by the Ministry first of the Prophets i. e. the scattered Brethren from Jerusalem were setled and confirmed by the Apostles who Ordained Officers respectively among them I proceed in the next place to the Churches to whom the several Epistles were wrote We read not the word Church in any part of the Epistles to the Romans but in the 16th chapter and there referring to other Churches The Church of the Romans as verse 1. he speaks of Phebe a Deaconess of the Church at Cenchrea and verse 4 mentions all the Churches of the Gentiles verse 5. salutes the Church in Aquila's house vers 16. The Churches of Christ salute you Though we have reason enough to believe that there was at this time a constituted Church at Rome because first he writes to them as beloved of God and called to be Saints chap. 1. verse 7. Secondly because he gives Rules to them for walking towards each other as those in Fellowship chap. 14. Thirdly Phebe is recommended to them from the Church at Cenchrea which would not have been had they not been a Church In the Epistle to the Corinthians we have more mention made of the word Church then in any Epistle The Church of Corinth importing a Particular Congregation and we may begin with that description the Apostle gives of it 1 Cor. 1.2 Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints c. he writes not to all the Inhabitants of Corinth but to the Church which he tells you what they are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints which words are exegetical of Church so he directs his second Epistle 2 Cor. 1.1 Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth with all the Saints which are in all Achaia Corinth was a City of the Province of Achaia and he writes primarily to the Church at Corinth and likewise to all the Saints which were in that Province whether they were actually in Church Fellowship or no. I shall briefly mention all the other Texts where Church is taken plainly for such a Particular Congregation as is described in the first Epistle chap. 1. 1 Cor. 4.17 I have sent unto you Timotheus who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ as I teach every where in every Church i. e. every particular Congregation 1 Cor. 6.4 If then you have judgment of things appertaining to this life set them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church i. e. in the Church of the Corinths of them it s primarily intended and as a rule for other particular Churches where no such thing as Christian civil Magistrates was in those times 1 Cor. 7.17 As the Lord hath called every one so let him walk and so ordain I in all the Churches i. e. as a Rule for every particular member of each Church 1 Cor. 11.16 If any man sâ—emeth to be contentious we have no such Custom nor the Churches of God Verse 18. When you come together in the Church i. e. the Assembly not meant of the meeting place as before noted the same sence as in verse 22. Chap. 14.4 He that Prophesieth Edifieth the Church i. e. the Congregation that heareth him And verse 5. his reason of prefering Prophecying is given viz. That the Church may receive Edifying therefore saith verse 12. Seek that ye may excel that the Church may receive Edifying and verse 19. In the Church I had rather speak five words with my Vnderstanding that I might teach others Verse 23. If the whole Church be come together in one place Verse 28. If there be no Interpreter let him keep silence in the Church c. Verse 33. God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints Verse 34. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches Verse 35. For it is a shame for Women to speak in the Church Chap. 16.1 Concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given Order to the Churches such as are in the Province of Galatia even so do ye Where should Collections be made but in particular Congregations Verse 19. The Churches of Asia i. e. of that Region salute you Aquila and Prescilla salute you and the Church in their House it may be that frequently assembled there or that was for the most part belonging to their Family there might be enough for a competent Congregation in such times as those that Church is mentioned more times 2 Cor. 8.1 We do you to wit of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia the word is always used in the plural Number when it s applyed to Nations Provinces Macedonia was a Province Regions as of Galatia Macedonia Asia Judea Verse 18 19. We have sent with him the Brother whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches verse 19. And not that only but who were also chosen of the Churches to travel with us the word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and might be rendred ordained as well as in other places Verse 23. They are Messengers of the Churches Verse 24. Wherefore shew to them and before the Churches the proof of your Love Chap. 11.8 I robbed other Churches to serve you 2 Cor. 11.28 That which cometh upon me daily the care of all the Churches viz. as to his Apostolical Office 2 Cor. 12 13. What is it wherein you are inferiour to other Churches It seems there 's no superiority of one particlar Church above another but are all co-ordinate The word is thrice used in the Epistle to the Gallatians Chap. 2.1 2. Paul an Apostle and all the Brethren which are with me unto the Churches of Galatia a Province Verse 13. You have heard of my Conversation how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God and wasted it i. e. the Church of Jerusalem which was only extant when he began his Persecution and for ought I know while it lasted for that was a principal occasional cause of scattering the Jerusalem Church in order to Propagation but he tells them of more Churches in the Province of Judea after his Conversion Verse 21 22. Afterwards I came into the Regions of Syria and Cilicia and was unknown by face unto the Churches of Judea which were in Christ. The Apostle directs the Epistle to the Ephâ—sians thus To the Saints which are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ Jesus which terms have a synonymous acceptation most times with a Church and we have ground enough to believe there was an Established Church there when Paul wrote he writing of such high mysteries concerning Christ and his Church but we are fully assured of it afterward when John wrote Rev. 2.1 where he directs his Epistle to the Ephesian Church as if to the Dutch or French Church in England or the Ephesian Congregation at Ephesus but in all places where Church is mentioned in this Epistle he treats only of the Catholick Church
Ecclesia Enucleata The Temple Opened Or A Clear DEMONSTRATION Of the True gospel-Gospel-Church IN ITS Nature and Constitution According to the DOCTRINE and PRACTICE OF Christ and his Apostles By I. C. In that day seven Women shall take hold of one man saying We will eat our own bread and wear our own Apparel only let us be called by thy Name to take away our Reproach Isa 4.1 London Printed by George Larkin at the lower End of Broadstreet next to London-Wall 1684. THE PREFACE TO THE READER Candid Reader TRue Religion and the Church of Christ are Twins they were conceived and born together and have grown up together in the World and I may say of them as of all the Sons of God in particular That they are born not of Blood nor of the will of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God John 1.13 They are only from God and for God and his revealed mind and will In his Word is the great prescribing Rule of both and the only Touch-stone for an unerring Tryal of the Truth of either All Pretentions of humane Wisdom Law and Authority must here vail their Bonnet for if these could justly claim a binding Power in matters of this Nature I know no Reason why the Great Turk hath not as strong Arguments for his Religion in all his Dominions as Christians have any where for theirs We find whatever Prerogative Secular Powers lay claim to that they are fully assured that Religion never takes place upon mens minds by their Authority only they must pretend to at least a Divine as we see The Turk must have his false Prophet Mahomet and his Mufti and the Ten-horned secular Beast must have his two-horned Ecclesiastical Brute So the Heathen Kingdoms and Pagan have always had their Diabolick Priests to influence the Minds and sham the Consciences of Men by the awe of some Divinity or supposed Divine Authority into a Reverend esteem of that Religion they designed to establish suitable to their own carnal designs and advantages Since the knowledge of the True God and the breaking forth of the light of the Gospel in the Kingdoms of the darkness of this world the Devills Mask hath bâ—en much removed he is found to be what he is His wiles and deceits whereby he hath so long imposed upon the minds of men are very much discovered in so much that it may be said of him in these latter days that he is fallen as lightning from heaven since the Reforming Angels mentioned Rev. 14. have been employed in the Wilderness the three Gospel flying Angels to bring in that glorious light and the two Sicle Angels that cut down the Harvest and Vintage the Thickâ—ts and shading poysonsome Antichristian Trees have been in a great measure in many places cut down yea Reformation hath been carried on to such degrees that the Angels have been seen having the seven last Plagues and those that have got the Victory ovcr the Beast over his Image and over his Mark and over the number of his name standing on the Sea of Glass having the Harps of God and singing the Song of Moses the Servant of God and the Song of the Lamb c. Yea the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony hath been open and I doubt not but the seven Vial-Angels are coming out of the Temple though Smoak fill it at present from the glory of God and his power In answer to the old enquiry Where was your Church according to Article 19. of the Church of England before Luther We say It hath been for above 1200 years in the Wilderness it was before that ever since the Apostles timâ—s under the Draconick Tyranny and Persecution till it fell under the Beast and False Prophet in the midst of Spiritual Egypt Sodom and Babylon out of which it hath been bringing under the conduct of the Angel that was with the Church in the Wilderness by several removes steps and degrees of Reformation sometimes too wofully lusting and turning back again But God will be a Refiners Fire to all the Sons of Levi he will throughly purge away all the Churches dross and take away all her Tin he will wash away the Filth of the Daughters of Zion and purge the Blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the Spirit of Judgment and Spirit of Burning by his trying Providences and bright shining searching Light of the Gospel In order to the last I have presumed to cast in some fire from the Altar have run to and fro a little â—hat knowledge may encrease and â—hat many may be purified and made â—hite Reader what thou seest of â—arkness and ignorance of the Mind â—nd Will of Christ concerning a Subâ—â—ct of so great concern overlook it of but lend thy Light also as thou â—ast received from the Lord Jesus â—hrist and remember partiality is to â—e laid aside and who ever decreaâ—eth Christ must encrease If thou â—st no other Argument to resist the â—ght offerd then that the Cross attends â—ruth deny thy self and take up â—e Cross and Truth and follow â—â—rist this Life World is but for a â—tle while take heed of bâ—ggling â—th Conscience and sophisticating â— Word of God by shifting Glosses to make it serve thy own corrupt designs and ends the Word of God â— pure and consonant to it self Christ is and will make it manifest and confest at last notwithstanding all opposition that he is the only Lawgiver his Church he seeks such Woâ—shippers as shall serve him iâ— Spirit and in Truth he hates aâ— abhors all Whorish Babylonish Drâ—ses of his Worship and Ordinance Let Christ be found and embraceâ— his Church sought out in the place â—che Wilderness where it hath honourished Get true Union to Cbrâ— the Head becoming a Member of â— Mystical Body and maintain tâ— Gospel-communion of Saints â— none can harm you The noise that some men make â—e World of Schism and Separation â— nothing but some of Antichrists â—ust that he throws into the eyes of â—ose that he cannot quite blind for â—ere was never any Schism in the Mystical Body of Christ his Vesture â—as never divided and there was neâ—â—r any true constituted Gospel-Church â—t by Separation and as for Schism it concerns Visible Churches there none spoken of in the New Testaâ—ent but such as was found in a â—â—rticular Congregational Church and â—â—ey but superficial Divisions that â—re soon healed He that walks in â—e bond of peaceable communion with â— particular Gospel-Church of Christ â—ll never be hurt by all the Nick-â—â—mes of Schismatick or Dividing-â—eparatist that any of the Worshippers of the Beast or his Image or oâ— any carrying the mark or number oâ— his name can cast upon him It 's aâ— easy thing for men of corrupt minds tâ— call what they please by the name oâ— Church and then to stigmatize thâ— Servants of Christ in not holding communion with it by all reproachfâ— names of the Devils invention It â— the
greatest interest of every true Foâ—lower of Christ to count the cost of hâ— Profession and resolve that he must â— through good report and evil anâ— must take a share in the Sufferings â— Christ who is now crowned wiâ— Glory and Honour as all his Faitâ—ful Members shall be for he hath saâ— that where he is they shall bâ— also and doubtless there is a rewaâ—â— for the Righteous there is a Goâ— that Judgeth in the Earth And â—is is the Faith and Patience â— the Saints and of him who shall â—eem it honour enough to be found â—e of the least and am Thy Servant for Christs sake I. C. The Contents of the Chapters contained in this Treatise CHap. 1. The Design of this Vndertaking Page â— Chap. 2. Shewing that a place of Meaning is no where taken in the New Testament for a Church of Christ Page 1â— Chap. 3. Of a National Provincial Church Page 2â— Chap. 4. Of Parochial-Churches p. 4â— Chap. 5. Of the Catholick Visible Church Page 6â— Chap. 6. Of the most usual acceptation of the word Church in the New Testament Page 6â— Chap. 7. Of a Particular-Church P. 7â— Chap. 8. Of the Inferences necessary from the foregoing Chapter P. 99. Chap. 9. Of the Bond of Vnion in the Church Page 115. Chap. 10. of Church-Communion Page 136. Chap. 11. The Conclusion Page 155. ERRATA The Reader is desired before he read the Book to Correct the following Errata's PAge 24. line 21. after Ceremonies add at line 22. after Antitype add were Page 31. l. 2. read destined to Page 37. l. 25. for jugeled read juggled Page 39. l. 11. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Page 41. l. 3. after that add though Page 50. l. 15. for munching read mouching Page 72. l. 21. after only read of Page 78. l. 23. after Churches add of Judea Page 91. l. 14. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Page 96. l. 24. for who they read they who Page 100. l. 4. blot out and. Page 106. l. 4. blot out in Page 120. l. 14. after one Body add so also is Christ Page 125. l. 23. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Page 126. l. 12. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Page 141. l. 3. for parterition read preterition Page 142. after Christ add into THE TEMPLE OPENED OR A Clear Demonstration OF THE TRUE GOSPEL-CHURCH CHAP. I. The Design of this Undertaking AS the true Church of Christ is the most glorious Fabrick that ever God created in the fashioning of â—hich his infinite Wisdom Power Goodness and Truth did most trancendently appear and wherein he â—ath and will magnify all his glorious Attributes and his Son Chriâ— Jesus the Image of the Fathers Peâ—son above what he hath done in aâ— the Artifice of the Old Creation Sâ— there is no one thing in the worâ— that Satan and his Instruments haâ— levyed their Counsels Power anâ— Malice more at since the first aâ—pearance of it in the World Bâ— seeing he could never prevail by aâ— the powers of Hell to destroy it â— hath managed and carryed on â— design principally for the darkninâ— clouding and obscuring the Gloâ— of it and finding the unbelieviâ—â— world began to have their Eyes â—pened and to behold the Glory â— Christ and his glorious Body tâ— Church He provides a Fob Chrâ—â— and Sham-Church which he set 〈◊〉 the world on wondering after Aâ— when by the light of the Gospâ—â— breaking forth with greater brighâ—ness that spiritual Egyptian darkneâ—â— which had over-spread the Europeâ—â— Hemisphere began to vanish that Church was discovered to be a Syâ—agogue of Satan and a Diabolical Sheat by her Heathenish Idolatries â—piritual Whoredoms and whorish â—ttire the grand Deceiver betook â—imself to new measures and conâ—rived ways and methods for conâ—ounding and darkning the minds of men that upon the dawning of Gospel light were studiously intent â—pon a Reformation And among other Bombs of Hellish Mixture that â—e flung in and brake among them â—or the distracting and dividing â—hem in this great Undertaking this was not the least To confound â—heir Language Fain they would â—or the most part have Extricated â—hemselves from the Antichristian Labyrinth and found the way by the Clue of Gods word through that Chymerian Monkish darkness in matters of Doctrine and arrived at â—o great a clearness and full Understanding of the most weighty and necessary Points for Life and Salvation and were so abundantly satisfied in what they believed and professed in Opposition to all the Romish Lyes and Hypocrisies that Triumphing in their cause they loved not their Lives unto Death and having weather'd this Cape of good hope even through a Sea of blood and many a Hurricane of smart Persecutions They began anon to be becalmed just as they should have Entred the Haven of a full Reformation For falling now under the the Countenance and Favour of Protestant Princes they found not only that ease and rest from Persecution was very delightful and that seeing they were safe through the Faith and Patience of their Predecessors as to the main points of Salvation they thought it not advisable to run any further adventure in matters as they thought of lesser moment Seeing the passage was also Hazardous in respect of worldly Pomp and Interest finding that if they went so far as the humility plainess and simplicity of the Gospel in the worship of Christ they must lay aside all that gawdy dress of Church Dignities and Ceremonies which the Curtizan of Rome had bedaubed it with and hence because the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil they came to treat with her for the Mammon of Vnrighteousness and it was agreed that the Reformed Religion in all matters of worship should for the most part appear in the Romish dress attire should be accompanyed with the like Profit Honours Pleasures that so the honest woman might not be distinguished from the whore by the Dress and this expos'd in the street And now I say behold Satans great Subtilty when he hath obtained thus much that these two Ladies walk up and down in one fashion he calls them both by one Name so that now men begin to question their difference and suspect they are related to each other as Aholah and Aholibah and many finding the Reformed Church so like unto the Romish they doubt whether there be any such thing as a true Church of Christ on Earth and seeing so many women play the whore do question whether there is any honest woman living But many run to and fro and knowledge increasing some tell us and confidently affirm they have found this Church or Christ and that all this while it hath been in the Antichristian Wilderness And others entring into it say Surely it is so there is much of the Sweetness of Christs Love and consolations of the Spirit But yet there are many things dark
this constitute a Church of Christ or a Synagogue of Satan what are all his Admidistrations but an Usurpation As to the efficacy of the Act done it s not my Province to determine here I shall onely say as to the matter of Baptism I roundly affirm That I believe it no more effectual than if a Cobler Tinker or Midwife had done it with some competent Solemnity Hence it evidently may be concluded That the Administration of Sacraments constitutes not a Church of Christ much less makes a Parish a Church But in the foremention'd instances the whole proceeding of Ministers and People are a meer usurpation of Communion in Church Ordinances and is no better then Jeroboams worshipping Dan and Bethel and Conformity thereto no better then the Israelites Conformity thereto in obedience to their lawful civil Governours in that which is a declared Abomination to the Lord. Obj. You do hereby Vnchurch many an eminent Church where there hath been a Faithful Parish Minister and holy good people walking as his Parishioners in Communion with him Ans We unchurch no true Church of Cbrist by this means for i◠one thing to say a thing is Church and that it 's occasional of a Church I deny not but many Ministers Parish-Relation and Peoples cohabitation have been ocasions of many Reforming Churches which Christ hath accepted in their degrees of Reformation but we affirm they were not Churches of Christ as such i. e. as Members of a Parish but as a faithul people related by a Spiritual Bond of Union to Christ and one to another in Communion of the Word purely Preached and Sacraments duely Administred CHAP. V. Of the Catholick Visible Church THose that speak of a Catholick Visible Church speak some at one rate and some at another If they mean that the Catholick Church is Visible in the largest sence as such we deny it for it is not visible to us nor can be till all the Elect are called in and so must be onely at the General Assembly and Church of the First-born for at present the most eminent part of it is triumphant many true Believers that are militant not seen or known to us And so to say the Catholick Church is Visible is to set our words and sences at variance By Catholick Visible some will say they mean not the whole Universal Church but so much of it as is visible but this cannot for that reason have the denomination of Catholick Church because it s but a very small part of it and part cannot be called the whole besides if it be limited to the Visible Saints militant I say the universality of them are never visible either in any congregation or in communion of any Ordinance or under any Visible Pastoral Jurisdiction neither are the particular Members of the Church militant visible at the same time there being no such time when all true Believers are known by their visible Profession Some understand by the Catholick Visible Church an Organized Church with a visible Pastoral Head and furnished with Officers suiting a Catholick Ruling Power over all Churches and Saints on Earth and this is the meaning alwayes of the Papists when they speak of the Catholick Church calling themselves Catholicks as Members of it which Church they say Rome is wherein this universal Pastor and Jurisdiction is placed But it is by a cloud of Witnesses asserted that Christ never Ordained any universal visible Pastor nor ever promoted Peter above the rest of the Apostles neither did ever the greatest contender for the Popes Headship and Supremacy over all other Pastors and Churches ever make seeming fair proof of it for though he sent sorth his Apostles as extraordinary Officers with an extraordinary presence for working Miracles and healing in order to the first propagating the Gospel and Plantation of Churches yet they had but a co-ordinate power neither were they fixed as standing and lasting Officers in the Church neither was their Apostolick power conveyed to any Successors but dyed with them leaving only ordinary Officers in the Church Lastly can you read the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 any where to import in the New Testament a Church of this nature viz. a Catholick Visible Organized Church Christ rather pofitively forbad it and reproved that spirit of Ambition that was one thing that our Saviour saw working in them labouring to be Dignitaries But he that will be chief among you let him be your Servant Mat. 20.17 23.11.10.24 25. Which Reprimand the Mother of Zebedee's children received when she enquired who should be greatest among her children There are six or seven sorts of Churches in the latter dayes that entitle themselves the Churches of Christ which the Gospel makes no mention of viz. Catholick Organized Visible such the Church of Rome Patriarchal National Provincial Diocesan Archdeconary Parochial These seem to be the seven women spoken of Isa 4.1 that shall take hold of one man The Lord Jesus Christ Saying we will eat our own bread and wear our own Apparel only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach They will have the name of Christ that they may not be Reproached as the Churches of Antichrist and yet will be at their own provision for Worship and Ordinances by humane inventions But for all this tho' these whorish women make a shift by a common vogue to carry the name of the True Gospel Churches throughout the world his True Spouse though small and contemptible as to outward appearance shall be glorious ver 2. In that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel ver 3. And it shall come to pass that he that is left in Zion in that great Apostacy and he that remaineth in Jerusalem shall be called holy even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem See what follows from ver 4. to the end This I take to be the true meaning of that place for 1. Women in the Prophetick phrase are Churches as frequent instances may be given 2. The number may be definite for an indefinite 3. The Prophecy is manifestly of the latter dayes and the Churches state therein which none will deny CHAP. VI. Of the most usual acceptation of the word Church in the New Testament WE have shewed that in one place the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken for any common Assembly lawful or unlawful Acts 19.32 39. and likewise that it 's once taken for a National Church Acts 7.38 But in all other places it 's either taken for the Universal Church of Christ or for particular Congregations and for no other sorts of Churches The Universal Church of Christ is one Organized Body Christ being the Head and all the Saints Triumphant and Militant the Members united together either by a real Bond visible or invisible or both This Church of Christ either is mentioned in
then another all men that speak of Churches say so As some say Baptism some say Cohabitation and that Baptism only unites him to the Catholick Church but Cohabitation determines him to this or that particular But we say it must be a voluntary and free submission of a mans self to this or that Society of Christs Flock and the Discipline thereof that can give him or be to him the form of Visible Church Membership it 's not â—ational or natural that any man â—hould be a Member or be capable to claim the priviledges of any Society in the world of what nature soever it be without his consent It 's therefore a free voluntary consent and agreement which is the true and proper external form of a particular Church or Church-Membership Profession is a visible qualification of the matter but it 's consent and agreement which is the Copula or Nexus For I challenge any man to give me one instance where Christ or his Apostles ever attempted to force any man to hear the Word much less to believe it when they heard it or to be of this or that Church Besides it 's a natural freedom to every man to choose what Government he will put himself under as to his temporal Concerns though when he hath done it he be bound by the Laws thereof much more a Christian Liberty in respect of Spiritual Regiment 3. God desires nor accepts of any forced Service but requires the greatest freedom and voluntary resignation of themselves in this kind 4. I shall make it evident that all the Primitive Churches were so gathered For the Apostles had no external force in any place of the Earth it was not by power or might i. e. humane but by the Spirit of God which wrought with the Word Preached whereby their hearts were brought with freeness to embrace it and with boldness to profess and practice it in the midst of all opposition and accordingly with the greatest chearfulness and alacrity to consent to a subjection to Christ and all his Precepts and Institutions in his Church See in the first most Apostolical Church the 120 that Christ left together at his Ascention Acts 1.14 And all these continued 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. with one consent unanimously in Prayer c. Chap. 2.41 And as many as received the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chearfully or gladly yielded and submitted to the Truth Preached and advised by Peter these were baptized and added to the Church by the Apostles Doctrine and in Fellowship which they would not have done if they had not freely and upon choice and profession embraced it The first Church of the Gentiles that was gathered was at Antioch See how they came to be a Church Acts 11.19 20. And they that were scattered upon the Persecution that arose about Steven Travelled so far as Phenice c. verse 20. And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene which when they were come to Antioch spake unto the Grecians Preaching the Lord Jesus verse 21. And the hand of the Lord was with them The Spirit and Power of Christ and a great number beleived i. e. freely embraced the Truth and turned unto the Lord. Now when Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to aid and encourage this great work verse 23. When he came and had seen the Grace of God he was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord that is that they would freely voluntarily and sincerely without any hypocrisy submit themselves to Christ and his Ordinances with manifestation of the fullest assent and freest consent that might be now you find vers 26. that they were immediately a Church upon this cleaving to the Lord with whom Paul and Barnabas assembled Preaching unto much people that attended their Ministry besides which were not yet of that gathered Church I need not enlarge on this Point any further the assertion being not only most agreeable to the best reason but it being so clear that this was the only way of Gathering Churches used by the Apostles and all their Coadjutors in the times of the Primitive Purity If any hath practiced otherwise since we are not obliged to be of their minds or follow their examples Corruptions of the Church proceeding from Antichrist and not from Christ This is the day wherein the Lord is washing away the Filth of the Daughters of Zion The Churches of Christ and is purging away the Blood The Antichristian Pollutions of Worship of Jerusalem from the midst of her by the Spirit of Judgment and Spirit of burning Isa 4.4 And all the seven women that have laid hold on the Skirt of Christ and called themselves by his name shall appear to be Harlots yea as for thee O Aholibah thus saith the Lord Thou hast walked in the way of thy Sister therefore I will give her Cup into thy hand thou shalt drink of thy Sisters Cup deep and large thou shalt be laughed to scorn and had in derision Ezek. 23.31 32. It containeth much CHAP. X. Of Church-Communion 1. UNion according to its Nature Physical or Politick or Oecumenical naturally produceth a Communion suitable thereto that which we are about to speak of is of a Spiritual at least of an Ecclesiastical Nature we have shewn what is the primary Bond of Union in the Church of Christ that it is the Spirit of Christ that animates knits and tyes his whole Body together and that this is Mystical But exerting it self in vital motions and operations in all the Members it produceth a second Bond proper and necessary to the establishment of a particular Visible Church which is a manifestation of this Spirit in a credible Profession and free consent to the Regiment and Ordinances of Christ with a resignation of our selves thereto and this becomes the Bond of Church-Fellowship and the Foundation of an orderly Communion Communion is participation in one common benefit or its mutual Participation or Communication of good things by various subjects So Spiritual Communion is first a common participation in one general good or benefit of a Spiritual Nature and here where all the Members of Christ's Body partake of the same Head the same Spirit as their Unity consists in respect of connexion of Parts so their Communion consists in it in respect of Participation and this is the Communion of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 It s fully expressed as a Mystical Communion 1 John 1. 3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that you may have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ This Communion in the Spirit is set forth unto us at large in that forementioned place 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6 7 c. where he shews that all the Graces Gifts Members Operations Offices in the Body according to their several diversifications flow from the same Spirit all the streams take indifferently from the same Fountain
Apostles furnished with the gift of Tongues though secondary to them in their power for the dispensing the Gospel to all Nations and therefore upon the scattering the Church of Jerusalem after Stephens Persecution these Prophets mostly began the Churches of the Gentiles by their Ministry at first My Reasons for it are 1. That its evident all the Brethren as well as the Apostles were extraordinarily furnished for the Ministry Act. 2.4 They were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues c. Now this was for special ends that they were capacitated to speak to all Nations in their own Languages 2. We find upon Stevens Persecution Act. 8.1 that they were all scattered except the Apostles not the whole Church for we read often of that Church still but all the Brethren of the 120 were scattered throughout the Regions of Judea Samaria by whole means Churches of the Jews were gathered as it appears verse 14. and Acts 9.31 After God had taken off that great Informer Saul then had all the Churches rest throughout all Judea Galilee and Samaria Likewise we find that the Church of Antioch the first among the Gentiles that we read of was Planted by their Ministry see Acts 11.19 20 22. compare with ch 13. 1. More might be said on this point but I must keep to the present design only naming the several Offices 11 The third kind of extraordidary Officers were Evangelists such as Steven Phillip Luke Mark Timothy c. they were men no doubt extraordinarily qualified and were called Evangelists as being Assistants to the Apostles and travelled with them and sometimes alone as Philip It may be doubted whether the seven Deacons were of that 120 Brethren for they were men full of the Holy Ghost ch 6. 3. and afterward being pitched upon for eminent Service to the Church were called now Evangelists but being not of the number that were together at our Saviours Ascention and Pentecost and though their work might be the same with the Prophets yet their dignity was inferiour to the Apostles and Prophets as Eph. 4. Some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists but we need not lay much stress now upon the differences of those Offices ceased those Officers especially Apostles and Prophets are irrecoverably ceased from the very nature of them for an Apostle it were requisite to be one who had seen the Lord and a Prophet according to what we endeavour to prove one of those that were baptized with the Ghost and Fire at Pentecost As for an Evangelist it 's most probable to remain if any because the work still remains necessary to the encrease of the Church viz. Preaching to Unconverted people and gathering of Churches tho' none can be expected since the Primitive Times with any more then ordinary qualifications which any stated Church-officer hath such Evangelists such Deacons cannot be had But to supply those Offices necessary now in the Church those that are to be mentioned are sufficient 12. The Ordinary Officers remaining in the Church now may be reduced to these two heads Elders and Deacons Elders for Ministry and Government Deacons to serve Tables to look after the necessary charges for the Ministry Ordinances Assemblies Poor c. I shall not enlarge here it being evident to every one acquainted with Scripture 13. The Ordinances of Ordinary Communion are Prayer Preaching the Word Sacraments Acts 2. Collections The Lords Supper is still spoken of as the most eminent Ordinance of Communion 1 Cor. 10.16 14. If we enquire for the ground and end of Communion in these Ordinances it is That this is the way appointed by Christ for the edifying his Body for the encrease of Faith and Love in the Members of Christ those Ordinances being designed indeed as to the Church for edification for it s not to be supposed that a Church-Member should be an unconverted person if a hypocrite creep in he hath nothing of true end and design of Communion So that by Communion the Body of Christ is nourished strengthened and perfected towards its fullness of stature in Christ 15. If it be enquired where Church Communion is and between what kind of persons I answer Church Communion in Ornances can be but in one particular Congregation at the same time where all may meet for edification in one place we read of no other in the Primitive Church tho some would have that of Jerusalem to be greater then so after the addition of 3000 but it s expresly said that they were all together in Fellowship and met together still before the dispersion Acts 2.42.44 also chap. 5.12 and other places but this great Church was scattered afterwards by Gods Providence ordering it for the great advantage of the Gospel and propagation of Churches 16. If it be inquired between whom Church-Communion is exercised The answer is easy It 's between particular Members that ordinarily have fellowship in the same particular Congregations as likewise between one particular Church and another all Churches comunicating in this that they are of the same universal Body have the same Head Bond of Union Graces Ordinances Priviledges as in the one intire Catholick Body as every individual person in fellowship is a Member in particular so every individual Church is a part of that Integrum compacted by that vvhich every joynt supplyeth Ephes 4.16 according to the effectual working in the measure of every part c. 17. Communion we have said as it stands in copartnership in some common good so in communication between Member and Member what of peculiar good is in any part is communicable to the rest or fellow-feeling of the Sufferings of each other As there is a common design carri'd on by every part for the good of the whole so by all parts for each other The Apostle tells us this at large 1 Cor. 12. Eph. 4. 18. The mutual communication that is visible in order to spiritual advantage stands in giving and receiving by the exercise of spiritual gifts and graces in the Word and Prayer by mutual advice and counsel by admonition and Church-censures where required by contributions to the wants and necessities of each other any way arising Spiritual or Temporal This Communion is practicable between Church and Church also not only by occasional participation in the Word and Ordinances with each other but in the matters before mentioned of advice and supply of each others wants In the former case we have the example of the Church of Antioch advising with the Church of Jerusalem in the latter that 1 Cor. 16.5 2 Cor. 9.3 4. Gal. 6.6 c. CHAP. XI The Conclusion BEing not minded to enlarge this discourse any further at this time I shall only lay down a few Corolary Assertions briefly to obviate some objections that may rise in some mens minds against what hath been spoken which we shall be ready to defend if occasion requires 1. That that only is a true constituted Church of Christ which is a house of Gods Building it 's not mans fancy or pretentions that renders any thing so 2. That a Christians actual Communion with any one true Visible Church of Christ makes him a Member in Communion with all the Churches of Christ though he doth not at present nor hath occasion to communicate with any Congregated Body besides what he is actually and immediately in Communion with 3. Hence barely Non-Communion as to immediate Participation in Ordinances with this or that Church doth not Unchurch them as some men phrase it i. e. condemn their standing neither is it any part of Schism or culpable Separation 4. There is a Separation that is absolutely necessary to every True Visible Church of Christ there can be none without it and it is the duty of True Churches and Members to practice it 5. This Separation is from the World Flesh and Devil and therefore from all the children of these and from all false Churches whatsoever 6. That all Antichristian Churches as well as absolutely Heathen are Idol-temples and therefore Communion with them is fellowship with Belial and his Idols 1 Cor. 6. 7. That Christ hath had his true Worshippers and Churches during the whole time of the Antichristian Reign and Rage but in a Wilderness especially as to Visible Form and Constitution yea trodden down by the Gentiles for the most part preserved notwithstanding by Christ in some times and places in its essential mystical state at least without any visible lustre in Externals as the Church of Old in Egypt and Babylon in other times and places he hath secured them in some retirements so far as to have opportunity to erect Tabernacles of true Gospel constitutions in form and fashion as he primitively appointed 8. And thus the true Churches of Christ hath stood during the time of the Womans militating in the Wilderness under its several Scatterings Deformations and Reformations under which God hath owned them all the dayes of their wanderings in the Wilderness 9. God hath had his degrees of Reformation and Purity of his Church especially during the last part of the Beasts Reign and that all such degrees have been progresses in Separation as to Purity of Ordinances and Worship till at last there shall be a perfect full and clear Redemption of Zion from all her Captivity in this Spiritual Egypt and Babylon 10. Schism is a thing talked more of then understood we only affirm this concerning it 1. That Separation from a manifestly false Church is no Schism 2. Non-communion with a suspected Church is no Schism but a duty 3. That all Schism spoken of in Scripture is actually and immediately in some particular Congregation being a Visible Politick Body and those there mentioned are not all amputations or rentings asunder most of them are but divisions in some matters of judgment and affection without a destruction of the whole as in the Church of Corinth though there may be some tendency thereunto 11. Manifest Corruptions in Worship persisted in especially if such as are taken up again after they have been abundantly witnessed against and purged out by former degrees of Reformation are to be separated from and witnessed against and such Churches as maintain them Yea such Separation is so far from a just charge of Schism that it is a necessary Duty of all those whose Minds and Consciences are informed in the truth of the Gospel FINIS