A Trial of Church-Forsakers, Section 6
SECT. 6. Of the Browniſts opinions upon which they forſake our church, 1. Becauſe we are not a true church.
Theſe grounds of Browniſme they referre to three heads, to wit, our church, our miniſtery, and our worſhip.
1 They deny us to have a true church.
2 They deny us to have a true miniſtery.
3 They deny us to have a true worſhip.
If this charge were true, ſurely, they might ſay as David to Eliab, Is there not a cauſe? But whether it bee not moſt falſe let a good conſcience, guided by the word of God, Judge,
Firſt, they deny that wee have a true church. And though wee being in poſſeſſion, and they labouring to caſt us out, we might put them to the proofe, yet ſhall I (by Gods helpe) tender them this one reaſon, among many, to prove that we have a true church.
Where there is the true matter and form of a true church, there is a true church. For this cannot be denied, that the matter and forme of a true man make a true man, that is, the body and ſoule united: ſo muſt it be in the church. But our church hath the true matter and forme of a true church: and therefore is a true church.
It is denied by the Browniſts that wee have ſuch matter and forme; and it is proved thus, firſt for the matter. The true matter of a true church is ſuch as profeſſe ſaving truth taught in the Scriptures, and is proved thus. That which makes a man a true member of a true churh, that doth make a true church (for members doe conſtitute the whole): but profeſſion of ſaving truth makes a true member of a true church; for Symon Magus, Act. 8.13.37, 38.upon his profeſſion was admitted a member, till he fell away: and the Eunuch upon the ſame profeſſion was admitted too by baptiſme, and for ought wee know continued for ever. Now, that we in the church of England do profeſſe ſaving truth, according to the ſcriptures cannot be denied. If the Browniſts ſay, that wee overthrow all by thouſands of wicked lives in perſons, in, and of our church. I am ſure that the church of Corinth was worſe then ours can be (in ſome things), it was too bad with envyings, 1 Cor. 3.3 1 Cor. 6. 1 Cor. 8. 1 Cor. 10. 1 Cor. 11. & 15. 1 Cor. 5.carnall men, uncharitable wretches, that went to law before infidels, ſcandalizing the weake, partaking with Idols, hereſies, abuſe of the Lords ſupper by drunkenneſſe, and contempt of the poore, and with deteſtable inceſt: yet when Paul writes unto them (even before the inceſtuous perſon was caſt out) he ſalutes them all, as thoſe that are the church of God, Saints by calling, 1 Cor. 1.2and ſanctified in Chriſt Ieſus, at leaſt, by a ſanctification of conſecration in baptiſme,Heb. 10.29 and their profeſſion.
Object. Sol.But ſay the Browniſts, doth profeſſion make a church of the body of Chriſt? will nothing but the body of Chriſt ſerve for a true church? Then let them know that Chriſts body may be taken two wayes: for a body of all thoſe that ſhall be ſaved;Eph▪ 1.23. and this is the catholicke church, which are in communion of ſaints for life: and for a body of thoſe that are in the way of ſalvation if they be not enemies to themſelves; as every branch in Chriſt that beareth not fruit. Ioh. 15.2 1 Cor. 12 12▪ 1 Cor. 1.30Thus the whole church of Corinth was Chriſt as well as any other part of the church, and in Chriſt Ieſus, though too many members of it profeſſed without power. For profeſſion brings a church into outward fellowſhip with Chriſts body (as bad ſervants with a good maſter) and ſo into the way of being ſavingly of the body of Chriſt if they reſiſt not, Act. 7.51 Eph. 4 30 1 Theſ▪ 5.19. Heb. 10, 29grieve not, quench not, or deſpiſe not the ſpirit of grace.
Secondly, for the forme of a true church, that is Chriſt united unto the perſons profeſſing his ſaving truth. For as the forme of a man is his ſoule united to his body; ſo the forme of a church, which is the body of Chriſt, is Chriſt united unto it. Now, that Chriſt is united unto our church, is proved thus: becauſe hee gives the law of union to us as to the body, and makes it effectuall for conviction, or converſion, to ſerve the living and true God. As a king is united to his ſubjects by his lawes, and executions of them for rewards and puniſhments: ſo is Jeſus Chriſt to our church. As the head united gives lawes to the body for ſafety: ſo doth Chriſt give lawes to us for our ſalvation in his word.Pſal. 147. He hath not dealt ſo with every nation, yet (bleſſed bee his name) he hath ſo dealt with us to the joy of our ſoules.Object. True (ſay the Browniſts) wee have his lawes, but doe not anſwer them in our lives.
This doth not cut us off (being but true in part) till Chriſt hath ſued out his bill of divorce,Sol. no more then the diſobedience of a wife makes her no wife; the diſobedience of a ſonne no ſonne; and the diſobedience of a ſervant no ſervant.
Againe Chriſt is united to us, becauſe hee makes his law effectuall for the convincing of all, and for the converting of many ſoules to cleave unto him faithfully.Gal. 3.17 Rom. 6. VVe are baptized, and ſo put on Chriſt, and are graffed into the ſimilitude of his death and reſurrection. But as we grow in age, many grow in graceleſneſſe, and forget the covenant of their God. Pſal. 78.10 37.Then comes the word of Chriſt convincing, and calls many backe, kills ſinne, quickens grace,Luk. 1.17 and converts the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the diſobedient to the wiſedome of the juſt. This the Browniſts will not deny. They confeſſe that God hath many gracious people amongſt us by the word, and ſacraments. VVhence, I pray, doth this proceed, but from the influence and power of Chriſt united to us? I am ſure that Chriſt is the way to heaven;Ioh. 14. and one ſoule cannot bee converted from the kingdome of ſinne to grace, but it is by the power and influence of Chriſts three offices. As he is a Prophet,1 Cor. 1.30 hee muſt be his wiſedome, to teach him repentance from dead works, and faith in Chriſt. As hee is a Prieſt, he muſt make his attonement betwixt God and him for righteouſneſſe. And as he is a King, hee muſt over-maſter the gates of hell, and maintaine him to himſelfe in the way of ſalvation, for ſanctification, and full redemption. Conclude therefore, that if wee have the matter and forme of a true church, wee muſt bee a true church againſt all exception, if good conſcience judge by the word of God.