The Principle of Protestant Truth and Peace, Catechism · Chapter 9
CAP. IX. Of the Church-Catholick.
Queſt. SCripture, the Publick Record of Catholick Religion, being thus far Eſtabliſhed and Secured, both by Internal Characters, and External Care of Providence; it ſtill remains neceſſary, there ſhould be ſome ſtated Ordination of God, for the Actuating this Record to its ſeveral Purpoſes and Ends.
1. Becauſe Divine Revelation having now finiſhed its meaſures, there cannot be expected thoſe immediate motions of Truth, that were vouchſafed by God in his extraordinary Preſences, but all is to be deriv'd from, and diſplay'd in Scripture.
2. Scripture yet being but of the nature of a Record, it would lye ſtill, and unmoved, and, as it were dead, if not produced and applyed; even as other Laws and Records do, that duplicate page duplicate page are not continually executed to their proper Ʋſes, be their Virtue never ſo great, if ſo Executed.
What therefore is that Ordinance of God, in the Ceſſation of Immediate Preſence, for the expoſing this Record to its univerſal notice, and for the applying it daily to its great purpoſes, which is the Executing it, as far as it is to be Executed in this World?
Anſw. God hath by his extraordinary Miniſters, whom he gave his Divine Revelation, and Word, firſt founded the Church, and, according to the Degrees of that Revelation, exalted it to be ſerviceable to this great End, and ſo to ſupply the place of Immediate Preſence.
Queſt. What is to be underſtood by the Church?
Anſw. The Church is The Catholick Congregation of Mankind, called to the Faith and Obedience of that Word it ſelf; and which being called it ſelf, is entruſted to call others to the ſame Faith, and Obedience, and ſo is Govern'd, and Governs according to it, by daily Exerciſes in, and according to that Word.
Queſt. Why do you give the Church the ſtile of a Congregation, are not the Parts of it ſo diſtant that they cannot be Congregated in the Worſhip of God?
Anſw. They are yet all ſo united in the Faith and Obedience of this Sacred Word, and in the Worſhip of God according to it, as to be moſt properly called a Congregation in that regard.
Queſt. But ſtill, how can the Church be called a Congregation, ſeeing that ſpeaks it always actually Congregated, but thoſe very Members, that in regard of nearneſs one to another, are at due ſeaſons Congregated, cannot yet be always Congregated?
Anſw. The Twelve Tribes of Iſrael, (that is, the Church in its ſeveral Members) always united, always ready to the Inſtant ſerving God, Day and Night, are beheld and ſeen by him, as in a perpetual actual Congregation.
Queſt. Why do you call the Church, The Congregation?
Anſw. Even as Holy Writing is The Scripture, and The Bible or Book; ſo the Church is The Congregation, by way of Eminency, the only Excellent Aſſembly or Congregation in the World: And indeed, upon a true account, there is no other Religious Congregation, but either a rude Multitude, or a Conſpiracy and Faction againſt God.
Queſt. Why is the Church ſaid to be a Congregation called by the Word?
Anſw. Becauſe Humane Nature, uncall'd, lies in the Lapſe of Separation from God, in Private and Falſe Religion, and in thoſe Aſſemblies, juſtly branded as before, till it be recalled by him into the Church, united again to him: So that a Church is not a Natural, but a Supernatural Aſſembly; yet it is ready to embrace all true Nature, an… the Aſſociations of it, into it ſelf.
Queſt. Why is the Church deſcrib'd to be One Catholick Congregation, when both Scripture and daily Obſervation aſſure us, there have been, and are, ſo many Particular Congregations, very Regular Churches, and duely ſo ſtyled?
Anſw. Becauſe the Church is of the Nature of thoſe Things that are diſtinguiſhed only by the ſeveral Accidental Receptions they find, and yet ſtill remain One; the Catholick Church, and a Particular Church differ no otherwiſe, than as a Beam of Light differs from the whole Globe of Light, or a Stream of Water from the Ocean: Even the moſt Particular Church is in this regard Catholick, that it is united to God and Chriſt, that indeed give both the Name and Nature of Catholick from themſelves. Particular Churches, yea even Particular Perſons, truly of the Church, have every one the whole Character, Title, Promiſe, and Privilege of the Catholick Church, ſo far as they can need or receive them, even as Heaven is Entire Heaven to every ſingle Glorified Soul: Every Lively Member of the Church touches the Head and Cornerſtone, and ſo, in him, the whole General Aſſembly and Church of the Firſt-born, both in Heaven and Earth, and is at laſt conſummate with them to Eternity.
Queſt. How is this Church Congregated?
Anſw. It was begun and hath always increaſed by Particular Perſons converted and brought home to God, according to his Word, in ſeveral Ages and Succeſſions: For the Church, as it is a Church, is not a Society formed by a common Conſent of Men, or by their Will, but its ſeveral Parts are added by God, ſo that it conſiſts of all that are inwardly and truly of that Catholick Religion in God the Father, and in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, by the Eternal Spirit, all the World over, and in which meet all that have been, are, or ſhall be thus converted by the Word of God, as the Church is, and ſhall be triumphant in Glory.
Queſt. The Call then that makes this Congregation, is firſt to God and Chriſt, and not to the Church it ſelf?
Anſw. It is evidently ſo: All true Converts firſt give themſelves to God and Chriſt, and, by vertue of That, to the Church. The Apoſtles were not ſollicitous of any other Conjoyning Men to the Church, than what moſt neceſſarily followed upon their receiving the Goſpel, and were afraid of their fixing upon them that were but Miniſters and Servants: We preach Jeſus to be the Lord, and our ſelves Servants for Jeſus ſake. The Corinthians heading themſelves under Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, was very miſchievous; and therefore the Apoſtle knowing the Union ought to be only to Chriſt, directs himſelf ſo vehemently againſt it, as alſo againſt any fanciful Diſtinction of themſelves under Chriſt, as an ordinary Chief of a Party, and not as the Divine Head of the whole Body in the Catholick Truth: Even as he erred, that vulgarly called Chriſt Good, not knowing him to be God, the Supremely, Solely Good.
Queſt. Are they all true Converts that are of the Church?
Anſw. All that are indeed the Church, are ſo; but all that may appertain to the Church, are not ſo: as all that were of Iſrael, were not Iſrael. There is a viſible Profeſſion, that is too often not ſincere; yet this makes Men Of, or belonging to the Church, but not truly The Church: Many are ſo called, that are not choſen. But all that are truly The Church, are alſo truly called, and truly Converts, not only outwardly and viſibly the Church, but inwardly and inviſibly ſo too, whoſe praiſe is not of Men, but of God. In the mean time, they that are onelyonly of the Viſible Church, have the Means of Grace, and are not thrown out of that Regiſter of God's People, till the Final Judgment cuts them off: A very great Benefit in it ſelf!
Queſt. Is not the Church then ſo Catholick, or General, as the Profeſſion of the True Religion is?
Anſw. The Catholickneſs of the Church, as hath been often inculcated, is its Union to God and Chriſt, and that in ſincerity. As to the general Profeſſion, though the number of it be as the Sand of the Sea, a Remnant only ſhall be ſaved: For God will finiſh the Account, and cut it ſhort in Righteouſneſs; for a ſhort work will the Lord make in the Viſible Church: There ſhall be an often eating, or brouſing it off, a retrenching of it again and again; it ſhall caſt the Leaves of its meer Profeſſors, as the Teyletree or Oak, when yet their Subſtance is in them; the Holy Seed are the Subſtance of it, Iſa. 6. ult. not loſing them, it loſes nothing.
Queſt. In what ſenſe is it then ſaid, The Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt the Church?
Anſw. It is undoubted, none can fail while they are the Church, while united to Truth, to the God of Truth, to Chriſt, the Way, the Truth, and the Life: It is alſo certain, from this high Declaration, there always ſhall be a Church in the World, ſo united, Hades, or Mortality, ſhall not prevail over it; and how much farther it aſſures the Perſeverance of thoſe that are once truly the Church, I leave the thing it ſelf to ſpeak. It is ſaid, They that overcome ar Pillars, that never go out of it; and, They that go out of it, were not of it; for if they had been indeed of it, they would no doubt have continued with it: And how the Church it ſelf ſhall always continue, if any True Member of it may periſh, is not eaſie to conceive.
Queſt. How is the Church ordained by God to actuate Scripture, as it is the Record of Catholick Religion?
Anſw. The Apoſtle, in his Noble Deſcription of the Church, hath laid the Foundations of our Inſtruction herein, in thoſe three Honourable Titles he hath given it:
1. That it is the Houſe of the Living God.
2. That it is the Pillar of Truth.
3. That it is the Ground of Truth.
Queſt. Before the Explanation of each of theſe Titles, in the firſt place, I deſire it may be determined, whether theſe things are ſpoken of the Catholick, or of a Particular Church, the Particular Church of Epheſus?
Anſw. Although I have already affirmed, That the Catholick Church differs from a Particular True Church only in the Compaſs and Comprehenſiveneſs of it; yet I very willingly repreſent it over again in this Inſtance: Theſe things are truly applied to the Catholick Church, to the Particular Church of Epheſus, to every Particular Church; nay, it reaches down to every ſingle living Member of the Church, ſo far, that God makes his abode with him, dwells in him, he is a Pillar in the Houſe of God, the Truth reſts and dwells in him, and ſhall be with him for ever; ſo that he is a Ground of Truth, and hath more of the Church in him, than greater ſeeming Portions of it, that erre from the Truth.
Queſt. If you pleaſe now to proceed in the Explanation of theſe Titles; and firſt, What is the Importance of the Churches being the Houſe of God, for the actuating the Scripture?
Anſw. God, the moſt High Poſſeſſour and Owner of Heaven and Earth, places his Court, Family, and particular Reſidence where he pleaſes; and he hath choſen the Church to be this to him. This is my Reſt, here will I dwell for ever, for I have deſired it. Heaven is my Throne, Earth is my Footſtool; where is the Houſe you will build me? To this Man will I look, that trembles at my Word. And where God dwells, there he manifeſts himſelf: As a Maſter of a Family makes known in his Houſe and Family his Nature, Will, Laws, and Government; ſo God does in his Church: In Judah is God known, his Name is great in Iſrael. In his Church he ſhews the Light of his Countenance, expects and rewards Services, as a Great Maſter, and makes known his Diſlikes and Diſpleaſure. This is brought to paſs in the Church by thoſe many Ways that God hath of bringing his Word to any Places or Perſons, giving it Reception among them, and then ſtirring up his Children and Servants to hear his Voice, to ſearch his Mind and Will, and to underſtand it; ſo that it is as a Voice continually behind them. In his Temple therefore, in his Houſe, every one muſt needs ſpeak of his Glory: His Word cannot lie ſtill, for all are concerned to meditate, ponder, inquire, and diſcourſe of it, and are by Supreme Management excited ſo to do; and ſo much as this Exerciſe in his Word is by any means depreſſed, ſo far God is withdrawn, and the Excellency of the Church-ſtate loſt. Now of the Church being the Houſe of God, there was this great Type: God dwelt in the Temple at Jeruſalem, as in a Palace; there was ſuch a Diet of Shewbread, changed every day; of Sacrifices of all ſorts; ſuch Perfumes of Incenſe and Odours, ſuch Officers and Servants attending continually, ſuch Reſorts of the whole Body of the People to the Court of this Great King and Princely Houſholder. Together with this State, runs along in a mighty Stream, Gods ſhewing his Word to Jacob, his Statutes and Judgments to Iſrael. In the New Teſtament, the Pomp and Ceremonial Part is wholly transferred into Spirituality; but Spirituality is not lower, but higher in the Subſtance of all that could be figured by theſe things: and the ſubſtantial part of that State, the Communication of the Word of God, is much exalted in the true Chriſtian Church, that the Light of One Day is now as much as the Light of Seven was before. Thus the Church, as the Family of God, cannot but actuate his Word.
Queſt. What is the meaning of the Church being the Pillar of Truth? Does the Church ſupport Truth?
Anſw. Not ſo; for, it ſelf is built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apoſtles, Jeſus Chriſt himſelf being the chief Corner-ſtone.
Queſt. How then is it ſaid to be the Pillar of Truth? And of what Importance is that to the Actuating Scripture?
Anſw. As the Laws and Ordinances of Courts and Governments are publickly fixed, that every one may know and take notice of them; ſo the Church in all its Members, but eſpecially by Deputed Miniſters, giving themſelves wholly to it, proclaims, preaches, and makes offer of the moſt Publick Notice of the Word of Truth, within it ſelf, that all the Children and Servants of the Family may be continually catechiz'd and built up therein, and Strangers have opportunity to know, if they would apply themſelves to it. Thus it is a Famous City ſet on an Hill, that cannot be hid; and therefore its Laws, Conſtitutions, Manners, cannot but in all reaſon be inquired of, by all that do ſo much as paſs by it: It is a Candleſtick, bearing the lofty Torch of Divine Truth. Of this the Pillars of the Temple at Jeruſalem, and the affixing to them the Rolls of Divine Revelation, was an eminent Type, and alluded to by the Apoſtle. As therefore from a Prince come forth Edicts, Proclamations, Manifeſto's, and Declarations, according to Laws, which are faſtned to Publick Pillars of the Court it ſelf, and all open and conſpicuous Places of Concourſe; ſo are there in the Church the moſt advantagious Publications of the Divine Truth and Word, to all, both the Natives and Free-born of the Church it ſelf, and Ingenuous Strangers, that would hearken out the moſt Reaſonable Propoſals of Truth, or whom God is pleaſed to Naturalize to himſelf.
Queſt. What is the meaning of the Church being the Ground of Truth? And how does this actuate Scripture?
Anſw. It means nothing but the Perpetuity and Continuation of Truth with the Church, eſtabliſhing it ſelf by all that Firmneſs of Divine Evidence and Reaſon, and on thoſe very Securities taking Poſſeſſion of the Church, as the Ark of its Strength, where it ſelf, or the God that is Truth it ſelf, places the Soles of his Feet, as on his unmovable Footſtool, for ever: Of which the Ark in the Hol…eſt was a Type, the Footſtool of the Throne of Mercy, the ſecure Repoſitory of the Tables of the Covenant, the Ark of Teſtimony, over which the Shecinah or Glory appeared as inthron'd, attended with Cherubims, and ſetting its Feet upon it; the place of my Throne, and the place of the Soles of my Feet, Ezek. 43. 7. For thus the True Church, againſt which the Gates of Hell cannot prevail, is the unchangeable Reſt of Truth: It adheres to Truth; it buys the Truth, and never ſells it; Truth dwells with it for ever: God never ſuffers it to apoſtatize from Truth; but by the conſtant holding of the Judgment, and retaining the Love and Zeal of the Affections of thoſe that are indeed his Church, he hath ſetled his Word in his Church on Earth, even as it is for ever ſettled in Heaven. The Church therefore actuates Scripture, by finding out Reaſons, debating, enforcing, defending by all Arguments, that Truth of Scripture, and ſo perſiſting in it for ever.
Queſt. Cannot then the Church fail?
Anſw. It hath been ſaid before, the True Church cannot fail: For, the True Church is (as hath been deſcribed) the Houſe of God, the Pillar and Ground of Truth; and that which is ſo, cannot fail, and God will have ſuch a Church always in the World. If any Perſon, City, or Nation, that ſeem to have been the Church, have this Light eclipſed, the …an…leſtick removes; for it is only a Candleſtick for the ſake of the Light: and the Pillar it ſelf ſhakes and falls, if the Records fixed to it are taken away: and the Palace and Court remove with the Prince, who is always with his Truth, and the lively Motion of it. So much Truth therefore, and active Diſplay of it, ſo much a Church, in any Place; and the Truth removing, or lying dead, the Church removes alſo, or is ready to die in that Place.
Queſt. But is there no higher Senſe of the Church being the Pillar and Ground of Truth?
Anſw. No other, but what ariſes from the moſt intimate and inſeparable Union betwixt the Church and Truth; Truth taking an undefailable poſſeſſion of the Church: ſo that whereever Truth, in that Fulneſs as to lead to Life and Happineſs, is, there is the Church, and no where elſe. The True Church then may be ſtiled a Pillar and Ground of Truth in the higheſt Senſe, if rightly underſtood; that is, Truth it ſelf, that is the unmovable Pillar and everlaſting Foundation, hath ſo cloſely banded the Church with it ſelf, that it is One Pillar and Foundation with it. Thus the Church may be both the Building; and the Rock and Foundation, to ſucceeding Parts and Members of the Church: The Building, as it ſelf reſts upon the Pillar and Foundation of Truth; elſe it can't be the Church: The Pillar and Foundation of Truth, to the ſtill ſucceeding and riſing Church, as it is One with Truth it ſelf, to which every True Member firſt comes and unites, and therein to the Church; even as every Degree of Building is a Foundation and Support to the ſtill growing Building, not in it ſelf, but as it is ſurely cemented to the Foundation, regulated by it, and partakes its Strength: Yet if it ſwerve never ſo little from the Foundation, it is preſently a Deformity; and the more it ſwerves, the greater danger of the Ruine of it ſelf, and all that reſts upon it.
Queſt. May not this help to explain that ſo much diſputed Expreſſion of our Saviour, Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the Gates of Hell ſhall not preval againſt it?
Anſw. I ſhall be glad if it may give any Light to it, and hope it may: For the Apoſtle Peter making that Confeſſion of the Divinity of Chriſt, not ſingular, but repreſenting the whole Body of Apoſtles and Chriſtians, and being poſſeſſed with and by that Truth he confeſs'd, was both part of the Building upon that Rock, and, as united with that Rock, he became Rock it ſelf, upon which ſucceeeding Chriſtians were to be built. The Prophets and Apoſtles are in this Senſe Foundations, and the Twelve Apoſtles Twelve Foundations, Chriſt himſelf being the Corner-ſtone, in whom alone the whole Building, even the Apoſtolick Foundation it ſelf, riſes, in a ſtrict and proper Senſe.
Queſt. Is there not a good Security then in joyning our ſelves to the Church, to thoſe that have been in the Building before us?
Anſw. No otherwiſe than as we joyn our ſelves, by their Miniſtry, to that Foundation it ſelf, which always lies ſure, upon which they themſelves muſt alone reſt, if the True Church. For, by placing our ſelves not upon them, but upon that Common Foundation, we are adjuſted to the whole Building that was before us, that lies regular with that Foundation, by the Care of him who is both the Foundation, Corner-ſtone, and is alſo he that built all things, even God in Chriſt
Queſt. We muſt then ſeek to find the Truth by it ſelf, and then the Church by that Truth; and not the Church by it ſelf, and then the Truth by the Church?
Anſw. Very true: For God hath ſo in his Infinite Wiſdom eſtabliſh'd the very Nature of Things. Truth can give many Aſſurances of it ſelf to us by it ſelf, ſo ſuited to our Faculties: The Church can give us none, but by its agreement with Truth, revealed in the Word of God. We could not have known ſuch a Congregation as the Church at all to be, much leſs which it is, but by that Word manifeſting it ſelf in our Conſciences, and ſo diſtinguiſhing to us the True Church among the many Aſſociations in the World, each calling to us, as having the beſt Religion among themſelves. Even the True Apoſtles themſelves could be known to be ſo, and Falſe Apoſtles tried and found Liars, no other way, but by this Truth, view'd, and conſidered ſingly, and diſtinctly by it ſelf.
Queſt. But when we have found the Church by the Truth, may we not then deliver up our ſelves wholly to the Church, as ſo united to Truth?
Anſw. No, by no means: We can never ſo deliver up our ſelves; nor will the True Church deſire any ſuch thing of us, ſeeing its Office is not to hold out it ſelf, but the Word of Truth; and in doing any thing elſe, it acts not as a Church, but as any other ordinary Society; and on no other Terms can we have to do with it: For the very Attempt to hold out, as a Church, any Laws of its own, ought to enter us into a Jealouſie whether it be the True Church, which is, as a Church, the Pillar and Reſt of Divine Truth only.
Queſt. What Reaſon is there of ſuch a Jealouſie, when once we have found it a Church, by the Truth it holds out?
Anſw. Becauſe a Church, that hath been a True Church, may ſeveral ways decline from its State.
Queſt. How then can it he ſaid, The Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it?
Anſw. That Prophetick Promiſe does not ſecure this or that Particular Church, but that there ſhall be a Seed of the Church in the World, with which the Covenant of God is Eternal: My Word ſhall not depart out of thy Mouth. nor out of the Mouth of thy Seed, or thy Seed's Seed, for ever.
But it is yet further true, the True Seed, the Holy Seed, the Subſtance of the Church, can never utterly and finally fail in any Particular Member of it; for if it could, it were too great a violation of our Saviour's Truth in that Declaration, The Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt his Church, or force that Immortal retrograde into Mortality, even that moſt dreadful one of the Second Death, for which a Succeſſion of others, and in the ſame Danger, is but a faint Salvo, though it go on ſo to the End of the World.
Queſt. Who are this True Church in every Age and Place?
Anſw. They which are by True Saving Faith united to Chriſt the Son of God, the Rock of Eternity; and being ſo founded upon him, are Pillars that never remove, and a Reſt of Truth for ever, having been taught, and learnt it, as it is in Jeſus.
Queſt. Who are the Profeſſionary Church only?
Anſw. They that though they may, as Artificial Pillars, give ſome Ornament to the Houſe of God, and offer Truth, yet not being indeed united to the Foundation, are movable, and may go out of the Houſe. They are ſuch as have not received the Truth in the Love and Obedience of it within themſelves, and ſo may fall away from it: It cannot be ſaid of them, as of the former, The Truth ſhall be with them for ever, having made its Edr…ma or Settlement in them.
Queſt. How does the Profeſſionary Church fall away in the Bulk and Body of its Profeſſors, and Profeſſion?
Anſw. The Office of the Church being to Actuate Truth, and only Truth, it may fail, either in abating the Fervours due to Truth, though nothing Falſe or Forreign be admitted, or in receiving Falſhood, or things of a baſer Alloy, for Truth, and waſting thoſe Fervours due only to Truth upon them. The one may be called a departing from the true State of a Church; the other, from the State of a True Church: and they uſually meet one in another.
Queſt. How does this come to paſs?
Anſw. From the Judgment of God upon the preſent ſinful State, permitting things ſo to themſelves, that in very few Inſtances it is, but that the Imperfections of Good Men, and the prevailing Corruptions of Profeſſionary Chriſtians, change the Holy, Lively Activities of the True State of a Church, into Lukewarmneſs and Formality, or by admitting Falſhood, and impure Mixtures, into Doctrine, Worſhip, and Diſcipline, corrupt the State of the Church, ſo that it loſes its Truth.
Queſt. What becomes of the Profeſſionary Church, when it loſes the True State of a Church?
Anſw. It is, as the Prophet expreſſes a Civil State, or a City that hath loſt its Splendour; It becomes like a burnt Mountain, or extinguiſh'd Globe of Light: It retains the Form, but loſes the Life and Vigour of a Church, like Epheſus, that loſt its Firſt Love; or Sardis, that had a Name to live, but was dead; or Laodicea, that was neither cold nor hot.
Queſt. What becomes of it when it is corrupted, and loſes in its Truth?
Anſw. It exchanges the Lively Oracles for Forms of Doctrine, and Lifeleſs Diſcourſe, not of the High Spirit of Scripture: It debaſes pure Worſhip into Ceremonialneſs, Superſtition, or Idolatry; and the Goſpel Rule and Diſcipline it ſells for a Worldly Politie; and the true Graces of Chriſtianity, expreſſed in a Holy Converſation, for what is much beneath, or contrary. Sometimes it forſakes Truth in ſome Fundamental Article, that it ſwells out from the Foundation, in a Breach, ready to fall: And there is one Inſtance of all theſe in the Anti-Church, which will deſerve a greater Conſideration.
Queſt. How does God deal with ſuch Churches?
Anſw. Sometimes ſweeps them with the Beeſom of Deſtruction, taking away both the Candleſtick and Place of it together, Alienes Both to them and their Religion thruſting them out of their whole Poſſeſſion: Sometimes he ſuffers them to continue even for Ages, yet ſo that their Candleſtick is moved out of its due ſtately Poſiture, hardly appearing like a Candleſtick, and that by the Indignation of God.
Queſt. In theſe Caſes how does it fare with the True Holy Seed, the Subſtantial Church?
Anſw. God chaſtens them to Repentance, Self-purification, and greater Zeal, in that Caſe of the Churches loſing its Brightneſs and Vigour, that they may recover their firſt State and Work, aad ſets them on work to retrive Truth loſt, in that other Caſe of the Churches Defection.
Queſt. How is it with them, when the very Place and Candleſtick are taken away?
Anſw. They are either firſt removed into the higher State of the Church in Heaven, or driven before into other Parts of the World, by Perſecution; or the violence of the Judgment makes no diſtinction, but carries them Captive with the reſt, though in different Baskets, as the Prophet Jeremy repreſents.
Queſt. How do they ſurvive in the time of the diſplac'd and dejected Candleſtick?
Anſw. They are either called out to a Zealous Appearance and Suffering for Truth, or ſometimes retired into Corners, like the Seven thouſand in Iſrael, or the Church in the Wilderneſs, that they cannot appear like a Church, offering thoſe Publick Notices of Divine Truth a Church is deſigned for.
Queſt. How is a Viſible Profeſſion loſt from Particular Perſons?
Anſw. It is too often thrown up by Apoſtaſie or Profaneneſs, or dwindled into a very Spiritleſs Form; but very often a Profeſſion without the Power being not inconſiſtent with the working of Iniquity, it may paſs out of this World like a Lamp burning: but being found to burn only in a ſmall Temporary Light, without Oyl in the Veſſel, a Plenitude of Grace in the Heart, ſhutting out every Luſt, it becomes a Lamp put out in utter Darkneſs.
Queſt. What is to be inferred from all this?
Anſw. That there is no Truſt but in the Lord himſelf, the Truth it ſelf, by which at all times the Church, that is indeed the Pillar and Ground of Truth, and wherein it is ſo, will be known to us; and in uniting to Truth, we are united to That.
Queſt. There remains one thing yet to be underſtood in the Deſcription of the Church, which is, its Power of Governing, even as it is Governed by the Word of God: Ʋnder what Notions, I beſeech you, is that Government expreſſed in Scripture?
Anſw. That Power is by our Saviour repreſented under the Mataphor of Keys; and the Uſe of thoſe Keys, in opening and ſhutting, or in Binding and Loſing.
Queſt. What is the meaning hereof?
Anſw. The meaning is plainly this; When the Church of Chriſt hath by the Key of Knowledge inquir'd into all the Divine and Heavenly Doctrine of the Goſpel and Word of God, it hath in and according to that Word, and only ſo, a Power of Application of that Doctrine to Particular Caſes, binding Men under the Senſe of Guilt, and fear of Damnation, in ſuch or ſuch Sins, and an impenitent Continuance in them; or of Abſolving, and aſſuring Men of the Divine Favour and Acceptance, in a holy courſe of Life, and Obedience to God, and of Pardon upon Repentance, after Falls into Sin, and Diſobedience; and ſo of Declaring and Pronouncing upon Men, as to their preſent State in the Church, by Excommunication, or Abſolution; all theſe are the Power of Binding and Looſing; according to what our Saviour ſpeaks in parallel Words, Whoſe Sins you remit, they are remitted; whoſe Sins you retain, they are retained; meaning ſtill according to his Word, the Pole-Star by which they are to direct all their Motions, who claim any ſuch Power: For, only where it is declard according to the Word, is it, that what is bound on Earth, is alſo bound in Heaven; and what is looſed on Earth, is looſed in Heaven; there being an Invariable Agreement between what is Publiſhed from Heaven, in the Word of God, concerning the State and Actions of Men on Earth, and the Tranſactions in Heaven, in relation to them. He then that pronounces agreeably with that word, pronounces as Heaven does and will pronounce; Heaven binds what he binds, and looſes what he looſes, becauſe he ſpeaks the Voice of Heaven in both Caſes.
But that there ſhould be any Binding or Looſing, except in the Power of this Word, and according to it, in its Vertue, in its Truth, nothing can be more contrary to the Ends, to the Glory, to the Soveraignty of Chriſt. To bind any ſingle Chriſtian by Excommunication, and not according to this Word, is as much a Brutum Fulmen, a Thunder to no purpoſe, a cauſeleſs Curſe, that ſhall not come, as for the Pope to Excommunicate whole Proteſtant Churches.
Queſt. What is a Particular Church?
Anſw. It is the Catholick Church in a Neighbourhood, or number of Chriſtians Communicating one with another ordinarily; even as the whole Cotholick Church, would, if it were poſſible, Communicate with it ſelf, in the Ordinances, and Worſhip of Chriſt, exactly according the to Rules of his Word; wherein this is the diſtinguiſhing Character of the True Church, that its Communion is not with it ſelf primarily, but its Communion is ſo with it ſelf, as to be with the Father, and his Son Jeſus Chriſt principally, as the Fountain-Head, Center and Rule of the Communion, and therein it holds out, and invites to its Communion.