The Pattern of Wholesome Words, Chapter 23
CHAP. XXIII. Of the Church.
Ephes. 1.22.
And hath made all things subiect vnderunder his feet, and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church, &c.
HItherto of the meanes of grace, the subiect of grace followes, and that is the Church.
The Church is the whole multitude of men elected to eternall life by God in Christ.
Concerning the Church, there are these Principles:
First, that it is a companie of men separate from the world, gathered by the voice of Christ: the Scripture still makes a difference between the world, and the Church; and the word signifieth such, as are gathered together by the voice of Gods Criers, Iohn 17.9. I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast giuen me: for they are thine.
Vers. 14. I hauehave giuen them thy Word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world, &c.
Secondly, that she is one, Eph. 4.4. There is one body, and one spirit, euen as ye are called in one hope of your saluation.
Cant. 6.8. But my Doue is alone, and my vndefiled, shee is the onelyonly daughter of her mother, and shee is deare to her that bare her, &c.
Gal. 3.28. There is neither Iew, nor Grecian, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor femal: for ye are all one in Iesus Christ.
And the Church is one, as in many other respects; so because all the godly are mistically vnited in one body, Rom. 12.5. So we being many are one body in Christ, and eueryevery one one anothers members.
Ephes. 4.15.16. But let vsus follow the truth in louelove, and in all things grow vp into him which is the head, that is, Christ.
By whom all the body being coupled, and knit together by eueryevery ioynt for the furniture thereof (according to the effectual power which is in the measure of eueryevery part) receiueth encrease of the body into the edifying of it selfe in louelove.
Thirdly, that shee is knit vntounto Christ her head by an indissoluble vnion, Colos. 1.18. And hee is the head of the body of the Church, hee is the beginning, and the first horne of the dead, that in all things he might hauehave the preeminence.
Colos. 2.19. And holdeth not the head, whereof all the body furnished and knit together by ioynts and hands, encreaseth with the encreasing of God.
1. Cor. 12.27. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members for your part.
Ephes. 1.22.23. And hath made all things subiect vnderunder his feet, and hath appointed him ouer all things to be the head to the Church,
Which is his body, euen the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all things. So as she is truly bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, Ephes. 5.30. For wee are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones.
One with Christ, not in nature as the Trinity is one; nor in person, as the two natures in Christ, but in spirit, Ioh. 4.13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in vsus, because he hath giuen vsus of his spirit. For the spirit of the Sonne dwelleth in vsus.
Fourthly, that shee is holy, Ephes. 5.27. That he might make it vntounto himselfe a glorious Church, not hauing spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blame, &c.
1. Pet. 2.9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royall priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the vertues of him that hath called you out of darknesse into his maruellous light, &c.
Dan. 7.18. And they shall take the kingdome of the Saints of the most high, and possesse the kingdome for euer, euen for euer and euer.
And so she is holy,
1. By separation from the world, in that the godly are consecrated to holy vses: they are holy by calling.
2. By inchoation of true holinesse in nature, and practice, Tit. 3.5. Not by the workes of righteousnesse which wee had done, but according to his mercy he saued vsus by the washing of the new birth, and the renuing of the holy Ghost.
3. By imputation of Christs holinesse being washed in his blood, Heb. 10.10. By the which will we are sanctified, euen by the offering of the body of Iesus Christ once made.
4. By consummation of all holinesse in the other world.
Fifthly, she is Catholick: this is one of the Articles of the Creed: the Church is Catholick in three respects:
1. In respect of time, all the godly being members of this one body, though they liue in all the seuerall ages since the beginning of the world.
2. In respect of place, because all the iust both in heauen and earth are all of this one body, Ephes. 1.10. That in the dispensation of the fulnesse of the times hee might gather together in one all things, both which are in heauen, and which are in earth, euen in Christ. And so from all parts of the world is the Church gathered, all the particular Churches in the world are but members of this Church vniuersall.
3. In respect of persons, because it is gathered especially since Christ, out of all nations, there being no difference put in respect of mens outward condition, Reuel. 5.9.10. And they sung a new song saying, Thou art worthy to take the booke, and to open the seales thereof, because thou wast killed, and hast redeemed vsus to God by thy blood, out of eueryevery kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.
And hast made vsus vntounto our God Kings and Priests, and wee shall raigne on earth.
Galath. 3.28. There is neither Iew nor Grecian, there is neither bond nor free; there is neither male nor female: for yee are all one in Christ Iesus.
Sixthly, that shee is militant, that is, she is in this life exposed to crosses, and afflictions, and tentations, and oppositions, 2. Timoth. 4.7.8. I hauehave sought a good fight, and hauehave finished my course: I hauehave kept the faith.
For henceforth is laid vp for me the crowne of righteousnesse, which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giuegive me at the day, and not to mee onelyonly, but vntounto all them also which louelove his appearing.
Luk. 9.24. For whosoeuer will saue his life shall lose it; and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall saue it.
Act. 14.22. Confirming the disciples hearts, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, affirming, that wee must through many afflictions enter into the kingdome of God, &c.
Reuel. 1.9. I Iohn euen your brother and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ, was in the isle called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the witnessing of Iesus Christ.
Reuel. 12.11. But they ouercame him by the blood of the Lambe, and by the word of their testimony, and they loued not their liues vntounto the death, &c.
Ephes. 6.12. For we wrastle not against flesh & blood, but against principalities, against powers, & against the worldly gouernours, the princes of the darknesse of this world, &c.
Now the Lord would hauehave his Church so exposed to crosses, both for his owne sake, and for hers, and for his enemies sake: 1. For his owne sake, that he might shew his hatred of sin, euen in his owne, and the glory also of his power and mercy in their deliuerance, as well as his iustice in their afflictions. 2. For their sakes, that being in the warfare humbled and tamed for their sinnes, they might not perish with the world, 1. Cor. 11. 31.32. and may be herein like to Christ, Rom. 8.27. 3. For their enemies sake, that they may know, that they shall neuer bee spared, if God spare not his owne children, 1. Pet. 4.17. For the time is come that iudgement must begin at the house of God: if it first begin at vsus, what shall the end be of them, which obey not the Gospell of God?
Seuenthly, that she is inuincible, Matth. 16.18. And I say also vntounto thee, that thou art Peter, and vponupon this rocke I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not ouercome it.
Rom. 8.37. Neuerthelesse in all these things we are more then conquerers, through him that loued vsus.
38. For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come:
39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.
1. Pet. 5.10. And the God of all grace, which hath called vsus vntounto his eternall glory by Christ Iesus, after that yee hauehave suffered a little, make you perfect, confirme, strengthen, and stablish you, &c.
The vses of these principles may be either for
1. Instruction.
2. Consolation.
1. For instruction, and so the sound consideration heereof may serue:
First, to stirre vsus vp to pray, that God would open our eyes to see the glory of his power and grace in the calling of his Church out of the world; and the most happy supremacie of Christ ouer the Church, and our owne felicity, if we be members of the Church, Ephes. 1.17. &c.
Secondly, to inflame in vsus the care to make our calling and election sure, that so we may be infallibly assured that we are members of the true Church. If any aske for some plaine signe, by which briefly the heart of man may establish it selfe in this point: I answere, that to be assured that we are true members of the Church, and body of Christ, we must carefully try our selues by such signes as these. For they are members of the Church.
1. That are called out of the world by the voice of the crier, and separated by the power of the word.
2. That relie vponupon Christs merits for righteousnesse and saluation.
3. That cleaue vntounto such as feare God with vnchangeable affections, as the onelyonly people of the world.
4. That are reformed from their old euill conuersation, to the constant endeauours of a holy life.
Thirdly, if we finde our selues to be of the Church, wee should striue for exceeding thankfulnes to God, that hath called vsus out of darknesse to this maruellous light, and saued vsus from the common condemnatiō of the world, 1. Pet. 2.9.
Fourthly, we should labour by holinesse of life to exceed all the Papists, or Pagans of the world, that men might see by our piety, that God hath done more for vsus then for any such as they: our workes should speake for vsus, that we are of the true Church; and not by our sinful liues dishonour God, as our Father, or the Church as our mother, Ephes. 1. 4. Ephes. 2.8. Christ comes into his garden, to see how his plants grow, Cant. 6.10. I went downe to the garden of nuts, to see the fruits of the valley, to see if the vine budded, and if the pomegranets flourished.
Fifthly, wee should know no man after the flesh, nor reckon of men by their meanes in the world, but by their relation to Christ, or the Church, 2. Cor. 5.16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh; yea though wee hauehave knowne Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Sixthly, wee should therefore auoid the society of the wicked, and not forsake the fellowship of the godly, 2. Cor. 6.15. What concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath the beleeuer with the infidell, &c.
Ephes. 5.7. Be not therefore companions with them.
11. And hauehave no fellowship with the vnfruitfull workes of darknesse, but euen reproue them rather.
2. Thes. 3.14. If any man obey not our saying, note him by a letter, and hauehave no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
Heb. 10.25. Not forsaking the fellowship that wee hauehave among our selues, as the manner of some is: but let vsus exhort one another, and that so much more, because ye see the day draweth neere.
Seuenthly, wee should therefore carrie our selues one towards another, as fellow-seruants in the same family, and fellow-citizens in the same City, with all meeknesse, patience, vnity, and louelove, Ephes. 4.2.3. With all humblenesse of mind, and meeknesse, with long suffering, supporting one another through louelove, endeauouring to keepe the vnity of the spirit in the bond of peace, &c. Willingly imploying our gifts for the good of the Church, Rom. 12.6.7.8.
Eightly, seeing wee are in a continuall warfare, wee should stand vponupon our guard, quitting vsus like men, and bee strong, putting on all the armour of God, Ephes. 6.10.
Ninthly, wee should for euer learne to thinke and speake reuerently of the Church of God, seeing it is the house of God, the family of Christ, the ground and pillar of the truth, & that Gods people are Gods hidden ones, Ephes. 3.15. 1. Tim. 3.15. Psalm. 83.3. And in particular, both Ministers and Magistrates, that are deputed to the gouernment of the Church vnderunder Christ, shuld be carefull to doe their duties with all care. Ministers are charged in these Scriptures, Ioh. 21.15.16. 1. Pet. 5.2. 1. Cor. 12.28. 1. Tim. 3.15. as before.
And Magistrates must remember that God hath giuen them to bee nursing fathers to the Church, Esa. 60.10.11. 2. Chro. 34.33. and 35.3. &c.
And here is matter of singular consolation for all the true members of the true Church, if they consider:
First, the louelove of Christ toward them. Hee affecting them, as a Spouse or Wife, 2. Corint. 11.2. Reuel. 19.7.
Secondly, the fellowship they hauehave with Christ, 1. Cor. 1.9. God is faithfull, by whom ye are called into the fellowship of his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, &c.
Thirdly, the care of Christ for their sanctification, Eph. 5.25.26. Christ loued the Church, and gaue himselfe for it, that he might sanctifie it, and clense it by the washing of water through the word.
Fourthly, the roiall furniture, with the which from Christ they are clad, being not destitute of any heauenly gifts, 1. Cor. 1.7. So yee are not destitute of any gift, waiting for the appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ.
Ephes. 1.3. Blessed be God, euen the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ, which hath blessed vsus with all spirituall blessing in heauenly things in Christ.
Col. 2.19. All the body furnished and knit together by ioynts & bands, increaseth with the increasing of God.
Fifthly, their safetie in al their warfarings, and their conquest and deliuerance out of all their troubles, and their assurance of full happinesse in the end.
Rom. 8.37. Neuerthelesse in all these things wee are more then conquerours, through him that loued vsus:
Vers. 38. For I am perswaded that neither life nor death, &c.
Vers. 39. Shall be able to separate vsus from the louelove of God, which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.
Col. 1.18. And he is the Head of the body of the Church: he is the beginning, and the first borne of the dead, that in all things hee might hauehave the preeminence.
1. Pet. 5.10. The God of all grace, which hath called vsus vntounto his eternall glory by Christ Iesus, after that ye hauehave suffered a little, will make you perfect, confirme, strengthen and stablish you, &c.
And all this should comfort the more;
1. If we remember what wee were, and are in our selues. The Church is black, Cantic. 1.4. And the daughter of Pharaoh, Psal. 45. and Christ found her out first in her blood, Ezech. 16.6.
2. If we consider, that there is no accepting of persons: but the Eunuches and the strangers may be admitted into the Church, as well as the children of the Kingdome, Isaiah 56.3. Let not the son of the stranger which is ioyned to the Lord, speake, and say, the Lord hath surely separate me from his people, neither let the Eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree, &c.