The Reasons of the Christian Religion Part 1, Part 2 · Chapter 14
CHAP. XIV. Conſectary II. I intreat the Reader to peruſe the Lord Bacons Conſiderations, and Mr. Hales of Schiſme, and Mr. Stillingfleets. Ireni…on, eſpecially pag. 117. and Mr. Jer. Burroughs Irenicon: which will all much promote his underſtanding in this point: And Grotius de Imper. ſum. pa.Of the true Intereſt of Chriſt, and his Church, and the Souls of Men: Of the means to promote it; and its Enemies and Impediments in the World.
SO great and common is the Enmity againſt Chriſtianity in the World, yea, againſt the life and reality of it in all the Hypocrites of the Viſible Church, that the guilty will not bear the detection of their guilt; And therefore the Reader muſt excuſe me for paſſing over the one half of that which ſhould be ſaid upon this ſubject, becauſe they that need it cannot ſuffer it.
§. 1. Luk. 14.26, 29, 33.Every true Chriſtian preferreth the Intereſt of Chriſt and of Religion, before all worldly Intereſt of his own, or any others.
For he that ſetteth himſelf or any thing above his God, hath indeed no God: For if he be not Maximus, Sapientiſſimus, Optimus, Greateſt, Wiſeſt and Beſt, he is not God: And if he be not really taken as ſuch, he is not taken for their God. And he that hath no God, hath no Religion. And he that hath no Religion is no Chriſtian: And if he call himſelf a Chriſtian, he is an Hypocrite.
§. 2. Rom. 9.3. & 15.7. 1 Cor. 10.31. Eph. 1.12.14.Though we muſt preferre the Intereſt of Chriſt and the Church above the Intereſt of our Souls: yet muſt we never ſet them in competition or oppoſition, but in a due conjunction, though not in an equality.
I adde this to warn men of ſome common dangerous errors in this point: ſome think that if they do but feel themſelves more moved with another Miniſters preaching, or more edified with another way of Diſcipline, they may preſently withdraw themſelves to that Miniſter or Diſcipline, without regard to the Unity and good of the Church where they are, or whatever publick evil follow it. Whereas he that ſeemeth to deny even to his Soul ſome preſent edification for the publick good, ſhall finde that even this will turn to his greater edification.
And ſome, on the contrary extream, have got a conceit that till they can finde that they can be content to be damned for Chriſt, if God would ſo have it, they are not ſincere. Which is a caſe that no Chriſtian ſhould put to his own heart, being ſuch as God never put to any man: All the tryall that God putteth us to, is but whether we can deny this tranſitory life, and the vanities of the World, and the pleaſures of the fleſh, for the Love of God, and the Hopes of Glory: And he that doth thus much ſhall undoubtedly be ſaved. But to think that you muſt ask your hearts ſuch a queſtion, as whether you can be content to be damned for Chriſt, is but to abuſe God and your ſelves. Indeed both Reaſon and Religion command us, to eſteem God infinitely above our ſelves, and the Churches welfare above our own; becauſe that which is beſt, muſt be beſt eſteemed and loved: But yet though we muſt ever acknowledge this inequality, Yet that we muſt never disjoyn them nor ſet them in a poſitive oppoſition or competition, nor really do any thing which tendeth to our damnation, upon any pretenſe of the Churches good, is paſt all queſtion. He that hath made the love of our ſelves and felicity inſeparable from man, hath made us no duty inconſiſtent with this inclination, that is, with our humanity it ſelf: For God hath conjoyned theſe neceſſary ends, and we muſt not ſeparate them.
Eph. 4.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Col. 1.24. 1 Tim. 4.16. & 4.7.8 Rom. 11.36. Prov. 16.4. 1 Cor. 10.31.§. 3. The Intereſt of the Church, is but the Intereſt of the Souls that conſtitute the Church, and to preferre it above our own, is but to preferre many above one.
§. 4. He that doth moſt for the publick good, and the Souls of many, doth thereby moſt effectually promote his own conſolation and ſalvation.
§. 5. The Intereſt of God, is the Ʋltimate End of Religion, Church, and particular Souls.
§. 6. Gods Intereſt is not any addition to his Perfection or Bleſſedneſs;Eph. 3.10.21. & 5.27, 29. 2 Theſſ. 1.10, 11. Joh. 21.15, 16, 17. Math. 25. but the pleaſing of his Will in the Glory of his Power, Wiſdom and Goodneſs ſhining forth in Jeſus Chriſt, and in his Church.
§. 7. Therefore to promote Gods Intereſt, is by promoting the Churches Intereſt.
§. 8. The Intereſt of the Church conſiſteth, I. Intenſivè, in its HOLYNESS: II. Conjunctivè & harmonicè, in its Unity, Concord, and Order: III. Extenſivè, in its increaſe and the multiplication of Believers.
Eph. 5.25.26. Tit. 2.19. 1 Pet. 2.9, 10. & 1.3.14, 15, 16.22, 8, 6.§. 9. I. The HOLYNESS of the Church conſiſteth, 1. In its Reſignation and ſubmiſſion to God its Owner. 2. In its ſubjection and obedience to God its Ruler. 3. In its Gratitude and Love to God its Benefactor and Ultimate End.
Act. 26.18. Eph. 1.18. Math. 28.19. Heb. 5.9.§. 10. Theſe acts conſiſt, 1. In a right eſtimation and Belief of the minde: 2. In a right Volition, Choice and Reſolution of the Will: 3. In the right ordering of the Life.
Mat. 28.20. Gal. 1.7. 2 Tim. 1.13. Act. 20.20, &c. 1 Tim. 4.2. 1 Tim. 5.17.§. 11. The Means of the Churches HOLYNESS are theſe: 1. Holy Doctrine: Becauſe as all Holineſs entereth by the underſtanding, ſo Truth is the inſtrumental cauſe of all.
§. 12. 2. The holy, ſerious, reverent, skilfull and diligent preaching of this doctrine, by due explication, proof and application, ſuitably to the various auditors.Act. 20. 1 Tim. ….18, 19. & 3.2. & 4 12. 1 Cor. 5. Mat. 18.15 2 Theſſ. 3. Rom. 16.16, 17. 1 Tim. 5.20.
§. 13. 3. The holy lives and private converſe of the Paſtors of the Church.
§. 14. 4. Holy Diſcipline faithfully adminiſtred; encouraging all that are godly, and comforting the penitent, and humbling the proud, and diſgracing open ſin, and caſting out the proved impenitent groſs ſinners, that they infect not the reſt, embolden not the wicked, and diſhonour not the Church in the eyes of the unbelievers.Act. 20. 2 Tim. 2.15.2. & 1 Tim. 3.2. 3 Joh. 8. Act. 18.26. Rom. 16.3. 1 Tim. 6.18. Tit. 3.8.
§. 15. 5. The election and ordination of able and holy Paſtors, fit for this work.
§. 16. 6. The conjunct endeavours of the wiſeſt and moſt experienced members of the flock, not uſurping any Eccleſiaſtical office, but by their wiſdom, and authority, and example in their private capacities, ſeconding the labours of the Paſtors, and not leaving all to be done by them alone.1 Tim. 3.5. Eph. 6.4. Deut. 6.6, 7, 8. & 11.18, 19. Act. 10.2, 24.
§. 17. 7. Eſpecially the holy inſtructing and governing of families, by catechizing inferiours, and exhorting them to the due care of their ſouls, and helping them to underſtand and remember the publick teaching of the Paſtors, and praying and praiſing God with them, and reading the Scripture and holy books, eſpecially on the Lord's day;1 Pet. 3.2. Phil. 2.15. 2 Pet. 3.14. Tit. 2.5. 1 Tim. 6.1. Rom. 2.24. Joh. 17.21. 1 Cor. 1.10. Iſa. 32.1. & 52.5. & 49.23. Hoſ. 8.4, 5. Pſal. 2. Dan. 9.6, 8. Rom. 13.3, 5, 6. 2 Pet. 2. Gal. 1.7, 8. 1 Tim. 3.6. & 5.22. & 4.15 16. & 6.4, 5. 1 Cor. 5. 1 Tim. 3.7. Mar. 9.38, 39. Phil. 1.15. Jam. 3.1.15, 17. 1 Sam. 2. Act. 20.30, 31. Rom. 16.16, 17. 1 Theſſ. 5.12, 13. 2 Chron. 26.14, 15. Ezek. 22.27. Hoſ. 9.15. & 7.3. Zeph. 3.3. 1 Cor. 2.6, 8. and labouring to reform their lives.
§. 18. 8. The blameleſs lives, and holy conference, converſe and example of the members of the Church among themſelves: Holineſs begetteth holineſs, and encreaſeth it, as fire kindleth fire.
§. 19. 9. The unity, concord, and love of Chriſtians to one another.
§. 20. 10. And laſtly, holy Princes and Magiſtrates, to encourage piety, and to protect the Church, and to be a terrour to evil doers. Theſe are the means of holineſs.
§. 21. The contraries of all theſe may eaſily be diſcerned to be the deſtroyers of holineſs, and pernicious to the Church. 1. Ʋnholy doctrine. 2. Ignorant, unskilful, negligent, cold or envious preaching. 3. The unholy lives of them that preach it. 4. Diſcipline neglected, or perverted, to the encouraging of the ungodly, and afflicting of the moſt holy and upright of the flocks. 5. The election or ordination of inſufficient, negligent, or ungodly Paſtors. 6. The negligence of the wiſeſt of the flock, or the reſtraint of them by the ſpirit of jealouſie and envy, from doing their private parts in aſſiſtance of the Paſtors. 7. The neglect of holy inſtructing, and governing of families; and the lewd example of the governours of them. 8. The ſcandalous or barren lives of Chriſtians. 9. The diviſions and diſcord of Chriſtians among themſelves. 10. And bad Magiſtrates, who give an ill example, or afflict the godly, or encourage vice, or at leaſt ſuppreſs it not.
§ 22. To theſe may be added, 1. The degenerating of Religious ſtrictneſs, Math. 15.2, 3, 9, 11, 13. Col. 2.20▪ 21, 2…. Mar. 2 26. Luk. 6.2. & 13, 14, 15. Joh. 5.18. Joh. 11.49. & 18.13. Act 4.6. & 23.2. 2 Tim. 2.4, 5, 6.12. & 1 Tim. 4 15. Math. 9.37, 38. 1 Cor. 3.9. Act. 14.23. Tit. 1.3. 1 Cor. 14.26, 15, 16.31, 33, 34, 35. Math. 15.9, 13. Rom. 14. & 15. Act. 15.28. 1 Joh. 4.1. 2 Theſſ. 2.2. 1 King. 22.22, 23. 2 Cor. 11.14, 15. Matth. 24.24. Matth. 15.2.11.13. & 12.2. Luk. 13.14, 15. Joh 4.16. Luk. 9.54. Act. 11.36. & 22.22. Rom. 10.2. Prov. 1.32. Jam. 5.5, 6.from what God requireth, into another thing, by humane corruptions gradually introduced; as is ſeen among too many Friars, as well as in the Phariſees of old. 2. A degenerating of holy Inſtitutions of Chriſt, into another thing, by the like gradual corruptions, as is ſeen in the Roman Sacrifice of the Maſs. 3. The degenerating of Church-Offices by the like corruptions, as is ſeen in the Papacy, and its manifold ſupporters. 4. The diverſion of the Paſtors of the Church to ſecular employments. 5. The diminiſhing the number of the Paſtors of the Church, as proportioned to the number of ſouls: as if one ſchool-maſter alone ſhould have ten thouſand ſcholars; or ten thouſand ſouldiers but one or two officers. 6. The pretending of the ſoul and power of Religion, to deſtroy the body or external part: or making uſe of the body or external part, to deſtroy the ſoul and power; and ſetting things in oppoſition which are conjunct. 7. The preferring either the impoſition or oppoſition of things indifferent before things neceſſary. 8. An apiſh imitation of Chriſt by Satan and his inſtruments, by counterfeiting inſpirations, revelations, viſions, propheſies, miracles, apparitions, ſanctity, zeal, and new inſtitutions in the Church. 9. An over-doing, or being righteous over much, by doing more than God would have us, (over-doing being one of the devils ways of undoing) When Satan pretendeth to be a Saint, he will be ſtricter than Chriſt, as the Phariſees were in their company, Sabbath-reſt and ceremonies: and he will be zealous with a fiery conſuming zeal. 10. Accidentally, proſperity it ſelf conſumeth piety in the Church: if it occaſion the perdition of the world, the Church is not out of danger of it.
Eph. 4.1, 2, 3, 4, &c. Rom. 8.17. Eph. 1.22. 1 Cor. 12.12, 13. Eph 4.15, 16.§. 23. II. The unity and concord, and harmony of the Church conſiſteth, 1. In their Univerſal Adoption, or One Relation to God, as their reconciled Father in Chriſt. 2. In the one Relation they have all to Chriſt their Head. 3. Rom. 8.9. & 10.15, 17, 8. Gal. 1.6, 7, 8. Phil. 1.17, 27. 1 Theſſ. 4.9. 1 Pet. 1.22. Eph 3 17. & 4 16. Heb 10 24. 1 Cor. 1 10 1 Joh. 3 22. 1 Theſſ. 2.4.In the unity of the Spirit, which dwelleth and worketh in them all. 4. In their One Relation to the Body or Church of Chriſt, as its members. 5. In the unity of that Faith which ſtateth them in theſe relations. 6. In the unity of the Baptiſmal Covenant, which initiateth them. 7. In the unity of the Goſpel, (in the Eſſentials) which is the common rule of their faith and life, and the ground of their hope and comfort. 8. In the bond of mutual brotherly love. 9. In the concord of a holy life. 10. In the unity of the End which they all intend, and ſhall at laſt attain, (the pleaſing of God, and the heavenly glory.)
§. 24. The Means of this Unity and Concord are, 1. All,Phil. 2 4 …1 2 Cor. 13.14. Tit. 3.5. Eph. 4.3, 4, 5.11, 15, 16. 1 Theſſ 5.12, 13. Tit. 1 9.11. Luk. 21.15 1 Tim. 3, 4 5, 6. 1 Pet 5.2, 3. Act. 20.20. &c. 2 Cor. 1 24. 1 Tim. 5 1. Tit. 3.10. 1 Cor. 5. Joh. 17.21, 23. Act. 15. Heb. 13.7, 17. 1 Theſſ. 5.12, 13. 1 Pet 5.5. Luk. 22.24, 26, 27. 1 Pet. 5.2.3. 2 Chron. 19.6, 7, 11. 1 King. 15.13, 29. 2 King. 10.17, 28. Rom 13.3, 4, 5, 6. as aforeſaid, which promote their holineſs. From holineſs is the centring of all hearts in God: and it deſtroyeth that dividing Selfiſhneſs, which maketh men have as many ends as they are perſons. 2. The learning and ability of the Paſtors, to hold the flocks together by the force of truth, and to ſtop the mouthes of cavilling dividers and ſeducers: When no gain-ſayers are able to ſtand before the evidence of that truth which they demonſtrate. 3. The holy lives of Paſtors, which keep up the love of truth and them in the peoples hearts. 4. By the paternal government of the Paſtors, ruling them, not by force, but willingly, and in fatherly love, and a loving familiar converſe with them. 5. By the juſt execution of Diſcipline on the impenitent, that the godly may ſee that wickedneſs is diſowned. 6 By the concord of the Paſtors among themſelves; and the prudent uſe of Synods or Councils to that end. 7. By the humble and ſubmiſſive reſpect of the people to their Paſtors. 8 By keeping up the intereſt and authority of the moſt ancient and experienced of the flock, over the young and unexperienced, who are the common cauſes of diviſion. 9. By the Paſtors avoiding all temptations to worldlineſs and pride, that they tear not the Church, by ſtriving who ſhall be the greateſt, or have the preeminence. 10. By godly Magiſtrates keeping their power in their own hand, and uſing it to rebuke intollerable falſe Teachers, and to encourage the peaceable, and reſtrain the railing and violence of Paſtors and parties againſt each other; and by impartial keeping the Church's peace.
§. 25. Hence the cauſes of Church-diviſions are diſcernable.2 Chron. 28.23. Ezek. 18.30. Num. 32.23. 1 Tim. 3.6. 1. The encreaſe of ungodlineſs and ſin, which is as fire in the thatch,Eph. 4.14. 3 Joh. 9, 10. 1 King. 2….24, 25. 1 Cor. 1.11. & 3.3, 4. 1 Cor. 5.5, 12, &c. Tit. 1.10. 1 Theſſ. 5 12, 14. 3 Joh. 9. Non qui juſſus aliquid facit, miſer eſt; ſed qui invitus. Senec. ep. 62. Nullum violentum eſt perpetuum. and poſſeſſeth all men with dividing principles, practices and ends. 2. The diſability of Paſtors, over-topt in parts by every Sectary. 3. The ungodlineſs of the Paſtors, which looſeneth the hearts of the people from them. 4. The ſtrangeneſs, violence, or hurtfulneſs of the Paſtors. 5. The encouragement and tolleration of all the moſt flagitious and impenitent in undiſciplin'd Churches, which frighteneth men out of the Church as from a ruinous houſe, and tempteth them to an unwarrantable ſeparation, becauſe the Paſtors will not make a neceſſary and regular ſeparation. 6. The diſcord of the Biſhops among themſelves. 7. The peoples ignorance of the Paſtoral power, and their own duty. 8. An unruly, fierce, cenſorious ſpirit in many of the young and unexperienced of the flock. 9. The Paſtors ſtriving who ſhall be the greateſt, and ſeeking great things in the world, or popular applauſe and admiration. 10. The Magiſtrates either permitting the endeavours of dividing Teachers in palpable caſes; or ſuffering ſelf-ſeeking Paſtors or people to diſturb the Church.
Jam. 4.1, 2 Phil 2.4 21. 1 King. 12.31, 32. & 22 27. Rev. 13.16, 17. 1 Cor. 12.12, 28. Eph. 4.7, 8, 13, 16. 3 Joh. 9. Matth. 15.2, 3. 1 Tim. 3.3.§. 26. But next to common ungodlineſs, the great cauſes of the moſt ruinating Church-diviſions, are, 1. Wars and diſſentions among Princes and States, and civil factions in Kingdoms; whereby the Clergy are drawn or forced to engage themſelves on one ſide or other: and then the prevailing ſide ſtigmatizeth thoſe as ſcandalous who were not for them, and think themſelves engaged by their intereſt to extirpate them. 2. Miſtaking the juſt terms of union and communion, and ſetting up a falſe centre, as that which all men muſt unite in. Thus have the Roman party divided themſelves from the Greeks and Proteſtants, and made the greateſt ſchiſm in the Church that ever was made in it: 1. By ſetting up a falſe uſurping conſtitutive Head, the Roman Biſhop, and pretending that none are members of the Church who are not his ſubjects, and ſo condemning the far greateſt part of the Catholick Church. 2 By impoſing an Oath and divers groſs corruptions in Doctrine, Diſcipline and Worſhip, upon all that will be in their communion, and condemning thoſe that receive them not,Act. 20.30, 31. Rom. 16.17. 1 Tim. 1.19 Eph. 4 14. 2 Tim. 2.16, 17, 23, 24, 25. and ſo departing from the Scripture-ſufficiency. Theſe two uſurpations are the grand dividers.
§. 27. All Hereticks alſo, (who ſpeak perverſe things againſt Chriſtianity, to draw away Diſciples after them) or Schiſmaticks, (who unwarrantably ſeparate from thoſe Churches in which they ought to abide, that they may gather new congregations, after their own mind) are the immediate adverſaries of Church-union and concord.Rom. 14. 1 Tim. 6.3, 4, 5. & 1.3, 4, 5, 6, 7. Luk. 22.24. 1 King 22.27. Gal. 5 15.
§. 28. So are the importune and virulent Diſputations of contentious Wits, about unneceſſary things, or matters of faction and ſelf-intereſt.
§. 29. Eſpecially when the Magiſtrate lendeth his ſword to one party of the contenders, to ſuppreſs or be revenged on the reſt, and to diſpute with arguments of ſteel.
§. 30. Act. 15. Surely there is no better way to ſtop the riſing of new ſects and ſchiſms, than to reform abuſes, to compound the ſmaller differences, to proceed mildly, and not with ſanguinary perſecutions, and rather to take off the principal Authors by winning and advancing them, than to enrage them by violence and bitterneſs. Lord Verulam Eſſay, 58.The well-ordered Councils of Biſhops or Paſtors of ſeveral Churches, aſſembled together, have been juſtly eſteemed a convenient means of maintaining the concord and peace of Chriſtians, and a fit remedy for the cure of hereſies, corruptions and diviſions. And when the cauſe requireth it, thoſe councils ſhould conſiſt of as many as can conveniently meet, even from the moſt diſtant Churches, which can ſend their Biſhops without incurring greater hurt or diſcommodity, than their preſence will countervail in doing good. And therefore the councils called General in the Dominions of the Chriſtian Roman Emperours, were commendable, and very profitable to the Church, when rightly uſed. But whereas the Pope doth argue, that he is the conſtitutive Head of the whole catholick Church throughout the world, becauſe his Predeceſſors did oft preſide in thoſe councils, it is moſt evident to any one, who will make a faithful ſearch into the Hiſtory of them, that thoſe councils were ſo far from repreſenting all the Churches in the world, that they were conſtituted only of the Churches or Subjects of the Roman Empire, and thoſe that having formerly been parts of the Empire, continued that way of communion when they fell into the hands of conquerors; their conquerors being commonly Pagans, Infidels or Arrian Hereticks. I except only now and then two or three, or an inconſiderable number of neighbour Biſhops. There were none of the Repreſentatives of the Churches in all the other parts of the world: as I have proved in my Diſputation with Mr. Johnſon, and deſire the Reader, who thinketh that his Reply doth need any confutation, but to peruſe Ortelius, or any true Map of the Roman Empire; and Myraeus, or any Notitia Epiſcopatuum, and withal the names of the Biſhops in each Council; and then let him ask his conſcience whether thoſe Councils were true or equal Repreſentatives of all the Chriſtian world, or only of the Subjects or Churches of one duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page Empire; with a few inconſiderable accidental auxiliaries: and if he ſmile not at Mr. Johnſon's inſtances of the Biſhops of Thrace, (and other ſuch Countries) as if they had been out of the verge of the Roman Empire, at leaſt he ſhall excuſe me from confuting ſuch Replies.
And ſince then Chriſt hath enlarged his Church to many more Nations and remote parts of the world, and we are not hopeleſs that the Goſpel may yet be preached to the remoteſt parts of the earth; and an equal juſt Repreſentative may become more impoſſible than it now is: Yet now ſuch proper univerſal Councils are ſo far from being the conſtitutive viſible Head of the Church, (or the Pope as there preſiding) or any neceſſary means of its Ʋnity and Peace, that rebus ſic ſtantibus, they are morally impoſſible. For, 1. Their diſtance is ſo great, from Abaſſia, Egypt, Armenia, Syria, Mexico, New-England, and other parts, to thoſe of Muſcovy, Sweden, Norway, &c. that it will be unlawful and impoſſible to undertake ſuch journeys, and deprive the Church of the labours of the Paſtors ſo long on this account. 2. It cannot be expected, that many live to perform the journey, and return. 3. The Princes in whoſe countreys they live, or through whoſe dominions they muſt paſs, are many of them Infidels, and will not ſuffer it, and many ſtill in wars, and moſt of them full of State-jealouſies. 4. When they come together, the number (of juſt Repreſentatives, which may be proportioned to the ſeveral parts of the Church, and may be more than a mockery or faction) will be ſo great, that they will not be capable of juſt debates, ſuch as the great matters of Religion do require: or if they be, it will be ſo long as will fruſtrate the work, and waſte their age before they can return: when uſually the cauſe which required their congregating will bear no ſuch delays. 5. They cannot all ſpeak to the underſtanding of the Council in one and the ſame language, (for all the commoneſs of Greek and Latine) God hath neither promiſed that all Biſhops ſhall be able to converſe in one tongue, nor actually performed it. 6. Such a council never was in any Chriſtian Emperours time; for they neither could nor did ſummon all the juſt Repreſentatives of the Churches in other Princes dominions,Iſa 9.17. Phil. 2.21. Act. 8.18 20. 1 Tim. 6.10. 1 Joh. 2.15. Gal. 5.11. & 6.1… 13, 14. but only thoſe in their own.
§. 31. The predominancy of Selfiſhneſs and Self-intereſt in all hypocrites, (that are but Chriſtians in name, and not by true Regeneration) and the great numbers of ſuch Hypocrites in the viſible Church, are the ſummary of all the great cauſes of Diviſions, and the Prognoſticks of their continuance.
§. 32. Unity and harmony will be imperfect,Luk. 22.24. Act. 15.39. Gal. 2.12, 13, 14, 15. whileſt true Holineſs is ſo rare and imperfect: And to expect the contrary, and ſo to drive on an ill-grounded unholy unity, is a great cauſe of the Diviſion and diſtraction of the Churches.
§. 33. When differing opinions cauſe diſcord betwixt ſeveral Churches, the means of Chriſtian concord is,Phil. 3.15, 16. Rom. 14. & 15. 1 Pet. 3.15. (not an agreement in every opinion, but) to ſend to each other a Profeſſion of the true Chriſtian Faith, ſubſcribed, with a Renunciation of all that is contrary thereto; and to require Chriſtian Love and Communion on theſe terms, with a mutual patience and pardon of each others infirmities.
§. 34. No Chriſtian muſt pretend Holineſs, Rom. 16.17. 1 Theſſ. 5, 12, 13. 1 Cor. 1.10. & 2. & 3. throughout.againſt Unity and Peace; nor Unity and Peace againſt Holineſs; but take them as inſeparable in point of Duty: And every tender Conſcience ſhould be as tender of Church-diviſion and real Schiſme, as of drunkenneſs, whoredom, or ſuch other enormous ſins. Jam. 3.14, 15, 16, 17.
§. 35. III. The extenſive intereſt of the Church, conſiſting in the multiplication of Chriſtians, is 1. Principally in the multiplication of the Regenerate-members of the Church-myſtical: 2. And ſubordinately in the multiplication of Profeſſed Chriſtians in the Church Viſible.
§. 36. It is not another, but the very ſame Chriſtianity, Math. 28.19. Mar. 16.16. Eph. 6.24. 1 Cor. 16.22. Rom. 8 9.which in ſincerity conſtituteth a myſtical member, and in Profeſſion a Viſible member of the Church (which is not two Churches, but one): ſo that all are Hypocrites who are not ſincere.
§. 37. Math. 28.19.The inſtituted door or entrance into the Church viſible is by Baptiſme.
§. 38. Act. 2.41, 42. Act. 8.37, 38.The Paſtors of the Church by the power of the Keyes are Judges who are to be admitted by Baptiſme, and to Baptiſe them: And the people are to take the baptized for Church-members, and in point of publick communion, to ſee as with their Paſtors eyes (ordinarily): though as to Private converſe they are Judges themſelves.
See my Treat. of Confirmation,§. 39. Thoſe that are baptized in Infancy, ſhould at age have a ſolemn tranſition into the rank of adult members, upon a ſolemn ſerious owning and renewing of their Baptiſmal Covenant.
Act. 8.37. & 13.21, 22. Act. 2.41. Luk. 14.16, 18, 2… …3.§. 40. God doth not require a falſe profeſſion of Chriſtianity but a true: But yet he appointeth his Miniſters to take a Profeſſion not proved falſe, as credibly true: Becauſe we are no heart-ſearchers, and every one ſhould be beſt acquainted with himſelf; and God will have every man the chooſer or refuſer of his own felicity, that the comfort or ſorrow may be moſt his own: And a humane belief of them that have not forfeited their credit, eſpecially about their own hearts, is neceſſary to humane converſe.
Phil. 1.15, 16, 17, 18. Math. 10.1. & 7.22, 23.§. 41. And God taketh occaſion of Hypocrites intruſion, 1. To do good to the Church by the excellent gifts of many Hypocrites: 2. To do good to themſelves, by the means or helps of Grace which they meet with in the Church.
Mar. 16.16. Act. 5.13.§. 42. But the proper appointed place, which all that are not (at age) perſwaded to the profeſſion of true Chriſtianity, ſhould continue in, is the ſtate of Catechumens, or Audientes; meer Learners in order to be made Chriſtians.
Rom. 9.6. Math. 13.41, 42, 47.20.22.§. 43. The Viſible Church is much larger than the Myſtical (though but one Church) that is, the Church hath more Profeſſing than Regenerate Members, and will have to the end of the World; and none muſt expect that they be commenſurate.
§. 44. As a Corn Field, hath 1. Corn, 2. Straw and Chaffe,Math. 13.36.28. & 3.12. Pſal. 1.4. Jer. 23.28. and 3. Weeds and ſtricken ears; and is denominated from the Corn, which is the chief (preſerved) part; but the ſtraw muſt not be caſt out becauſe it is neceſſary for the Corn; but the weeds muſt be pull'd up, except when doing it may hurt the Wheat, Even ſo the Church hath 1. Sincere Chriſtians, from whom it is denominated; 2. Cloſe Hypocrites, whoſe gifts are for the good of the ſincere, and muſt not be caſt out by the Paſtors; 3. Hereticks and notorious wicked men, who are impenitent after due admonition: and theſe muſt be caſt out,Math. 13.28, 29, 30. except when it may hazard the Church.
2 Tim. 2.10. Joh. 11.…2. 1 Tim. 2.4.§. 45. The means of increaſing the Church, muſt ultimately be intended alwayes to the increaſe of the Church myſtical, for Holineſs and Salvation.
§. 46. Theſe means are, 1. Act. 2.44, 46. & 4.32, 34. & 9 31. & 12.24. Act. 9.15. 2 Tim. 2.21. Act. 20.20, &c. Joh. 17.24, 25. 2 Tim. 2.25. Joh. 4.22, 23, 24.All the fore-mentioned means of holineſs: for holineſs is the Church's glory; the Image of God, which will make it illuſtrious and beautiful in the eyes of men, when they are ſober and impartial; and will do moſt to win them home to Chriſt. 2. Eſpecially the great abilities, holineſs, patience and unwearied diligence of the Miniſters of Chriſt, is a needful means. 3. The advancements of Arts and Sciences, doth much to prepare the way. 4. The agreement and love of Chriſtians among themſelves. 5. Love to the infidels and ungodly, and doing all the good we can even to their bodies. 6. A ſpiritual, pure, rational and decent worſhipping of God. 7. And the concord of Chriſtian Princes among themſelves, for the countenancing and promoting the labours of ſuch Preachers, as are fitted for this work.
§. 47 The hinderances then of the Church's increaſe,Iſa. 9.17. 1 Theſſ. 5.22. Rom. 2.21, 24. 1 Tim. 6.1. Tit. 2.5. 1 Pet. 3.16, 17. & 4.15. & 2.12. Read Joſeph Acoſta of this at large. And Thom. D.S. Jeſu de converſ. Gent. 1 Cor. 14.2, &c. 7.10, 11, 14, 16, 22, 23. Read Biſhop Bilſon of Chriſtian Subjection, p. 526. and of the converſion of the heathen and infidel world are, 1. Above all, the wickedneſs of profeſſed Chriſtians, whoſe falſhood, and debauchery, and unholineſs, perſwadeth the poor Infidels, that Chriſtianity is worſe than their own Religion, becauſe they ſee that the men are worſe that live among them. And, 2. the badneſs of the Paſtors, (eſpecially in the Greek and Latine Churches) and the deſtruction of Church-diſcipline, and impurity of the Churches hereupon, together with the ignorance and unskilfulneſs of moſt for ſo great a work, is a great impediment. 3. The defectiveneſs in Arts and Sciences. 4. The many diviſions and unbrotherly contentions of Chriſtians among themſelves, either for Religion or for worldly things. 5. Not devoting our ſelves and all that we have to the winning of Infidels, by love, and doing them good. 6. A carnal,Vos aeris tinnitibus & tibiarum ſonis— perſuaſum habetis Deos delectari & affici, iraſque aliquando conceptas eorum ſatisfactione melliri. Nos inconvenient ducimus, quinimo incredibile judicamus, eos qui gradibus mille genus omne virtutum perfectionis tranſierint ſummitate, in voluptatibus habere arque in deliciis eſſe res eas, quas homo ſapiens rideat, & quae non aliis videantur continere aliquid gratiae, quam infantibus parvulis & trivialiter & populariter inſtitutis. Haec cum ita ſe habeant, cumque fit opinionum tanta noſtrarum veſtrarumque diverſitas, ubi ant nos impii, aut vos pii; cum ex partium ſenſibus pietatis debeat atque impietatis ratio ponderari? Non enim qui ſimulachrum ſibi aliquod conficit, quod pro Deo veneretur is habendus eſt rebus eſſe deditus divinis. Opinio religionem facit; & recta de Dios mens: ut nihil eos exiſtimes contra Decus praeſumptae ſublimitatis appetere. Arnob. adv. Gentes l. 7. in Bib. Pat. Auct. To. 1. p. 60. Suppoſe theſe words ſpoken by us to the Papiſts. irrational or undecent manner of worſhipping God: for they will contemn that God, whoſe worſhip ſeemeth to them ridiculous and contemptible. 7. The diſcords, wars or ſelfiſhneſs of Chriſtian Princes, who unite not their ſtrength to encourage and promote this noble work;Acoſta is very large and honeſt in this reproof and lamentation of the ſins of the Clergy. but rather hinder it, by weakening the hands of the labourers at home. 8. Eſpecially when the very Preachers themſelves are guilty of covetous or ambitious deſigns, and under pretence of preaching Chriſt, are ſeeking riches, or ſetting up themſelves, or thoſe that they depend on. Theſe have kept under the Church of Chriſt, and hindred the converſion of the world till now.
Read Pet. Maſſaeus his Hiſt. Ind. & Epiſt. Jeſuit. & Hiſtor. Japon. & Chin. The King of Terenate told Sir Francis Drake, We agree with you in Religion againſt the Portugals, that we muſt not worſhip flocks and ſtones. Fuller's Holy State in the Life of Sir Francis Drake, out of a M.S. of one of his company. What a ſcandal is ſuch Worſhip againſt the Chriſtian cauſe. Act. 9.31.§. 48. The attempts of the Jeſuits in Congo, Japon and China were a very noble work, and ſo was the Portugal Kings encouragements: but two things ſpoiled their ſuceeſs, (which Proteſtants are not liable to:) 1. That when they took down the Heathens Images, they ſet them up others in the ſtead; and made them think that the main difference was, but whoſe Image they ſhould worſhip: And withall by their Agnus Dei's, and ſuch like trinkets, made Religion ſeem childiſh and contemptible. 2. But eſpecially, that they made them ſee, that while they ſeemed to promote Religion, and to ſave their ſouls, they came to promote their own wealth, or the Popes dominion, and to bring their Kings under a forein power.
§. 49. The honeſt attempts of Mr. Elliots in New-England is much more agreeable to the Apoſtles way, and maketh more ſerious ſpiritual Chriſtians. But the quality of place and people, and the greatneſs of wants, doth hinder the multiplication of Converts. And higher attempts were very deſireable.
As for the grand controverſie of per ſe aut per alium, read Grotius de Imper. pag. 290, 291. [Nam illud quod quis per alium facit, per ſe facere videtur] ad eas duntaxat pertinet actiones, quarum cauſa efficiens proxima à jure indefinita eſt.]§. 50. The tranſlating of fit Books into the language of the Infidels, and diſperſing them, may in time prove the ſowing of a holy fruitful ſeed.
§. 51. Proſperity uſeth greatly to encreaſe the Church extenſively, in the number of viſible members; and adverſity and perſecution to encreaſe it intenſively, by increaſing holineſs in the tried and refined: Therefore God uſeth to ſend viciſſitudes of proſperity and adverſity, like Summer and Winter, to the Churches, that each may do its proper work.
§. 52. Every true Chriſtian ſhould daily lament the common infidelity and impiety of the world, that the intereſt of true Chriſtianity is confined into ſo narrow a room on earth: and to pray with his firſt and earneſteſt deſires, that more labourers may be ſent forth, and that God's Name may be hallowed, Dr. Jer. Taylor of Repent. …ref. [I am ſure we cannot give account of Souls of which we have no notice.] Leg. Athanaſ. Patri. Conſtantine de neceſſaria Epiſcop. reſidentia.his Kingdom come, and his will be done on earth, that it may be liker Heaven, which now is grown ſo like to Hell. But yet to comfort himſelf in conſidering (as is before ſaid) that as this earth is to all the nobler world, but as one mole-hill to all England; ſo if God had forſaken all, it had been but as the cutting off a cancer from a man, or as the caſting away of the paring of his nails, in compariſon of all the reſt.
Therefore ſhould we long for the coming of our Lord, and the better world, which we have in hope. HOW long, Lord, holy and true, how long? Come, Lord Jeſus, come quickly, Amen. For we, according to his promiſe, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteouſneſs. 2 Pet. 3.11, 12, 14.
Exod. 6.12. Behold the children of Iſrael have not hearkned to me, how then ſhall Pharaoh hear me?
Ezek. 3. Not to many people of a ſtrange ſpeech, and of an hard language, whoſe words thou canſt not underſtand: ſurely had I ſent thee to them, they would have hearkned unto thee. But the houſe of Iſrael will not hearken unto thee, for they will not hearken unto me: for all the houſe of Iſrael are impudent and hard-hearted.
Octob. 16. 1666.