to the old Temple and Candlesticks thereof which were of his own appointment Moreover a particular congregated Church of Believers is called the House of God 1 Tim. 3.5.15 Heb. 3.5 6. and Christ his Walks Rev. 2.1 These were particular Congregational Churches that he thus owns and honours with such Titles viz the particular Churches of Ephesus Corinthians Thessalonians Eightly Believers as inchurched or incorporoted Bodies are spoken to by name the great dis overies made of Gods purposes and intended works in the latter daies are directed and given to them by the Spirit Hence it is often said in the Revelations he that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches which were distinct incorporated Bodies and Societies of Believers Rev 2.7 17 29. Rev. 3.6 13 22. The Holy Ghost reveals to them the rice name nature and works of Antichrist what he should be and what he should do from whence he should come what he should do to the Churches Temple and beloved City of God and what his end should be There he describes the New Jerusalem and Church-state of Gods People and what he would do with and for them There they are shewed largely and abundantly the care and Love of Christ to his People of the warr and conflicts that shall be between the Dragon Beasts Whore false Prophet and Jesus Christ and his followers as also the Issue of all as you may find in that book of the Revelations All which shews that particular Churches of Believers are of God For the Holy Spirit would never own the Inventions of men so farr as to make known to them such great things as he there declares unto the Churches Ninthly If particular congregational Churches had not been of divine Institution but of mens devising then surely Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit would have sharply reproved them for their setting up their posts by God posts as he did the Jews Ezek. 43.8 and as he reproved them for their miscarriages in their Church-state Rev. 2.3 and the Corinthians and Galatians c. But we never find them reproved or
found fault withal for their being inchurched and incorporated into distinct congregations but they are often Commended for it Act. 2. Col. 2.5 For men to set up Churches Temples and Houses to be the seats and subjects of Gods Ordinances and Worship and then to entile the name Authority of Jesus Christ to them had been a most high and presumptuous wickedness indeed and such as he would never have wincked at but abhorred and rejected them as mens works Therefore particular congregated Churches of Believers are of God for if they had not he would undoubted have severely reproved them for their so walking Tenthly These congregational Churches must needs be of God because without such the worship and ordinances of God cannot regularly orderly be observed and performed by men in a solemn fixed and publique stated way and manner neither can the pastors overseers of them rightly and comfortably perform their work and administer the ordinances of Christ to men For all that are priviledged with Christ his Institutes and profess to own him for their Lord and Saviour ought to live under his Government and discipline and to subject themselves to all the orders and Appointments of Christ and to own and give up themselves to the guidance and Rule of such as he hath set over them and their Teachers and Elders are to take care of watch over and duely administer to such as Christ hath committed to their care inspection and charge Now how can they do it unless they are fixed formed and known Churches or Congregations unless they have mutually chosen each either to walk together in their several places and capacities as a stated Church or Family of God How can they be overseers of Churches and take care of them as such as Christ commands them Act. 20.17 28. unless they are first Churches and declare themselves to be such unto their Guides that they may take the care and charge of and administer to them as Churches of Christ If their officers are stated fixed officers to them then they must be stated fixed Churches to their officers How else shall they know who are their flocks their care and charge and who are not who they are bound to over-see and minister too as their own peculiar flocks what they are to do give or receive to or from them or how to discharge their ministerial work unto them and give an account of them unto their Lord and Master unless they are incorporated Societys who have engaged to walk together as Churches in all Christs-Ordinances and chosen them to administer to them in the name of Christ and by his Authority And how can they administer Church-Ordinances unto them as Church-Officers unless they are and they own and approve of them as the Churches of Christ and believe that they are set there by Christ as Church-Officers to officiate for him as such to his Churches as Churches what Authority can they claim over them unless with their own mutual consent they acknowledge and own each other as Churches and Officers of Christ to and in them How can they administer the Lords Supper to them authoritatively require their attendance on their administrations and reprove their neglects and how can their Teachers preach to them with all Authority How can they watch over and feed them and expect their Love Duty and Subjection and how can they exercise the power of the Keys and administer censures to and amongst them unless they are related to one another as Officers and Churches Ministers are charged to take care of their own flocks Act. 20.17 28. and to behave themselves so and so in the House of God committed to their Trust 1 Tim. 3.5 15. and such are pronounced Blessed Mat. 24 25 26 27. Who then says Christ is a Faithful and Wise Steward or Servant whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houshold to give them meat in due Season Blessed is that Servant c. These are some of the many Reasons and demonstrations that might be given to shew that particular congregated Churches of Believers are of God and not of men I might have added as many more to evince and confirm it but these may be sufficient to satisfy the Faith and Consciences of and encourage Believers in their walking in Church fellowship or congregating into distinct Churches and particular Societies CHAP. III. Of the matter of a Gospel-Church or the materials of Gods Holy Temple 4. QUestion What are the Materials of a House of God or how should persons be qualified for Church-fellowship or who ought to be Church-Members Ans Onely regenerate and converted Persons such as are married to and have put on Christ such as are savingly and powerfully enlightned and enlivened quickened and convinced of Sin Righteousnesse and Judgment Joh. 16.8 9. 2 Cor. 5.5 Eph. 2.1 5. Such as have choven Christ for their Lord and Saviour and resigned and made over themselves to Christ received him upon his own Terms Col. 2.6 1 Cor. 6.19 20. Such onely as are reconciled unto and are in favour with God as are justifyed by Faith sanctified by the Spirit and set a part for Holyness and unto Living to God and no more unto themselves Such as are the beloved of God called effectually to be Saints and have really and sincerely taken upon them the Yoke of Christ Jesus I say such persons and only such doth Jesus Christ account meet to be partakers of this priviledge and dignity Col. 1.12 and to make Heavenly Places Eph. 1.3 although men do not certainly know them to be such and by reason of their darknesse and fallable Judgments they may receive and admit others into Churches and unto their priviledges and immunities yet in truth they have no right unto them and ought not to be there For these Spiritual-Holy things are for and only for Spiritual and Holy Men Heavenly places are for Heavenly Persons and Spiritual works for Spiritual Men. Now the Churches of Christ are the only Holy Spiritual and Heavenly places and the Seats and Subjects of Holy and Heavenly things Christ prepares men by his Grace Word and Spirit to make them fit and meet materials and then he calls them to joyn together and become a Spiritual House for his Delight Service and Glory 1 Pet. 2.5 And therefore such and only such persons ought to be Members of a Church of Christ as will appear by these following particulars 1. Because God threatens and often declares his detestation and abhorrence of others being there and manifests his Indignation against them As to the man that came to the supper without the Wedding Garment Matth. 22.11 12 13. Then said the King to his Servants bind him hand and foot and cast him into outer Darknesse Isa 33.14 The Sinners in Zion are afraid fearfulness hath surprized the Hypocrites who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting Burnings And the five foolish Virgins Mat. 25. and the
dreadfull end of the Tares Matth. 13.38 39 40 41 42 43. which were the Hypocrites that by the Devils instigation crept into the Churches as in the 2. to the Galatians 4. c. Matth. 13.38 39. It is true that such were and will be in the best Churches let their Guides do all they can to prevent it because they cannot make an infallible Judgment of persons states as was said and it is as certain that they are Vsurpers and ought not to be there For although they are by Gods providence permitted to creep in yet be sure they are not there with his approbation and allowance they are not all Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9.6 for saith God to all the uncircumcized What have you to do to take my Covenant into your mouth seeing you hate Instruction and cast my words behind your Back as all Hypocrites do Psal 50.16 17. and Christ says that such as will not have him to reign over them and Hypocrites be sure will not shall be destroyed Luke 19.27 Now either the Churches of God should consist of Saints and sincere hearted Believers or of formal hypocritical professours as all are that are not prophane men or real Saints for all sober men will confesse that open prophane and debauched persons ought not to be accounted Church Members while they continue such not of Hypocrites because they are the most loathsome and abominable persons in the sight of God as may be seen at large-in the 23 chapt of Matth. from the 13. vers to the 35. and Christ tells us that publicans and harlots should go into the Kingdome of God before them Matth. 21.31 And therefore they should and ought to be sincere-hearted Believers and none else I do not say that Churches should account such for Hypocrites and reject them as such because they do not certainly know them to be sincere Saints who offer to joyn in fellowship with them but I only say that Hypocrites have no right unto neither ought they to presse into the Holy Churches of Christ for all the New-Testament Churches should consist onely of New Creatures and real Members of Jesus Christ 2. That all Church-members ought to be sincere hearted Believers appears by the high Titles that the Lord Jesus gives unto the Members of his Churches in the Scripture He calls them not his Copper but his Golden Candlesticks Rev. 1.20 So David describes the Spouse of Christ Psal 45.13 The Kings Daughter is all glorious within her cloathing is of wrought Gold So they are called Saints holy Brethren and Beloved elect and called dear Children of God and called into the fellowship of his Son Rom. 1.7 Col. 3.12 2 Thes 2.13 Eph. 5.1 Heb. 3.1 And the Apostle Paul tells the Church of the Thessalonians that they were such to whom the Gospel came not in word only but also in power and in the holy Ghost and in much assurance and hence he concludes that they were the Elect of God 1 Thes 1.4 5. and he tells the Philippians that God had begun a good work in them and would perfect it and that not in a few but in all of them chap. 1.5 6. And the Church at Corinth is called the Spouse of Christ 2 Cor. 11.2 and the Temple of God 1 Cor. 3.16 17. 2 Cor. 6.16 as also the Holy Churches of God and of Christ as you heard before and that the Church of Ephesus was formed into a Holy Temple of God and made his Habitation by the Spirit Eph. 2.21 22. And the Church at Rome wer the Children of God and joynt heirs with Christ Rom. 8. And Peter says that they were lively stones built up a Spiritual House and a Holy Priesthood 1 Pet. 2.5 and Paul tells the Ephesians that they were the Lords Sealed ones that they had the Spirit of God which had Sealed them up unto the Day of Redemption Eph. 1.13.4.30 Now these glorious things that are spoken of the Cities or Churches of God Psal 87.3 such honourable Titles belong not unto meer formal professours but only unto the real members of Christ not unto those that have a name only but to such as are so indeed and in Truth 3. A third Reason is taken from the ends of Churches or the ends of God in Instituting and appointing them I 'le name a few 1. They are said to be built by the Spirit for God Eph. 2.21 22. that is for God to dwell in them and walk in them to rest and repose himself in them as in his holy Walkes Gardens houses and Temples 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev 2.1 Psal 132.13 14. For the Lord hath chisen Zion he hath desired it for his Habitation this is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have desired it Oh! that all Church-members would seriously mind this and in Zeph. 3.16 17. it is said In that day speaking of Gospel-times it shall be said to Jerusalem fear thou not and unto Zion let not thine hands be slack The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with Joy he will rest in his Love he will Joy over thee with Singing As men refresh themselves and delight to be in the House of their dear and hearty Friends and Relations so doth God in his Churches and as the Bridegroom rejoyceth over his Bride so doth God over in his own Churches Isa 62.5 Now then if this be one of the holy ends of God then surely they must be Churches of holy persons not of Hypocrites for God hates and abhors their presence and services Isa 1.13 16. Isa 66.3 Prov. 15.8 2. They are intended and erected by his Spirit and Authority for his Glory in the World When great Men build stetely Houses it is for their honour and Glory and to distinguish themselves from others so when God builds himself a Spiritual House it is for his Honour and Glory to distinguish his People from others Solomon tells God that he had built God a House to dwell in and also for his name 1 Kings 8 13 19. which he did by the Lords appointment and direction so God appoints and sets up particular Holy Temples by his Spirit for his name and Glory that they should be to the praise of his glorious Grace and be the living Witnesses to his Name Truths and Ways that they should be the Habitations of beauty and Glory of fame and renown in the World and be the lights therefore and that with one heart and mouth they should glorify God Rom. 15.6 Golden Candlesticks in Princes Courts are set up for their glory as suitable to their state and dignity so doth God erect and set up his Golden Candlesticks the Churches of Believers for his glory as having a resemblance of his state and dignity and it is Gospel holinesse that becomes his House fore ver Psal 93.5 The Messengers of the Churches are said to be the Glory of Christ 2 Cor. 8.23 God calls the Church of the Jews
his Glory Isa 46.13 and that because they were a Church of his own planting and a Covenant people and for Abraham Isaac and Jacob and the little Remnant sake of Believers that were amongst them and who glorify him indeeed in Truth God bestows his Grace stamps his Image and infuses his Holynesse into men to meeten them for his Temple and Temple-work and then formes and sets them up in his own beauty and Glory in a Church-state that there as a Body compact they may shine forth to his Glory and praise in the World As many glittering daimonds in a gold Ring do shine more gloriously upon a mans hand than a hundred times so many more scattered up and down here and there would do so a company of men which are made pretious stones fitted for a House of God being well and orderly set in a Church-state or in a House of God do shine more gloriously there than many more can do in a single and individual capacity and standing alone to the honour and glory of God 3. God Institutes and builds Believers into Spiritual Houses for his peoples Spiritual profit and advantage that God may there Impart his Loves Cant. 7.12 and communicate his grace Truths and Counsels unto them as to his avowed and publique houshold and family Eph. 2.19 Christ Walkes and God the Father Dwells there the Holy Spirit Speaks to them in an especial and frequent manner Rev. 2.1 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 2.7.11 c. And assuredly Jesus Christ does not walk nor God the Father dwell there empty handed but distributes plentifully of their Love and fullness As great princes where they go and lodge they will give like themselves unto the houshold Servants and much more will God as some can and more may experience The Church-enjoyments of serious holy men are the fairest fullest clearest and strongest of all they have at any times and that because God dwells there as in his holy and delightful Temple and walks there as in his pleasant Gardens and Walks and where God mostly Dwells and Walks and takes most pleasure there he imparts most of his Love and Grace It is said in 1 Kings 8.10 11. That the Glory of the Lord filled the House of the Lord so that the Priest could not stand to Minister because the glorious presence of God was so exceeding great there and his distributions of Love and Grace to Solomon and other Saints so many and great as that the people went home joyfull and glad of Heart vers 66. and in the 2 Chron. 7.16 says God speaking of the Temple mine Eyes and mine Heart shall be there perpetually Now if God did so now that material Temple made of Wood and Stone as to manifest his Glory so much there impart so richly of his Love and Grace to his people and promised to dwell there continually how much more will he do so unto his New-Testament Churches of Believers They shall find that prophetical promise made good to them in Psal 102.16 When the Lord shall build up Zion he shall appear in his Glory Besides a Church-state is a safe as well as a thriving comfortable state for a Church of Christ rightly and duely formed and made up is a Garden enclosed Cant. 4.12 a Spring shut up a Fountain sealed or barr'd Whilst Wood and Stones lie scattered abroad they may be stollen and carried away from the owner so while Believers walk apart and lie up and down scatteringly they are in great danger of being seduced and lead away from Christ with some of the errors of the wicked and so in measure full from the Truth of Christ 2 Pet. 3.17 but now in a Church-state or formal House of God they are safer and more secure because there they are hedged in with the discipline of Christ there they are watched over by their fellow-members and by the Officers of Christ who are their overseers and watchmen there they are as in the orderly Instituted Family or houshold of Christ in the way and walks of Christ and under the Eye and with the special presence of Christ Whilst an Army of Souldiers walk as single and individual Persons scattered abroad they lie open to destruction by their Enemies but when they are formed up and walk together under officers and military discipline every one knowing his place and keeping it knowing the commands of their General and observing them they are safe and ready to defend themselves and offend their Enemies Particular and rightly constituted Churches of Believers are like an Army with Banners Cant. 6.4 10. marching under the constant conduct of Jesus Christ their Captain General Eph. 1.22 23. Heb. 2.10 4. They are formed and set up by Jesus Christ to be the only Seats and Subjects as of his glorious presence so of his Laws Ordinances Power and Authority that they might receive observe and obey his Laws declare before all men their owning of him for their Lord by their open and publique profession of and subjection unto him as such and that by their distinct and singular following of him in incorporated Bodies they might manifest to all men that they are his Subjects and disciples that they have chosen him for their Lord and King and his Law for their Rule and Obedience that they are not their own but his and that they have taken up in him as in their happiness and eternal Blessedness Col. 2.6 1 Cor. 6.19 20. 2 Cor. 5.15 That they are called out of the World Joh. 15.19 and set apart by his Grace for himself to live unto him and that they have taken upon themselves his holy Yoke and the observation of all his Laws So likewise that his subjects might with one mind and mouth together present their service and homage unto him as their only Lord Head and King For Churches as Churches or Believers walking according to his appointment and direction in Churches are capable of his holy Supper that glorious Pledge and Seal of his Love and Grace to them it is called the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ 1 Cor. 10.16 and says the Apostle to the particular congregated Church at Corinth we being many are one Bread and one Body vers 17. That great ordinance of the Lords Supper is not given to Believers as such only but unto Believers as in a Church-state or incorporated into a Body or Communion together having the name form and order of a Church of Christ and House of God The Israelites were not to permit any to Eat the passover until they became members of their Church Exod. 12.47 48. Neither will Christ Jesus have any to Eat his Supper out of a Church-State where and when they may have it in a Church-State And as was noted before it is observable that almost all the principal Doctrines and Laws of the New-Testament are given and directed unto the Churches or to Believers as inchurched as also Teachers and Ruling Elders are provided for and given
to the Churches and there the Lord Jesus comes and observes how they are received and obeyed Rev. 2.23 5. God hath Instituted and formed up Believers into Churches that he may feed and nourish them there as his flocks that he may water them as his Gardens support them as his Houses order and govern them as his Familys Housholds and that by his Spirit Ministers They are appointed to water them 1 Cor. 3.6 7. to feed and nourish them Act. 20.17 23. 1 Pet. 5.1 2 3. and to rule govern and take the over-sight of them Heb 13.7 17. 1 Thes 5.12 They are to teach and instruct them to warnand caution them to reprove and exhort them to comfort them and build them up with the milk and strong meat of Spiritual sound Doctrine 1 Cor. 3.1 2. Heb. 5.12 13 14. and that by their speaking unto them as to their own flocks and peculiar Churches and charges from and under Christ the Truths of Christ in Love they may grow up into him in all things Eph. 4.15 So also for Believers regular and orderly walking Col. 2.5 God is a God of Order and he loves to see his People walking orderly and regularly conforming themselves to his Laws and Government And if earthly Governours by the Light of Nature are careful to set up and give unto their Subjects Laws and Orders for their regular and orderly walking and love greatly to see them so to walk under their Laws and Government in their Cities and politick Bodies how much more careful is Jesus Christ to set his People in order and method and how pleasing and delightful must it needs be to Jesus Christ to see his Subjects walk orderly and regularly in his Cities and Spiritual Bodies that are of his own appointment These are some of the ends of God in instituting and erecting of Churches Many other might be named and insisted on but that I may not exceed my Intentions Fourthly The Churches of Jesus Christ must consist of new-Creatures and sincere-hearted Believers Because they can and will answer and prosecute these aforesaid and such like holy ends of God in and by his Churches I say these can and will because they are fitted and qualified in measure by the grace and Spirit of Christ to aim at and effectually to prosecute these holy ends of God but so cannot others neither would they if they could because they have not the saving Knowledge nor practical Wisdome of Christ in them they are strangers in Heart to Jesus Christ and the Power of Godlyness All others at the best have but a name to live but are dead at the Root Rev. 3.1 Matth. 8.22 neither are they made a willing People to joyn Issues and comply with the holy ends of God Psal 110.3 because God hath not by reason of their wickednesse and obstinacy wrought in them to will and to do as he hath in his peculiar people they are not yet wrought by God for this self same thing as real Saints are Phil. 2.13 2 Cor. 5.5 they are not renewed in the Spirit of their minds after the Image of Him that Created them as Saints are Col. 3.10 But now real and peculiar Believers are fitted and framed moulded and pollished by the Holy Ghost for their growing up into a holy Temple in the Lord Eph. 2.21 and so by the constant and promised guidance and conduct of their living head Jesus Christ with their Spiritual qualifications they are enabled to answer and perform the great ends of God in erecting and building them up in Churches When a wise man builds a House he will propound some ends to himself in his so doing and accordingly he will make use of and lay in such materials and so form and build it as that it may effectually answer his ends if he be able Now if he build it with hay and stubble or with rotten wood althought it may stand a while yet be sure it will not stand long nor answer his ends So the great master builder who is the Alsufficient and only wise God propounded great and holy ends to himself in Instituting and building of Churches and Temples and these such as should irrefrustrably be obtained notwithstanding all possible contingencies Interveniencies whatsoever for says God my purpose shall stand and I will do all my pleasure Isa 46.10 I will build Churches and Temples for my Glory to dwell in them and walk in them to have peculiar Love homage and service from them to have their free hearty and chearful obedience and Respects that I might enrich them with my Grace build them up in Faith and Godlyness delight in an refresh my self with them make them a praise in the Earth and Glorify the Houses of my Glory Isa 60.7 That there I may set my ministery and Officers and that among them I may set my Laws Rules and Ordinances But hypocrites and formalists will never answer nor prosecute these ends as I found by experience among the Old-Church-Members of the Jews I cannot look for it nor expect it from them for they are a people of an other Spirit they slight my Grace and reject my easy yoke and therefore they shall not be honoured with membership in my Churches in my particular Gosspel Churches but if they creep in as many will do I will loath and abhor their presence I will root them up cast them out and that into everlasting fire for whatever they profess to be yet I know that they are not for my Turn and will stand me in no stead there but to provoke me to wrath with their Hypocrisy and make fuell for the fire of my Jealousy Therefore my New-Testament-Churches shall be built only of Holy and Spiritual materials not of dead but living Stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.1.5 such as my Word and Spirit shall pollish and prepare for that work and Service that so by them I may obtain my Holy ends and carry on my great designes I know that my peculiar People will receive submit unto and obey my Laws that they will Love and honour me that they will shine as lights in the World and that they will give me kind and cordial entertainment and that will cleave to and not forsake me Therefore they shall be my Churches Fifthly Because all the Laws Ordinances and Works of Church-Members are holy Spiritual and Heavenly They are such as the natural Man understands not cannot discern what they are and that because they are such and they that are not taught of God savingly and powerfully to understand and make a Judgment of them do think and Judge of them carnally and vainly 1 Cor. 2.9 end But Believers have them written in their Minds and Hearts beforehand they have them not without Book I mean they have the same Laws of Christ written in the books of their hearts which they find in the Bible Jer. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 11. Heb. 10.16 by which they are capacitated and in some measure enabled to
at all for if they are as a Common without any bounds or property as they must be if not fixed and tyed some where how many absurdities will unavoidably follow As first while they are in this moving and wandering condition they are not a House or Temple of God but scattered Stones and Timber and so cannot bear the name and honour of a Holy Temple and Church of God 2. They cannot whilest in such a condition be called owned or accounted a Holy Church and Temple of God either by God or Men. 3. Neither shall they have neither indeed can they expect or look for Church-blessings and priviledges or claim the Good of the promises made to Saints as a formed fixed Temple or House of God as that God should dwell walk with amongst them as he hath promised to do in his Churches and Temples 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 2.1 Eph. 2.22 Neither can they orderly participate of the Lords Supper for that Ordinance belongs to the fixed housholds of God not to scattered Saints occasionally meeting together as Saints only without any tye or obligation one to another and to their Ministers that should Minister it unto them these and other priviledges they cannot claim while they walk irregularly and disorderly 4. They make the ordinance Institution of particular Churches null and void and of no force and vertue at all and so Christ hath Instituted and appointed them in vain that they are of no use profit or concernment unto Saints For it will inevitably follow I think that in case their loose walkings without any fixed order or obligation on each other to live together as a distinct houshold or Family of God be the condition wherein they should live and walk that then they have found out a better way to live and walk in for the glory of God and their own profit than Jesus Christ hath done and so they do practically controul him and in effect say that they are wiser than Christ the Wisdom of God for they have found out a more pleasing and profitable way for themselves than Christ appointed and instituted for them so that Jesus Christ and the holy Ghost might have spared their pains in that matter so the Institution and the Love Wisdome care and Authority of Christ in that case are all thrown down to the ground 5. There can be no Discipline orderly or profitably exercised amongst Believers while in an unchurched state and condition For how can offended persons after the first Second Admonition tell the Church of an offending person his Sin and obstinacy and of their dealings with him to bring him to Repentance as commanded Matth. 18.15 16 17. if there be no fixed Church to which they do belong and how can the cause be heard and the offender dealt withall according to that charge by the Church when there is none What power have any Believers one over another but by their mutual consent and engagement one to another to give and take Reproofs and Admonitions to and of one another or how can they call Offenders to an account and require their attendance and subjection to their executing the Laws of Christ upon them unlesse they are a formed Body and by virtue of their joynt Relation not as Believers only but as united and engaged Believers to one another in that Society The Rulers of a Corporation may not exercise Authority or execute their Corporation Laws on such persons as have no Relation to them although they are the Kings subjects as well as those that are incorporated Neither may a thousand persons in a place exercise Jurisdiction over each other because they live and often converse together Neither have many Believers such power over each other while they walk as so many single individual persons without a Church-relation to one another as they might have in a Church-relation as the forementioned Text evinces Besides 6. The officers or Ministers of Christ will not be able to discharge their work and duty unto them while they walk loosely and disorderly For how can they watch and feed them as their own particular Flocks and charge unless there be a fixed Relation between them and they know where to find them which they cannot do unlesse their flocks be tyed to them and have mutually chosen each other as was said before the officers are to administer in the name of Christ unto them in an especial manner and they are to wait on and submit to their regular ministration Church-Officers must officiate in the Church and all must know and work within their own bounds and to their own charge So the Elders of the particular congregated Church at Ephesus were charged to feed and watch over that particular Church as their own peculiar flock and charge Acts 20.17 28. and so were the several Angels or Officers of these other Churches mentioned in the Revelations all which are called Churches which had matter and form And besides these evil consequences there are many other that I could name if it were needful and time would permit which would sufficiently evince the Truth pleaded for Now I shall proceed to shew how Believers should by the Holy Ghost form up themselves into a Church-state or Temple of God for his Glory and their own profit and Spiritual welfare or what the form of a Church is and wherein it lies Shew them the form of the House and the fashion of it and the goings out thereof and the comings in thereof and all the forms thereof and all the Laws thereof and all the Ordinances thereof Ezek. 43.11 First the persons intending to joyn themselves together to become a Church or Temple of God for his Name and Glory and the Spiritual good of their own Souls and for the orderly celebration of all the Lords appointments and worship in a Church they should be satisfied in each others fitnesse that they are such as Jesus Christ hath received Rom. 15.16 and Regenerated Joh. 3.3 wrought and made ready for it 2 Cor. 5.5 that they are united to Christ by Faith and sanctified to his use Members of Christ and heirs of the Kingdom I say they should be satisfied in a charitable Judgment that they are such that so they may take each other and have their hearts kint to one another in Spiritual real Love as such and so have confidence in and of each other that they will live together as such in their Church-state God would not have an Oxe and an Asse draw together in ore Yoke neither will he have visible Saints and Sinners joyn together and build him a Gospel-Church or holy Temple to dwell in What have the uncircumcized to do in the Lords Holy Temple with the circumcized If Gods house must be a holy Temple yea holynesse to God Isa 63.15 then it must consist of and be formed of holy persons for unclean and unholy persons cannot make a holy spiritual house for his glorious presence Therefore such as
fear or love him or his Church sincerely to watch over them and impart his secrets and counsels to them surely no. And therefore they must be fitted and qualifyed with saving Graces as well as Ministerial Gifts for office power and work in the Church of Christ I might argue this point very largely and copiously did I intend a large discourse as I do not but to use all possible brevity in all things I shall mention and present to consideration in the whole of the discourse 3. And therefore Thirdly they should not only have and be qualified with spiritual Gifts and special Grace but with the holy Ghost also It is not such Gifts and Grace that will sufficiently qualifie and enable men to discharge their ministerial work in the Church without the Spirit They will not be willing ready nor apt to teach without the Spirit 1 Pet. 5.1 2. 1 Tim. 3.2 Neither will they be able to divide the word aright without the Spirit 2 Tim. 2.15 And therefore hath Jesus Christ promised to be with them in an especial manner in their Ministerial work who are his Ministers Mat. 28.18 20. Joh. 14.15 and 16. chapters They must preach and pray by the Spirit watch over feed and water the Church by the Spirit for their Gifts and Graces can do nothing in this matter but by the Spirit And therefore the holy Spirit is promised to help them to teach warm strengthen and quicken them to comfort lead and Guide them and whenever Christ sends any Shepherds into his Sheepfold in love and mercy he sends them and they come there with the holy Ghost in their hearts Look over Pauls Epistles to Timothy and Titus and to the particular Churches and you may find this Truth confirmed Thus God promised his New Testament Churches long before they subsisted or had a being in the World Jer. 3.15 And I will give you Pastors according to mine own heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding It is the Spirit that makes men able Ministers of the New Testament and Spirit 2 Cor. 3.6 not created Grace and Gifts only The Apostles spake the word of God as the Spirit gave them utterance Acts 2.4 and as they were moved or carried forth by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 A Temple of God is built by the Spirit for the habitation of God Eph. 2.21 22. all the Laws and Ordinances of the Temple are given forth by the Spirit from Christ Joh. 16.13 14 15. all the Grace and Gifts bestowed on men are by the Spirit their Life strength and successe is by and from the Spirit their work and authority in the Church is given them by the Spirit and therefore the holy Spirit will accompany and abide with his own Ministers there Fourthly They must be qualified and adorned with singular Spirits with excellent and choice Spirits and frames of Heart they should excel others in such qualities and virtues as these First they should be singular and excelling in knowledge and Spiritual understanding to discern the difference of things that differ and to judge of Spiritual things Spiritually 1 Cor. 2. They should abound in heavenly wisdome and prudence in conformity to their Lord Christ Secondly They should be eminent and singular in Gospel simplicity and sincerity too 2 Cor. 1.12 2 Cor. 2.17 Thirdly They should be eminent and singular in Humility in all meekness humbleness of mind and conversation 1 Pet. 5.1 6. Of all men in the world they must not be proud and lofty in their hearts and carriages but meek and lowly Mat. 11.29 2 Tim. 2 25. Fourthly They must be eminent and singular in Gentlenesse and peaceablenesse they must not brawl nor strive 2 Tim. 2.24 1 Tim. 3.3 Fifthly They must be eminent in Self-denial and curbing the Flesh keeping under carnal worldly self and crossing the desires of the Flesh and of the Mind 1 Cor. 9. ult Sixthly They must be eminent and singular in patience and contentation they must not be soon angry or moved to passion and wrath 1 Tim. 3. Seventhly They must be eminent and singular in a sober serious holy chearfulnesse and sweetnesse pleasantnesse and affability they must not be of vain and frothy Spirits nor of froward sullen lumpish and sad carriages and deportments for these things are hateful in all Christians much more are they so in such as are set in the Church for lights and Examples to them This is a part of that good behaviour the Apostle says they must be endued withal 1 Tim. 3.2 Eightly They must be eminent and singular in zeal and fervency also For if private Christians should abound in it Rom. 12.11 2 Cor. 7.11 then much more should the Ministers of Christ Tit. 2.14 Rev. 3.19 Ninthly They must be eminent and singular in Love pity and bowels of compassion to Souls they must not be of hard and insensible Spirits but full of tender earning bowels towards their flocks Col. 3.12 1 Pet. 3.8 Rom. 12.15 So was Jesus Christ and so was Paul towards all sorts of men they had to do withall excepting obstinate Sinners who trampled pearles under their feet and so must Ministers be now Be ye kind one to another tender hearted says Paul Eph. 4. ult Tenthly They must be eminent and singular in Heavenly mindednesse they must not be covetous nor greedy after worldly things which the Apostle calls filthy lucre 1 Tim. 3.3 Tit. 1.7 1 Pet. 5.2 They must declare as much as possible that in the midst of earthly enjoyments they are heavenly minded and live above them They are holy men of God and therefore must flee those things 1 Tim. 6.11 2 Pet. 1. ult and follow after heaverly Eleventhly They must be singular and eminent in gavity and solidity they must not be vain light and frothy talkers and of foolish jesting Spirits and carriages but grave and serious 1 Tim. 3. Twelfthly They should be apt to teach set forward and entertain holy and profitable discourses as they have opportunity which will not now be easily found I fear amongst professors However they should be alwaies ready apt and willing to do their duty although others are not to do theirs 1 Pet. 5.2 1 Tim. 3.2 Eph. 4.29 Col. 4.6 Thirteenthly They should be well armed with Wisdome Faith and Patience to endure and stand fast against all oppositions and Temptations and to bear up under all the great discouragements they may meet withall from friends and foes for they will be tryed by both Hence the Apostle charges Timothy to follow after Faith and Patience 1 Tim. 6.11 and in 1 Tim. 4.12 says he be thou an Example to the Believers in Faith c. Therefore they should come to their work well armed and fenced with Faith and Patience for it will be tryed to the utmost as sad experience shews Fourteently They should be eminent and singular in setting up high and noble ends in their eies and hearts in their office and work in the Church The great
are mistaken for there is no work in the world so full of care and trouble as a consciencious Minister is nor any that requires more diligence circumspection watchfulness and faithfulness than his They work and labour in Divine Mysteries and they work for Christ and Souls Their matters lye above the reach of carnal and meer rational understandings above the reaches of humane Arts and Sciences and they are alwayes consulting and conversant about new matters and things Oh what need have they of the Churches prayers 3. Because the Churches profit and Souls benefit is much concerned in their Teachers Administrations For God ordinarily speaks to the Churches hearts through or by their hearts as well as by their mouths The more they have of Christ Grace Truth and the Spirit of Christ the more powerful spiritual and profitable they will be in prayer Preaching and in all other Ministrations unto them Act. 14.1 Fourthly It is the will of Christ and their indispensible duty to know obey and submit themselves to their Teaching Elders or Pastours Authority Teaching Government and to all their regular and orderly Ministrations in the Lord. The Church owes them subjection and obedience and that as they are set over them by Christ and by him made their Teachers and Rulers and sent by him to take the charge and oversight of them and to Administer his holy Ordinances to them in his name for their good Heb. 13.7 17. Remember them that have the Rule over you or are Guides unto you as the words also signifie Obey them that have the Rule over you and submit your selves for they watch for your Souls as they that must give account that they may do it with joy and not with grief for that is unprofitable for you Without Government and Governours power and Authority Laws and Orders and without subjection and obedience in and of the Members of all sorts of Corporations and Societies of men in the world whether civil or Ecclesiastical they will be but confused Routs and Babels There will be can be nothing but confusion and every evil work as James speaks Chap. 3.16 If they are Rulers and have Authority from the Lord Jesus to appoint order and command as 't is clear they have or they are but shadows or cyphers 2 Thes 3.4 6. 1 Tim. 4.11 Tit. 2. ult then they may yea they ought to appoint order and command as they see occasion for the profit and well being of the Church in pursuance of their work and trust And if so then the Church and all the Members thereof are indispensibly bound to yield all free hearty willing and chearful subjection and obedience to them without grudging quarrelling or irregular gain-saying that is they are to eye the will and authority of Christ in and expressed by them and so to conform to it as it is Christs not theirs They must obey them not as gifted men but as the Embassadours Ministers and Officers of Christ and it is Christ and his will and Authority in them that must be the object of their obedience and subjection The neglect whereof is when through carelesness or wilfulness no less than disobedience too yea Rebellion against the Lord Christ himself Luk. 10.16 17. Col. 3.23 24. Great was the love and care of Christ as the head and King of his Churches in providing Lawes Rules and Orders as also in Authorizing and sending some to execute them for their spiritual good and his glory And therefore when Church-Members do slight neglect disobey and practically despise them they do thereby slight contemn and despise the love care and Authority of Christ and Christ accounts it so although those teaching Rulers are not Apostles but ordinary Officers as Luk. 10.16 17. shews when the Lord Jesus went to Heaven he gave gifts to men viz. Ministers and Ministerial abilities to them for the work of the Ministry for the perfecting of the Saints c. Eph. 4.10 11 12. Then he delegated his Ministerial power to men promised to provide such for his Saints and to furnish them with his own gifts yea to be with them himself unto the end of the world Math. 28.18 19 20. Wherefore then the Churches of Christ should receive submit to and obey them in a sense even as Christ himself as they are Authorized gifted granted and sent by him in and about his message work and service in all their lawful commands and appointments and regular Ministrations in and for the Churches He that receiveth you receiveth me says Christ of the 70. Disciples he sent to Preach Luk. 10.16 Math. 10.40 And Paul commends the Galatians for receiving him as an Angel of God even as Christ himself Gal. 4.14 15. and the same Apostle charges Titus to speak and act in the Church with all Authority charging all the Members also not to despise or slight him for or in his so doing Tit. 2.15 If not to despise or slight him then to honour submit to and obey him as Christs and their Minister Well then do the Elders or Pastours of Churches carefully mind and diligently labour in the Word and Doctrine 1 Tim. 5.17 then all the Members of Churches are bound to obey them to submit to and wait on their Ministry and not despise them and it by deserting and withdrawing from it in whole or in part But more of this anon 2. Do they appoint meetings or call their Churches to assemble together for the celebration of any Ordinance of God or to consult about the matters and concernments of the Church for their profit and Christs glory they are bound in duty to do so excepting in extraordinary cases that hinder them as they will answer the contrary contempt to Christ at their peril They must not look on their practical conformity to it as an indifferent matter and stay at home or come at their own will and pleasure but actually obey such a call or summons as Christ's not dispute it but obey it not in the pride of their hearts disdain it but readily and chearfully subject to it Obey them that have the rule over you for they watch for your Souls Heb. 13.17 and be sure when they appoint such meetings it is for the Churches advantage 3. Do they appoint or require speech or silence in the Church or any good Orders and Rules to be observed and kept in the name of Christ and by his Authority they are bound to obey them without loading them and obstructing their proceedings with Jangling disputes and oppositions And as in these so in all other matters wherein the honour of Christ the profit of the Church or any Members thereof consists Rulers must see that they command and appoint order and rule wisely and faithfully and keep close to their Commission design and carry on Christ's holy ends in all and as they must rule well so all the Members ruled by them must obey well too And when both do their duties in their places the Lord Christ is
honoured and pleased and all the Church are or may be profited and edified and peace and truth promoted But on the contrary all confusion disorder and disturbances will necessarily follow as sad experience hath abundantly proved in this Land It is a clear and certain truth obvious to all men that if some must rule others must obey And if some are appointed and commanded by the Great and absolute Soveraign to Rule and Govern well then it must of necessity be the indispensible duty of others to submit and obey well All according and in obedience to the Authority and Soveraign will of their Great Law giver the Lord Jesus Obey them that have the rule over you and submit your selves is as indispensible a duty as any you have to do which I could abundantly confirm by many Scripture Reasons had I room in this Discourse to enlarge on it Fifthly It is the will of Christ and the Churches indispensible duty to simpathize with their Teachers to help and encourage them to strengthen their hands and comfort their hearts and to do all they can to forward them in their work that they may fulfil their Ministry and do their whole duty with joy and not with grief â—ol 4.17 Heb. 13.17 For whatever you do for or against them you do it for or against Christ himself whose Embassadours and Officers they are to you 2 Cor. 5.20 They have his Image of Authority stampt on them and are sent to you by himself about and employed in his work amongst you They labour toyl and sweat to serve and promote the interests and concernments of your Souls and they make it their business to do you all the good they can yea your happiness and welfare is much wrapt up in theirs And therefore when you burden and discourage them you hinder your selves of profit and when you comfort help and encourage them in their Ministerial work you further your own happiness thereby This is clearly intimated by the Apostle in Heb. 13.17 before mentioned Obey them that have the Rule over you for they watch for your Souls that they may do it with joy and not with grief Now mark his Reason why because that will be unprofitable for you The meaning is the better you carry it towards your Teachers who watch for your Souls and the more profitable you are to them the more profitable they will be to you the more useful and comfortable you are to them the more useful and comfortable they will be to you We say it is encouragement that makes a good Oratour and much more doth encouragement from Christians make in a sense good Ministers There is a great deal of difference between working under discouragement and encouragement discouragements from Christians do as it were unhinge Ministers and cause them to Travel in pain like Porters with pressing heavy burdens on their backs Their unkindnesses do greatly cumber and distract them trouble and perplex them discompose and deject them they exceedingly weaken their hands and sadden their hearts and even make their lives a burden to them And that because the true Ministers of Christ do so intirely and heartily love their people as that had they encouragement from them they could freely spend and be spent for them 2 Cor. 12.15 and they do expect a great deal of hearty love and kindness from them again as well they may for that Christ requires it of them towards their Ministers and they spend their time and strength in their service and concernments yea and when they called them to take the oversight of them they engaged so to do But now being disappointed of their so reasonable expectation they cannot but lay it to heart and cry out of wrong as Paul and Jeremy did To prevent which the Lord Jesus charges and strictly enjoyns all his people to see they carry themselves well towards his and their Ministers 1. By avoiding whatever may grieve or trouble them 2. By giving them all possible encouragements 1. Would you encourage and strengthen your Teachers in their work then attend on their Ministry and Ministrations seriously dutifully conscienciously and constantly The neglect of your so doing doth greatly discourage them sadden their hearts and weaken their hands The liberty some take which Christ never gave them to withdraw as they please from their Ministers and rambling up and down here and there as they please either from their prejudice pride ignorance or giddiness of spirit or from a wanton lavish vain spirit from their itching cars as Paul speaks 2 Tim. 4.3 or from the Devil is exceedingly hurtful to them as well as to the Souls of such Transgressors So likewise when they come to their Administrations unseasonably or untimely and do there carry and demean themselves carelesly indifferently and unreverently they cast a stumbling block before them and cause great offence to them Therefore you must attend on their Ministry as on Christs and your own Ministry seriously timely conscientiously diligently freely dutifully and constantly when they Preach and Administer for that is your duty and the contrary is your sin which in time will find you out For you by your so doing walk disorderly scandalously irregularly and contrary to the charge given you Heb. 10.24.25 not forsaking the Assembling of your selves together as the manner of some is You walk out of your folds and prodigally run out of the place where the providence of God hath set you and commanded you to abide and worship him in until he do by some extraordinary dispensation call you off you expose your selves to great danger and tempt the holy Spirit to withdraw his Divine influences from you and I dare peremptorily affirm that while any do so they are back-sliding from God and God is going off from them that they shall never thrive nor prosper in Grace nor have any Ordinances blessed to them and though their wanton disorderly wayes seem right unto them yet they lead to death Prov. 14.12 Moreover such neglects in Church-Members tends directly to the breaking of the Churches of Christ and all good Order Peace and prosperity in them and to the bringing in of all irregularities and confusion to the great scandal of the Gospel dishonour of Christ offence of the faithful and to the breaking of their Ministers hearts Which certainly will have bitterness in the end although it may be pleasing to the offenders a while Oh! how grievous must such courses of Church-Members needs be unto their Pastours who have prayed studied and laboured to make good provision for them to comfort and build up their souls in Christ and that in hopes of finding them there in a readiness to receive it when they come to hand it out to them and then shall either find them gone or else there in an irreverent and careless manner This pierces their hearts and deeply wounds their poor Souls But on the contrary when they see their flocks seriously reverently seasonably and constantly keep their
King and Lawgiver the Lord Christ and they do by such neglects slight and despise his Love and Grace his Care and Kindness He hath provided holy Temples and spiritual Houses for them to dwell in and Heavenly provisions are made ready in them for their entertainment The doors are set open to let in such Guests and the Servants of the great King are gone forth to bid them come away and invite them to enter in There stands also the Master of the Feast even at the door waiting for them the King of glory attends there to welcome them when they come Luk. 14.16 17. Rev. 3.20 He gets there before them and abides there in expectation of the presence and company of all his Saints Psal 11.4 Isa 30.18 He declares that it is his good pleasure they should come there and eat of his dainties that he hath bought and prepared for them Cant. 5.1 Prov. 9.1 2 3 4 5. Now that they ought to joyn themselves to and become holy living and spiritual Members of some particular Congregational Church of Christ if possibly they can will further appear by these following Reasons and Considerations First The Lord Christ hath erected instituted and appointed Churches for this end among others namely that his called and sanctified people might be the matter of them that they might joyn and walk together in them and that they might be the materials of them This state and condition is not ordained and appointed for other persons but only for the Holy Seed for God will not keep House with unregenerate and unholy persons but with his chosen Generation and Royal Priesthood he will That particular Congregational Churches are of divine Institution hath been already proved and if so then it will follow that God's people should joyn to and walk with them or else to what purpose are they appointed instituted and ordained by Jesus Christ If none are bound in duty yea if all God's people that can are not bound in duty and compliance with the Lords ends to become Churches joyn to and walk in and with them then this Order and Institution of Christ is in vain he hath appointed and instituted that which none are or will be advantaged by which surely was far from the gracious thoughts and intentions of the Lord Jesus the Wisdom and Power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 For the Lord hath made all things for himself and ordained them for his own Glory and the profit of his people He hath made nothing in vain It is far below him to do it and below reasonable Creatures to imagine it And 2. It will follow that whoever joyn themselves to such Churches they do it not as duty to God and their own souls but as an act of their own will and pleasure without any respect to or regard had of the Will of God and their own spiritual good so are guilty of Superstition and Will-worship which God loaths and abhors The very Institution proves it sufficiently to be our duty to joyn with and become Members of some particular Churches of Christ Secondly The unanimous and universal Votes of all the Primitive Saints do prove this Truth Those good men that were converted to Christ by the Apostles Preaching with and amongst whom they lived and convers'd and such as they planted fed and watered 1 Cor. 3. and these both Jews and Gentiles they do all of them by their constant practice witness to and confirm what I say Look where you will in the Stories of the Acts where you read of the Apostles Preaching and Men Converted there or in Pauls Epistles and the Revelation you shall find the young Converts giving up themselves to the Lord and to one another by the Will of God 2 Cor. 8.5 We find them by and by inchurched and walking in a Church-state and relation So in Acts 2.41 42. ult Acts 5.14 And were not all Pauls Epistles that to Philemon only excepted which was written upon a particular occasion wrote and sent to the Churches or to and for Believers as inchurched and imbodied together that they might know how to behave themselves in the House or Houses of God towards God their Elders and one another They are expresly called Churches the Churches of God and of Christ as was shewed before Now all Believers are charged and exhorted to follow their examples and practice Heb. 6.12 That ye be not slothful but followers of them who through Faith and Patience Inherit the Promises that is see and mark them in their walkings observe how they lived and practised and do you so likewise Paul indeed could not abide with the Church at Jerusalem to which he was joyned as a Member Acts 9.26 27 28. because he was sent to Preach the Gospel to the Gentiles But as oft as he could he joyned and walked with the Churches as you may often find in reading the Acts of the Apostles Now says he to the Church at Philippi chap. 3.17 Brethren be followers together of me and mark them who walk so as ye have us for an ensample This Commandement is for you who are in Christ that you walk as Paul and other Primitive Saints walked If it was their duty and practise as you see it was for they gave themselves to the Lord and to one another by the Will of God that is they Congregated and inchurched themselves not by or according to their own wills but by and according to the Will of God then I say it is the duty of all other Saints and it ought to be their practise likewise For whatsoever was written aforetime namely of the Saints duty and approved practise was written for our Learning that we who succeed them in their Faith and Priviledges in their Hope and Profession might follow them in practise also If we look for and expect the same Covenant-mercies and blessings that they had we must practise the same duties and walk as they did The Primitive Saints were commended and renowned for their orderly walking in a Church-state Rev. 2 3. Chapters and often else-where Luk. 1.6 1 Cor. 11.1 2. Thirdly All Believers ought to walk in Church-fellowship by virtue of their Marriage-Covenant When by the power of Grace and the Spirits operations in their hearts they were perswaded to make Christ their choice and took received and embraced him on his own terms they solemnly engaged themselves to be his chose his Laws and Ordinances for theirs and bound themselves to him to walk with him and be obedient unto him in all things to keep and observe to love and practise all his Laws and to conform in heart and practise unto all his Ordinances and Institutions as David Zachary Elizabeth and other Saints of God had done before them Thus in effect do all truly-convinced and sincere-hearted Believers do when contracted or married unto Christ by Faith Psal 119.106 Hos 3.3 Jer. 30.21 2 Cor. 8.5 Col. 2.6 Now then being thus bound or having thus bound and obliged themselves
them and that where God hath promised and you may find them There you may obtain the milk and honey of the promises of Christ's presence of making you fat and flourishing of a blessed Ministry and the blessings of it of Divine loves and sweet provisions and of peace and security I could have perswaded you to joyn unto and walk in the Churches of Christ by other Reasons but I think these may suffice such as are of willing hearts and of meek and humble soft and holy spirits Quest What ends should all men aim at and have in their eye in joyning with and walking in Church-fellowship or to what ends and purposes should they become Church-members Answ 1. To please and honour the Lord Jesus Christ their Lord and King in his Churches and to shew their Respect unto him Obedience to his Commands and declare their dependance on him for all things and their subjection to him in all things Christ the Lord hath done many good works to pleasure them exalt honour them and therefore they ought to do his will and their duty to please exalt and honour him Esa 56.4 Col. 1.10 This glorious end every Church-member must have in his eye and heart in walking in Churches 2. To express their high Resentment of his savours to them and their cordial thank fulness for them They are greatly priviledged and highly dignified in the Churches by their membership there and they can no otherwise express their gratitude to their head and King but by accepting them dutiful and faithful improvement of them to the ends for which they were given Good men do shew how they value them by their accepting and using them Churches and their priviledges are not small matters in their accounts or light matters in their esteem but they are high and honourable in their hearts and so are their works and duties there likewise Psal 27.4 Psal 63.1 2 3. Psal 84. 3. They should aim at and design to have and hold Communion with God and Jesus Christ the Lord. God is known in these Palaces Psal 48.3 and to be seen in these Galleries There he opens himself and breaks opens the Treasures of his love and grace unto his people and there he stands holding out his Golden Scepter There he waits to meet his Spouses to kiss and embrace them to entertain and speak friendly to them He meeteth them that rejoyce and work Righteousness and remember him in his wayes Esa 64.5 The wayes and walks of the Lord God are in his Churches there he dwells keeps house manifests himself unto his Houshold and rests himself takes his delight and shews forth his glory to them and thither they should go to meet him 2 Cor. 6.16 Rev. 2.1 Joh. 14.21 23. 4. Believers should enter into and walk with God in Church-fellowship to encrease and augment their grace and to better their hearts to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ 2 Pet. 3.18 and that they may perfect holiness in the fear of God that they may receive of his fulness grace for grace Joh. 1.16 and be filled with all the fulness of God Eph. 3.19 that they may eat of their Fathers Bread and drink of his Wine be made fat and flourishing and fruitful in every good work Psal 92. Psal 132. Col. 1.10 5 To keep their hearts warm strong and lively for God his work and service and that they may obtain and enjoy all encouragements for and in their works tryals and difficulties To fence and arm themselves against all their Enemies assaults on them and be enabled to fight against and conquer them in the Lord Jesus That they may be enabled to run their holy Race chearfully and couragiously and finish their course with joy Act. 20.24 1 Cor. 9.24 Rom. 8. The Son of Righteousness shines warmest on Believers Souls in the Churches of Christ and there are more springs of joy and harvests of profit than are or can be found elsewhere There is a River the streams whereof make glad the City of God the holy place of the Tabernacles of the most high Psal 46.4 There are no springs like the Churches springs nor any harvests like the Churches harvests The fullest clearest and most fatning streams of living waters flow from the fountain Christ on the Churches and the most comely and fruitful branches are or may be found in them They may be the warmest sweetest strongest liveliest chearfullest fruitfullest and the most spiritual men in the World And that they may be such they should joyn themselves to and walk in the Churches of Christ 6. That they may adorn the Gospel convince the World encourage their Brethren and witness to the Truths Wayes Authority and Headship of Christ This is no small thing but they are all matters of the highest moments and of greatest concernment and therefore and for these ends they should walk in Church-fellowship 7. To augment and encrease your experiences to obtain more acquaintance with your selves the operations of the holy Ghost for you and in you and that you may be more clearly and firmly sealed up to the day of Redemption 8. To pay your vows and make good your promises to Perform your Covenant and discharge your work to God the Father and Christ your head You owe them personal and Church-homage and service you are bound and engaged to observe and do all things whatsoever your God commands and appoints you to observe and do according to your opportunities and abilities Matth. 28. ult Joh. 14.15 which you do not cannot do unless you walk in some Church of Christ and put your selves under all his Laws Ordinances and Institutions But that you may so do you put or ought to put your selves under them by joyning your selves to and walking with God and his people in Church-fellowship These are some of the holy ends all believers should have in their eyes and hearts in their aims and designs They must take heed and beware of carnal self-ends in this and all other matters of Religion which will certainly croud in and carry a great stroke in this matter For the Lord Jesus abhors them and cannot endure to have his holy and spiritual matters and concernments subjected and made to serve mens carnal Interests He will have no other aims and ends in Church-members hearts but his own whereby he may be glorified and our Souls profited and others encouraged to do their duty to him We have no dispensation or allowance given us to aim at and design to augment and encrease our Trades and worldly profits or to be maintained by the Churches Benevolence in and by our walking with them or to greaten our names and encrease our friendship and acquaintance among men unless it be to capacitate us to do the more good to men to have larger opportunities to serve Christ our Brethren and our own Souls But our aims ends and designs must be the Lord's namely to please and honour God to express our thankfulness
do so you rob God break your Covenant offend your Brethren and wrong your own souls You must go up because you are called to go and that you may meet God in Zion and receive his blessings for there he commands them Psal 133. ult Oh! it is sad indeed when persons shall pretend to enter into Churches take upon them the observation of all the Laws and Ordinances of Christ there solemnly and publickly promise and engage to walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of God with his people and yet shall dare wilfully to neglect their place and duty therein and to pay their Vows to their God and King Psal 65.1 Psal 61.5.8 Such as are good Governours of Families and Corporations will carefully mind if all within them do answer to their calls and perform their duties when called so to do So doth the Lord Jesus Christ in his Churches He summons them by his Ministers to appear before him wait on and worship him together and bring him a Church-offering and service and narrowly observes who comes and who neglects it how thy come and with what frames of hearts to what ends as the 2. 3. Chap of Rev. shew And if he find any wanting that might come or see them come carelesly and superficially he accounts himself slighted disobeyed and his Love and Grace contemned and undervalued God expects that you should be constant in Church-meetings and not decline them at any time but when his hand obstructs and impedes you but that there you should come with your Free-will offerings and do your Duty Homage to him as he commanded you Believe it this is a matter of great moment and not to be slighted or disregarded by you Sixthly You must walk with God in Church-fellowship in Sincerity and with Vprightness of heart to Without this all your performances are in vain The Lord Jesus is very curious and critical in searching your hearts in your Church-state Rev. 2.23 And all the Churches shall know that I search the reins and the heart And in Jer. 17.10 saith God to the inchurched Jews I the Lord search the heart I try the reins Then surely it must very much concern you to see that you draw night to God continually with true hearts Heb. 10.22 and that without all allowed Guile and Hypocrisie A little of this Leaven will quickly leaven the whole lump of duties Gal. 5.9 It will so corrupt and sowre them as that they will be all stark naught and good for nothing but to kindle and encrease the flames of God's Wrath and Vengeance against you Therefore take heed and beware of Hypocrisie and do not connive or wink at the least grain of it in your hearts or duties but be sure to walk with God in the performance of all duties in Integrity and Uprightness Be sure that your God expects it from you and requires it of you Joshua 24.14 Gen. 17.1 The Eyes of the Lord run to and fro through-out the Churches to see whose heart is perfect with him and whose is hypocritical 2 Chron. 16.9 He requires Truth in the inward parts Psal 51.6 and that all Church-members should walk before him in Truth and with perfect hearts 2 King 20.3 You must worship God and serve him with your all for your little all is but too little for him Prov. 23.26 Math. 22.37 Psal 119.10 You must not leave one hoof behind when you do any thing for God nor put God off with a part of your abilities for the whole for if you do you will lose the acceptance and reward of all Bless the Lord O my soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name saith David Psal 103.1 Seventhly See that you worship God and observe all his Ordinances in the Church in spirit or spiritually Remember that you are his holy spiritual Temples the Temples of the Holy Ghost Eph. 2.21 1 Cor. 3.16 that all the Ordinances of worship in them are holy and spiritual Ordinances stampt with the Image of God's Holiness and Authority and that he will be worshipped in spirit or spiritually Joh. 4.23 24. You must be very careful that you take not up with the external part and outside of your duties and priviledges that you settle not your selves and stay as it were in and upon Ordinances and your enjoying and observing them but get within the Vail seek and look for God and Christ for Heaven and glorious things in them Let your Faith conduct you by the hand of the Spirit into the bosom and heart of Christ that there you may read his Love Grace and glorious Excellencies have intimate and close Communion with him and be ravished and refreshed with his Person and Love Get into his Galleries and see the King of Glory in his beautys and transcendant sweetnesses and get into the Sanctum Sanctorum into the most holy place for the way is opened and the vail drawn off and removed by your Head for you to come and meet him there Heb. 10.19 20 Therefore do not stand and worship in the outer Court of the Temple but go and pass through Ordinances to Christ into the holiest of all and when-ever you go and enter in be you sure that you carry all Graces the Spirit with you to meet your Lord and honour him with them Endeavour all you can to see and feel him to get your hearts ravished with his Person and Love that thereby they may be raised up to great delight joy chearfulness adoration admiration and praise that they may be filled with his Savours warmed with his Love drawn by his Beauty be by all knit and united tyed and bound fast to him Then we worship him in spirit or spiritually when we worship him go to meet him with all our Graces in the Holy of Holies when our Hearts Graces do close up with and hold Communion with him in these Beauties of Holiness Psal 110.3 I am affraid that very few Church-members are experimentally acquainted with this matter for if they were so acquainted with it indeed they could not do as they do They could not neglect the worship and Ordinances of Christ nor cry up a Cephas and cry down a Paul as they do 1 Cor. 3. They could not be so careless and formal in them as they are nor carry about such dead lumpish and heavy hearts and minds as they do Well but however it hath been with you let it be so no more Do you for time to come learn so to worship God as you have heard that so you may please and honour him and he may delight to meet with and bless you Eightly You must walk in Church-fellowship chearfully comfortably and joyfully You must not be Whiners and Complainers you must not be sad lumpish and melancholly in your Father's House No for that will greatly reflect on your Father and on your Head and Husband You will raise suspicions in the minds of men on the good ways of God
and endeavour the having of Christ upon the hardest Terms and do you desire c. that all may go for Christ his Person his Blood and Righteousness his Grace Love Life and Spirit for the pardon of your sins and Justification of your Persons that you may be found in him not having your own Righteousnesse but the Righteousnesse of Christ by Faith Phil. 3.9 and do you go and present your selves naked and as condemned Sinners to him and to God the Father in and by him that you may be cloathed with the Righteousness of Christ and that God may pardon justify and accept you for his sake only 3. Do you seriously and heartily desire chuse and endeavour to have Christ Jesus for your Lord and Ruler too Col. 2.6 that he may Rule in you and over you and that your Lusts and your selves your Interests and your all may be subject unto him and be all at his command and disposal continually Is Christ the Lord as acceptable unto you as Christ Jesus the Saviour and are you willing to obey him and subject to his Authority and Lordship as well as to be saved by him Would you have him destroy your Lusts make an end of Sin and bring all under his Obedience 4. Do you seriously and heartily desire chuse and endeavour never to sin more but to walk with God unto all well pleasing continually Col. 1.10 and do you pray earnestly that God would work in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight Heb. 13.21 that you may in all your waies honour and glorify him as the end of your living in this World 2 Cor. 5.15 Would you indeed live to the praise of his glorious Grace and be an Ornament unto his Name and Gospel and would you be fruitful in every good Word and Work Are these things the Scope aim and intendment of your hearts and Souls in some good measure and degree daily in duties and Ordinances and at other times 5. Do you seriously and heartily chuse and desire communion with Christ and do you indeed and in truth endeavour so as to obtain it and keep it do you so seek for it in the way of Gospel obedience and in observing your duty and keeping Christs commands and do you prefer it before and above earthly carnal things do your hearts breathe and pant after it and are you willing to deny self and carnal Interests to get it Are you glad when you find it and sad when by your own carelesness you lose it doth it when obtained quicken your love to and zeal for Christ doth it warm your hearts and cause them for a time to run your race in Gospel obedience cheerfully doth it lead you unto and lodge your hearts in Christ and doth it oblige and bind them faster unto him and doth it stir you up to thankfulnesse 6. Do you seriously and heartily desire chuse and endeavour to be filled with Gospel sincerity towards God and men and had you rather be sincere and real hearted towards God than seem to be so towards Men had you much rather have the Praise of God than of men and to be approved of by him than extolled by men Is it your care aim and endeavour to carry your selves sincerely before him and to approve your selves unto him under the fear conviction of his all seeing Eye Is it the great thing you mind and aim at in your profession and practice namely sincerity and uprightnesse of Heart do you make conscience of drawing near to God with it and to season every duty with this divine Salt do you indeed desire chuse and endeavour to be after Gods own Heart as David was and Nathaniels indeed in whom is no Guile although you cannot get clear nor rid your selves of all Hypocrisy as you should Is Integrity and uprightnesse of Heart in your Eye resolutions and Intentions and is all Hypocrisy hateful and abominable unto you do you love sincerity and labour after it indeed Are you afraid of Hypocrisy and do you watch and strive against it as against an Enemy to God and your own Souls and are you grieved indeed when you find it in you 7. Do you desire and chuse Jesus Christ for the great object of your Love Delight and Joy and do you find him to be so in some Measure do you desire and endeavour to make him the object of your strongest and warmest affections and to love him Sincerely Heartily Spiritually fervently and constantly and do you express your Love to him by keeping his commandements and doing the things that are wel-pleasing in his sight Joh. 14.15 1 Joh. 3.22 Are you grieved and afflicted in Spirit because you can love him no more and do you earnestly pray unto him to Circumcise your hearts to love him Deut. 30.6 and to Shed abroad his love into your hearts by the Holy Ghost that you may love him as you should Rom. 5.5 Are you glad and do you rejoyce when you find your hearts Knit to him in love and is it your trouble when it is otherwise with you doth his Love and Lovelyness attract and draw your hearts to him and doth the Love of Christ in your hearts move and draw you to obey his commands Is it so indeed do you find it so sometimes with you 8. Is it the desire choice and endeavour of your Hearts and Souls to have all sin purged out of your Hearts and to have them filled with Christ Grace Truth and Holyness and do you hate your sin watch and arm against it and endeavour to keep it under do you indeed aim at desire labour and strive to be holy in Heart and Life and conformable unto Jesus Christ in all things Are your Lusts your heaviest Burdens and your greatest afflictions and do you intend and endeavour their utter ruine and destructions will no degree or measure of Grace satisfy you but you must and will be perfect to the utmost as Christ is Are you so much concerned with Christs honour your Souls holyness and happiness as that you dare not knowingly sin against them for a World or do in word or deed directly or indirectly by omision or commission that which may dishonour grieve or wound them Are these things so indeed 9. Have you a measure of Spiritual knowledge and discerning of Spiritual things do you a little understand the nature and concernments of a house of God and the work and duties the priviledges and enjoyments thereof and what you have to do there have you studied and learnt these matters and do you in measure understand them and can you make a right and competent Judgment of the ends of God in Instituting and erecting of Holy Temples and Spiritual Churches 10. Do you intend purpose and resolve in the light Life and power of Christ to seek for and endeavour unfainedly to obtain and prosecute the ends of Church fellowship when you shall be accepted among them and do you desire and aim at the