Twenty-Nine Lectures, Lecture 2
The ſecond Lecture of the Church.
NOw in the ſecond place wee are to ſpeake of the titles giuen to the Church;The ſecond generall thing concerning the Church are the titles. there is no great difference betwixt the name, and the title of a thing; for ſometime the name is called the title, and the title the name: yet as it is with perſons of great place and qualitie; they hauehave their names and their titles too; as, Paul an Apoſtle of Ieſus Chriſt, &c. Paul, there is his name; an Apoſtle, &c. there is his title: and ſo it is generally with all things of any great note, they hauehave their names whereby they are ordinarily called, and their titles whereby ſome extraordinary or ſpeciall matter is attributed to them, and affirmed of them. So in the matter in hand, concerning the Saints, or company of the faithfull, the name (Church) doth propound them barely or ſimply to our vnderſtanding. The titles raiſe vsus vp to the conſideration of ſome further matter in the nature and ſtate of the Church then the name doth import: and therefore hauing ſpoken of the name, now we are to ſpeake of the titles of the Church.
There are many worthy and goodly titles aſcribed to the Church, as it is ſaid, Pſalm. 87.3. Goodly and glorious things are ſpoken of thee, Oh Citie of God. Many, as being much variety of matter to be conſidered in the eſtate of the Church; and glorious, as eueryevery title commending the grace, beauty, and glory of the Church after a ſpeciall manner.Many titles giuen her for three reaſons. And the Lord doth adorne her with theſe many glorious titles for many cauſes; As firſt, to giuegive vsus a more full and perfit view of the whole Doctrine concerning the Church; no one title is able to expreſſe all the particulars that concerne the Church; therefore the Lord vſeth many, that what is wanting in ſome may be ſupplied by the reſt. Secondly, that he might expreſſe, and ſet forth the greatneſſe of his louelove to his Church, which being infinite, and extended in many excellent kinds, requires many and glorious titles to expreſſe it by. It is true, that none indeed, though neuer ſo many and glorious, can expreſſe it according to the meaſure of his louelove; but theſe that wee hauehave doe fully expreſſe it, according to the meaſure of our capacity, ſo farre as we are able, and as it is fit for vsus to vnderſtand. Thirdly, becauſe by theſe many glorious titles giuen to the Church, the Lord would inamour vsus with her louelove, and allure vsus to her communion, that wee may the more willingly and chearefully be aſſociated and gathered vntounto her; and the more ſweetly and comfortably repoſe our ſelues in her boſome, when wee heare ſo many and ſo glorious things ſpoken of her. I cannot relate, much leſſe handle all the titles affirmed of the Church, only I will reduce them to certaine heads, and cull forth the choiſe of them out of each Teſtament.The titles are of two ſorts. They are of two ſorts: Firſt, ſome are abſolute that concerne the Church ſimply in it ſelfe. Secondly, ſome are not ſo abſolute, but reſpectiue, which concerne the Church, as i… hath reference to ſomething elſe.
Firſt, abſolute without reference to any thing elſe.Firſt, ſome are abſolute, without reference to any thing elſe; Firſt, a garden.the firſt is in the former Teſtament, Cant. 4.12. It is called a Garden incloſed, a Spring ſhut vp, a Fountaine ſealed vp. Here two titles are giuen to it; firſt, it is called a Garden: for as in a Garden growes many fragrant and goodly flowers, pleaſant to the eye, and ſweet and comfortable to the ſmell: ſo in the Church many goodly graces like fragrant flowers doe grow and flouriſh; the Word and the Sacraments, Faith and Obedience, Iuſtification and Sanctification, &c. theſe ſpirituall flowers caſt a wondrous pleaſing ſight vponupon the eye, and a ſweet ſmell to the noſtrils of eueryevery ſpirituall man that is able to ſee into, and diſcerne them. Yea, the Lord himſelfe makes this Garden as his walking place, delighting and ſolacing his Maieſty with the ſweet odors of the fruits of this Garden, that is, the graces and beauty of this Paradice. Secondly, a ſpring or foun…aine.Secondly, it is calld a Spring or Fountaine; firſt, becauſe as a Spring hath water in it, ſo the Church hath water, excellent water, euen the water of life. This is it our Sauiour ſpeaks of, Ioh. 7.38, 39. He that beleeues in me, out of his belly ſhall flow Riuers of water of life: this ſpake he of the Spirit, which they that beleeued in him ſhould receiue. Theſe waters are the ſpiritual gifts and graces which God beſtowes vponupon his Church. Secondly, it is called a Spring or a Fountaine, becauſe as a Fountaine hath water, ſo it hath cleare water: ſo the waters in the Church, the gifts and graces of Gods Spirit wherewith it is adorned, are cleane and pure, not ſtained with puddle and dirt of ſinne and errour. Thirdly, as a Spring or Fountaine hath waters in it ſelfe at the firſt hand, and hath it not deriued to them by any channels or ſecondary meanes: ſo the gifts and graces of the Church, they hauehave them conferred vponupon them immediately from Chriſt himſelfe, who is the Fountaine of the Gardens, as in that Cant. 4.15. And there is one common adiunct affirmed of each of theſe titles, A Garden incloſed, a Spring ſhut up, or a Fountaine ſealed vp. And this is added, to ſhew the priuateneſſe, or ſeueralneſſe of it in it ſelfe, that it is hedged in, or ſhut vp. This ſhewes, firſt, the ſpeciall protection of God ouer his Church or People; He hedges, and walles, and incloſeth them in, and ſeales and ſhuts them vp, ſo that nothing can come at them to worke their annoyance. Secondly, this intends a ſeparation betwixt them and the World; firſt, a ſeparation of them from the World, that they may not communicate with them in their corruptions, in their manners and faſhions, but that they may continue within the compaſſe of their owne ſocietie. Secondly, a ſeparation of the World from them, that they cannot communicate in their pleaſant fruits and pure waters; prophane and graceleſſe people, they can hauehave no part in the gifts and graces of Gods Spirit, they are reſtrained only to the Church, and to the choſen. So much of that place out of the old Teſtament.
The other place is in the new Teſtament. In the 1. Pet. 2.9.Thirdly, a choſen generation, a royall Prieſthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people ſet at liberty. Yee are a Choſen Generation, a Royall Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a Peculiar People ſet at liberty, &c. Firſt, they are a choſen Generation: there are many other generations in the World; yea, but they are reiected, theſe are choſen. Secondly, a royall Priesthood: there was another Prieſthood; yea, but that was ſeruiceable and meane, theſe are a Royall, Princely, Diuine Prieſthood. Thirdly, a holy Nation: there are other Nations, but they are prophane and wicked; theſe are holy, ſeparated, and ſanctified by Gods Spirit. Fourthly, a peculiar People: there are other People; yea, but they are of the common faſhion, fit for all companies and courſes; theſe are a peculiar people, reſerued onelyonly to themſelues and to their Religion, and to their God. So much of thoſe titles that are abſolute, and concerne the Church ſimply in it ſelfe.
Two ſorts of titles which concerne the Church are reſpectiue, as it hath reference to ſome other thing elſe, and theſe are of fiue ſorts: Firſt, ſuch as are giuen to the Church in reſpect of God, and they are, Firſt, Gods Mountaine. Secondly, the Citie of God. Thirdly, the houſe of God.The ſecond ſort are reſpectiue titles, ſuch as concerne the Church, as it hath reference to ſome other thing elſe; and theſe are either, firſt, ſuch as hauehave reference to God; or ſecondly, ſuch as hauehave reference to Chriſt; or thirdly, ſuch as hauehave reference to the faithfull; or fourthly, ſuch as hauehave reference to the World; or fifthly, ſuch as hauehave reference to the Truth.
Firſt, thoſe titles that are giuen to the Church in reſpect of God, are many; Iſai. 2.2. Micha. 4.1. it is called Gods Mountaine, becauſe God hath ſet it vp in an high and eminent place, as a Citie on an hill; and alſo becauſe hee hath ſtabliſhed it ſo ſtrongly, that as the Mountaine of God it ſhall ſtand faſt for euer. So in Pſal. 87.3. it is called The City of God, becauſe he built it, and made their walles, and repaires the breaches, making them Lawes, granting them Priuiledges, maintaining their Charter, & ruling and gouerning them by his owne Ordinances. In the 1. Tim. 3.15. it is called, The Houſe of God; as being the place where his owne honour dwelleth, conuerſing daily with his people, and carefully prouiding for them, as a Maſter of a Family for his houſhold.Fourthly, the Temple of God. In the 1. Cor. 3.17. it is called, The Temple of God; It is more then a houſe, a holy houſe, euen as the Lord that dwelles in it is holy. Laſtly, it is called 1. Pet. 2.10.Fifthly, the people of God. The People of God, and that by a ſpeciall and mutuall appropriation both of them that are his Church to him, and of him to them; he being their God, louing and fauouring them aboue all others; and they being his people, conſecrated wholly and intirely to him and his worſhip: ſo peculiar they are to God, that they are his Inheritance, Iſai. 19.25. all others are ſeruants and vnderlings, and not Gods Inheritance. And ſo much for thoſe titles that hauehave reference to God.
Now, ſecondly,Secondly, ſuch as hauehave reference to Chriſt, and they are, Firſt, his louelove. Secondly, his ſiſter. follow thoſe that hauehave reference to Chriſt, and they are many too; firſt, it is called his LoueLove Can. 4.1. namely as Chriſt louing her dearely aboue his owne life; and as the Church louing him dearely aboue all the world beſides: And Can. 4.9. the Church is called his Siſter, as partaking together, he with her of the ſame fleſh and bloud by nature, and ſhe with him adopted into the fellowſhip and ſtate of Gods Children, as he himſelfe is the Sonne of God. So in the ſame verſe ſhe is called the Spouſe of Chriſt, he marrieth her vntounto himſelfe in righteouſneſſe,Thirdly, the ſpouſe of Chriſt. and in Iudgement, and in mercy and compaſſion, as the Prophet ſheweth vsus, Hoſ 2.19.20.Fourthly, a Queene. And thereupon ſhe obtaineth the Title of a Queene, Pſ 1.45 19. and good reaſon, ſhee being married to the King of Kings, the Lord Ieſus. In Ioh. 10.27. the Church is ſaid to be his ſheepe,Fiftly, his ſheepe as he feeding and ruling them, like a faithfull ſhepheard, and they as good ſheepe hearing, following, and obeying him, and none other. Eph. 1.23. ſhe is called his Body,Sixthly, his body. as hee like a perfect head conueying life and Spirit into them; and they like liuing members receiuing this life, and performing their ſeuerall Offices both to him, and one to another. Many other Titles there are of the like kinde, all tending to ſhew not a Communion onelyonly (as my Beloued is mine,Seuenthly, My Beloued is mine, and I am his. and I am his) but an vnion rather, as they being one with him, and hee with them; their ſinnes are his by Imputation, and ſo his righteouſneſſe is theirs: yea they are called Chriſt.Eighthly, Chriſt. 1. Co. 12.12. ſo much of the ſecond ſort of Titles.
The third ſort are giuen with reference to the faithfull, as in Micah. 4.8.Thirdly, ſuch as are giuen with reference to the faithfull, and theſe are, Firſt, the Tower of the flocke. Secondly, the Mother of vsus all. It is called the Tower of the flocke, as who ſhould ſay all the flocke of Chriſt reſorts to the Church as to a ſtrong hold or Tower, and if they recouer that, there is perfect ſafetie, ſo ſaith the Prophet, Iſa. 14.32. The Lord hath ſtabliſhed Sion, and the poore of his people ſhall truſt in it: So in Gal. 4.26. ſhe is called the mother of vsus all, ſhee is a fruitfull mother, hauing many Children, not the mother of one Nation onelyonly, as Agar, but of all nations in the world: and ſhe is a very louing mother, giuing her children ſucke out of her owne breaſts the two Teſtaments, and thereby nouriſhing and bringing them vp, till they be of greater ſtrength, yea till they be of a perfect and full age in Ieſus Chriſt.
Fourthly, ſuch as are giuen with reference to the world in gener…ll, and theſe …r… firſt, th… ſ…bſtance of the World; ſecondly, the ioy of the whole earth;The fourth ſort of Titles are giuen with reference to the world in generall; and in this reſpect the Church is called the ſubſtance of the World. Iſa. 6.13. So long as the holy ſeed ſtands, ſo long the World ſtands; when it decayes the ſubſtance is gone, and the World periſheth: ſo in this reſpect the Church is called the ioy of the whole earth, Lam. 2.10. when the Church thriues the whole earth is the better for it; howſoeuer many men grudge at this; when the Church proſpers, yet they ſhould reioyce at it, themſelues hauing no right to any bleſſing on earth, but by their fellowſhip. In this reſpect alſo it is called a Lillie amongſt thornes,Thirdly, a Lilly amongſt thornes. Can. 2.2. which ſhews two things, firſt, the great and goodly grace and beautie of the Church, how farre it exceedes all the Congregations in the world beſides, as the Lilly, that is farre more glorious then Salomon in all his Royaltie, exceedes the brambles, the buſhes, and thornes; And ſecondly it ſhewes alſo the tenderneſſe of the Church, much adoe to be hatched, and eaſily hurt in the world, euen as the Lillie is amongſt the thornes;Fifthly, are ſuch as hauehave reference to the truth of God, and theſe are, Firſt, the pillar and ground of truth. and ſo it ſhewes the harſhneſſe and troubleſomeneſſe of the world to the Church, that are like pricking thornes, and ſcratching Brambles to her.
The laſt ſort of Titles are ſuch as hauehave reference to the truth of God, and in this reſpect the Church is called The Pillar and ground of Truth, 1. Tim. 3.15. we muſt not take it as the Papiſts doe, as if the truth were b…ilt on the Church, and the Church were the foundation of that, for Chriſt alone is the foundation, and the Truth is rather the foundation of the Church, Mat. 16.18. VponUpon this Rock (ſaith Chriſt) wil I build my Church, that is, vponupon this Truth (which Peter had profeſſed of Chriſt before) will I build my Church; therfore we muſt expound it thus, The Pillar and ground of Truth, that is, the ſupporter, and vpholder, and maintainer of it, to keepe it in ſure and ſafe cuſtody, that neither Sathan, nor all his inſtruments ſhould euer be able vtterly to ouerthrow it, but that it ſhall liue and abide in the hearts of the faithfull for euer, and in this ſenſe the Church is called a Candleſticke,Secondly, a Candleſticke. Reuel. 1.20. not as being the foundation of the Light, but the bearer vp, and holder forth of the Light of Gods Truth to the view of the world: and ſo much of the laſt ſort of Titles.
Now that wee hauehave paſt ouer the Titles giuen to the Church, and ſhewed them in their ſeuerall rankes, wee will draw them into a head, in an obſeruation, and that is this: Namely, That the Church of God, (that is, the Company Doct. 2 and Aſſembly of the faithfull) is the moſt gracious and bleſſed, beautifull and glorious aſſembly that is in the World. The Scripture is plentifull in this argument, to teach vsus that we muſt enlarge our hearts and thoughts to the more ample and full vnderſtanding of it. Beſides the Titles we ſpake of before, which all proue this, there be many other proofes in the Scripture: I will giuegive you one place which is not in the Canonicall Scripture, which though it bee not to bee read in the Church yet you may reade it priuately, and that is in the 2. Eſdras 5.22. &c. And I had a deſire to reaſon againe, and I began to talke with the most High againe; And I ſaid, Oh Lord, of eueryevery Forreſt of the Earth, and of all the Trees thereof, Thou haſt choſen Thee one onelyonly Vineyard; and of all the Landes in the World thou hast choſen thee one Pit; and of all the flowers of the ground thou haſt choſen thee one Lillie, &c. In Exod. 19.5. God ſaith to the Iewes, and ſo to the whole Church, that they ſhould bee his chiefe Treaſure aboue all people; as if many Pearles and pretious Stones were enameled in beaten Gold, and framed together into one body, would not this be a glorious body? But ſuch is the Church in the eyes and acceptance of God. God doth more highly eſteeme of the Church, then of all the World beſides; all the reſt are but traſh, & droſſe, and dung; the Lord ſets nothing by them in compariſon of the Church, Iſai. 4.5. The Lord ſhall create vponupon eueryevery place of mount Sion, and upon the aſſemblies thereof, a Cloude and ſmoke by day, and the ſhining of a flaming fire by night: for vponupon all the glory ſhalbe a defence, that is, the glory of God, and the glory of all the world; the whole body, and eueryevery part thereof is glorious, yea, glory it ſelfe; all other pompe and glory without the glory of the Church, is baſenes, and ſmoke, and miſerie. See the glorious eſtate of the Church as it was ſhadowed in the Law, Exod. 25.8.9. by the Sanctuary or Tabernacle.The Church of God ſhadowed in the law by the ſanctuary or tabernacle in eight things. Firſt, there was the Arke, verſe 10. Secondly, there was the Teſtimony put into the Ark. Ʋerſ. 16. Thirdly, there was the Mercy-ſeate, Verſ. 17. Fourthly, the Cherubins, Verſ. 18. Fifthly, God ſpeaking from betwixt the Cherubins, ver. 22. Sixtly, the Table, Verſ. 23. Seuenthly, the Shew-bread, Verſ. 30. Laſtly, the golden Candleſticke, Verſ. 31. Theſe did all figure out the glorious eſtate of the Church vnderunder the Goſpell. There was the Arke, that is, God himſelfe; and hauehave not we the ſame God? There was the Teſtimony in the Arke, which was a witneſſe, or euidence of Gods preſence, that he euer was, and would be preſent there; And ſo we hauehave the Word and the Sacraments to witneſſe Gods continuall preſence with vsus. There was the Mercy-ſeate; and what was, that, but Ieſus Chriſt, the Mediatour, whom we hauehave? There were the Cherubins; And hauehave not wee Angels in the Church, that are miniſtring Spirits for our good? There was God ſpeaking out of the Mercy-ſeate; And hauehave not we the Word of God directing and inſtructing vsus?Vide Piſcat. in Exo. 25. There was a Table; And hauehave not we a ſolemne Inuitation to the feaſt of peace of Conſcience, and ioy in the holy Ghoſt, which God hath prepared for the faithfull? Pro. 9.1.2. There was the Shew-bread; A… what figured that but Gods people; becauſe they alwayes and before God? Laſtly, there was the golden Candleſticke with ſeuen branches which ſignified the manifold gifts and graces of Gods Spirit, which hee beſtowes vponupon his Church: And if the Church was thus glorious being ſhadowed vnderunder the Law, how much more glorious is it now in the time of the Goſpell? The Apoſtle making the compariſon in Hebr. 12. ſhewes plainely, that the Church now, in the time of the Goſpell, is farre more glorious, then in the time of the Law. In the 22, 23, and 24 verſes, he ſaith, But yee are come to Mount Sinai, the Citie of the liuing God, the celeſtiall Hieruſalem; And to the Company of innumerable Angels; And to the Congregation of the firſt borne, which are written in heauen; And to God the iudge of all; And to the Spirits of iuſt and perfect men; And to Ieſus the mediator of the new Teſtament; And to the blood of ſprinckling that ſpeaketh better things then that of Abel. See how glorious the Church is here: for here is whatſoeuer may make vp a perfect glorie. And thus glorious and beautifull is Gods Church, looke vponupon her which way ſoeuer ye will, either within or without: If ye looke vponupon her within, why then it is ſaid, Pſ. 45.13. the Kings Daughter is all glorious within. If without, it is ſaid in the ſame Pſalme. Her garments are all of broidered gold. You ſhall ſee her glory further in theſe foure things: Firſt, in her profeſſion; ſecondly, in her practiſe; thirdly,The glory of the Church in foure things: Firſt, in the profeſſion. Secondly, in her practice. in her order; fourthly, in her vnitie. Firſt, in her profeſſion, it is a glorious profeſſion; for they renounce and diſclaime all other Religions, and profeſſe the onelyonly pure and glorious Goſpell of Ieſus Chriſt. So ſecondly, in regard of their practiſe, it is glorious and beautifull; for they are religious to God, wiſe to themſelues, charitable to their brethren, mercifull to all, depending on God, beleeuing in Chriſt, obeying his Spirit, praying, bleſſing, exhorting, inſtructing, comforting both themſelues and others, making conſcience of all their waies, hauing and keeping themſelues vnſpotted of filthineſſe and vncleanneſſe, and of the corruptions of the times wherein they liue, and offering their ſoules and bodies a cleane, pure, and glorious ſacrifice to God in Chriſt;Thirdly, in her order. ſo their practiſe is glorious. Thirdly, for their order, they are glorious and gracious, Pſalm. 68.24, 25. They hauehave ſeene (O God) thy goings the goings of my God, and my King which are in the Sanctuary. The Singers going before, the Players of Inſtruments after; In the midſt were the maides playing with the timbrels. This was but in a ſhadow, much more is it ſo in the true Church. Cant 4.2. the Church is compared to a flocke of Sheepe, which goe vp in good order from the waſhing. Now wee muſt vnderſtand this ſpiritually; for it is not the orderly ſtanding in the Church, but when eueryevery one keepes his owne ranke, not being rebellious, nor meddling in other mens buſineſſe, not looſe nor negligent in their owne place, but eueryevery one is carefull to doe his duty impoſed on him; the ſuperiours they rule with modeſtie, the vnderlings they obey reuerently, and Chriſt himſelfe as their King keepes them all within their compaſſe. The Apoſtle, 1. Cor. 12. in the whole Chapter ſpeaking of this order, ſhewes what an excellent thing it is, euen as it is in the body of a man; there is the eyes, and the hands, and the feete, &c. Now ſhall the foote ſay to the head, I am aboue thee; or the eye to the hand, I hauehave no need of thee? no, but eueryevery member keepes his ranke, and is carefull to do the office impoſed vponupon it: and ſo it is in the Church; and therefore in this reſpect it is a glorious Church, Rom. 12.3, 4.Fourthly, in her vnitie. &c. Fourthly, in reſpect of their vnitie, Pſal. 122.2, 3. The Prophet ſaith, that Ieruſalem is built as a Citie, that is compact, or at vnitie together in it ſelfe; meaning, that Gods Church, the heauenly Ieruſalem, whoſe members are all knit together by a neere vnion, being one body, hauing one Lord, one Faith, one Baptiſme, Epheſ. 4 5 6. hauing a ſweet and louing communion all of them with Chriſt their Head, and each of them with another: Behold, ſaith the Prophet, what a goodly thing it is for brethren to dwell together in vnitie. Pſal. 133.1, 2, 3. So the Church, yee ſee, is bleſſed and beautifull for the vnitie that is amongſt the members: for they pray, and giuegive thankes to God one for another; they reioyce for the good one of another, and are ſorrowfull and mourne for the hurt one of another. And ſo much for the proofe of the Point.
The Reaſons of the Point, why they are ſo beautifull and Reaſ. 1 glorious, are many. The firſt and the ſumme of all is this, becauſe they hauehave the Lord to be their God, Pſal 144.15. Bleſſed is the people whoſe God is the Lord. They hauehave God to be their Lord: Firſt, in reſpect of God, he promiſing and performing to them, that hee will be their God, and giuing them many tokens of his louelove. Secondly, in reſpect of themſelues, they being his by couenant and obedience; and therfore they are bleſſed and glorious, becauſe God is their Lord.
Secondly, Chriſt is theirs, and they are his: as it is in Reaſ. 2 Cant. 6.2. I am my Welbeloueds, and my Welbeloued is mine; and together with Chriſt God hath giuen them all things, Rom 8.32. Chriſt is theirs, and whatſoeuer elſe may make for their bleſſedneſſe or glory is conferred with him. Ieſus Chriſt is preſent in his Church, and he inlightens them with his glory, Reuel. 21.9. and therefore they are glorious; He waſhes them with his owne blood, and therefore they are gracious; Hee clothes them with his righteouſneſſe, and therefore they are beautifull; He couers, and imputes not their ſinnes, therefore they are bleſſed, Pſal. 32.1, 2. yea, they being his owne body, therefore as his naturall body was farre more excellent then any mans elſe, ſo his myſticall body, the aſſembly of the Saints, is farre more glorious then all the World beſides.
Thirdly, Gods Spirit hee teacheth them a gracious carriage, Reaſ. 3 hee perſwades them to obedience, hee bridles them from ſinne, he quickens them to righteouſneſſe, hee ſupplies and helpes their wants and infirmities. Their hearts and conſciences are ſprinckled with the holy Ghoſt; they are cleanſed, ſanctified, and made partakers of the Diuine Nature, and ſo are moſt glorious and beautifull.
Fourthly, they are moſt beautifull and glorious, becauſe Reaſ. 4 all the liuing members of the Church are new Creatures; Gods Image is repayred in them, that wiſedome and righteouſneſſe and holineſſe is renewed in them, which they had in their firſt Creation. If Adam had continued in his innocency, and ſo all his poſteritie till now: what a glorious Sight and company would they hauehave beene? Adam, and ſo many of his poſteritie as are of the Church of God, are in ſome meaſure renewed to Gods Image, as it was at the firſt: And therefore what a glorious and bleſſed aſſembly is the Church of God, the aſſembly of the Saints.
The vſes of this point are theſe: Firſt, it ſhewes the louelove of God to his Church and people, and his delight in them; Firſt, his louelove to them, in that, firſt, he is pleaſed to communicate his owne beautie and graces to them: to make them beautifull he faſtens on them many pledges of his fauour, he vouchſafeth them his protection, bleſſing, grace, and ſaluation, all his promiſes, both for this life, and that which is to come, yea, and that for them alone: he thinks nothing too good for them, he affords them his owne preſence, and the comforts thereof; he beſtowes his owne Sonne vponupon them, and all his merits and benefits; hee giues them his owne Spirit, and all the gifts and graces, and operations of the ſame: What ſhould he doe more for his Vineyard, as hee ſpeakes in Iſai. 5. and what could hee doe more for his Church, to make vp the perfection of her Beauty, Pſal. 87.2. The Lord loueth the gates of Sion, more then all the habitations of Iacob. Secondly, his louelove appeares to them, in that he accepts of them as if they were perfectly glorious, for they are but men (I ſpeake of ſuch members as moſt concerne our ſelues; for the Angels are members too) and therefore though God giuegive them neuer ſo much, they can receiue it but in ſome meaſure, ſo farre as they are capable of it. Beſides, they hauehave many ſinnes, wants, and infirmities, the leaſt whereof (if it were ſtraightly ſtood vponupon) in the cenſure of iuſtice, would deface all their glory, and cut them off from all their grace, and bleſſedneſſe: but the Lord paſſeth by, and winkes at theſe blemiſhes, beholding them in the face of Chriſt, couers all their defects with the Mantle of louelove, and ouerſpreads them with the white Robe of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, and freely forgiues them all their ſinnes, ſo that nothing may impeach their bleſſed and glorious eſtate. Secondly, God delights in his Church, being ſo beautifull and glorious, as he himſelfe ſaith, Pſal. 132.14. This is my reſt for euer, here will I dwell, for I hauehave a delight therein. And Pſal. 45.11. The King ſhall hauehave pleaſure in thy beauty. God delights in their perſons, graces, welfare, and obedience; all their prayers, bleſſings, meditations, true and holy indeauours, are a ſweet ſmelling ſacrifice in the noſtrils of God, wherewith he is well pleaſed in Chriſt, Cant. 7.1, 2.
The ſecond vſe. Is the Church ſo gracious and ſo glorious? Vſe 2 Then, firſt, we alſo muſt louelove it too; and ſecondly, we muſt labour to be of it. Firſt, we muſt louelove it; ſo many graces as God hath beſtowed vponupon her, are as ſo many baites to intice and allure our affections to her; therefore let her beauty ſatisfie vsus, and her glory raviſh our hearts. Thus Dauid profeſſeth his louelove to Gods Church, Pſal. 26.8. Oh Lord, I hauehave loued the habitation of thine houſe, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. And Pſal. 84.1.10. Oh Lord of Hoaſts, how amiable are thy Tabernacles; and, A day in thy Courts is better then a thouſand elſewhere. And ſo likewiſe we ſhould ſhew our louelove to her, in bewailing her deſolations, as Ieremy doth; Lament. 1.4. the wayes of Sion lament, &c. And Lament. 2.6, 7. and 5.17, 18. Therefore our heart is heauie for theſe things; our eyes are dim, becauſe of the mountaine of Sion, which is deſolate. And ſo we ſhould ſhew our LoueLove to her, in bewailing our abſence from it, as Dauid doth, Pſal. 42.4. when I remembred theſe things, I poured out my very heart, becauſe I had gone with the multitude, and leade them into the Houſe of God, &c. Thus Dauid laments his abſence from Gods Church; and thus ſhould we doe, when by perſecution, or any other ſuch let, we are forced to be abſent. Secondly, we muſt labour to bee of it: For ſo we hauehave a ſpeciall Commandement, Deu. 12.5, 6. But you ſhall ſeeke the place which the Lord your God ſhall chuſe out of all your Tribes, to put his Name there, and there to dwell, and thither ſhalt thou come, and thou ſhalt bring thither thy burnt offerings, &c. And this was the onelyonly deſire of the Prophet Dauids heart, Pſal. 27.4. that hee might dwell in the Houſe of the Lord all the dayes of his life. And Pſal. 84.2. his Soule longs and faints for the Courtes of the Lord; and in verſe 10. hee preferres it before all other ſtates whatſoeuer; A day in thy Courtes is better then a thouſand elſewhere; I had rather be a doore-keeper in the Houſe of the Lord, then to dwell in the Tabernacles of wickednes. Thus did Dauid delight in it, and deſire continually to be of it, and ſo ſhould we, for then it is a ſweete and comfortable thing to ſpeake of the bleſſedneſſe and glory of it, when wee hauehave our parts in it; And we ſhould not onelyonly ioyne our ſelues to it, but we ſhould alſo labour to bring others to it, we ſhould ſay as it is propheſied of the Church in theſe laſt dayes, Iſai. 2.3. Come, let vsus goe vp to the Mountaine of the Lord, to the Houſe of the God of Iacob. Hee will teach vsus his wayes, and we will walke in his pathes, Gen. 9.27. Cant. 8.8.
Vſe 3 Thirdly, then we ſhould liue, and behaue our ſelues worthy ſo bleſſed and glorious an eſtate: beware of errors in Faith; for they diſhonour thy ſtate, and deforme thy beauty; and if they be fundamentall errors, and perſiſted in, they will ouerthrow thy bleſſedneſſe, and cut thee off, as a rotten member from this glorious Body: beware alſo of ſinne and diſobedience in life, for that will make thee filthy and vncleane; and if it be not ſoundly repented of, and redreſſed, thou haſt no part, neither in the Churches grace, nor in her glory. Conſider that thou art a member of Ieſus Chriſt, and wilt thou take the members of Chriſt, and make them the members of an harlot, the members of ſinne and wickedneſſe? God forbid: theſe courſes are fit for the world, that foule, polluted, beaſtly, vgly, Aſſembly; and muſt not be found in the glorious Aſſembly of the Saints.
Vſe 4 Fourthly, here is matter of comfort, exceeding great comfort to all thoſe, that vponupon good ground doe find themſelues to bee members of the true Church, that ſurely they are Gods dearlings, ſuch as are pretious and glorious before him: firſt, here is comfort againſt their ſinnes, that they ſhall be done away as if they had neuer been; and though they be as red as ſcarlet, yet they ſhall be made as white as ſnow. Secondly, here is comfort againſt their wants, and defects, and infirmities; thou canſt not pray, nor performe any other good duty as thou oughteſt; yea, but thou art a member of that bleſſed and glorious Church, whereof Chriſt Ieſus is the Head; and therefore all thy wants and infirmities are couered and ſupplied by the perfection of Chriſt. Thirdly, here is comfort againſt temptation, and againſt the Diuell and all his power; for thou art a member of the true Church, which is like to Mount Sion that cannot be remoued, but ſhall ſtand faſt for euer and euer; the Gates of Hell, nor all the power of the Diuell ſhall euer preuaile againſt thee; the Lord for his owne glory, which he hath ſet vponupon vsus, will neuer ſee vsus ouerthrowne. Laſtly, here is comfort for vsus againſt all the reproches of men, that howſoeuer wee be as the off-ſcowring of the world in their vniuſt cenſures, yet in Gods ſight, who iudgeth according to the truth, wee are beautifull and glorious. And therefore let this ſuffice to giuegive vsus content againſt all the ſcoffes and nick-names in the world; If wee bee ſo bleſſed and beautifull in Gods eyes, what neede wee care though wee bee contemned in the world.
The fifth Vſe is matter of terrour to the world, that perſecute Vſe 5 and oppoſe themſelues againſt Gods Church; they know not who it is they make their force againſt, it is euen againſt God, and therefore they ſhall neuer preuaile; and againſt the people of God, the moſt glorious and bleſſed company that are. And therefore, firſt, they may bee diſmaied; for they ruſh againſt a Rocke, and kicke againſt the prick, Act. 9. they ſhall neuer hauehave good ſucceſſe: yea, ſecondly, they ſhall be puniſhed with the fierce and full vengeance and wrath of God, becauſe they reſiſt the Lord, and oppoſe his glorious and annointed Ones.
Vſe 6 The ſixth and laſt Vſe is to reproue the peruerſe opinion of the world, that are blind, and can ſee no grace nor beauty in the Church; like vntounto the wicked Iewes, that would not ſee any forme or beauty in Chriſt, Iſai. 53. they looke onelyonly on the outward man, and indeed there is nothing to bee ſeene but deformity and miſery; but if they could looke within, there is perfect glory. Yea, but ſay they, this is but your words, wee can ſee no ſuch glory in the Church, but we can ſee a great deale of ſinne and miſery among you, why doe you then face it out thus? I anſwer, we muſt vnderſtand it with theſe limitations: Firſt, it cannot bee diſcerned but with a ſpirituall eye, and therefore the world cannot ſee it, becauſe they want this eye to diſcerne it withall. Secondly, it is vnderſtood of the Church, as they are conſidered in their Head Chriſt, and not as they are conſidered by themſelues. If they conſider the Church thus, they ſhall perceiue perfect glory, Chriſt himſelfe being perfectly glorious, and he couers, and ſupplies our wants and deformities, and preſents vsus as glorious to God his Father. Thirdly, it is ſo rather in our deſires and Gods account, then in actuall poſſeſſion. Fourthly, we hauehave not th…s glory and bleſſedneſſe here, but onelyonly in the beginnings of it, we hauehave ſome grace, and ſome beauty, and ſome glory here, but it is to be perfected in heauen, when there ſhall be a new Ieruſalem, Reuel. 21.2. and then Chriſt ſhall preſent vsus a glorious Body vntounto God his Father without ſpot or wrinckle, Epheſ. 5.27. which becauſe ſome hauehave attained to already, and the reſt ſhall ſurely obtaine hereafter, and hauehave ſome beginnings of it here already, it may therefore bee iuſtly ſaid, in reſpect of ſome of her parts now, and of all hereafter; Thou art all faire my LoueLove, and there is no ſpot in thee. Thus you ſee how beautifull the Church is, and bleſſed, and glorious, though the world be blind, and can ſee no ſuch thing in her. And ſo much concerning the ſecond generall Point propounded to be handled in the Doctrine of the Church.