of the Church in any City and Villages adjacent who for Order sake in Gospel-Government hath Priority Pre-eminence and Authority above the rest of the Presbyters or Bishops of the same Church not alone nor without them but when Convened with them to Act Rule Guide Order and Govern with their Consent Suffrage and Assistance according to the Laws of the Lord Jesus Christ the Constitutions and Commandments the Practice and Example of his holy Apostles Act. 15.2 6 19 22. Nor should the Ministers of Christ strive which of them should be greatest Luk. 22.24 25 26. Neither ought any of them to Love and Affect to have Pre-eminence among them as Diotrephes did 3. Epist of John v. 9. (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. Titus 1.7 8 9. 2 Tim. 4.1 2 3 4 5. But a Bishop must be blameless an Ensample to the Flock vigilant patient apt to teach not covetous not greedy of filthy lucre and one that Ruleth well his own House that he may take Care of the Church of God holding fast the faithful Word c. CHAP. III. THE Third Work that our Lord Jesus Christ came into this World to do was to institute those Gospel-Ordinances in which his Churches of Saints must worship God in Spirit and in Truth When the Church is Assembled on the first Day of the week in some convenient place to worship God Christ hath appointed that first of all Prayers Supplications and Thanksgivings be made 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Men having their Heads uncovered and Women having their Faces vailed or covered 1 Cor. 11.4 5 7 10 13. reverently kneeling Psal 95.6 Acts 21.5 or decently standing Luk. 18.11 13. They ought not to sit in Prayer-time unless some weakness of body or some bodily infirmity doth constrain them This part of the Worship of God ought to be administred by one of the Elders of that Church who ought to pray in the Spirit and to pray with the understanding also 1 Cor. 14.15 To pray with the Spirit implies two things First That the Minister have a spiritual Gift to pray Zech. 12.10 Secondly That he have the Spirits Assistance in praying Rom. 8.26 To pray with the understanding is to pray with such words as all the Congregation doth hear and understand that they may say Amen 1 Cor. 4.16 After Prayer the Teacher ought to Read the Written Word of God distinctly and give the sense thereof by Expounding and Interpreting the words of that Scripture that so the People may understand and be instructed or taught to know the Will and Mind of God therein revealed for their Learning and Edification as they did Neh. 8.4 5 6 7 8. And as Christ himself and his Apostles also did Luk. 4.16 17 21 22. Act. 28.23 Reading the holy Scripture is an Ordinance of God unto which Christ hath promised a Gospel-Blessing Rev. 1.3 Col. 4.16 And then the Pastor ought to Preach the Gospel and to exhort the People to Repent and Believe the Gospel to be holy and to walk in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blamelesly Labouring in the Word and Doctrine to Convert Sinners to Edifie Believers to Convince Gainsayers and to Comfort Strengthen and Establish them that Believe in Christ Also let the Prophets speak two or three and let the rest judge 1 Cor. 14.29 31. Rom. 12.6 7 8. Having then Gifts differing according to the Grace that is given unto us Whether Prophesie let us Prophesie according to the Analogy of Faith Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring Or he that Teacheth on Teaching Or he that Exhorteth on Exhortation And he that Ruleth with diligence The Apostles so Preached that many believed Act. 14.1 And it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe 1 Cor. 1.21 Our LORD Jesus Christ did command his Ministers also to Baptize them that do believe in him with Water in the Name of the Father Son and holy Spirit Mat. 28.19 20. Mark 16.15 16. Joh. 1.33 Our Lord himself was Baptized by John in the River Jordan Mat. 3.13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John to be Baptized of him Ver. 16. And Jesus when he was Baptized went up straightway out of the Water 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ut immergeretur ver 13. and ver 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immersus Jesus Mark 1.5 9. And were all Dipped of him in the River Jordan confessing their sins We read that both Men and Women were Baptized when they Believed Acts 8.12 But we read not in the holy Scripture of Truth that any Infants were Baptized They that had received the holy Spirit were commanded to be Baptized with Water in the Name of the LORD Acts 10.47 48. Those Men and Women are fit Subjects of Baptism that have received the Spirit of Christ do Believe in Christ Confess their sins and Repent Acts 2 37-41 The Manner of the Administration of this Gospel-Ordinance of Baptism was thus practised in the Daies of Christ and of his Apostles to wit The Person Baptizing and the Persons Baptized went into the Water Acts 8.38 39. And they went down both into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch and he Baptized him That is Philip Dipped the Eunuch under the Water and then they came out of the Water v. 39. The Spirit of God hath inspired the Apostles in writing the holy Scriptures to use one Greek word viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Dipping Joh. 1.25 26 33. Heb. 9.19 21. and another viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for Sprinkling So that if to Dip in Water be to Baptize to Sprinkle with Water is to Rantize And the Manner of Baptizing in Water is represented in the holy Scripture by Burying in Water and raising up out of the Water Col. 2.12 Rom. 6.4 whereby is also figured forth the Believer's Fellowship with Jesus Christ in his Death and Resurrection Col. 2.12 Jesus Christ also before his Death did Institute his own Supper Matth. 26.26 27 28. 1 Cor. 11.23 24 25. and commanded his Disciples to do so and to do so often in Remembrance of him 1 Cor. 11.25 26. and as a Memorial of his Death until he come again ver 26. In Administring this Sacred Ordinance of the Lord's Supper according to the Example of Christ and his Disciples these particular things ought to be observed 1. The Time The Lord's Supper ought to be Administred ordinarily on the Lord's Day that is the first Day of the week Acts 20.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. On the only Day of Sabbaths It is an Hebraism And upon the first Day of the week the Disciples came together to break bread c. And the time of the day was at Evening then Christ administred his Supper Mark 14.17 22. 2. The Minister ought to take the Bread and consecrate it by the Word and Prayer
with Thanksgiving and after the Bread is so consecrated he ought to break it in pieces and give it unto the Communicants expressing the words of Jesus Christ saying Take eat This is my Body And after the Communicants have eaten the Bread the Minister ought to take the Cup with Wine in it and in like manner consecrate it by Prayer and Thanksgiving and then give it all the Communicants expressing the words of Christ saying Drink ye all of this for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for you and for many for the Remission of sins Luk 22.20 Matth. 26.27 28. And the Minister also having received with them 3. They all ought to praise God together in singing an Hymn as Christ and his Disciples did Matth. 26.30 Mark 14.26 Singing is also a Gospel-Ordinance which ought to be performed by the Church as a part of God's Publick Worship Isa 52.8 With the Voice together shall they sing The Matter that we are to sing is the Word of God namely the Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs contained in the holy Scriptures the Written Word of God Col. 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all Wisdom c. The Manner of Singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs is to Sing in Meeter and Measure with audible Voice as our English manner is The Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs in the Book of Psalms were Sung in Meeter and Measure As they that understand the Hebrew Tongue know well The End of Singing is to make Melody in your heart to the Lord Eph. 5.19 Singing with a tunable Voice makes Melody in our Ears and stirs up our pure Minds to rejoyce in the Lord but Singing with Grace in our Hearts doth make melody to the Lord. Though the Voice of the Church espoused to Christ was sweet and pleasant unto him in the Song of Songs Cant. 2.14 yet the Spirit acting Grace viz. Faith Love and Joy in the Hearts of the Saints is much more sweet well-pleasing and acceptable unto God than their Voice in Singing Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs to the Lord Col. 3.16 Singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord. Query Did not some of the Saints in the Church at Corinth Sing other Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs which they themselves indicted and sang alone by the Spirit with Grace in their hearts to the Lord Answer I think some Members of that Church did compose a Psalm upon occasion 1 Cor. 14.26 And it is my Opinion That a Minister or Member of the Church if he hath received a Gift of the Spirit to Sing may Sing in the Church to Edification 1 Cor. 14 15. yea and ought so to do 1 Pet. 4.10 11. But this I say First That those Hymns and Spiritual Songs which Ministers or Members of the Church do indict and Sing are not Psalms and we are commanded to instruct and exhort one another in Psalms and to Sing Psalms as well as Hymns and Spiritual Songs Eph. 5.19 Col. 3.16 And I know that the word Psalms is interpreted David's Psalms the Book of Psalms and the Psalms of David Asaph c. Search those Scriptures Acts 1.20 Acts 13.33 35. Luk. 20.42.24.44 Secondly That those Ministers and Members of the Church cannot affirm will not assert that their Hymns or Spiritual Songs are materially the Inspiration of the holy Spirit as the Book of Psalms were they may Sing with the Spirit and with understanding unto Edification but the Psalms of David and of Asaph and the Song of Songs which is Solomons and the Hymns of Jesus Christ and his Apostles must have the Pre-eminence Thirdly Although I have also through the riches of Free Grace received the holy Spirit and have learned in some measure what it is to pray in the Spirit and to pray with understanding Also to Sing in the Spirit and and to Sing with Understanding yet I rather chuse to Sing in the Church those Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs which are contained in the holy Scripture than any of my own inditing for these Reasons because First Although I should be assisted by the holy Spirit of God to indite an Hymn or a Spiritual Song and Sing it in the Church with Grace in my heart and so make melody to the Lord and edifie the Church yet some matter thereof may be doubtful to some persons that hear me Sing it if that matter be Prophetical or Mysterious and they understand it not or if there should be any words or sentences therein expressed which are not sound words For I pretend not to Sing by the Spirit otherwise than to pray by the Spirit to wit as the Spirit helpeth mine Infirmities which I may be subject to and so through my Infirmity may err or utter some unsound words Secondly When I Sing a Psalm Hymn or Spiritual Song which is written in the holy Scripture of Truth none but an Atheist or an Atheistical Spirit will object against the Matter of it for those Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs were given by Inspiration of God and Revelation of the holy Spirit and I do only translate them into English Meeter and Measure out of the Hebrew Text that the Church may Sing them together with their Voice making Melody to the Lord by Singing praises to the Lord with Grace in their hearts Thirdly The Church cannot practise the Lord's Command given by the Apostle to those two Churches and all other Churches of Saints though they Sing Hymns and Spiritual Songs unless they also Sing Psalms which are by the same holy Spirit that inspired David to indite them expounded and interpreted The Book of Psalms and The Psalms of David c. as hath been proved by those Scriptures aforecited which the Reader is humbly desired to search CHAP. IV. Lastly THE Lord Jesus Christ having finished the work for which he came into this WORLD being to leave the WORLD and return to Heaven whence he came Eph. 4.9.10 did at the Request of his Disciples Matth. 24.3 4. foretel them the Signs of his Second Coming and of the End of this WORLD The Ending Time of this WORLD and the Second Coming of Christ have some evident Signs set upon them And God hath caused those Signs to be Recorded and Written in the holy Scripture of Truth First To strengthen the Faith of his People that they might upon Scripture ground believe that this World shall have an End and that the LORD Jesus Christ will come again from Heaven in Power and great Glory And Secondly To leave all Unbelievers without excuse One Sign of the Ending Time of this World is the last and greatest Apostasie of Professors and the Laodicean Lukewarmness of Ministers and Members in the Churches of Christ The first great Apostasie which the Apostle foretold was a departing from the Faith of the Gospel which Christ and his Apostles had preached and which the Churches their Ministers and Members had imbraced and professed 1 Tim. 4.1 3.
willing to resign your whole Man Spirit Soul and Body unto the Government of Christ as LORD and King to Reign and Rule Guide and Govern you by his holy Spirit and Written Word Not that you can do those things of your selves I have told you without Christ you can do nothing Joh. 15.5 But it is your duty to do them and it is the Free Grace of God to work in you to will and to do according to his good pleasure Phil. 2.12 13. that he so working in you you may work out your own salvation with fear and trembling I would through the Divine Assistance of the Spirit and Grace of God make some Application of this our general Position unto the Churches of Saints for their edification First I most humbly beseech all the Churches of Saints to receive this Doctrine of Christ's Second Personal Coming from Heaven And to believe 1. That when HE comes he will glorifie the House of his Glory Isa 60.1 2 7. and will make Zion an eternal Excellency vers 14.15 22. God will build up Zion and then he shall appear in his Glory Psal 102.13 16. Then shall Zion be the Perfection of Beauty Psal 50.2 Out of which God shall shine In that DAY God shall be his Churches everlasting Light and Glory Isa 60.19 Rev. 21.23 Then shall Christ and his Church be each others Crown and Glory Isa 28.5 In that DAY shall the LORD of Hosts be for a Crown of Glory and for a Diadem of Beauty unto the Residue of his People Isa 62.3 Thou shalt also be a Crown of Glory in the hand of the LORD and a Royal Diadem in the hand of thy God Read Zech. 9.16 and Isa 60.13 2. That when Christ comes He will Restore all his holy Ordinances unto their Primitive Power and Purity yea unto an higher and greater degree of Excellency than in the Apostles Daies God will not only give his Churches of Saints Pastors according to his own heart which shall feed them with knowledge and understanding Jer. 3.14 15. but HE will also pour out his Spirit upon Sons and Daughters and upon the Servants and upon the Hand-maids also God will pour out his Spirit Joel 2.28 31 32. Before the great and terrible DAY of the LORD come The LORD will vouchsafe unto his Churches such Anointing of his holy Spirit as the Apostle John witnesseth and recorded 1 Joh. 2.20 27. But ye have an Unction from the holy ONE and ye know all things c. Read v. 27. and Joh. 6.45 Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.34 It is written in the Prophets And they shall be all taught of God And not only be instructed and led by the holy eternal Spirit into the sound and saving Knowledge of all the Truths in God's written Word as the Truth is in Jesus but they shall see with their Eyes those things fulfilled which they have read and heard out of the written Word of God Matth. 24.33 34 35. That Gospel Ordinance of Praising God will then be with greater spiritualness and with more heavenly mindedness performed in the General Assembly and Church of the first Born where all the Sons of God shall sing together even all the Saints and Angels shall celebrate the high Praises of God together Read Rev. 5.11 12 13. Rev. 11.15 16 17. Rev. 14.1 2 3. Rev. 15.2 3 4. Rev. 19.1 4 5 6 7 8 9. The whole Worship of God shall then be performed by the true Worshippers in Spirit and in Truth according to Christ's Word John 4.23 24. for God will then give all his People one Heart and one Way Jer. 32.38 39 40. to worship him with one Consent Zeph. 3.9 14 16 17 18. In that day shall there be ONE LORD and his Name ONE Zech. 14.9 A Restitution of all things Acts 3.21 3. That when Christ comes his glorious personal and spiritual Presence with his Church Heb. 12.21 23 24. Rev. 22.2 3. will occasion a Confluence of all Comforts Isa 51.3 12. and 66.13 and Zech. 1.13 17. Then Zion shall be adorned with spiritual and glorious Beauty Isa 52.1 9 10. and compassed about with peace and safety God will be as a Wall of Fire round about Zion Zech. 2.5 10. Sing and rejoyce O Daughter of Zion for Lo I come and I will dwell in the midst of thee saith the LORD Read Ezek. 34.23 24 25 28 29 30 31. No Canaanite in the Land of Israel nor none that shall hurt or destroy in all God's holy Mountains Zech. 2.4 Jerusalem shall be inhabited as Towns without walls for God's salvation shall be her walls and bulwarks Isa 26.1 2 3. Then the State of the Church of God will bear some proportional Resemblance to the Kingdom of Heaven for it will then be a sinless state Isa 60.1 21. Zeph. 3.13 and Rev. 14.1 5. and a sorrowless state Rev. 21.1 2 3 4 5. and a timeless state Rev. 10.6 Time shall be no more For the thousand years time of the Church's Glory being finished and all the time of Satan and his Instruments ended who are the Abusers of Time Time shall pass into Eternity of Glory and Beatifical Vision and eternal Life Secondly I would also humbly intreat my Reverend Brethren to declare to the Ministers of Christ Churches of Saints what is noted in the holy Scripture of Truth concerning the WORLD to come the New Heavens and a New Earth and the New Jerusalem Also the Second Personal Coming of our LORD Jesus Christ from Heaven You are commissioned and commanded to declare unto the people the whole counsel of God revealed in his written Word and this Gospel of the Kingdom and Coming of Christ must be preached in all the Inhabited World towards the latter End thereof Matth. 24.14 as a Witness unto all Nations and then shall the End come This is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Generation Truth which ought to be Preached and Testified by the Ministers and Churches of Christ in these latter daies though they be killed for bearing this Testimony Rev. 11.3 4 7. Be faithful to Death and Christ will give you a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 and 12.11 Lastly A word of Consolation to those that do believe pray and wait for the world to come and the Spiritual Glory thereof 1. In general for then the Ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with Songs and everlasting Joy c. Isa 35.10 Then shall be the confluence of all spiritual Comforts to the Church and People of God Isa 60.1 2 3 7 13 19-22 The LORD shall be thy everlasting Light and thy God thy Glory vers 19. All the promises of Grace and Glory shall then be performed which are in Christ Yea and in Christ Amen to the praise and glory of God 2 Cor. 1.20 And then all Prophecies relating to the Churches Spiritual Glory shall be fulfilled Act. 3 19-21 which God hath spoken by the mouth of his holy Prophets Then will be a superabundant pouring out of
Heb. 8.2 called The Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3.15 The LORD Jesus Christ in order unto the building up his House the Church of God did ordain a Gospel-Ministry Eph. 4.11 12 13. He gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers c. And set them in his Church 1 Cor. 12.28 And God hath set some in the Church first Apostles secondarily Prophets thirdly Teachers c. The Apostles as wise Master-builders did prepare fit Materials for to build the House of God and to that purpose they having received Commission and Command from the LORD Jesus Christ Mark 16.15 went out into the WORLD and Preached the Gospel beginning at Jerusalem And when they had made and baptized many Disciples they planted those Churches that we read of in the holy Scriptures which were built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the Chief Corner Stone in whom all the building fitly framed together was builded together an Habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2 19-22 The Church at Jerusalem was the first of all those Gospel-Churches Act. 2.47 And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Which Church was at its first Constitution a particular Congregation of sanctified Believers baptized with Water in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit Matth. 28.19 and separated from the Synagogues of the unbelieving Jews to worship God in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4.21 23 24. according to the sacred Institutions of Christ and his Apostles even the Ordinances of God delivered unto his Churches of Saints 1 Cor. 11.1 2. And although the number of the Disciples were multiplied from one hundred and twenty Act. 1.15 to three thousand Act. 2.41 yea to five thousand Act. 4 4. Act. 5.14 And Believers were the more added to the Lord multitudes both of men and women So that the Apostles had their own distinct Companies Societies or Congregations in Jerusalem Act. 4.13 19 23. And Peter and John being let go they went to their own Company Yet they all being of one heart and of one soul were but one Church and are so denominated Act. 15.4 And when they were come to Jerusalem they were received of the Church c. Act. 15.22 The whole Church And so were all the particular Congregations in every City denominated and called viz. The Church of God at Corinth 1 Cor. 1.2 And so our Lord and Saviour denominated all the Churches of God in Asia by the particular Cities wherein they were first planted and assembled to worship God Rev. 2.1 8 12 18. Rev. 3.1 7 14. Read those verses I intreat the Reader to consider 1. That our Lord Jesus Christ in building up his own House the Church of God ordained and appointed a preceding Ministry to be workers together with him in building his House Heb. 3.4 1 Cor. 3.9 10 11. We are labourers together with God Ye are God's Building c. 2. That the Churches of God under the Gospel are not National but Political and Congregational 3. That a particular visible true Constituted Gospel Church of God doth consist of fit Matter and due Form Jesus Christ the Chief Corner Stone is a lively Stone and the Materials of the Church ought to be living Stones Mat. 3.16 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Sanctified Believers 1 Cor. 1.2 6. And Christ himself was Baptized with Water Act. 10.44 47 48. and with the holy Spirit every one in his Visible Churches of Saints ought to be Baptized with Water and with the holy Spirit (a) Joh. 5. v. 5. 2. Those sanctified Believers ought to he fitly framed together and orderly compacted joyned and built together an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2.19 20 21 22. chap. 4.15 16. which is the Form of the House of God the Church of the Living God 1 Tim. 3. v. 15. God commanded his Prophet Ezekiel chap. 43. v. 10 11. saying Thou Son of Man shew the House to the House of Israel (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in conjugatione hiph Annunciavit exposuit narravit indicavit And let them measure the Pattern Shew them the Form of the House And write it in their sight A wise Master-builder will take care to prepare fit Materials in every respect answerable and suitable unto the House he is about to build and so ought the Ministers of Christ who are Co-workers with God in building his House which is his Church to take heed both what and how they build 1 Cor. 3 9-14 Every mans work shall be made manifest for the Day shall declare it And the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is c. Young Converts new-born-Babes in Christ may be added to the Church of God Act. 2.41 47. But they are not fit Materials to be laid next unto the Corner Stone of that Spiritual building I say again they are not fit for the Foundation-work of God's building nor are they fit for Pillars in the House of God Consider what St. Paul that wise Master-builder saith of such young Converts 1 Cor. 3.1 2 3. Heb. 5.12 13. Read the words These and such as these are not fit Matter for the Foundation nor for Pillars nor for Beams in the House of God at the first Beginning Planting and Building or Gathering of a Church of God But rather Fathers that is grave gracious holy wise and experienced Believers Also some young Men that is such Christians that are strong in Faith and have in some measure overcome the World the Devil and their own Corruptions who are full of the holy Spirit rich in Grace and zealous for the House of God and the Purity of his Worship I say a competent number of such Christians being sound in the Faith holy in their Life and fitly qualified with diversity of spiritual gifts knowledge and grace are in my Opinion most meet to be by their own mutual free consent and agreement joyned tegether to become a particular Church of Saints by the help of some wise Master-builders and faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 3 9-11 The Gospel-Form of a particular Church of God consists as we said in the fitly framing compacting and joyning those sanctified Believers together into ONE Fellowship Society and Gospel Brotherhood in a solemn Day of Prayer with Fasting wherein some Able Minister of the Gospel having by Preaching the Word unto them shewed them their Respective Duties in a Church Relation the Elders and Chief Brethren of some particular Churches of Saints being present and assisting in the work of the Day if they may be obtained may in the Name and Authority of the LORD Jesus Christ by virtue of this Commission given to him constitute and make them a particular Visible Church of God they giving up themselves professedly first to the LORD and then one to another mutually and
solemnly with one accord engaging themselves to come together in ONE Congregation and to Assemble themselves together in some one Place every first Day of the week to worship God publickly in all his holy Ordinances with their mutual professed Subjection unto the Laws of God's House and with a Professed Resolution to Continue in the Apostles Doctrine and in Fellowship and in Breaking of Bread and Prayer through the Help of God All which being done the same Minister ought to declare them to be a Church of Saints and the Ministers and Brethren of other Churches being also present ought to own and acknowledge them to be a sister-Sister-Church by giving them the Right hand of Fellowship and so to commend them by Prayer unto God and to the Word of his Grace who is able to build them up and to give them an Inheritance among all them which are sanctified The Well-Being of a particular Church of Saints doth principally consist in three things viz. Oneness Order and Government That Gospel-Oneness which maketh very much for the Well-Being of a particular Church is threefold First That there be but ONE Church in one City 1 Cor. 14.19 34. and that all the Congregations of Saints in that City called Churches bear but one Name to wit the Church of God in that City as in the Apostles daies Act. 15.4.22 1 Cor. 1.2 Rev. 2. 3. chap. That so there may be no Schism Divisions nor sinful Separations from the Church of God but that the whole Church may be perfectly joyned together in ONE As a City that is compact together Psal 122.3 as an House or Building fitly framed together Ephes 2.21 22. and as a Body fitly joyned and compacted by every joynt of supply Eph. 4.16 Secondly That this Church be of one Heart and of one Soul Act. 4.32 being perfectly joyned together in the same Mind and in the same Judgment 1 Cor. 1.2 9 10. that so they may all with one Mind and one Mouth glorifie God even the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ Rom. 15.6 having the same Love one to another Phil. 2.1 2 3. and the same Care one for another 1 Cor. 12.25 26 27. each one endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the Bond of Peace Eph. 4 3-6 This Oneness will make the Communion of Saints very comfortable Col. 2 2-5 And hereby they will enjoy Fellowship with the Father Son and Spirit in all God's holy Gospel-Ordinances to the Glory of God and their own Edification Thirdly That this one Church and all the Congregations of Saints that are Members thereof walk by one and the same Rule of the written Word of God Phil. 3.16 being Ordered and Guided by their Bishops Pastors Teachers Presbyters or Elders according to the Royal Laws of God's House called the perfect Law of Liberty Jam. 1.25 submitting themselves unto those Guides Act. 20.28 whom God hath made their Overseers who watch for their Souls as they that must give an Account Heb. 13.7 17. Cant. 6.4.10 Gospel-Order is a great Beauty and Ornament to the Church Col. 2.5 and Order makes very much for the Well-Being of the Church And Gospel-Order consisteth in these things Psal 48.2 Ezek. 16.12 14. First That the Bishop and Presbyters set in Order the things which are wanting in the Church Titus 1.5 1 Cor. 11.34 Secondly That all things in the Church be done decently and in Order which Christ hath commanded to be done 1 Cor. 14.40 And for which his Apostles and Disciples have given us Example Phil. 3.17 Thirdly That the Order of the Gospel be carefully observed and kept in the Administration of God's Sacred Ordinances in the Admission of Members in the Ordination of Church-Officers and in withdrawing from every Brother that walketh Disorderly God was offended with his Church under the Law because they sought him not in due Order 2 Chron. 15.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 14.33 And God hath committed the Government of his Gospel-Church and Kingdom unto Christ to Order it c. Isa 9.6 7. God is not the Author of Confusion Gospel-Government is ordained and appointed of God for the Well-Being of his Church The Church of God cannot have a Well-Being without Christ's Instituted Gospel-Government And to that end God the Father hath laid the Government of his Church upon his Son Jesus Christ Isa 9.6 7. To whom he gave all Power in Heaven and Earth Matth. 28.18 And he hath made Christ Lord of his House and King of his Church Heb. 3 1-6 Psal 149.2 The Lord Jesus Christ deligated this his Ecclesiastical Government of the Church unto his holy Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers called Bishops Presbyters or Elders who where allowed of God to be put in Trust with the Gospel 1 Thes 2.4 And the Apostles and Evangelists did commit the same unto faithful men 2 Tim. 2.12 whom they Ordained Bishops Presbyters or Elders in the Churches of Saints Titus 1.5 7. Act. 14.23 which Gospel-Government as we said before is not a Coercive-Power over Mens Consciences nor is it a Dominion over their Faith neither is it a Lordship over God's Clergy or Heritage but it is a Stewardship of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 2 3 4. Let a Man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God And Titus 1.7 For a Bishop must be blameless as the Steward of God Unto this Gospel-Government appertains Church-Censures of Admonition 2 Thes 3.15 and Titus 3.10 Suspension or withdrawing from a Brother or Member that hath and doth walk disorderly 2 Thes 3.6 and Excommunication of those Members that live in gross and scandalous sins 1 Cor. 5.1 4 5 13. CHAP. II. Of Gospel-Ministry § 1. THE LORD Jesus Christ is the Chief Minister of God's Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 8.1 2. which the Lord pitched and not Man He is the Chief Pastor of God's little Flock (b) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Pastorum Princeps 1 Pet. 5.4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the Bishop of our Souls (c) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Pet. 2.25 Heb. 13.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Heb. 13.20 The great Shepherd of of the Sheep who in all things hath the Pre-eminence (d) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in omnibus Ipse Primatum tenens or Supremacy § 2. HE gave Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry Ephes 4.11 12 13. 1 Cor. 12.28 The Apostles Prophets Evangelists were appointed by Christ to Preach the Gospel to the World Mark 16.15 and for the Gathering of the Saints framing and perfectly joyning them together (e) Eph. 4.11 12 13. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. The Pastors and Teachers were Set by Christ in the Churches as fixed Officers for the Edifying of the Body until we all meet together in
Hail for the Plague thereof was exceeding great And immediately after the Tribulation of these daies they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with power and great glory Matth. 24. v. 29 30. Then will Christ take unto him his great Power and Reign he will create New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwells Righteousness Isa 65.17 66.22 2 Pet. 3.13 Rev. 21 2-5 And he that sate upon the Throne said Behold I make all things New Now this New Creation is the WORLD to come CHAP. V. Of Separation § 1. GOD did separate his Antient People the Jews from all other People in the World to be his peculiar People to worship him according to his Institutions and Commandments Levit. 20.24 26. And God hath commanded the Believing Gentiles to be separated from Idolaters and Unbelievers or Infidels and to have no Communion or Fellowship with them in any false Worship 2 Cor. 6 14-18 § 2. But though Believers may be and ought to abide separated from the Worship and Worshippers of Idols in their Temples (a) 2 Cor. 6.16 17. and from the Worship of the Unbelieving Jews in their Synagogues (b) Act. 19.8 9. And also from the Worship and Worshippers of the Beast or his Image (c) Rev. 14.9 10. 20.4 and from the Assemblies of all false Worshippers and from all false Worship yet sanctified Believers ought not to separate themselves from the true Churches of God and of his Saints that Worship him in Spirit and in Truth and walk in the Faith and Order of the Gospel according to the Rule of the written Word of God so far as they have attained § 3. The most pure Churches of Saints on Earth are subject to mixture some false Brethren may creep into a Church of Christ unawares (d) Gal. 2.4 and some false Teachers too (e) 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3 4 5 8. Men of corrupt minds and corrupt manners also (f) 2 Cor. 2.17 And there may be some Errours in Doctrine and some Evils in Conversation among them as there was among some of the Churches of Christ in Asia in the Apostles time (g) Rev. 2.14 15 20 24. But yet Believers ought not to separate themselves from those Churches of Saints whereof they are Members for those Errours in Doctrine or Evils in Conversation until they have first faithfully and orderly born their testimony against them secondly until they have humbly entreated the Church and the Ministers thereof to Reform those things that are amiss among them and thirdly until the Church and the Ministers thereof do utterly Refuse to Reform those Errours in Doctrine and those Evils in Conversation among them § 4. The Ministers and Members of the Churches of God ought to imitate Christ in this matter and to follow his steps Our LORD Jesus Christ did see many things amiss in some of the Churches in Asia viz. unsound Doctrines and corrupt Manners to wit the Doctrine and Deeds of the Nicolaitans which Christ hated c. But notwithstanding Christ did not presently forsake those Churches nor did he command any of the Ministers or Members thereof to separate themselves from them neither did Christ blame any Believers that were sound in their Judgments and holy in their Conversations for holding Communion with those Churches But Jesus Christ did first bear his Testimony against those Errours in Doctrine and Corruptions in Conversation Secondly Christ called upon the Church and Angel to Repent and Reform what was amiss And Thirdly Christ gave them space to Repent and waited for their Amendment before he did forsake them Read the second and third chapters of the Revelation And therefore I conclude That none of the Ministers nor Members of any true Church of God ought to separate themselves from the Church nor ought they to forsake the Assembling of themselves with the Church nor absent themselves from any part of the true Worship of God nor turn their back of any Gospel-Ordinance of Christ in the Church because of Offence against any Member or Minister in the Church But they ought to bear and have patience and to wait upon Christ and his Church until such Offenders be orderly proceeded against and those offences be reformed or removed by the Laws of God's House Or else until the Candlestick be removed out of its place for suffering those Errours in Doctrine or Corruptions in Manners and Conversation and for adding impenitency unto such impiety iniquity suffered and indulged in the Church by the Ministers therein and by the Members thereof to the dishonour of God the scandal of the Gospel and the great offence and grief of the godly who have walked orderly and have not defiled their Garments but have watched and kept themselves unspotted of the world and uncorrupted with those Evils in the Church which would not be healed and therefore ought to be forsaken and separated from by the faithful Ministers of Christ and all the holy People of God Seeing then that the Ending Time of this evil world will be so perillous and a Day of so great Tribulation I do intreat both unconverted Sinners and sanctified Believers to suffer a word of Exhortation I do therefore exhort unconverted Sinners upon whom the End of this WORLD is coming by Death or Dissolution That you would come to Christ Believe in Jesus Christ and Repent of your sins First I exhort you to come to Christ for there is not salvation in any other Acts 4.12 If you will not come to Christ whilst you live you will certainly go to Hell when you dye Psal 9.17 Some poor sinner haply will say Alas I am a vile sinful sinner I am unworthy may I presume to come unto Christ Yes Jesus Christ who came into the world to save the chiefest of sinners doth invite all that will to come unto him Isa 55.1 2 3. Rev. 22. v. 17. But if I do come unto Christ will he not refuse me and reject me and cast me off No! Joh. 6.37 Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out Some poor lost sinner may haply say Indeed I see a great need of Christ to justifie me and to sanctifie me and to save me but I know not how to come to Christ I cannot come to Christ what shall I do I answer It is true no man can come to Christ except the Father draw him John 6.44 but God the Father doth draw sinners unto Christ with his Cords of Love Jer. 31.3 Yea I have loved thee with an everlasting Love therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee Though thou canst not come to Christ yet know that the Lord Jesus Christ can and will come to thee and teach thee to go to him as he did Ephraim Hos 11.3 4. The danger is not in thy own Inability that thou canst not come to Christ accept of Christ and take Christ upon Gospel-terms of Free Grace but thy souls danger lyeth in thy
the Spirit Joel 2.28 And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall prophesie your old men shall dream dreams your young men shall see visions And God will graciously prevent the Prayers of his Saints Isa 65.17 24. It shall come to pass that before they call I will answer and whilst they are yet speaking I will hear All the Sons Daughters of God will then be of one Heart and of one Mind Jer. 32.39 40. Then all sanctified Believers will come in the Unity of the Spirit to a perfect Man Eph. 4.13 And in that Day there shall be ONE LORD and his Name One in all the Earth Zech. 14.9 Zeph. 3.9 And They shall serve the LORD with one consent And then Honour Dignity and Renown shall be given to the Church of God to Religion to Religious persons and to all holy things Zech. 9.16 The Church shall then be as the Stones of a Crown lifted up Those Living Stones in that spiritual Building will then be a Crown of Glory a Royal Diadem in the hand of the LORD Isa 62.1 2.3 28.5 2. In particular 1. To the seed of Abraham the Jews They shall be called gathered united into one Nation and the Davidical Kingdom of Jesus Christ shall be given to them Micah 4.8 which they shall take and possess for ever and ever Dan. 7.14.18 27 28. They shall be all holy Isa 60. and so all Israel shall be saved Rom. 11.26 27. 2. To the Off-spring of Japhet the Gentiles whom God shall persuade to dwell in the Tents of Shem Even all the Nations of them that are saved who shall then walk in the Light of the New Jerusalem Rev. 21.24 and shall also enjoy the spiritual Glory and Blessings of the WORLD to come whereof we speak A word of Counsel to Virgin Professors in this Generation 1. Take heed you do not fall asleep whilst the Bridegroom tarryeth or rather only seems to delay his coming as they did Matth. 25.5 6. They all slumbred and slept until a midnight Dispensation a Cry did awaken them out of their carnal security when being at ease in Zion they became formal luke-warm and worldly minding earthly things more than heavenly and seeking their own things more than the things of Christ 2. Prepare your selves for that time of Tribulation which shall come before Christ come Matth. 24.21 29 30. It 's call'd an hour of Temptation which shall come upon all the World to try them that dwell upon the Earth Rev. 3. It will come upon the Jews Dan. 12.1 2 3. and upon the Gentiles Rev. 11.7 but more especially upon the Inhabiters of the Earth Rev. 8.13 12.12 Rev. 19.19 20. viz. upon the Beast and the false Prophet and upon the Kings of the Earth and their Armies Prepare for that midnight Dispensation of Darkness Distress and Temptation which is coming upon Nations Cities and Churches to try them 3. Consider what manner of persons you ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness that look and wait for the Glory of Christ his Church and Saints in the world to come 2 Pet. 3.11 13 14. Lastly A word of Instruction to the King the Nobles the Judges and all the Magistrates in this Island and in this City The Kingly Prophet David gave the Instruction I intend Psal 2. wherein by the Spirit of Prophecy he foretold 1. That the Kings of the Earth will set themselves and the Rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against his Anointed vers 2 3. 2. That God speaks to them in his wrath and vexes them in his hot displeasure vers 5. 3. That the LORD Jesus Christ will break them with a Rod of Iron and dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel 4. That God will set his King namely King Jesus opon his holy Hill of Zion vers 6 7. 5. That God will give the LORD Jesus Christ the Heathen for his Inheritance and the utmost part of the Earth for his Possession and his Dominion shall be from Sea to Sea even unto the Ends of the Earth vers 8. And then the holy Prophet exhorts those Kings and Judges to be wise and to be instructed vers 10 11 12. Be wise now therefore O ye Kings be instructed ye Judges of the Earth Kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish This phrase of kissing the Son implies 1. A Declaration or Testimony of Love and Peace between Christ and them Cant. 1.2 Christ who is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth Rev. 1.5 is the Prince of Peace Isa 9.6 and it concerns all Kings to be at Peace with Jesus Christ And the LORD Jesus Christ is the Judge of the quick and dead and he sits among the Judges called Gods of the Earth and they also must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ therefore it concerns all Judges to kiss the Son that is to make their Peace with Christ 2. To kiss the Son implies to worship Jesus Christ And if God commanded the holy Angels to worship him Heb. 1.6 then Kings and Judges are not exempted from worshiping Jesus Christ Phil. 2.9 11. Every knee shall bow to him and confess that he is LORD Because God hath exalted Christ above all and given him a name above every name c. Eph. 1.20 21. and set him far above all Principalities and Powers in this World c. 3. By kissing the Son is intended the submitting to his Dominion and Government Isa 9.6 7. God the Father hath laid the Government of Saints upon Christ for he is King of Saints Rev. 15.3 and the Government of Zion his Church upon Christ for he is King of Zion Psal 149.1 2. and the Government of the Nations upon Christ for he is King of Nations Jer. 10.7 10. By him Kings Reign and Princes decree Judgment He puts down one and sets up another Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Judge of Judges therefore be wise O Kings and be instructed ye Judges of the Land Now I will conclude with a word of Exhortation to the Magistrates and Inhabitants of this City Consider God hath visited this City with the Pestilence and with a Fire and yet the Inhabitants thereof have not returned to the LORD Now God threatens a Famine of Bread if He shut up Heaven that it Rain not and a Famine of the Word if He suffer the Papists to prevail O Repent and Amend Administer Justice and Righteousness Plead the Cause of the Widow and Fatherless Relieve the Oppressed and Acquit the Innocent Let the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation teach you Citizens of London to deny all ungodliness and worldly Lusts and to live soberly righteously and godly in this present evil world that in the world to come you may have Life everlasting Amen FINIS