This from the word Temple in the sense here used 2. Doct. Many there are yea many within the visible Church that are defilers and Violaters of this Temple of God 3. Doct. God will certainly punish every and all the defilers and violaters of this his Temple with punishments proportionable to their sin in violating and defiling the same For the first of these Note the difference I put between a Professor of the true Faith and a true professor of that true Faith One may professe the truth and not truly professe it he may be a hypocrite in his profession A Professor is visible and profession of the Faith may be discerned by men from profession of falshood but a true Professor and the truth of his profession is to be desired and prayed for but is not so easily discerned God onely that searches the heart can infallibly judge of this Again I use the word Society as the Genus of a Church not an Assembly for a Church is no lesse a Church when the Assembly is dismissed then when they are Assembled in the use of any Ordinance of God Nor a Congregation that word is too narrow it agreeth not to all the kindes but the word Society that agrees to a particular visible Church and to the whole visible Church to the Church in a house the Church in a Village of one Congregation the Church in a City consisting of many Congregations as the Church of Ierusalem of Ephesus of Corinth the Church in a Kingdom or Nation committed to the profession of the Faith of Christ the Church in the whole world the Church in her Officers gathered together to hear complaints the Church in her Members assembled to worship and serve the Lord according to the Gospel of Christ It is weak and a poor quarrell my opinion is it is so to deny a National Church under the New Testament for under the old its beyond all question and to plead there is no other visible Church then Congregationall The Church at Ierusalem was not Congregationall in that sense that is it did not consist of one Congregation that could meet in one place all the Members of it have one Pastor preach to them at one time and use other Ordinances of Worship as the Sacrament of the Lords-Supper Baptisme Publique Prayer and fellowship together twelve Apostles were not able to discharge to them the duty that belonged to the word and Prayer without the help of seven Deacons to take off them the care of distributing of the Church-Almes Act. 6. 1 2 3 4. It is hard to make clear proof that the word Church in all the History of the New Testament is given to a Congregation I desire to see it And why may not a Nation professing the Faith be called a Church as well as all the world of Professors be called a Church Why not now as well as under the Old Testament The word Church is applicable to every Society of men that professe the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ We read of Churches in the New-Testament because we have severall Societies and Nations of men converted and become the people of God And whereas I hear of some that say did ye ever hear of Nations converted in the Scripture those be strange conversions the conversions of whole Nations I answer did you ever read the Scripture and yet passe by those famous prophesies concerning the Church under the New Testament All Nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee O Lord And shall glorifie thy name Psa 86. 9. Again In the last dayes the mountain of the Lords house shall be established in the top of the mountains c. Isa 2. 2 3 4. And all nations shall flâ—w unto it and many people shall go and say Come ye and let us go up c. And he shall judge among the Nations And again Zac. 8. 20 21 22. There shall come people and the inhabitants of many Cities and the inhabitants of one City shall go to another saying Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord and to seek the Lord of Hosts I will go also Yea many people and strong Nations shall come to seek the Lord and pray before him It is a strange thing you say The Lord speaks of it indeed as a strange work Who hath heard such a thing Who hath seen such things Shall a Nation be born at once Esa 66. 81. Yet Zion doth so To what purpose were that command Go teach all Nations and Baptize if a Nation might not receive the Gospel and Baptisme or can any doubt of such an effect of Preaching the Gospel when Christ hath promised to his Ministers preaching to Nations that He will be with them to the end of the world Who can deny whole Nations imbracing the Gospel that have not lost their senses the Nation of England at this day and the Nation of Scotland professe the truth of Christ and now in their representative bodies are all for Reformation for the power of godlinesse for the rooting out of Popery Heresie Schisme Prelacy Prophanenesse and in this work count not their lives and livelyhoods dear unto them Moreover since I am upon this point let me propose this Argument for a Nationall Church He that hath all power given to him of God in Heaven and earth and out of the fulnesse of that power saith Teach all Nations and Baptize them and promiseth his presence to the World and to make the Nations obedient to the Faith and to receive the Gospel and Baptisme doth in so doing set up properly one Church of all the Nations in the world that receive the Gospel and Baptisme and make Nationall Churches of the severall Nations that receive the Gospel and Baptisme But Jesus Christ hath all power given him of God in Heaven and Earth and out of the fulnesse of that power saith Teach all Nations and Baptize them and promiseth his presence to the worlds end to make the Nations obedient and to receive the Gospel and Baptisme Therefore IESVS CHRIST doth in so doing set up one Church of all Nations that receive the Gospel and Baptisme and make Nationall Churches of the severall Nations that receive the Gospel and Baptisme I have degressed somewhat but let it passe Whether there be a Nationall or Congregationall Church or no this is sure every Society of Christians professing the true Faith is a Church and the Temple of God which now we come to prove for that is requisite that both branches of the first Doctrine be made good by clear Scripture The fiâ—st that every Christian professing the true Faith especially the true Professor is Gods Temple read the 16. verse of this Chapter and chap. 6. 6. 19. Where the Apostle saith Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God What know you not this Every Christian profession answereth our outward call is called to this honour to be Gods Temple this is the dignity to which ye are
that concern holinesse and righteousnesse there is the true Church Ephes 2. 19 20. What ever Society of men associating in a religious way do hold Christ and the Prophets and the Apostles Doctrine for faith and holinesse that Society is a particular visible Church Ephes 2. 22. 2. In what ever particular Society religious there is to be found all the furniture of the Temple all the glory the Mercy-seat the two Altars the Table of Shewbread the Candlestick the Laver that is a true particular visible Church It is the Temple of God therefore the Church of God Who can deny that that is Zion where it can be truly said the Tabernacle of God is with these men Behold he dwelleth with you you of Kingstone for of you it may truely be said Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men And to remove all things that may mislead your judgements let us looke upon that Prophesie in Rev. 11. 1. and forwards to v. 14. It concernes the state of the Church during the reigne of Antichrist in which Prophesie so farre as pertaineth to our present purpose two things are beyond all doubt and the more to be heeded First that the outer Court and the Holy City that is the Church visible is given to the Gentiles even the Antichristian or Popish Gentiles and they shall tread it under foot forty and two moneths which is one thousand two hundred and sixty daies Propheticall that is so many yeares this is the time of Antichrists reigne Secondly that this is the time and space in which the two witnesses that is the small but sufficient number for testimony to confirme any truth I say the small number of Christs faithfull Ministers for these two witnesses are expresly called two Prophets v. 10. and their worke is expresly and precisely named to be Prophecying v. 3. Now the Magistrate and his worke by the sword and Edicts is never in all the Bible called by these names the Scripture appropriates this manner of witnessing to the Gospell and against errours to the Ministers and their worke alone which is Preaching of the Gospell Mark 16. 15. 1 Cor. 1 17. if this be not the work of their Office they have no work Christ sends them to Preach and in comparison of this not to Baptize this small number is to Prophesie in sack-cloth Now this time being not expired for Antichrist is not yet destroyed the seven Vâ—â—ls are but in pouring out the state of the visible Church is this to be infâ—sted and polluted diveâ—sly with many Gentiles as we see by wofull experiencâ— there is no Protestant Church in the christian world but is miserably trodden upon at this day by Papists their bloudy rage their errours and superstitious inventions the errours of other Hereticks and Schismaticks all which are appertaining unto and are of the frye of Antichrist as the Apostle Iohn said of the errours of his time there are many Antichrists already toâ—tered â—nd torn and soyled will be the face of the visible Church untill Antichrist be down Againe the number of faithfull Ministers will not be very great nor their estate any other then a state of mourning they shall yet Prophesie in sack-cloth even so long till the one thousand two hundred and sixty daies or yeares be accomplished they that say otherwise shift as they can they will feele this to be a truth for the time of this burden is not yet expired Is Antichrists reigne expired when Papists so swarme so prevaile with many Kings that are Protestant that they waste Germany Ireland Scotland England besides other parts and yet the Pope sits in Rome I shall adde here but that of learned and godly Chemnitius in his Common Places “ Chemnit Loc. Theol. De Eccles loco cap. 3. Sect. 3. Miser caetus in quâ— multae sunt infirmitates quoque non tantum persecutionibus cruce premitu sed etiam offendiculis scandalis deformatur That the Church may be a miserable Society or company in which there are many infirmities and which is not only pressed with Persecutions and the Crosse but also is deformed with stumbling-blocks and scandals of which we ought not to judge by the outward shew but by and according to the Word The Church Visible is the company of those that imbrace Christs Gospell and rightly use his Sacraments in which company God by the Ministery of the Word workes powerfully and regenerates many to life eternall in which society notwithstanding there are many “ Et Sect. 5. 2 Tim. 2. 20. In Ecclesiae caetu multi sunt non sancti Non-sancti not holy but yet consenting with the godly in the point of true Doctrine Thus of the first Doctrine The â—econd Doctrine is this That there are many yea many within the visible Church that are defilers and violaters of this Temple of God If it had not been so in vaine had been the Apostles reasoning if it would not be so in vaine were this sentence written and left registred in the Canon of the New Testament The Apostle did not deale this blow in the ayre and fight with shadowes and that we may not so doe and only beate the ayre and lose our labour let us inquire who are they that stand guilty of this sin the thing is filthy and odious and no man will willingly owne it though he will not be taken off but will willingly doe it To come then to charge the guilt of this great siâ— upon the particular offenders 1. All scandalous Christians I begin with you for though you are not the first intended by the Apostle in this Text yet you deservedly goe in the front you make and cause others to defile and wrong the Church by Schismes The offence you give makes them forsake the fellowship of the Church of God to which you doe belong you are many waies guilty of this Temple-pollution for the present you may be ranked into three sorts 1. Fornicators Adulterers â—ffeminate and uncleane persons these defile their owne bodies 1 Cor. 6. 15 18 19. they take the member of Christ and make it the member of an Harlot these defile the Church of God this is a Leaven a little of which leaveneth the whole lumpe 1 Cor. 5. 6. it is a leaven to be purged ouâ— by Church-censures 2. The Covetous Raylers Exâ—ortioners Drunkards Theeves Swearers that feare not an Oâ—â—h the prophane unholy malicious and all unrighteous persons these make Gods house a dâ—nne of Theeves they that live in these and the like sins against the holy Law of God and yet come before him as his people and cry The Temple of the Lord and rest in the name and priviledges of Christâ—ans these live as if they were delivered to doe those abominations Iâ—r 7. 4 8. they are abominable polluters of Gods Temple 3. The Phâ—riâ—â—â—câ—ll Hypocrites â—hat pretend the glory of God and good of the Church but under that colour drive a trade Ioh. 2. 14 15. of the Publiqâ—e
of God many of the Seraphims Esa 6. 6 7. with live-coales in their hands taken with the Tongs from off the Altar and laying them upon the mouthes of many faithfull able Ministers many an Esay They shall faile of their ends their folly shall be manifest to all 2. Tim. 3. 9. that is all the Elect but evill men and seducers will waxe worse and worse deceiving and being deceived they shall not yet deceive the Elect. You 'le say many of the choicest Christians cleave to them and many of them are the precious servants of Christ Iesus we cannot be otherwise perswaded for them I said but even now they may be saved but their workes shall perish themselves shall be saved yet so as by fire and for the rest marke it that was their ayme to get the choice Christians those whose hearts are for Christ and Heaven their designe is mostly upon any in whom any worke of Grace appeares So have all deceivers ever that they might glory in their flesh as our Apostle according to the wisdome given unto him hath written Gal. 6. 13. but they shall not compasse their end they 'le returne perceiving the strangers voice these gracious soules thought it had been Christs voyce which they heard in these men in these their errours but finding at length their mistake and under the sheeps-skin of gifts and graces perhaps shew of Scripture manifestation of the Spirit finding the bloody wolfe of errour and falshood that soul-murtherer they will embrace the truth and follow Christ perhaps hearing this you will for a while be froward for who can be willing to think he is in an errour or is deceived but Christ and his Father hold you in their hand and you cannot wrest your selves thence Another end they have they would be great and of same in the Church of God but their folly shall be manifest to all not only to the Elect but to all that will not deny the light of their reason and doe hold the Scripture in the Word of God and so shall fall in their esteem in mens hearts within the Visible Church our Saviour hath said it they shall be least in the Kingdome of Heaven Mat. 5. 19. of no esteem in the Church of Christ although for a while they beare the bell See the tâ—uth of it in all the Hereticks Schismaticks Novellists Persecuters and the like of all former ages they have no name of memoriall left but a rot is upon their memory Another end they have and that is to spread and propagate their Opinions and waies that they might with the Pharisees and Herodians of old leaven all the lump of Gods people but their folly shall be manifest and that manifestation of their folly shall set them their bounds they shall proceed no further Thus have all the ancient Heresies and Schismes of the Pelagians Donatists and the like been bounded and the infection stayed so God defiles Church-defilers they faile of their ends There are for them from God apportioned Plagues in this world they make rents and trouble Gods building the repairing of his house God will trouble them these Achans God will scatter them in Iacob and disperse them in Israel They break and teach the breaches and violations of Gods Commandements the least of his Commandements that of his day they shall be esteemed nothing in the Church be least in the Kingdome of Heaven Scandalous Brethren shall have their Milstone workers of iniquity strange punishments Heresies and divisions swarm God hath his East wind whereby he can sweep away those Locusts and cast them into the Red Sea Persecutors have their doom notably in this life besides hereafter Remember Antiochus of whom you reade in the second of Maccab. 9. chap. Remember Herod eaten up with wormes Act. 12. 23. Remember the Heretique Arrius that voided his bowels with his exâ—rements in a common Iakes and all other Heretiques and Schismatiques and the Plagues upon Papists mentioned in Rev. 16. and 18. chapters It is not the least of punishments to give them over to their severall pernicious wayes that he that is filthy should be filthy still the spiritually proud should be so still where God saith they are joyned to Idols Let them alone They are Vain-glorious Let them alone They are given to errours and to make divisions Let them alone Thus you see how God will destroy the destroyers of his house The certainty of this just proceeding of the Lord appears in four things which are as so many reasons or grounds of this Doctrine 1. It is the vengeance of his Temple Jer. 51. 11. 50. 28 which is a sore vengeance in the execution whereof the Lord Pleadeth the cause of Zion throughly to give rest to his Church and disquiet his enemies whose spirit can sustain it self in the day of Visitation when the Lord shall say Behold I am against thee 2. Secondly the Argument is strong here from the lesse to the greater God hath said and will not repent of his word concerning Death and the Grave O Death I will be thy Plague O Grave I will be thy destruction Hos 13. 14. Because they offered to touch the bodies of his Saints which are his Temple and destroyed his holy place Shall God say thus of Death and the Grave and resolve that Repentance shall be hid from his eyes In this thing he will never alter his purpose that he determined And shall he not much more be the plagues and destruction of soul-polluters of dâ—stroyers of his Church of rophaners of the Communion of his Saints and people Thirdly the Temple of God is holy and inviolable therefore the sin of Prophaning and wasting of it is provoking and execrable Fourthly God is a jealous God and the vindicator and avenger of his glory “ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zeloâ—es et vindex gloriae suae no gifts will pacifie jealousie no power can shelter and save from the jealousie of the Lord of Hosts It is he the mighty one of Jacob the holy one of Israel that saith Zach. 8. 2. I am jealous for Zion with great jealousie and I am jealous for her with great fury I have done with the explication and confirmation of the third Doctrine the application respecting the present Doctrine and the whole Text I shall draw up under two sorts of uses 1. Of Information 2. Of Exhortation 1. We may from hence inform our Iudgements in four truths First what is the Christian use of the Ceremoniall Law the practice of it is out of date and deadly but it is not cut out of the Bible “ Non observamus non quia damnata sed quia mutata sunt non ut res ipsae quae significabantur perirent sed ut â—â—ruâ— signâ— suis quaque temporibus convenirent Tom. 6. Aug. oratione cont Iud. c. 3. God hath left it as part of Canonicall Scripture that we may reade it preach and hear it that comparing the things themselves with those
Temple-defilers defiled VVherein a true Visible CHURCH OF CHRIST Is described The Evils and pernicious Errours especially appertaining to Schisme Anabaptisme and Libertinisme that infest our Church are discovered And Directions to preserve from the sin and punishment of TEMPLE-DEFILING DELIVERED In Two Sermons preached at the Lecture in Kingston upon Thames Feb. 20. 27. 1644. out of 1 Cor. 3. 17. BY RICHARD BYFIELD Pastor in Long-Ditton Surrey Mal. 3. 1 2. The Lord cometh suddenly to his Temple But who may abide the day of his coming For he is like a Refiners fire and like Fullers sope Miror quod non cogitant posse aliquem aliquando utrumque novum scilicet vetusque Testamentum legere divina ope intellectum utrumque laudare â—raudemque istorum atque malitiam vel dolere tanquam hominum vel cavere tanquam Haereticorum vel irridere tanquam imperitorum superborum Aug. Tom. 6. l. contra Adimantum Manichaei discipulum cap. 13. London Printed by John Field for Ralph Smith at the sign of the Bible in Cornhill neer the Royall-Exchange 1645. To the Right Worshipfull and the rest Dearly Beloved in CHRIST JESUS the Auditory at the Lecture in Kingston upon Thames in Surrey IT is the mighty worke of God beset with wonders of fatherly Providence that you enjoy againe a Thursdaies Lecture Preached by some of the Ministers now standing on their feet by the spirit of life from God entring into them who upheld it heretofore untill Prelaticall usurpation with furious tyranny suspended them and spoiled their Nest as their proud threats phrased their malicious Pharisaicall Act a little before they had fully acted it The fourth Commandement must be turned up by the rootes the power of godlinesse and of faithfull Preaching with Prayer in the Holy Ghost as bad with them as Preaching the undeniable enemies of the Prelaticall Kingdome Crown and Dignity must all be outed Lectures by godly Ministers that desired to be found faithfull may not bâ— endured and now for this work that was their day Their power through their interest in the Royall favour was superlatively great their Hierarchy fastly rooted in the ancient Lawes and grown up with the body of the Kingdome Parliaments exploded the Vniversities theirs All preferment in their hands thousands of their Enemies gone in Colonies to the Indies the utmost ends of the earth many great and choice wits with them some of them profound Schollers some with them preferred by them to the choisest Sees for ancient fame and present maintenance as good men and of as good report even among the godly as ever any Age had all the rest of them painted Tombs goodly Pharisees to see to And their old friend Rome had got no little ground among us by matching one of his Daughters here and for all the Reformed Churches beyond sea they were brought very low What wisdom of man would not have thought but that in such a day they should undoubtedly have â—ad the day For my part I sate down under their unjust illegall Sentence with this saying to some of my acquaintance yet alive through Gods mercy There is no coming in for me again but with the breaking of the whole State An alteration that must change the Kingdom and the Laws thereof I sate down willing to see the way of God in his work the desires of my soul were towards him in that hour and power of darknesse I drew a small draught of it for my own direction Little did I think the return of our captivity had been so neer and who could conceive the glory and terrour of it Neverthelesse in the time of that four yeers and four weeks suspension and sequestration that I suffered my thoughts among other things were on that Text in Zach. 2. 13. Be silent O all flesh before the Lord for he is raised out of his holy habitation In which collecting the signes of the Lords arising I saw the ruine of these Luciferian Vsurpers yet not conceiving it to be so neer in such unparalleld wayes of high providence with such well founded proceedings of legality that hath slain all them and cast out their carcâ—ses and their worm dyeth not and their fire is not quenched and they are an abhorring unto all flesh With such streams of blood with such executions â—pon a sensuall Nobility Gentry seat of Iudges shop of Lawyers â—â—nke of Civilians and sinfull body of a Malignant Commoâ—alty Of which we may say not without astonishment and high â—raises What hath God wrought Must this be the way of Vindication of the Ministeriall Liberty of such a miserable sinfull worme as I am From the Lords right hand went a flame of that fiery Law for us A fiery Law is the Decalogue of the ten Commandments called the fourth Commandment is then a flame of the fire Deut. â—3 2. and it hath fiered the State and habitations of these transgressors that sentence warmed and refreshed my heart and touched my tongue in that winter season and now should fire us with Gods praises for the time draweth on â—pace of the Churches Hallelujahs Rev. 19. I write this that you may not forget how we come to preach again unto you at all But now when I came to preach to you at this time not only neighbourhood of habitation and former ancient relation to you and my unfeighned desire to do you good by imparting some spirituall gift but your desires your divisions and the care of the Churches which towards you came upon me because of your divisions did much move me I had no thought at all of making these Sermons publique your importâ—â—ity brings them forth that word Paul Apolles Cophas all the Ministers arâ— yourâ— that word bound me Being bound two things more facilitated my yeildance when I durst not withstand the suitablenesse of the subject to the times and the diseasednesse of the Congregaâ—ion of Kingston to which I was once though most unworthy a Teacher this year disease is The Lord help and heal the disease of the Church of England through grievous poverty grown upon her under the impositions and oppositions of her Diotrephesses the Spring of the year of glorious Gospel-â—iberty coming on there appears a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phâ—hiriasis she begins Phâ—hiriasis to swarme with Vermine this ariseth from want of concocting the wholesome food of sound Doctrine even the truth which is after Godlinesse if we feed favourly on the solid substantiall truths that concerne faith and love which is in Christ Iesus and not turn aside after watery trash that food will quickly set us sound and so nourish us that we should ruâ— off and rid us of these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Phtâ—ires these Lice and Wormes Phthires Wash you with the waters from under the Sanctuary and that is Soveraigne to kill them and clear the body and cleanse the skin of the Church I le reach you some that flowes out of one vein of Scripture it râ—ls
be worse that ruines the foundation but vain curious unnecessary doubtfull tending to jangling strife and divisions perhaps true but unprofitable like the Genealogies in the which the Jewes were curious or else erroneous and of ill consequence though not in it self impious Such in a word as suites not with the foundation such as is not like gold silver and precious stones these only are fit for this building suitable to Christ the foundation the Apostle reasons against their bringing such stuffe to Gods building and in this verse bringeth his Argument from the greatnesse of the sin and the certainâ—y of the punishment Their sin is the defiling of Gods Temple their punishment shall be destruction 2. Again his Argument against such ill Church workes lyeth also against Schisme Divisions and Factions in the Church as appeareth to the diligent and intelligent Reader by that in the chap. 1. ver 10. 12. and in this chap. 3. ver 3 4 5. The Apostle is still about the cure of this one disease and this verse we are upon argues against it as a Temple-polluâ—er and destructive to those that are guilty of it 3. To whom he speaks 1. To the Church of Corinth called to be Saints 1 Cor. 1. 2. Consider it 1. He speaks not to them without there were within the Church too many defilers of Gods Temple 2. He speaks not to a party in that Church the house of Cloe a choice party separating from the faulty party making up a new Church lâ—st they should be polluâ—ed in holding Church Fellowship with them that were such sinners The house of Cloe knew how tostand free from partaking with them in their sins and yet retain Gospel Union to seek a Medicine and not make a rupture The Apostle guided by the spirit of Vnion love and a sound minde breathes forth nothing to make Rents but what ever might be to make up breaches He directs not the Epistle to the house of Cloe that stood sound and untoucht though they gave him notice of the evils that infested the Church at Corinth But 1. To the whole company of Professors of Christianity in that great City to the whole society of Christians there 2. And that also to such a society as were enriched in gifts and graces so that he fiâ—st breaks out in the mention of them with solemne Thanksgiving to God they were enriched in every thing by Christ in all utterance in all knowledge they came behinde in no gift as in chap. 1. ver 4. 5. 7. Yet many of â—hese fell into this sin of Schisme these must take heed how they walk on in that sin for they may fall under this destroying judgement of God 2. To the whole and Vniversall Church of God ver 2. of chap. 1. All in every place that call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord both theirs and ours One Lord in common of one visible Church in all the world which is one body under that one head parâ—icular visible Churches are not so many Independant Churches those that so teach mâ—ke Jesus Christ monstrous The Papists make Christs Church a Monster in that they hold that Christ is the head of the Church which is most true and yet withall that the Pope is the head of the Church The Church then is a body that hath two heads And those make Christ yet more monstrous that setting up so many Independant Churches as there be Christian Congregations in the world which they call each sâ—verally the mysticall Body of Christ do make Christ a head that hath so many bodies but there is but one Body all particular Churches make up one Church and visible universall society in which Church he saiâ—h not Churches God hath set Apostles Prophets Teachers Miracles gifts of healings helps Governments diversities of Tongues Therefore many of us also must beware of that and such like sins of Divisions that defiled the Church at Corinth for the Ax of this Sentence in this Text is by the Apostle laid also to every of our roots While therefore these words are handled according to the truth Look not on me as if I spake of my self look not off your selves blesse not your selves under the vain thoughts of Gospel-Grace that you will hear and only that or Gospel-graces and gifts wrought in you or your freedom from other grosse-sins as if this of falling into divisions were no sin but consider who speaks How and to whom And the Lord Jesus Christ make all saving to you though for the present it should not savour you The Substance of the Text hath three words to be opened 1. The Temple of God He means not hereby the materiall Temple in Ierusalem first or second nor the Tabernacle built in the wildernesse but the latter end of this verse sheweth clearly he means Christians which Temple are ye every particular Christian every of you and ye the Church of Christians both then at Corinth and also every where not only the Christian that hath truth of grace and is so inwardly as well as outwardly but the Christian by outward calling for to these he wrote also not only every particular member but chiefly the Church the Society This word ye referred to all in Corinth called to be Saints and to all in all the world that call on the name of the Lord Iesus Christ doth fully evince thus much They are called Gods Temple continuing the Metaphor of a building considered severally and in a Church-society with Relation to the typicall Temple to shew that the truth of that type is now remaining 2. Defile Destroy The Greek word is but one in divers tenses it signifieth both to Defile and Destroy to corrupt and violate the Greek is thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The translation would render the Originall more naturally if we retained one English word either thus If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God defile or thus If any man destroy the Temple him will God destroy It is an Elegancy and not barely so but pregnant in instruction for it teacheth that the punishment of such offenders shall be in justice proportioned to their offence Defiling for defiling violence for violence degree for degree if they 'le be dilapidating and corrupting Gods house they shall have enough of it God will dilapidate and corrupt them 3. If any man him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 If any do it that same man shall feel it whoever he be Teacher or hearer of high esteem for place in the Church or for gifts and graces this man God will certainly meet withall this his sin shall finde him out Now from hence arise three Doctrines worth our through perusall and attention 1. Doct. Every Christian professing the true Faith much more every true Professor of that true Faith is the Temple of God And every particular visible Church or Society of these Professors and the whole Church or universall society of Christians professing the true faith are the Temple of God
called Christians this is your high and holy calling And the true Christian is so indeed For the second Branch of the Doctrine That the visible Church is Gods house besides this Text the ninth verse of this Chapter is full We are labourers together with God speaking of Gods Mâ—â—isters and then of the Hearers and Professors ye are Gods building The whole Church and every particular Church is Gods Temple as is most apparant by that in Ephes 2. 21 22. in ver 21. Speaking of the whole Church boâ—h of Iewes and Gentiles he saith In whom that is in Iesus Châ—â—st all the building fuly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in ver 22. Speaking of the visible Church at Ephesus he proceeds and saith In whom that is in Christ Iesuâ— you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit To unfold this a little The Temple Materiall had a double use a Morall and a Ceremoniall the Morall Use was this it was the place of Publique Assemblies the place of Publique Prayer and Preaching of the word so the Synagogues in severall Towns among the Iewes were the houses of God The Psalmist complains They have burnt up all the Synagogues of God in the land Psa 74. 8. Our blessed Saviour and the Apostles taught the word in the Temple and Synagogues The Gospel was there on mount Zion to take its beginning And thus there be and ought to be in every sâ—tled Christian State Houses for Publique worship and theâ— are the houses of God they may be called Churches the Apostle calls the Publique place of Christian Assemblies the Church saying When you come together in the Church and again What have ye not Houses to eat and to drink in Or despise ye the Church of God and shame them that have not The Church is opposed to their private houses the use of which was to eat and drink in but the use of the Church was to worship God in What sense can there be in these words if place be not opposed to place The word Synogogu◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies an Assembly Iam. 2. 2. yet the publique places where the Assemblies of the Iewes met for the Word and Prayer The holy Ghost calls Synagogues the Christian Assembly is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Church and the publique place of such an Assembly is by the same spirit and rightly by true Christians called a Church It is base and from a spirit of foul-tonguednesse to call it a steeple-house it is a familiar trophe and most significant to call the thing containing by the name of the thing contained And on the contrary do you not say significantly the Pot boiles when you meane the Broth in the Pot And you have not bread to finde your house And we call those publique places of Iudicature where publique Courts use to be kept by the names of those Courts as the Common-Pleas the Chancery the Court of Wards it is no abusive or improper speech That Place is Publique whereunto any one may resort without leave of any and without danger of being a trespasser and liable to an action of Trespasse Such is this place we are now in but such is not this or that mans House Parlour or Barne Christ requireth and loveth the publike Wisdom cries without in the streets in the chief place of concourse in the opening of the gaâ—es Prov. 1. 20. 21. Though the private meetings of Christians used Christianly have a promise yet Gods glory and power was never so seen there as in the publique Psa 63. 2. nor have they such a promise Mat. 28 20 21 And publique Ordinances are for the publique not for the private thus of the Morall use of the Temple The Ceremoniall use was for Sacrifice for receiving all the instruments and furniture of the worldly Sanctuary in all it was for signification and for shadow so the thing signified the truth remains though there be no Temple God hath now four Temples Heaven the Heaven of the blessed Heb. 8. and 9. Heb. 9. 11. Christ Ioh. 2. 21. the Christian the Church The two last are meant in this Text. See beloved your calling your dignity it is no small moment to preserve from all manner of sin if we knew our dignity we would not debase our selves we would avoid all unworthy acts all carriage that is below us this is your dignity every Christian is Gods Temple the true Temple the substance of that shadowish Temple The Temple had four things considerable 1. The Fabricke 2. The Furniture 3. The Glory 4. The Ministery that served there 1. For the Fabricke 1. There were the doors or Porch the gates very glorious These signified the hearts of the faithfull made glorious by faith to receive Iesus Christ Psa 24. 8 9. Rev. 3. 20. 2. There was the holy place and the holy of holies answerably 1. The bodies of Christians are Gods Temples his holy place 1 Cor. 6. 19. 2. The Soules of the humble and poor in spirit that tremble at Gods word are the holy of holies or the most holy place Isa 66. 1 2. 2. For the Furniture 1. The mercy-Seat or propitiatory is Christ and his blood apprehended by faith as the Apostle saith Rom. 3. 25. God set forth Iesus Christ to be a Propitiatory “ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Properly notes the instrument of propitiation and fitly agrees to Christ by whom God is appeased and pacified through faith in his blood by faith is Christ brought into and dwells in our hearts Faith in Christs blood is that which sets up this Mercy-seat in the Temple of every particular Christians heart Christ by Faith in his blood is the Propitiatory he that believeth in Christ to have Redemption Remission and salvation only through his blood sprinkled and applied to his soul and conscience by Faith and therefore draweth near layeth hold on Christ and applyeth his death and sacrifice unto himself he hath the Mercy-seat set up in his soul otherwise though there be a Christ though there be blood for expiation though both Christ and his blood be proposed of God yet there is no Temple nor Mercy-seat set up to thee or me because thou hast not or I have not this Faith in Christs Blood This Propitiatorie Ex. 25. 17. 1 Kin. 8. 9. Heb. 9. 4. or Golden Cover was put above upon the Ark of the Testimony which Ark was a Coffer in which was put the two Tables of stone in which the Law was written this Ark was the Symbole of Gods gracious presence among the people of the Iews it was made of Shittim-wood overlaid within and without of pure gold Two Cherubims covering the Mercy-seat with their wings were set on the two ends of the Mercy-sea from above this Mercy-seat from between these Cherubims God gave his Oracles Answers and he was known and prayed unto under this name and notion O thou that dwellest between the Cherubims Ps 80. 1.
this signified God in Christ reconciling the world to himself not imputing the transgressions â—respassâ—s against his holy Law but accepting their persons imperfect obedience to his Commandments presented to him through Christ the Mediator and in Chrâ—st beholding them with favour acceptation passing by their sins as expiated covered in whom also their Prayers are heard answers are given to them their hearts find feel him teaching â—uling them the holy Angels attend on theÌ„ guard them are their ministers now in the believer this presence of God in Christ on a throne of grace is set up in his heart 2. The Altar of incense placed before the vaile that was by the Ark before the Mercy-seat Ex. 30. 1. 6. 2. This signified Christs intercâ—ssion and the Golden Censer and Odours of his meritorious sacrifice with which he appears before God as our high Priest Rev. 8. 3. this Altar Censer Odours and high Priest the Believer through the word of Faith even the Gospel receiving and imbracing presents himself and all he doth to God therewith that God may smell a savour of rest towards him he offereth all to God in Christs name in the hands of this consecrated Priest and on this Altar that can sanctifie his gift he puts his prayers into this Golden Censer The vertue also of Christs intercession is in him in the spirit of Prayer 3. The Altar of burnt-offering signified Christ bearing our sins and making reconciliation in whose sacrifice of himself a whole burnt-offering is found ful satisfaction a perfect ransom and price plentuous and eternall Redemption This Altar Heb. 13 10. 10 5. 8 9 10. is set up in the Christian who by Faith presents before God this Lamb and his Redemption for his Iustification and while he apprehends this Redemption in his soul offers through Chrâ—st himself a whole bhrut offering to God and all other his spirituall sacrifices 4. The Table of shew bread on which were set new every Sabbath weekly twelve Cakes with pure incense representing the twelve Tribes of Iâ—raâ—l which stood on the Table continually before the Mercy-seat in the presence of God which as it signifieth the gracious favour and the eyes of God in Christ over the righteous so also how the Christian liveth continuâ—lly as in the presence of God reconciled and reconciling him to him through Christ his heart saith with David Thy loving kindnesse is before mine eyes Psa 26. 3. and I have walked in thy truth And this constant presence as before God reconciled only through the blood of his Son raiseth the incense and sweet odours of holy motions presented also before God in Christ continually and look as God feedeth him with Christ the bread of life and furnisheth a Table beâ—ore â—â—m so the Believer keeps a furnâ—shed Table Cart. 1. 12. 7. 12 8. 2. of the fruits of the Spirit in which God in Christ is delighted this Table stood on the North-side in the Tabernacle 5. The Candlestâ—ck of pure Gold with seven Lampes burning was on the South-side right against the Table of Shew bread This is the Word of God written in the heart of the true Christian burning and shining in saving knowledge with the seven lampes of his spirit even manifold gifts and graces in the light of this Word ingrafted by which the Holy Ghost dwels in them they serve God in Christ with their spirits in the Gospel 6. The Brâ—zen Laver to wâ—sh in is the very fountaine of godly sorrow and of renewing grace Esa 1. 16. Psal 26. 6. Act. 26. 18. the spirit of sanctification which is opened in the heart of a beleever it is the sanctification in them by faith which is in Iesus Christ whereby their soules are sprinklâ—d from an evill conscience and their bodies washed with cleane water that so they may draw neare with a true heart in full assurance of faith Heb. 10. 20. This is the furniture of Gods house 3. For the Glory The Glory that fills this house of God is God in the presence of his Grace as the Apostle saith Ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people 2 Cor. 6. 16. 4. For the Ministers The Ministers that serve in this house they are beleevers they are both the Temple and the Priests as the Apostle Peter saith coming unto Christ Ye are built up a spirituall house an holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Iesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 4 5. In these foure respects is the beleever the Temple of God and every one that is called though but outwardly is called that he might be a partaker of this heavenly honour of which honour unbeliefe and impenitency doe deprive him Who can sufficiently expresse the Dignity of the true beleever who can sufficiently bewaile the state of the Christian that is so only in profession who while he seemes to give himself to God in words keepes his heart a stye for Sathan keeps open house for the Devill Thus we see how every Christian is Gods Temple The Church is also Gods Temple even the Church visible It is true that as the Temple and Tabernacle had three parts the outer Court for the people the Holy Place where the Priests did their Office and the Holy of Holies into which the High Priest only entred so they did type out the visible Church as the outer Court where are good and bad the Holy Place the true Saints and Beleevers and Heaven the Holy of Holies But here the visible Church in the whole and in every particular visible Church is called the Temple of God 1. For the generall qualities or adjuncts 1. Vnity There was but one Temple so the Church is one Cant. 6. 9. There is but one body 1 Cor. 12. 12. though there be diversities of gifts of operations and of administrations though there be divers members this diversity makes for Unity for if they were all one member where were the body 1 Cor. 12. 19. unto every one is given some measure of Grace from Christ the Head which being improved in our fit and proper place in the body according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it selfe in love Ephes 4. 4. 7. 16. Diversity of gifts makes for growth as well as for unity if love with lowlinesse and meeknesse doe act and carry us 2. Sanctity The Temple of God is holy so the Church are a society or community separated from the world they are without we have nothing to doe to judge them that is to proceed with them that are the fornicators of this world or the covetous or the like with Church-censures These are within these that are called Brethren and are yet fornicators or covetous or Idolaterâ— or drunkards or such like these that are
fornicators of the Church these we judge If we doe neglect this Discipline the Apostle doth not say separate you that are Saints indeed set up a new Church but blames us saying Doe not ye judge them that are within 1 Cor. 5. 12. and injoynes reformation not a separation for such a fault saying Therefore put away from among your selves that wicked Person It is a lamentable thing to read in the Church of Corinth the Temple of God which is holy this mixture brother Fornicator brother Drunkard brother Idolater c. yet so it was “ Aug. Tom. 7. cont Ep. Parmen l. 2. c. 1. Quisquis vel quod potest arguendo corrigit vel quod corrigere non potest salvo pacis vinculo excluâ—it vel quod salvo pacis vinculo excludere non potest aequitate improbat firmitate supportat hic est pacificus ab isto maledicto immunis quod Scriptura dicit vae his qui dicunt quod nequam est bonum quod bonum est ncquam so it hath been in the Primitive purest times if it be so now be not so offended as to run out of your little wit while you are running from pollution run not from Gods Temple while you flee the touching of the unclean thing rather let your holinesse be accompanied with love your love with severity your severity with tolerance and longanimity your long-suffering with zeal your zeal with compassion and all with meeknesse of wisdome 2. For the Structure 1. The Temple was built on mount Zion which was first a strong hold of the Jebusites but conquered and taken by David was called the city of David and because a mountain therefore strong and steddy So Christ hath no Church but what he gets by spiritual conquest they were before calling a Fort of Jebusites but our David subduing the strong holds of Satan brings them to God the Rock of Ages Is 26. 4. Jer. 17. 5. 7. the only Iehovah and on him that is on him as he hath named revealed himself in his holy word are they built 2. The Temple had goodly foundations so the Church is built on Christ the Foundation-stone elect and precious tryed and sure on whom whosoever beleeveth shall never be confounded It is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Apostles are the highest Office and Calling that ever was in the Church and therefore named first not upon their Persons but upon their Doctrine called the foundation because it layeth Christ the Foundation and layeth him out and sets him in his proper place to the full in two sorts of fundamentall truths the Law and Gospel or as it is in Revel 14. 12. The Commandments of God and the faith of Jesus The Church is the Communion of Saints that keepeth these two This is the Zion of God opposed to Antichristian Babylon There is not a clearer Text in all the Bible nor more lively distinguishing it concerns our dayes well is this Book of Prophesies called the Revelation not onely because it opens and reveals the Prophesies of things to come all Prophesies but also because it carries such beams and rayes of lightsome doctrinall truth wherewith it is bespangled and shines in severall parts of it to enlighten the times which the Prophesies concern 3. The walls of the Temple were conjoyned by corner-stones Christ Iesus is the chief corner stone that holds both parts of this spirituall building both Iews and Gentiles that are called fast together so that they do concorporate Eph. 3. 6. 4. The severall stones in this Temple or curtains with tapes and loops and tenons posts and sockets are the severall members variously gifted and yet united in the unity of profession and of the spirit and of faith and of Baptisme and in the bond of Peace 5. The outer and inner coverings are the double condition of the Church the inward Psal 45. 14. comely and gloâ—ious the outward black and tann'd with afflictions and persecutions Cant. â— 5. 6. The Temple had pillars and walls and the visible Church in respect of the Ministery of it is the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3. 17 Gal 2. 9. Col. 2. 19. The Officers and Members in the Church are the sustainers of the fabrick and the body 3. But for the Furniture chiefly is the Church of God his holy Temple For. 1. There being retained held and held forth the Doctrine of Reconciliation by Christ alone that one Mediatour that God is onely to be found gracious to a sinner in Christ fully satisfied in his blood which is belonging to no sinner but to him that beleeveth here is the true Mercy-seat God in Christ We need not say O thou that dwellest between the Cherubims but know and pray to God as the God Father of our Lord Iesus Here being taught that Christ is true God and true Man in one Person here is the Ark over laid with gold the true flesh of Christ under which his God-head was covered is the Vail between the Holy-place and the Holy of Holies 2. The Doctrine of Christs sacrifice on the Crosse and of his intercession in heaven is both the Altars the Altar of whole burnt-offering and the Altar of incense 3. The Tables of the Covenant in the Ark the Manna and Aarons rod by it this is in the Church that sets up Christ the Bread of Life the onely Prophet that teacheth to profit and the high Priest over the house of God whom we ought to obey 4. The Candlestick is the light of the Word the Law and Gospel that all in Gods house may walk in the light of the Lord and see to do his work 5. The Laver is the Doctrine of Regeneration and Iustification by Christs blood and spirit 6. The Golden Instruments and vessels for Incense-offering and sprinkling with the rest are the gifted Ministers gifted with pastorall and teaching aptnesse and abilities and sanctified for the applying of Christ and his benefits by their Ministery which gifts Christ giveth but the Church upon due triall acknowledgeth owneth receiveth confirmeth with her testimony and honoureth 4. For the glory inhabiting there 4. God in Christ is there giving the blessing and life The name of that City is Iehovah-Shammah Ezek. 48. 35. or The Lord is there 5. For the cover on it all 5. There is over every such assembly and over the whole Zion of God Isa 4. 5 6. a speciall Protection a speciall Direction and a speciall safety to them that shrowd there from the heat and from the storm This is the defence upon all the glory Now from this branch of the Doctrine and from this true and plain explication of the same we may describe or direct to the infallible note of the true Church on earth and of a true particular visible Church 1. Where ever Iesus Christ is held for the foundation and corner-stone and the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles touching the faith of Iesus and the Commandments of God
the Ministery they destroy and prophane Gods Temple by their errours diversly 1. Everting the Lords owne Canons for the Examination and Ordination of Ministers or Bishops by the Presbytery The Epistles to Timothy and Titus were written to order Gods house 1. Tim. 3. 15. there are drawn by the Holy Ghost the Church Canons the Constitutions of the Church of the New Testament Christs Directory by the hands and Ministery of that elect Vessell Paul the Apostle In these Canons the Presbytery that is the society of Teaching-Elders or Bishops Paul knew no other Bishops the Assembly of the Elders so the word is used in Act. 22. 5. where our last Translation reads it the estate of the Elders the Elder-ship 1 Tim. 4. 24. 5. 22. 3. 2. 9 10. Tit. 1. 5. 9. 2 Tim. 2. 2. hath the charge of Examination of those that are to be made Ministers and the power of Ordination by imposition of hands they that are to be made Ministers must be apt to teach 1 Tim. 3. 2. and they must be ordained by laying on of hands Tit. 1. 5. 1 Tim. 5. 22. their aptnesse to teach must be tryed and examined 1 Tim. 3. 10. having spoken of Bishops before and now speaking of Deacons and that concerning their holding the Mystery of Faith he saith and let these also first be proved also that is as well as those that desire the office of a Bishop they must first be Examined touching their aptnesse and ability to Teach so must the Deacons also about their holding of the Mystery of Faith in a pure conscience Now this Charge of Examination lyes upon the faithfull men the Presbyters that are able to teach others 2 Tim. 2. 2. and the power of laying on of hands or of ordination is in the Presbytery We find this order of men but we finde no other in these Epistles that have any charge over the House of God the Church of the living God Now those overthrow these Canons and defile the House of God that take Ordination away that take it out of the hands of the Presbytery and put it into the hands of the People or any other that take away this Presbytery that set up Ministers or run into the Ministery and will not submit themselves to the tryall of the Assembly and estate of the Teaching-Elders the Ministers that are opposite to the Government by the Presbytery these are the everters of the Lords owne Canons 2. Subverting the Lords owne Ordinance for the Ministery that those that Preach the Gospell should live of the Gospell 1 Cor. 9. 13 14. they would have them get their livings by the Plow or by Trades The Apostle chargeth Timothy and in him all Timothies all Ministers of the Gospell to give themselves wholly to Reading to Exhortation to Doctrine that their profiting may appeare to all and to contemne in them who can doe so and drive a trade and follow another calling the Apostles called to be Fishers of mâ—n left their Nets and applyed not themselves to catch Fâ—sh If the Ministers be doing this they need take care of no more nay this is that deed to which the Promise is He shall both save himselfe and them that heare him 1 Tim. 4. 13 15 16. They Object the Apostles did worke with their hands Sol. 1. They had immediate and infallible assistance of the Holy Ghost in their Ministery 1. So have none now 2. But that is not all they wrought not ordinarily but in a case as it appeares in the 2 Cor. 11. 9 12. to cut off occasion from them which desired occasion 2 Cor. 12. 13 14. and in that place where he saith I robbed other Churches to doe you service that is he took maintenance of others while he Preached to them what â—ver he did it is evident he had power to have lived wholly of the Gospell and that is the Lords Ordinance which the Church must stand to and be bound by 1 Cor. 9. 14 15. they would have the Ministers maintenance by Almes and Contributions Mat. 10. 10. Luk. 10. 7. 1 Tim. 5. 18. but it is hire not Almes can you make Wages and Almes to be the same It is a due and as truely earned as whatsoever any laborer gets at his fingers ends They cry down Tythes as Popish and Iewish but that way of maintenance is neither Popish nor Iewish which was before the Law Melchisedech took Tythes of Abraham and of Levi in Abrahams loynes and Melchisedech was not a Priest of Aarons Order our Lord Jesus is the Priest after Melchisedechs order Iacob promised maintenance of Gods Publique Worship by paying Tythes 3. Confounding the Lords order who hath instituted a Ministery to Preach the Gospell Mark 16. and to teach Mat. 28. 19 20 21. and they give power to every Member to Preach abusing that Text in â— Cor. 14. 31. yee may all Prophesie one by one it speakes of the Prophets in that Church not the Members read the Text v. 29. let the Prophets speak two or three and let the other judge v. 32. and the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets yee may all Prophesie that is all the Members that were Prophetâ— not all the members as members those that had the gift of Prophesying not those that had not the gift Now the truth of the place is there were then in the Church extraordinary gifts as of Healing of Miracles of Tongues of interpretation of Tongues and so of Prophesying that is either fore-telling things to come or of unfolding the Prophesie of Scripture that concerned the present times of the Church with a speciall gift of dextrous application and accommodation of the Exposition of the Prophesie to the estate of the Church for comfort for exhortation and for edification those that had these gifts ought to use them for the good of the Church but with order and with submission to the tryall and judgement of the Assembly of the Prophets in the Church These gifts are ceased now yet if any sâ—y they have them lâ—t them shew their gift according to the Apostles Rule yeeld to the tryall of the same and if they have any such gift we will blesse God that now also gives such gifts to the children of men we will open our Pulpits for you but because they can bring forth no such thing but raise from the Dead and from Hell old Heresies and errours and trouble the people with trifles and endlesse Disputes that tend not to edification in the Faith we reject them and yeeld not to them any Authority to meddle with the worke of the Ministery but observe while they pervert this Text perusing the words let the other Prophets judge the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets ere ever we are aware we are faln upon a Judicatory a Presbytery an Assembly of Prophets 4. Dâ—stroying the provision for an able Ministery debasing Learning and Universities under the Old Testament there were the Schooles of