Gospel Churches a Standing Ordinance, Treatise · Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
The Churches that have been, are, are the Churches of Chriſt, or Antichriſt. They are not the Churches of Antichriſt, proved. The matter of Antichriſtian-Churches; and of the preſent Churches: The Form, Foundation, Doctrine, Worſhip, Nature, Characters, Properties, of the one, and the other, conſidered. 1 Tim. 4.1. The Daemons there mentioned, what they are; Their Original, Office, manner of Worſhipping them; the Doctrines of Daemon's the Doctrine of the Apoſtatick-Synagogue of Rome.
Demonſtration. VIII.
THat there have been perſons under the profeſſion of the Name of Chriſt, congregated together, for the ſolemnization of Ordinances, from the firſt-times of the Goſpel hitherto, hath been before proved: That there are ſo ſtill, cannot be denied. Now theſe Churches muſt be either the Churches of Chriſt, or the Churches of Antichriſt. There's no medium. A Church that was neither of Chriſt, nor Antichriſt, was never yet heard of in the world, ſince the firſt-dawning of the Goſpel-day. So then, if we demonſtrate, that the preſent Churches are not Antichriſtian-churches, we evince them to be the Churches of Chriſt; and a continuation of the Goſpel-Church-State, at leaſt hitherto, is evidently diſcover'd. That they are not Churches of Antichriſt is eaſily demonſtrated. They wholly differ from the Antichriſtian-Church in reſpect of matter, form, foundation, doctrine, worſhip, nature, characters, properties. Touchching which, it's needful that we particularly diſcourſe.
Firſt then, the Matter of the Antichriſtian-church, is, whoever own's the Chriſtian Faith, make's a Profeſſion of it, though never ſo deboyſh, vile, wicked; to every good work, reprobate. Notwithſtanding all their pompous ſhews of Religion, Forms of Godlineſs, they are really ſuch as have pleaſure in Unrighteouſneſs, 2 Theſ. 2.12. Is this the matter conſtitutive of the preſent Churches? Do they admit perſons of ſo black a character into their Communion? If any ſuch ſpots are found amongſt them, do they tollerate, indulge them? Are not the rules of Chriſt proſecuted, till they (appearing to be perſons of a reprobate mind) are rejected out of their fellowſhip? Is it not the avowed principles of all the Churches, that ſuch as theſe, are not fit matter for any Church of Chriſt? Can they be charged with walking contrary to their principles in this matter? Who hath the confidence, impudence, thus to charge any one of them? 'Tis true, now, and then, ſome ſcandalous perſons are found amongſt them (and ſo there were in the Primitive Churches, as in the Church of Corinth, &c.) that crept in unawares; but they are matter of grief, humbling to them; and they do not, dare not, cannot ſuffer them in their Communion.
2. The Form (if it may be ſo call'd) of the Antichriſtian-Church lie's in a forcible compelling perſons into, and violent keeping them in its communion, and fellowſhip. If you'l not be one with them, then Fines, Impriſonment, Bonds attend you; Penal Laws, and Statutes are Enacted for this end; and by theſe are men brought into, and kept in the Antichriſtian-church: And were theſe weapons of▪ its warfare taken away, 'twould ſoon become as a garden of Cucumbers, or periſh with its own weight. The attempts of the Papacy, to reduce perſons into their Communion, by Fire, and Sword; their labours to preſerve the Uninity of their Church this way is known. Is there any thing like it owned by, or to be found, amongſt the preſent Churches? Do they not with one mouth affirm, that 'tis a voluntary departure from the worlds way, and a ſpontaneous giving up themſelves to the Lord, and one another, to walk with him in a ſubjection to his inſtitutions, wherein the form of the Churches lies? Herein is a moſt Evident difference betwixt Them, and the Antichriſtian-Church. They talk of no compulſions, but thoſe of the Spirit, and Love, that make a people Volunteers in the day of the Lord's Power. Lex nova non ſe vindicat ultore gladio, is their Motto, as is known.
3. The Foundation of the Antichriſtian-Church, is not Jeſus Chriſt; but the Sons of men, one, or other of them; their Laws, Canons, Decretals, upon which it is built. Is this the caſe of the preſent Churches? Do they not all of them, with full conſent, proclaim their abhorrency of ſuch a Foundation? Is not CHRIST, in their account, the alone Foundation of all the True Churches in the world, and they practiſe accordingly. Their debates touching this matter, with the Papelins, about Mat. 16.18. from whence theſe endeavour to prove Peter, and conſequentially (as they'd have it) the Pope to be the Rock upon which the Church is built; is known to all that look upon themſelves concern'd in theſe matters.
4. The Doctrine of the Anti-chriſtian-Church, is a Doctrine of Devils, 1 Tim. 4.1. foreign, the doctrines of Daemons, ſo the learned Mede renders it. Some carry it thus, doctrines which devils are the Authors of: There's a great deal of truth in that, all the doctrines of the Anti-chriſtian-church, that are peculiarly hers, are the doctrines of Devils. But I rather think, with that learned perſon, that by doctrines of Daemons, is meant thoſe doctrines that have the Daemons for their Object. Now theſe Daemons (that were worſhipped by the Pagans) were 1. For their nature, and degree, ſuppoſed by the Gentiles, an inferior, and middle ſort of divine powers, between the ſoveraign and heavenly Gods, and mortal Men. 2. For their Office, to be as mediators, and agents between theſe ſoveraign Gods, and Men. 3. For their original, either Angels, or the Deified-ſouls of Worthy-men after death. 4. For the way of Worſhipping them, to find and receive benefits from them; 'twas by Conſecrated-Images, and Pillars. 5. Their very Reliques were adored, and brought into Temples. They that deſire to ſee more touching this matter, may at their leaſure, conſult the famous Medes Apoſtaſie of the latter times. The Doctrines of Daemons then, are the Doctrines of the Apoſtatick Roman-Antichriſtian-Synagogue, touching the worſhipping of Saints, and Angels, in imitation of the Pagan - Daemon - Worſhip▪ But take the words in the largeſt Senſe, as comprehenſive of all thoſe Doctrines that are not of Chriſt, have the devil for their Author: Some whereof, are mention'd by the Apoſtle afterwards, v. 3. Forbidding to Marry, and commanding to abſtain from Meats — the Doctrines of Juſtification by Works, or inherent Sanctification, of Purgatory (or a ſtate of Purifying after this life)— any Principles, Opinions, contrary to ſound Doctrine; the form of wholeſom words, or the Doctrine which is according to Godlineſs; which of the Churches can be juſtly charged with holding, maintaining any ſuch Principles? 'Tis true, perhaps amongſt ſome of them, there may be found one, or other, that ſpeak perverſe things (as there was of old in the Church of Corinth, and ſome other Churches, in the Apoſtolick times) but are they countenanc't therein? Can their corrupt Doctrines be charged as the Doctrines of the Churches? What more evidently, notoriouſly falſe, can be ſuggeſted, or fixed on?
5. The Worſhip of the Antichriſtian-Church, is a Worſhip of devils, idols of gold, ſilver, wood, ſtone, the work of men's hands, Rev. 9.20. 'Tis an idolatrous, whoriſh, adulterous, ſuperſtitious Worſhip, Rev. 17.1, 2, 4, 5. whoſe whole ſubſtratum, foundation, is the Commandments of men; (Mat. 15.9.) Traditions, &c. 'Tis formal, ſapleſs, lifeleſs. It's managery in the Spirit, is not at all attended to: His Aſſiſtance is contemned, reviled, blaſphemed; as that which is phantaſtick, whimſical, heretical, ſchiſmatical for any to talk of, or pretend to. Is the Worſhip of the Churches, ſuch a Worſhip? Who hath the forehead to aver it? They witneſs againſt all ſuch Worſhip, and Worſhipper's, both in Word, and Writing, as is known: Are ſtudious to walk by Scripture-rule in their Worſhip, both with reſpect to the matter, and manner, thereof.
6. The nature, characters, properties of the Antichriſtian-Church, are amply deſcribed by the Apoſtles of our Lord. They are ſuch as receive not the love of the Truth, that they might be ſaved; upon whom God hath ſent ſtrong deluſions, that they ſhould believe a lye; that they all might be damned, who believed not the Truth, but had pleaſure in Ʋnrighteouſneſs, 2 Theſ. 2.10, 11, 12. That give heed to ſeducing Spirits, and doctrines of Daemons, ſpeaking lies in hypocriſie; having their conſcience ſear'd with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abſtain from meats, 1 Tim. 4.1, 2, 3. covetous, boaſters of themſelves, blaſphemers, diſobedient to Parents; unthankful, unholy, without natural affection; truce-breakers, falſe Accuſers, (or make-bates) incontinent, fierce, deſpiſers of thoſe that are good: traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleaſures▪ more than lovers of God; having a form of Godlineſs, but denying the power thereof — 2 Tim. 3.2, 3, 4, 5. Such as Worſhip the Dragon gave power unto the Beaſt, and Worſhip the Beaſt, Rev. 13.4, 5, 8. Receiving his mark (in their right hand, or in their foreheads) his Name, or the number of his Name (which whoſoever did not) might neither buy, nor ſell, v. 16, 17. The great Whore that ſits upon many waters, with whom the Kings of the Earth have committed Fornication, and the Inhabiters of the Earth have been made drunk with the wine of her Fornication▪ A Woman ſitting upon a ſcarlet-colour'd Beaſt, full of Names of Blaſphemy, having ſeven Heads, and ten Horns. The Woman arrayed in Purple, and ſcarlet colour, and decked with Gold, and precious Stone, and Pearls, having a golden cup in her hand, full of Abominations, and filthineſs of her Fornication; upon whoſe forhead is a Name written, Myſtery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth: The Woman drunken with the blood of the Saints, and with the Bloud of the Martyrs of Jeſus, Rev. 17.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. In whom (in the great Inquiſition that God will make) will be found the blood of Prophets, and of Saints, and of all that were ſlain upon the Earth, Rev. 18.24. In a word, the Antichriſtian-church is that part of the body of profeſſors that the great Antichriſtian-Apoſtaſy ſpoken of, by theſe Apoſtles, gather's up; who is deſcribed, character'd, by her falſe Doctrine, idolatrous, ſuperſtitious Worſhip, (of which before) immorality in converſation, perſecution, bloody cruelty againſt the Royal Seed, the Saints of the moſt high. Who ſo ſear'd, hardened in heart, and conſcience, as without a bluſh, from a ſoul filled with deep conſternation, can bear the ſight of a thought ſpringing up to affix the characters of this Antichriſtian-church, unto the preſent Churches? So then, theſe being in reſpect of Matter, Form, Foundation, Doctrine, Worſhip, Nature, Characters, perfectly different from the Antichriſtian-church, muſt of neceſſity be the Churches of CHRIST (and accounted ſo by all, who are not reſolv'd againſt the plaineſt Demonſtrations, to hold their perſwaſion with a nunquam perſuadebis etiamſi perſuaſeris) except ſome Hermaphrodyte-Church, that is neither of Chriſt, or Antichriſt, can be found out.