A Trial of Church-Forsakers, Section 7
SECT. 7. Browniſts firſt exceptions againſt us, about the nature of a viſible Church.
BUt becauſe the Browniſts make a great noiſe in maintaining againſt us, that ours is not a true church: therefore take particular view of their pleas againſt it, that wee may ſee the unjuſtneſſe of their forſaking it. I ſhall by Gods helpe referre them to five heads.
1 What they meane by a true church.
2 The entrance into a true church.
3 The head of a true church.
4 The members of a true church.
5 The governement of a true church,
They meane by a true church,What Browne meane by a true church. a ſet congregation of more or fewer, ſeparated from all falſe waies, and having ſufficient authority within it ſelfe for governement in all cauſes eccleſiaſticall, and aſſembling (at times convenient) for exerciſe of governement and ſolemne worſhip. This is the full ſumme of what I can conceive them to ſay of a true church: in which they would make it up of theſe foure ingredients.
Firſt, it muſt be a ſet congregation (which we call a pariſh, and they miſlike). Every one of theſe they would have an abſolute church, depending upon none but Chriſt: and ſo they deny kings over countries, and Biſhops over dioceſſes to bee members of the church, except they can ſhew thoſe particular congregations whereof they are but equall members to be ruled by the joint conſent of the whole number, or (it may bee) the greateſt part.
Secondly, it muſt bee ſeparated from all falſe wayes, not onelyonly of Iewes, Turkes, and Pagans, but from all groſſe ſinnes and ſinners, which doe pollute the worſhip of the ſincereſt ſervice of God. Yet ſurely, they would have them better taught, and made good, that, by the conſent of the members, they might be jointed in at laſt.
Thirdly, it muſt have ſufficient authority within it ſelfe for governement in all cauſes eccleſiaſticall, that is, a plenary power, by conſent of members, to ordaine miniſters, call, or caſt them out, (as the neceſſity of the church requires) to excommunicate, and receive in, and to order all things in their aſſemblies for the advancement of Chriſts kingdome, without the leave or reſtraint of any.
Fourthly, it muſt aſſemble for acts of governement, and ſolemne worſhip, (without which it is but a ſhadow) that is, it muſt meete in their meeting places to pray, preach, prophecy, baptize, and communicate, as the ſpirit gives wiſedome and utterance.
Now, becauſe they finde not our churches thus made up, according to their owne fanſies; therefore doe they forſake them as falſe, or (at the leaſt) no true churches. This is their new way of churching and unchurching of aſſemblies (ſo farre as I can gather by their conferences and writings): and they judge of our aſſemblies after this mould. I hope they will not deny us to have aſſemblies; or to be ſeparate from Iewes, Turkes, Pagans, Idolaters, and wicked Belialiſts, in communion for ſpirituall life by Chriſt; that wee have authority, and power for ordination, excommunication, abſolution, and order; or that wee have aſſemblies for governement, and ſolemne worſhip: and for the reſt of the frame it is but the iſſue of their owne braine, and not of the law and rule of Chriſt.
For firſt, whereas they would have no nationall churches, but particular in dependent congregations:Act. 7.38 they muſt confeſſe that the whole nation of Iſrael was but one church. And though then they had but one Tabernacle, yet when after they were divided into ſeverall Synagogues, did they not continue the only church of God? were they not ſtill reputed of God as one man, though ſome were better, and more worſe?
It is true, ſay they,Object. becauſe they had but one high-prieſt, a figure of Chriſt which was to vaniſh. Nay rather,Sol. becauſe they were but one people and common-wealth, profeſſing the ſame religion, and ruled by the ſame lawes, both before they had one high-prieſt, and after, when (by corruption) they had two. Luk. 3.2.Neither was the high-prieſt in reſpect of governement a type of Chriſt (for ſo was Melchizedech, Heb, 7.of whoſe order Chriſt was, and not after the order of Aaron): but in reſpect of his ſacrifice, and interceſſion for the whole people, and his enterance alone into the holy of holies, bearing the names of the twelve tribes: and Chriſts governement belongs to his kingdome, not to his prieſt-hood. Beſides, muſt they not confeſſe that that one church of the nation of Jewes was governed: by one law, and one king? one law for the ſubſtance of governement, and one king to order both prieſts, and people: and that not as a type of Chriſt, but as a king by royall authority,1 Sam. 15. as head of the tribes, as I ſhal cleare hereafter.1 Tim. 3.15 Yea, doe wee not reade of the church of Epheſus which was one houſe of God; over which Timothy was the firſt angell and Biſhop (as it comes to us from oldeſt records) to rule all Preſbyters, Deacons, Widowes, and people in their ſeverall aſſemblies? For how fond were it to thinke that all the Elders, Deacons, and believers that Paul gives him Jurisdiction over there, ſhould be of one aſſembly? Eſpecially ſeeing Titus his fellow-Biſhop was left in Creta to ordeine elders, Tit. 1.5and overſee them in every city, according to the neceſſity of ſeverall aſſemblies.
Secondly, whereas they urge that a true church muſt be ſeparate from all falſe waies: it is true; it muſt be thus in profeſſion, when they are plainely diſcovered by undoubted ſcriptures: but that it muſt be actually thus, or be unchurched, is utterly falſe. Iſrael was Gods people, 1 Sam. 2.29.12.when the ſonnes of Eli (in communion with them) were ſonnes of Belial and knew not the Lord. Moſes calls them Gods people, Ex. 32.11. Ex. 22.16even when they were not ſeparated from Idolatry: becauſe he had no authority to caſt them off, before God himſelfe had given a bill of divorce. God by Eſay, calls the Jewes his children and people, Eſ. 1.2, 3when they were ſo farre from being ſeparated from rulers of Sodome, rebellious Princes, Eſ. 1.10▪ 23companions of theeves: that they had ſuch teachers as cauſed them to erre, Eſ. 3.12.16 Eſ. 5.8ſuch women as were full of helliſh pride, ſuch rich men as were cruell oppreſſours, ſuch inhabitants as the earth was defiled under them;Eſ. 24 … and ſuch a face of the church as the faithfull city was become an harlot, with their oakes, Eſ. 1.21 22 29.and gardens of idolatrie, ready to bring confuſion. Paul calls the Corinthians a church of God, 1 Cor. 1.2ſaints by calling, when at that inſtant many in communion with them had debates, envyings, whiſperings, wraths, ſtrifes, backbitings, ſwellings, tumults, and had not repented of the uncleanneſſe, fornication, and laſciviouſneſſe, which they had committed.2 Cor. 12 20.21. Apoc. 2 & 3. Read the epiſtles of Chriſt to the ſeven churches in Aſia, and yee ſhall finde much abominable wickedneſſe, and yet they were crowned by Chriſt himſelfe with the name of churches.Object. Sol. If the Browniſts plead that theſe churches ſhould have beene ſeparated. Indeed they ſhould have better then they were, and becauſe they were not, they after felt the heavie hand of God: but that the good ſhould have fallen out with God for the ſinne of man, and beene ſeparated from the good things of God, for the wickedneſſe of thoſe that were in outward communion of chriſtianity, that we no where, nor ever, I am ſure ſhall read.
Thirdly, whereas they plead, that every particular congregation hath ſufficient power, by generall vote of members, in all cauſes eccleſiaſticall, I muſt wonder, before anſwere, what? have the people, all the members, power of juriſdiction over all? What new ſcripture hath ever Chriſt made for this confuſion? Surely, we finde it not before the law: for then power of governement lay upon Adam, Noah, Abraham, Iſaack, Iacob, Ioſeph, and their peeres. Surely it was not under the law:Ex. 18.19 for then power of governement lay upon Moſes, and his aſſiſtants, (even by the advice of Iethro) and upon Aaron, to whom the people muſt aſſent. The law was delivered to the prieſts and elders, Deut. 31.9 28.and they were charged to looke to the reſt. It is as ſure alſo that it is not under the Goſpel. The people attempted nothing but by the liking leave, and approbation of the Apoſtles. The Apoſtles ordeined elders in every city for the people without them,Act, 14.23 Act. 2… ▪ 17 and conferred with the elders of the church for the good of their aſſemblies without the people:Act. 21.18 23. yea, and upon conſultation did decre… a matter for the peace of the church without them when their gifts were at the height.Ob…ect. Sol. Act. …5. … 23. It is true, that ſometimes the people were acquainted with ſome great matter in counſell: not becauſe they had authority without which the Apoſtles and elders could doe nothing: but to acqu…int them with reaſons, and to incourage them in their graces.Sub conſcientia plebis. Thus Biſhop Cyprian ſometimes did, and ſometimes ſuperiours do require the aſſent of inferiours for better peace and love.
And that the people had no authority in governing the church appeares by the commiſſion of Chriſt to his Apoſtles, and thoſe that ſhould ſucceed them,Matth. 18 19, 20. goe yee (ſaith Chriſt) and teach and baptiſe, teaching them to obſerve what ever I have commanded, and I am with you alwaies to the end of the world. The promiſe is as the charge, to the Apoſtles and their ſucceſſours, and not to the people in buſineſſe that concernes them not.
Againe, I will give thee the keyes of the kingdome of heaven,Mat. 16.19 (ſaith Chriſt to Peter in the name of the reſt): and therefore, makes good his word to them all; he ſent them, inſpired them, and then ſaid,Io…. 20, 21 22, 23. whoſe ſinnes ye remit or retaine, ſhall be remitted or retained. It would be ſtrange after this commiſſion, to heare of a power of governing in the people;Eph. 4▪ 11 12. eſpecially ſeeing for the executing of it, Chriſt gave officers to his church, and not to his church power to make them: hee gave them to his church,2 Cor. 5.20. to bee in Chriſts ſtead to direct and rule by his word, and not to bee directed and ruled by it. Therefore if any thing be out of order he blameth them, not the people. I contended with the Rulers and nobles, Neh. 13.11 17.ſaith Nehemiah: and to the Angels of churches ſpeakes Chriſt ſharpely for things amiſſe.Apoc. 2▪ & 3. Ro 13.1 2 3. 1 Pet. 2.13 14. Tit. 2.1 Heb. 13.8 17. 1 Tim. 5 17. Numb. 16 Matth. 18 1 Cor. 5 And for the people, Chriſt would not have them rule, but to be ſubject to magiſtrates, and ſpirituall overſeers. This I am confident of, that there cannot one precept, or practiſe be given that the people ſhould, or did rule in the church, but under their guides and teachers, except Corah and his accomplices who were ſwallowed up in wrath. As for that text, tell the church, and that other of the inceſtuous perſon, we ſhall meete with them in their proper places. In the meane time know, that the ſonne of man hath left his houſe, Mar. 13.34 2 Cor. 10.8 1 Tim. 3.15and given authority to his ſervants (for edification, not for deſtruction) and not to his houſe, which is the church. The people are ſtill called ſheep, brethren, houſhold of faith, ſpouſe, and children: but their teachers are knowne by the name of Elders, Overſeers, and Fathers, on whom the governement lies.Object. Apoc. 1.6 But (ſay the Browniſts) the ſaints are anſwereable to the kings of old, who are to have power eccleſiaſticall in their hands. Indeed they are ſo called,Sol. but not in reſpect of any outward power over others more then before, but of inward power to rule, by the annointing of Chriſt,1 Ioh. 2 over their own pride and corruption. This they will not doe, and ſo ſpeake evill of them in authority, 2 Pet. 2and advance themſelves above the pitch which God hath given there. It is a brave thing to rule, and who would not doe ſo? But if they were Davids weaned childe, Pſal. 130.3they would rather bee ſubject by doing and ſuffering, then lift up themſelves to high places of governement, from whence they may fall to their ſhame and ſorrow.
Laſtly, whereas they put into the end of their aſſembling, not onelyonly the exerciſe of governement, whereof they have none, and preaching, prayer, ſacraments, which are good indeed, if done by right perſons, and in right manner; but prophecying too: ſurely herein they walke not with a right foote according to the truth of the ſcriptures.Gal. 2.14 They make prophecying an act of ſome private perſons, whereby, as the ſpirit moves them, they put in, in publicke, their verdicts with their Paſtours and Doctours, about the ſence, doctrine, and application of the ſcriptures propounded: but how Chriſts word makes this good to them I cannot ſee, nor ever ſhall. Indeed the Apoſtle ſpeakes of prophecying, 1 Cor. 14.1but as of an office of ſome perſons then, not of an ordinary gift now. He ſaith, let the prophets ſpeake two or three:ver. 29. and I am ſure, that prophets have an office to prophecy. Hee ſaith alſo, prophecying is a ſpeaking to men to exhortation, edification, ver. 3.and comfort: and I pray, what can the higheſt gift of preaching doe more? If they may preach,Mat. 28.18 Mar. 16.15.6. Object. Sol. why may they not adminiſter the ſacraments, ſeeing both goe together? They cannot ſay, that to preach is an act of office, and to prophecy, is an act out of office. For where the Apoſtle ſpeakes expreſſely of prophecying according to the proportion of faith, hee doth ſpeak as plainly of offices as of gifts.Ro. 12.4, 6
If therefore they will prophecy, let them ſhew their calling to that office, and then vent their gifts. Doe they doe it by vertue of their generall, or ſpeciall calling? They deny any ſpeciall calling, and wee denie that they doe it by vertue of the generall calling of a chriſtian, becauſe that gives not the office. How much better were it for them to follow the word of Chriſt, no man taketh this honour to himſelfe, Heb. 5.4but he that is called of God as Aaron, then by jumbling ordinary, and extraordinary gifts and offices together, to utter things, for want of knowledge, wiſedome reading, 2 Tim. 2 13. 1 Tim. 4.13.and doctrine, unworthy of the great God of aſſemblies.
Thus have I conſidered the foure parcels of which the Browniſts make up a true viſible. None of which ſingly, nor all jointly can make our bleſſed church not to be ſo: becauſe they are made up of divers falſhoods already diſcovered.What a true viſible church is. Let us now take better view out of Gods word, what a true viſible church is, that in it we may ſee our owne.
A true viſible churth is, men called, and united in the profeſſion of the truth according to the ſcriptures. This is alwaies where there is a true viſible church, either planted, or continued, or reſtored. If it be nationall, it is a company of people profeſſing truth in an whole land, as the churches of Iudea, Act. 9.31 Ap. 2, & 3▪Samaria, and Galile, with thoſe of Aſia. If it be Parochial, it is a company of people profeſſing the truth in a towne, or pariſh:Act. 14.23. as in thoſe where the Apoſtles ordained elders in every church. If it be domesticall, it is a company profeſſing the truth in a family:Rom. 16.5 1 Cor. 16.19. as in Philemons houſe, and others. It is true, that the truth may bee more purely profeſſed in one church then in another: more purely in Smyrna, and Philadelphia, which were praiſed, and leſſe purely in Epheſus, Sardis, and Laodicea, which were diſpraiſed. It is true alſo that ſome churches may be in infancy, and ſo leſſe perfect, as that in Creta, where Titus was left to redreſſe things amiſſe, Tit. 1.5.and thoſe churches of the Gentiles, which muſt not bee troubled for feare of a rent: and ſome of riper age, Act. 15.19as that at Ieruſalem, where Iames was Biſhop, and the Apoſtles held a councel, Act. 15.and ſo had a more ſetled forme of governement: and that of Philippi, Phil. 1.1.which had their Biſhops and Deacons. But if they joine to profeſſe the truth of Chriſt they are true viſible churches.
First, Mat. 9 36. Eph. 2. Rom 10. Act. 8. Act 13.they ramble (as ſheep without a ſhepheard) without God, without Chriſt. Chriſt makes himſelfe knowne unto them by the preaching of the word. They aſſemble as thoſe that profeſſe to ſeeke ſalvation that way, ſome more cloſely, ſome more looſely. They publickely ſubmit to the word of God and Sacraments,Act. 20 1 Cor. 1.… and calling on the name of the Lord. Theſe perſons thus profeſſing make up a true viſible church, either in a kingdome,Gal. 2 city, town, or houſe, though they bee worſe then Peter in his worſe part (not walking with a right foote):Act. 8 yea though too many of them bee as bad as Simon Magus who joyned to Philip and was baptized. When God ſent forth his ſervants to invite gueſts, Matth. 22there was the calling of a church, When good and bad that were invited, came to the wedding feaſt, there was their profeſſion. This made up a viſible church, though many were called and few choſen, but left in their choſen wayes to their ruine. When wiſe and fooliſh virgines came of duty to attend their Lord,Matth. 25 though five only had laſting oile, and five had but lampes only,Mat. 13.2 3. &c. there was a true viſible church. When the ſower went out to ſowe the word of God, though ſome fell in the high-wayes, and ſome among the ſtones, ſome among thornes, Mat. 13.24 25. &c. Deus nobis imperavit congregatioonem, ſibi ſervavit ſeparationem. Auguſt. Mat. 13.47 48. &c.and but ſome in good grounds; yet all theſe profeſſing hearers made up a true viſible church. When a man ſowed good ſeed, and his enemie ſowed tares, or blaſted corne, which ſprang up as from the ſame roote, which muſt grow together till the harveſt, there is a true viſible church. When a net was caſt into the ſea and gathered together fiſh, both good and bad; good to bee reſerved in veſſels, and bad to be caſt away, there alſo is a true viſible church, the kingdome of heaven upon earth. The word comes, and when it is received, Act. 2.41 Apoc. 2.1. Matth. 5it makes the church by profeſſion a candleſticke, a citie ſet on an hill which cannot be hid, eſpecially when thoſe that receive it are baptized, which is the ſeale of profeſſion. As open profeſſion of men, who ſay they are willing to fight under the colours of a captaine (and therefore take their military ſacrament) are a true viſible army, though many runne away in the day of battell: ſo is it in the viſible church, which is as acompany of two armies. Cains, Chams, Iudaſſes, Cant. 6.13Simon the ſorcerers, and Demas, their profeſſion made them all members of the viſible church, with Abel, Noah, Peter, Philip, and Paul. It is true,Object. that afterwards they either went backe, or were throwne out by juſtice; but the queſtion is, what made them members of the viſible church?Sol. and that was joyning in profeſſion of the truth, as the profeſſion of the ſame trade, art, craft, ſcience, or myſtery, makes men of ſuch a ſociety, though ſome are more worthy, and ſome leſſe.
This therefore being Gods truth concerning the nature of the viſible church; and the Browniſts viſible church being coupled of many falſhoods, whatſoever they ſay, cannot helpe their new church, nor hurt our old church, which is built upon the rocke,Eph. 2.20. the foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, Jeſus Chriſt himſelfe being the chiefe corner ſtone.