Gospel Churches a Standing Ordinance, Treatise · Chapter 3
CHAP. III.
The continuation of Goſpel-Churches further demonſtrated. The Scripture, the ſole Directory both with reſpect to Doctrine and Worſhip. Whatſoever Chriſt hath inſtituted, given in charge therein, 'tis the duty of Saints in every day to be found in the practice of. Chriſt of old propheſied of, as the great Prophet whom God would raiſe up to inſtruct his People, whom they were bound to attend. Deut. 18.18, 19. explained. Chriſt's inſtructions contain'd in the Scriptures. No other way or means, intimated by God the Father, or Chriſt, for the indoctrination of the Saints as to Doctrine, or Worſhip, beſides the Scriptures. Of Popiſh Traditions, Viſions. The Perſonal appearance of the Virgin Mary, of Chriſt to them. Theſe the Foundation of their feſtivals, religious orders. God ſends us to the Scripture for Direction in Faith and Worſhip: hath under each Miniſtration commanded his People to obſerve whatever he hath appointed therein without Addition, or Subſtraction. It's ſufficient to inſtruct and guide us. 2 Pet. 1.19. Explained. Objections Anſwer'd. Of pretenſions to Chriſt's perſonal appearance: That there hath been no perſonal appearance of Chriſt, on the Earth, to any ſince his Aſcenſion, proved. Of the appearance of Chriſt to Stephen, Paul, John: That he convers'd not with them on Earth, proved.
Demonſtration. III.
THat the Scripture is our ſole Directory, both with reſpect to Doctrine, and Worſhip: that 'tis the duty of the Saints in every generation to attend to the Laws, Commandments, Rules of our Lord laid down therein; that none have power to ſuperſede any Law, Commandment of Chriſt, hath hitherto been generally own'd as a truth amongſt all the reformed Churches. 'Tis true, ſome amongſt the Papal-Synagogue have blaſphemouſly aſſerted, That the Pope, that man of Sin, and Son of Perdition, hath authority to diſpenſe with the commands of Chriſt; and he, and ſome Combinations of Men (call'd Councils) amongſt them, have actually ſo done in many caſes. But as was ſaid amongſt thoſe, that ſeparate from that Synagogue of Satan, none ha…e as yet doctrinally declar'd the lawfulneſs thereof. What is of that nature practically done by any of them, is not to our preſent purpoſe to enquire. This then might (one would think) be taken for granted; whatever Chriſt hath inſtituted, charged, commanded upon his People in the New-Teſtament, is the duty of the Saints in every day to be found in the practice of. Yet inſomuch as the moſt plain, indiſputable principles, commonly received maxims, are by one, or other, in this day queſtioned and oppoſed; it may not perhaps be altogether uſeleſs, briefly to diſcover the baſis upon which this Principle is built.
I. Then, 'twas long before the exhibition of the Lord Jeſus propheſied, That God the Father would raiſe up a Prophet to his Church like unto Moſes, to whom it was their duty to attend in all things, ſhould be declared, taught them by him: under the moſt ſevere penalty was this charg'd upon them, Deut. 18. 18, 19. I will raiſe them up a Prophet from among their Brethren, like unto thee; and will put my word in his mouth, and he ſhall ſpeak unto them all that I ſhall command him. And it ſhall come to paſs, that whoſoever will not hearken unto my words, which he ſhall ſpeak in my name, I will require it of him. The Seventy render it, I will take vengance on him: And the Hebrew Doctors ſo explain the words, He that tranſgreſſeth againſt his words is guilty of death by the hand of God, as it is written, Deut. 18. I will require it of him; Maimon. in Jeſud. Hatorath, C. 9. §. 2. And the word require, often ſignifies to require by puniſhment, Gen. 9.5. 42.22. the Apoſtle expounds this place of of Chriſt, and this requiring, to be deſtroying from amongſt the people, Act. 3.22, 23. That this Prophet is Chriſt, he tells us, ver. 26. Nor is this Propheſie interpreted by any of the antient, or modern Rabbies, except ſome very few, but only of the Meſſiah: Nor can it be interpreted of any other; every particular being exactly fulfill'd in him. A Prophet.] Mat. 21.11. This is Jeſus the Prophet. From among your Brethren] Chriſt was raiſed up from amongſt his Brethren; and 'tis particularly mention'd out of what Tribe amongſt them he was taken, Heb. 7.13, 14. viz. of Judah; and the Family he was of in that Tribe, namely, that of David, is frequently mentioned, Luk. 1.69. And will put my words in his Mouth] Accordingly Chriſt ſaid to God the Father, Joh. 17.8. I have given unto them the words which thou gaveſt me. He ſhall ſpeak unto them all that I ſhall command him] This Chriſt did, Joh. 12. 49, 50. I ſpeak not of my ſelf, but the Father which ſent me; he gave me a commandment what I ſhould ſay, and what I ſhould ſpeak —whatſoever I ſpeak therefore, even as the Father ſaid unto me, ſo I ſpeak, Joh. 15.15. All things that I have heard of my Father have I made known unto you. Joh. 17.8. I have given unto them the words which thou gaveſt me, and they have received them. So that evidently Chriſt is the Prophet here ſpoken of. Two or three things are worthy our ſpecial remark.
1. That Chriſt is a Prophet, raiſed up, ſent by the Father.
2. That the end of God in his Miſſion of Chriſt as a Prophet, was to inſtruct the Sons of Men in the whole of his Will, that he thought meet to manifeſt to them.
3. That Chriſt actually made ſuch a diſcovery of the Fathers will. John 1.17, 18. The Law was given by Moſes, but Grace, and Truth came by Jeſus Chriſt: No man hath ſeen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the boſom of the Father, he hath declar'd him. Heb. 1.1, 2. God, who at ſundry times, and in divers manners, ſpake in times paſt unto the Fathers by the Prophets, hath in theſe laſt dayes, ſpoken unto us by his Son.
4. That all Perſons whatſoever are obliged, bound under the ſevereſt penalties, to attend to whatever was revealed by this Prophet. This is alſo enforc'd by a voice from the excellent Glory. Mat. 17.5. This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleaſed, hear ye him. So then the Scriptures of the New-Teſtament are our Directory; whatever Chriſt hath enjoyn'd therein, all Saints are to have regard to. For what he declared from the Father, is therein contain'd, and no where elſe. But,
II. There's not the leaſt intimation given by God the Father, or this great Prophet of the Church, of any other way, or means of inſtruction in his Worſhip, or Service, but only the Scriptures. 'Tis true, the Popelings talk of Traditions, (as did, do, the Jews before them) and much of their Worſhip; many of their orders is bottom'd upon, receives its Original from pretended Viſions, Revelations, the perſonal Appearance of the Virgin Mary, yea, of Chriſt himſelf (as they vainly pretend); and perhaps Satan might appear to them as an Angel of Light, and avouch himſelf to be the Lord Chriſt. As touching the Carthuſians, 'tis acknowledg'd, that Hugo, who joyn'd with Bruno, in laying the Foundations of that Order, had a viſion of Gods Building an Houſe, with ſeven Stars conducting them to a place, call'd, La grand Chartreuſe; from whence the whole Order hath taken its name. The Order of the Carmelites was from a Viſion that Simon Stock had, wherein the bleſſed Virgin appear'd with the Habit in her Hand, which ſhe would have them wear; with a Promiſe, that whoever dyed in that Habit, ſhould not periſh by everlaſting Flames. Innocent the third hath a Viſion of St. Francis, and St. Dominic, ſupporting the Lateran Church; whence the Franciſcan and Dominican Orders ſprang. As for the Jeſuits, their Grandſire Ignatius was full of Viſions. Sometimes Peter appear'd to him, ſometimes the Virgin Mary, with a great deal of Glory, and her Child in her lap; whereby he was greatly ſtrengthned, and incouraged. But above all, the ſtrangeſt Viſion he had, was a Viſion of the Bleſſed Trinity plainly, under a corporeal Repreſentation, which fill'd him ſo full of Joy, that he could not hold weeping before all the People; and was ſo ſtrangly enlightned by it, that he began to write a Book of the glory of the Bleſſed Trinity. In one of his Exſtaſies he continued eight dayes; in which it's probable, ſaith Orlandinus, he ſaw the frame and model of the Society of the Jeſuits. Chriſt appeared to him once, and again; ſometimes he was lift up from the ground, the room where he was, being fill'd with a great Light. In a Viſion he ſaw God the Father commending himſelf and his Brethren, to his Son Jeſus bearing his Croſs; whom he very kindly received, and with a ſmile, ſaid to Ignatius, I will be favourable to you at Rome; which greatly comforted him, and his Companions. And in the iſſue, it fell out accordingly; his order being confirm'd by P. Paul the third, his Bull dated Octob. 3. 1540.
As were their Orders, ſo their Feſtivals were inſtituted upon the bottom of pretended Viſions, and Revelations: The Feſtival of Corpus Chriſti was inſtituted by Ʋrban the fourth, in honour of Tranſubſtantiation, by the Revelation of a famous Virgin call'd Juliana; which had many raptures, and ſo prophetick a Spirit, as to diſcern the thoughts, and intentions of her neighbours hearts; ſhe wreſtled with Devils, diſcourſed with the Apoſtles, and wrought many Miracles. Bullar. Rom. Tom. 1 p. 147. Paul the Hermite was Canonized for a Saint, upon the Authority of a Viſion, and Revelation.
The Feaſt of Michael the Arch-Angel, upon a Revelation to the Biſhop of Siponto, and a few Drovers upon the Mountain Garganus. To which many more might be added. Theſe are the wayes Satan hath uſed to eſtabliſh his Kingdom by, and to introduce his falſe, ſuperſtitious, idolatrous Orders, and Worſhip, deſtructive to the bodyes and ſouls of Men. But in Chriſt's Doctrine, Goſpel, there is a deep ſilence touching any ſuch matter. He himſelf, and his Apoſtles after him, introduce nothing upon the account of ſuch Revelations, but appeal to the Scriptures, and prove their Doctrine from thence. Not the leaſt intimation is there of any way, or means of inſtruction in his Worſhip, but only the Scriptures. If there be, let the place be produced, and we are ſatisfied. If there be not, as moſt certain there is not, to hearken, attend to Viſions, Revelations, is (to ſay no more) unſafe, dangerous. Nor can it be conſiſtent with the Love of the Father to his Church, had he intended any other way of Inſtruction, not to give the leaſt notice of it to them; nor with his Wiſdom, to make that diſcovery of his mind and will in the Scriptures, to give it forth as our Rule, when upon this ſuppoſition 'tis a moſt imperfect one. But,
III. God ſends us to the Scripture for direction in this matter, Iſa. 8.20. To the Law, and to the Teſtimony; if they ſpeak not according to this word, (whatever their pretentions are of the morning, or the breaking forth of a more glorious day) it is becauſe there is no foreign morning in them: They have not the Light of the Glorious morning they ſpeak of. Luke 16.29. They have Moſes, and the Prophets (i. e. the writings of Moſes and the Prophets) let them hear them. John 5.39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think to have eternal life; and they are they which teſtify of me.
IV. Jehovah himſelf, in and under each Miniſtration, hath commanded his People to obſerve whatever he hath appointed in the Scripture, without Addition, or Subſtraction. Deut. 4.2. Ye ſhall not add to the word which I command you, neither ſhall you diminiſh ought from it, that ye may keep the Commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you. & Chap. 12.32. What thing ſoever I command you, obſerve to do it: thou ſhalt not add thereto, nor diminiſh from it. Joſh. 1.7. That thou mayeſt obſerve to do according to all the Law, which Moſes my Servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand, or to the left. Prov. 30.5, 6. Every word of God is pure—Add thou not unto his words, leſt he reprove thee, and thou be found a Liar. Rev. 22.18, 19. For I teſtify unto every man that heareth the words of the Propheſie of this Book: If any man ſhall add unto theſe things, God ſhall add unto him the Plagues that are written in this Book: And if any man ſhall take away from the words of the Book of this Propheſie, God ſhall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and from the things which are written in this Book. Evidently, God tyes up his people under Law and Goſpel to a ſtrict, and ſole attendment unto what he hath given forth in the Scriptures; And that becauſe,
V. Theſe are ſufficient, able, and perfect (as he affirms of them) to inſtruct and guide us, Pſal. 19.7. The Law of Jehovah is perfect—2 Pet. 1.19. We have alſo a more ſure word of Propheſie (more ſure than what? than the voice that came from the excellent Glory, when Chriſt was transfigured upon the Mount) whereunto we do well to take heed, as unto a light that ſhineth in a dark place, untill the day dawn, and the Day-Star ariſe in your Hearts. The word of Propheſie contain'd in the Scripture is a ſure word, 'tis a light (every way ſufficient as ſuch, to direct us in the way we ſhould take) and is carefully to be attended to, till the morning of the day of the Son of Man, or the Revelation of Jeſus. 2 Tim. 3.15, 16, 17.—Thou haſt known the Holy Scriptures, which are are able to make thee wiſe unto ſalvation, through Faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus. All Scripture is given by inſpiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for inſtruction in Righteouſneſs, that the Man of God may be perfect, thorowly furniſhed unto all good works.
The ſum of what we have been Arguing, Proving, is this, That the Holy Scriptures are our Directory with reſpect to Worſhip; all then (and no more) whatſoever Chriſt hath commanded his people therein, Saints are bound to attend, and give up to. And if ſo (as is clearly demonſtrated) then Chriſt having given charges therein, touching Saints walking together in the fellowſhip of the Goſpel, Worſhipping, Waiting on him in Goſpel-inſtitutions, Praying, Preaching, Baptiſm, breaking Bread, is unqueſtionably the duty of Saints in every generation: Quod erat demonſtrandum.
Object. Tis true, theſe things were once of the inſtitution of Chriſt, but they are now ceaſed.
Anſw. 1. They are the Scriptures of the Lord (as we have proved) we are ſolely to attend to, both with reſpect to Doctrine, and Worſhip; let but then one ſyllable, tittle, be produced there-from, that demonſtrates the ceſſation of theſe Inſtitutions of Chriſt, and the matter is at an iſſue. The honour of our Lord Jeſus being ſo deeply concerned herein, no ſober Chriſtian (except under a great power of temptation) will be willing to part with them upon eaſier terms. 'Tis not pretenſions to Viſions, Revelations, Angelick Appearances, that will remove them from their ſtedfaſtneſs to the inſtitutions of Chriſt; thoſe that depart from them upon ſuch pretenſions, will never anſwer it, in the day of Chriſt. But,
2. By the ſame reaſon, the inſtitutions, Ordinances under the Moſaick Miniſtration, might long before the fulneſs of time, for their diſſolution, have been exploded; ſo all the Authority of God, with reſpect to Worſhip, been rejected. To the very time of their paſſing away by the exhibition of Jeſus, who was greater than Moſes, by whom the Law was given, John 1.17. greater than Angels, whoſe Miniſtry was made uſe of in its ſolemn Promulgation, Act. 7.53. The Lord charges his People to be found in the practice of them, Mal. 4.4. And thoſe that were ſo (as corrupt as the then Church-ſtate was) were honoured, ſignally bleſſed by the Lord; as Zachary, Elizabeth, Simeon.—
3. There's not the leaſt mention of the freedom, exemption of any of the Lords Children from theſe Inſtitutions, till the perſonal Appearance of Chriſt; but the contrary.
Object. 2. Well then, it ſeems 'twill be granted, that when Chriſt doth perſonally appear on earth, there is to be a ceſſation of, and period put to this Church-ſtate, with the Inſtitutions, and Ordinances thereunto appertaining: what if he hath ſo appeared already?
Anſw. 1. As touching the firſt, we very readily grant it: upon Chriſt's next, viſible, glorious appearance, there will certainly be a diſſolution of this Fabrick. But,
2. As to the queſtion, whatever the pretenſions of any are, or may be, of Chriſts perſonal appearance to them, its evidently falſe, and untrue; not to be believed, heeded, or attended to, for theſe Reaſons;
1. Chriſt foretels us, there ſhall be ſuch pretenders, and charges us not to believe them, or go forth after them, Mat. 24.26. Therefore if they ſhall ſay unto you, Behold he is in the deſert, go not forth: Behold he is in the ſecret chambers, believe it not.
2. The Scripure mentions but one ſecond coming of the Lord Jeſus, Heb. 9.28. And unto them that look for him, ſhall he appear the ſecond time without ſin, unto Salvation. Upon this pretext, there may be, muſt be, many comings of Chriſt.
3. The Heavens muſt receive him till the times of the reſtitution of all things; when (and not before) God the Father will ſend him, Act. 3.20, 21. Of theſe times there's nothing appears that bears the leaſt reſemblance.
4. Chriſt gives his Church no notice of any ſuch thing: which had he deſigned, and for ſuch an end, as is pretended, viz. to put a period to the preſent Miniſtration, and to erect a new one, ſend forth new Apoſtles, &c. he would certainly have done. A total ſilence herein, were there any ſuch thing intended by him, is perfectly inconſiſtent with the Love he bears to his Children.
5. 'Tis expreſly ſaid he muſt ſit at Jehovah's right Hand till his Enemies are made his Foot-ſtool, Pſal. 110.1 which as yet we are ſure they are not.
6. The Work of Interceſſion now in Heaven, where he is conſtantly to attend it; will not admit him to come from thence, tell he bring the New-Jeruſalem down with him: For he makes Interceſſion as God-Man, in that Nature, Body, in which he was Crucified; which though a glorious Body, yet is limited, circumſcribed, elſe 'twere not a Body.
7. The Scripture is expreſs, that when he comes from thence, he comes viſibly as he went away, ſo that every eye ſhall ſee him. Mat. 24.27, 30. For as the lightning cometh out of the Eaſt, and ſhineth even unto the Weſt, ſo ſhall alſo the coming of the Son of Man be—Then ſhall appear the ſign of the Son of Man in Heaven, and then ſhall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn: and they ſhall ſee the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power, and great Glory. Act. 1.9, 10, 11. And when he had ſpoken theſe things while they beheld, he (Chriſt) was taken up, and a Cloud received him out of their ſight. And while they looked ſtedfaſtly towards Heaven, as he went up, behold, two men ſtood by them, in White Apparel, which alſo ſaid, Ye men of Galilee, Why ſtand ye gazing up into Heaven? This ſame Jeſus which is taken up from you into Heaven, ſhall SO COME, in like manner, as ye have ſeen him go into Heaven. Rev. 1.7. Behold, he cometh with Clouds, and every eye ſhall ſee him, and they alſo which pierced him.
8. When Chriſt comes, Satan ſhall be bound, Rev. 20.1, 2. the dead Saints raiſed, 1 Theſ. 4.16. 1 Cor. 15.23. Antichriſt perfectly deſtroyed, 2 Theſ. 2.8. The Kingdoms of this World become his, Dan. 7.13, 14.
Object. But Chriſt came perſonally on Earth to Stephen, Paul, John.
Anſw. Nothing more falſe. As to Stephen, 'tis expreſly ſaid concerning him, that he ſaw Jeſus in Heaven ſtanding on the right hand of God, Act. 7.55. The ſame line of Interpretation is to be drawn over that ſight that Paul had of him. 'Twas a ſight of him not on Earth, but in Heaven. May be, when he was caught up into Paradice. John's was evidently viſional. For, 1. He expreſly tells us, he was in the Spirit, in a Prophetick exſtaſie, or rapture (Rev. 1.10.) taken out of himſelf; when objects are not preſented to the outward ſenſes (which are not in an extaſie, capable of ſeeing, or beholding them) but to the inward mind. 2. He alſo tells us, that he whom he ſaw, was (only) like unto the Son of Man, ver. 13. was not really, ſubſtantially ſo. 3. If it were a real, perſonal appearance, then the ſeven golden Candleſticks muſt be ſeven real golden Candleſticks; the white Garment down to Chriſt's feet, the golden Girdle, girt about the paps—the ſeven Stars in his right hand; the ſharp two-edged Sword coming out of his Mouth muſt alſo be real; which is abſurd, ridiculous to imagine; 'twere to make Chriſt a monſter. 4. 'Tis expreſly ſaid, that he ſent, and ſignified the Revelation God gave him, by an Angel, Rev. 1.1. The Revelation of Jeſus Chriſt, (every particular, the whole, of what's contain'd in this Book) which God gave unto him—he ſent and ſignified it by his Angel unto his Servant John. Repeated again, Rev. 22.6. The Lord God of the Holy Prophets, ſent his Angel to ſhew unto his Servants the things which muſt ſhortly be done. John, 'tis true, miſtakes him for Chriſt, ver. 8. but is quickly rectified, ver. 9. I am thy Fellow-Servant, and of thy Brethren the Prophets, and of them which keep the ſayings of this Book.