A SHORT TREATISE Describing the true CHURCH of CHRIST And the Evills of Schisme ANABAPTISM and LIBERTINISM Wherein is proved that Society is the genus of a Church not Congregations A National Church under the New-Testament The visible Church is Gods Temple The infallible note of a true Church 1. Schismaticks defile the Temple of God 2. Usurpers of the Ministery Temple-defilers Learning is needfull for the discharge of the Ministery Toleration of all religions contrary to Gods Word No communion with the wicked in their sinne Tyrants and Persecutors are Temple-defilers Temple-defilers shall be surely punished We must make triall of the Spirits Delivered in two SERMONS by Mr. RICHARD BYFIELD LONDON Printed for Ralph Smith at the signe of the Bible neer the Royall Exchange 1653. Temple Defilers Destroyed 1 COR. 3. 17. If any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy THE circumstantials of this Text may profitably serve for our Exordium or entrance they are three who speaks how he speakes and to whom 1. Who speaks Paul an Apostle of Iesus Christ therefore it is a Gospel sentence Paul the Doctor of the Gentiles therefore you Gentiles ought to hear him Paul the mouth of Christ the Pen-man of the Holy Ghost and therefore he that despiseth this word despiseth not man but Christ but the Spirit but God 2. How he speaks First by way of denunciation of judgement The Gospel hath fire in it the Preachers threaten destruction yet the Preachers thereof no legall Preachers for our God is a consuming Fire it is true life and immortality are brought to light by the Gospel and it is no lesse true then Hell fire and Damnation is Language peculiar to the Gospel never any Preached in so frequent and plain termes the flames of Hell and that unquenchable fire as did our Lord Jesus who was sent of God Anointed with the spirit that oyle of gladnesse to preach the Gospel to the poor to heal and binde up the broken hearted that meek Lambe of God whose office it was to speak a word in season to the weary soul How often hath he Hell and Hell fire in his mouth in one Sermon Mat. 5. 22. 29 30. Three times in one breath with amazing illustrations Mar. 9. 43. 45. 47. At another time all his discourse almost beset as Paradise with a flaming sword with as sore as plain and equivalent expressions utter darknesse where shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth the Prison out of which there is no coming by any means till they have paid the utmost farthing the losse of the soul cutting asunder and appointing them their portion with hypocrites in no case any entry into the Kingdom of heaven no reward of their Father which is in Heaven Will any dare to deny that Iesus Christ was an Evangelicall Preacher And it stands with all reason that such Preaching should be for Gospel times for the greater and more glorious are the manifestations of Gods grace the greater and more glorious are the manifestations of Gods grace the greater is the sin and the heavier the wrath and condemnation due to the refusers Heb. 12. 25. 29. the abusers the turners of such grace into lasciviousnesse and wantonnesse No marvell then if that Ministry of the New Testament that is as a mirrour to shew us the glory of grace with open face do with as great plainnesse of speech set Hell before us in open view Heaven is the more Heaven to them that see what Hell is It is not unbeseeming an Apostle a Teacher of Grace and of the Gospel to denounce the judgements of God Paul here speaks by way of threatning Secondly he speaks by way of Argumentation 1. Against building up the Church with wood hay and stubble ver 12. By which is meant not Doctrine Hereticall blasphemous and impious though that 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 certainty of the punishment Their sin is the defiling of Gods Temple their punishment shall be destruction 2. Again his Argument against such all Church works lyeth also against Schisme Divisions and Factions in the Church as appeareth to the diligent and intelligent Reader by that in the chapâ—â— 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-polluter 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 1. 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 lest they should be polluted 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 first 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 these 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 Universall 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 particular visible Churches are not so many Independant Churches those that so teach make 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 severally 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 saith 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 Iesus Christ make all saving to you though for the present it should not favour 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 Jerusalem 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. Defil◠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 worthy 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 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
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 Israel which stood on the Table continually before the Mercy-seat in the presence of God which as it signified the gracious favour and the eyes of God in Christ over the righteous so also how the Christian liveth continually 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 before him so the Believer keeps a furnished Table Cant. 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 Candlestick 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 Brazen Laver to wash 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 sprinkled 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 Satan 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. 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 Idolaters 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. Qusquis vel quod potest arguendo corrigit vel quod corrigere non potest salvo pacis vinculo excludit vel quod salvo pacis vinculo excludere non potest aequitate improbat firmitate supportat bic est pacificus ab isto maledicto immunis quod Scriptura dicit vae his qui dicunt quod nequam est bonum quod bonum est nequam 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 I. 26. 4. Jer. 17. 5. 7.
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 Vials are but in pouring out the state of the visible Church is this to be infested and polluted diversly with many Gentiles as we see by wofull experience 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 tottered and 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— multâ— sunt infirmitates quique non tantum persecutionibus cruce premitur 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 coetu 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 second 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 stand guilty of this sin the things 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 sin 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 effeminate 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 out by Church-censures 2. The Covetous Raylers Extortioners Drunkards Theeves Swearers that feare not an Oath the prophane unholy malicious and all unrighteous persons these make Gods house a denne 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 Christians these live as if they were delivered to doe those abominations Ier. 7. 4 8. they are abominable polluters of Gods Temple 3. The Pharisaicall Hypocrites that pretend the glory of God and good of the Church but under that colour drive a trade Ioh. 2. 14 15. of the Publique and of godlinesse make a merchandize for their own filthy lucre Such are those pretenders to Reformation now among us that make up their private estates out of the Publique being carried with self-seeking they dread not the examples of Councellors Nobles Iudges Prelates Gentry that now before their eyes lye under Gods avenging hand their carcases for they are cast out and nought of them remaines but their dead contemned bulkes and on them their Worme feedes and dyes not and the fire is not quenched these their miserable carcases they may goe out and see and looke upon the contempt that God hath and doth poure upon them for the abusing of their power to their owne lusts and for making a prey of the Publique and yet they greedily follow the way of such Balaamites All that are intrusted and imployed for the publique in this great service of seeking Reformation let them feare lest if found in the like sinne they should fall into greater condemnation The Lord is a jealous God â— All that make Schismes and divisions in the Church â— the context sheweth this these are properly and directly intended here by the Holy Ghost In the Church of Corinth many stood guilty of this sin their factious studies rented them into Sects 1. By contentious siding falling into parties according to their Teachers whom they affected 1 Cor. 1. 12. 2. By affection of humane wisdome and foolish admiration thereof in the Preaching of the Gospell Ch. 17. 2. 1. 4. 3. By building Heterogeneall stuffe of a divers kind and unsuitable as wood hay and stubble upon the foundation Ch. 3. 12. 4. By undervaluing their faithfull Teachers Ch. 4. 1. and neglecting their spirituall Father that had begotten them in Christ Iesus through the Gospell ver 15. of Chap. 4. had you saith the Apostle ten thousand instructures yet I am your Father you have not many fathers this unnaturalnesse in matters of Grace is found in some of this place
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 truth 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 lâ—mp 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God defiles Church-defilers they faâ—le of their ends 3. There are for them from God apportioned Plagues in this world they make rents and trouble Gods building the repairing of his 〈◊〉 God will trouble them these Achans God will scatter them in Iacob 〈◊〉 disperse them in Israel They break and teach the breaches and violation◠〈◊〉 Gods Commandements the least of his Commandements that of his â—ay 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 Locasts and cast them into the Red Sâ—â— Persecutors have their doom notably in this life besides hereafter Remember Antiochus of whom you reade in the second of Maccab. 5. chap. Remember Herod eaten up with wormes Act. 12. 23. Remember the Heritique Arrius that voided his bowels with his exâ—â—â—ments in a common â—akes and all other Heretiques and Schismatiques and the Plagues upon Papists mentioned in Rev. 16. and 18. chapters 4. 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 〈◊〉 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. 5◠〈◊〉 which 〈◊〉 â—ore vengeance in the execution whereof the Lord Pleadeth 〈◊〉 of Zion throughly to give rest to his Church and disquiet his 〈◊〉 whose spirit can sustain it self in the day of Visitation when the Lord 〈◊〉 say Behold I am against thee 2. Secondly the Argument is strong here from the lesse to the greater â— God hath said and will not repent of his word concerning Death 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 eyeâ—◠〈◊〉 this thing he will never alter his purpose that he determined And shall be not much more be the plagues and destruction of soul-polluters of destroyers of his Church of ropâ—â—â—ners of the Communion of his Saints and people Thirdly the Temple of God is holy and inviolable therefore the sin 〈◊〉 Prophaning and wasting of it is provoking and execrable Fourthly God is a jealous God and the vindicator and avenger of his glory 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Zelotes 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 rerum signa 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 heart it that comparing the things themselves with those shadows we may with pleasing delight imbrace the body of those shadows here are also Emblems Similitudes and expressions of Gods own devising out of Gods own mint which with safety and profit we may and ought to use This fancifull age may here please their fancy and yet retain and grow more in the soundnesse of faith and love which is in Christ Iesuâ— Secondly that there is the same God in both Testaments the same Christ Evacuatur in Christo non vetus Testamâ—utum sed vâ—lameu ejus ut per Christum intelligatur quia si denudetur quod sinc Christo obscurum quiae adopertum est non igitur per Domini gratiam tanquam inutilia ibi legerentur ablata sunt sed tegmen potius quo utilia tegebantur Aug. Tom. 6. ad Honor Contra. Manichaeos de util Credendi 63. the same Covenant though there be different wayes of Ministery and degrees of manifestation and clarity that place in Heb. 8. 8. 10. taken out of Jer. 31. 31 32 33. which speaketh of a new old Covenant is thus to be understood not of two Covenants differing in substance not of the two Covenants the Covenant of workes and the Covenant of Grace but of one and the same Covenant of Grace distinguished in their different manner of Administration the one in Ceremonies Types shadows to signifie and lead to Christ that was to come the other in the substance of spirituall things themselves the body the truth exhibiting Christ now already come this place is much abused through inadvertency Here also we see that a proof out of the old Testament is as much Gospel if rightly applied as any in the New-Testament Thirdly that the Ministers of the Gospel ought to preach Gods wrath to evill Christians Fourthly that they ought to preach wrath not only to those Christians of evil life and manners but also to those of evil Doctrine of errors in Religion of Pride dissensions and faults in that kinde where they are not yet fallen to
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 glorious the outward black and tann'd with afflictions and persecutions Cant. 1. 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 Cherubimsâ— 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 burntâ— 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 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 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 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 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
46. meaning the Old Testament which then was only written he saith Had yee believed Moses yee would have believed me He that refuseth the Old Testament where his lust serves him will doe as much for the New The Evangelists writing of Christ that we might believe on him runs thus this was done that it might be fulfilled which was written The Apostles in their Epistles confirme all they say in matters of faith and holy life out of the Old Testament as to instance in two or three places for all the great point of faith in 1 Pet. 2. 4 5 6 7. the great point of holinesse of life in 1 Pet. 1. 15 16. the great duty of obedience to Parents in Ephes 6. 1 2 3. read the Texts The Scripture of the Old Testament will furnish a Minister of the New Testament the man of God and make him absolute 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. It is for every Christian a more sure word 2 Pet. 1. 19. 21. than voyces from Heaven it is a light that shineth in the dark untill Christ the Day-starre dawn in the heart of him that takes heed to it 3. But let us come to the New Testament Rom. 13. 4. 3. Magistracy is the Ordinance of God set up for the punishment of evill-doers when Blasphemy and Idolatry false worship Heresie Prophanesse and cursed Oathes are not evill-doing then let the Magistrate have nothing to doe with the first Table it is Gods Ordinance for the praise of them that doe well when the seeking of the Lord Iehovah the use of Christs holy Institutions the profession of his holy Name and Faith the sanctification of his Holy Day and in a word when Piety ceaseth to be well-doing then let the power of Magistracy cease about matters of the first Table the Magistrate is the Minister of God for thy good O Christian as thou art a Christian he is to theâ— for good 1 Tim. 2. 2. 5 6. Out of this Text note to stop the mouthes of all Cavaliers 1. The end of Magistracy is not only that thou maist who art a Christian lead a peaceable and quiet life but the end of that end that thou maist lead it in all godlinesse and honesty 2. For the better attaining to this end thou art bound to pray all manner of Prayer for Kings and all in Authority this duty he cannot doe that holds this errour 3. The reasons on which this rule and exhortation is grounded doe reach out all their strength to this that the Magistrate may being converted to the Truth not only looke to that part of his duty to be the father of the Country and Common-wealth but the Nursing father to the Church not only to see the Peace be kept but to see that Piety flourish all Godlinesse the Reasons are these 1. God will have all men i. e. all sorts of men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth Pray for them that coming to the knowledge of the truth they may the better use the Sword to maintaine the truth and restraine and debellate falshood 2. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour that your prayers should be the meanes to bring in Kings and Parliaments States and all in Authority to uphold Godlinesse out of an heart truely inlightened and inflamed with the love of Godlinesse you please not Christ if you pray not for them out of such a principle and to such an end 3. There is but one God both of Kings and Magistrates that are yet without and abuse their power against all true godlinesse and of you why should yee doubt but that he will heare your Prayers and at your Prayers give you Magistrates that shall make it their honour to use their power for God to attaine his main end that is your Godly life as well as your peaceable and honest life as they received it from God who hath ordained Magistracy for the attaining of that main end 4. There is but one Mediator between God and men who gave himselfe a ransome for all that testimony in proper seasons Christ mediates for Magistrates is a ransome for Magistrates is that testimony which as well testified to Magistrates as any other and if any say we have prayed long and prevailed little you must know there are proper seasons full seasons for this testimony to be dispensed and to make that dispensation effectuall therefore pray pray all manner of Prayers for their thorough conversion that they may glory more to see their Dominions all Godly under that one God through that one Mediator by that one Gospell that witnesseth of this Grace by one Faith one common Faith in that only ransome of Christ in one way of his true Worship then to see their Dominions rich and peaceable Why under this one God and this one Christ feeding among you may you not raise up to you seven Shepheards and eight Princes of men say all yea by Prayer of faith we shall doe it 2. For the Ministery they destroy and prophane Gods Temple by their errours diversly 1. Evening 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
many degrees out-going old famous Achitophel 2 Sam. 16. 21 23. the Seditious that love to make divisions and sow discords and plant an inveterate odium in the hearts of King and Prince and people against all the godly and faithfull in the Land with all evill Counsellors against the Lord Nah. 1. 11. Psa 2. 2. and flattering bloody Edomitish Doegs Ps 52. Beloved what a griefe is it to think that by the ennumeration of particulars not this Doctrine alone should be so clearely and fully demonstrated by twenty severall sorts of offendors that there are many Temple-defilers within the Temple of God but also that in our English Church and Temple such Temple-vermine should swarme at this day wherefore to descend to some short application 1. Prayer becomes us with complaints to God that dwells in his Temple Prayer that he would looke downe from Heaven and behold that he would not make us to erre from his waies and harden our hearts from his feare but returne for his servants sake that he would rent the Heavens and come down with demonstrations of zeal strength and sounding of bowels with terrible unexpected workes of wonder with Gospell-blessing that he would not be wroth very sore nor hold his peace at these things nor afflict us very sore Pray O remember not against us former iniquities let thy mercies speedily prevent us for we are brought very low Prayer with fasting and deepe humiliations become all that love Gods house in these our daies untill God raise up some Nehemiahs that they may cleanse Neh. 13. 8. Gods Temple 2. We should not be scandalized hereby but remember that in the great house of Gods Church there are Vessels of severall sorts and rather be purging our selves from these them forsaking and deserting the true Church of God if a man purge himselfe from these he shall be a vessell unto honour 2 Tim. 2. 17. 20 21. sanctified and meet for the Masters use and Prepared unto every good worke 3. And then the zeale of Gods house should eate us up though there be many things in these troublous times that befall us or may feare us and distresse us from without yet the care of all the Churches should somewhat come 2 Cor. 11. 28 29. upon us especially upon Christs faithfull and painfull Ministers whatever befalls the Churches we should lay it to heart as if it befell our selves the fire of consuming zeale for Christs honour the Gospells purity the Churches safety should melt and fashion us to that of blessed Paul Who is weake and I am not weake who is offended and I burne not 4. Lastly attending to our owne growth in Faith Prayer love and hope we should have compassion of some making a difference Jude 21. 22 23. and others save with feare pulling them out of the fire hating even the Garments spotted by the flesh not hating the men but hating the filthy affections and lusts which pollute the man and come from the flesh mans nature corrupted hating them first in our selves all envie and vye in Religion vaine-glory self-seeking self-love pride spirituall strife emulation variance self-pleasing in our gifts and parts and dis-union of heart c. for who can number all wisedome love and sincerity will by these direct enough Thus of the second Doctrine The third Doctrine is this that God will certainly punish all defilers and violaters of his Temple with punishments proportionable to their sin they are not all of a sort nor all alike guilty and God that will doe no man wrong that he should have the least ground of entring an action against him the righteous God will deale out his punishments accordingly What punishments you will say or how doth he punish these sinners Ans 1. Their workes shall perish though themselves may be saved 1 Cor. 3. 13. 15. yet so as by fire the fire of the Word and Spirit in the day of the Gospell in the powerfull opening and application of the bright and burning truthes thereof such a day as this when now you are before the Lord hearing this Text Preached upon this fire shall these defilers passe through and their errours and their ill worke they have made in Gods building their wood hay and stubble burne to ashes and their persons humbled and purified be saved the Lord grant it you need no other Purgatory you will thinke this hot enough and this or none will doe the deed The Pontificians would faine finde their Purgatory-dreame in this Scripture and they shall finde their Purgatory to purifie or consume-them not the Purgatory they seeke but the Purgatory God hath prepared for such Temple-wasters and Temple-defilers such foule beasts this is the breath of Christs lips this is the brightnesse of his coming which shall consume and destroy that man of sin they are in Purgatory and the fire now burnes hot upon them and so it will upon all the rest of the Templepollutors afore-named Doâ— you not see the Angels 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 2. 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 foules thought it had been Christs voyce which they heard in these men in those 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-murthâ—rer 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