Quakerism the Path-Way to Paganism, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. Of the Church.
1 WE proceed unto his Tenth thesis, wherein he treateth of the Ministrie. But in his Apology P. 172. &c. he thinketh good to speak something of the Church, of which, he made no mention in his Thesis, but did presuppose it. What we hold concerning the Church, is distinctly set down in our Confess. Chap. 25: Where more of the clear truth may be in a few words seen, than readily will be found in several Treatises, written against Papists upon that head: there it is said; The Catholick or Universal Church, which is Invisible, consists of the whole number of the Elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one under Christ, the head thereof; and is the Spouse, the Body, the fulness of him, that filleth all in all (Ephes. 1:10, 22, 23. & 5:23, 27, 32. Col. 1:18.) The visible Church, which is also Catholick or Universal, under the Gospel (not confined to one Nation, as before under the Law) consists of all these, throughout the world, that profess the true Religion (1 Cor. 1:2. & 12:12, 13. Psal. 2:8. Revel. 7:9, Rom. 15:9, 10, 11, 12.) together with their children (1 Cor. 7:14. Act. 2:39. Ezech. 16:20, 21. Rom. 11:16. Gen. 3:15. & 17:7.) and is the Kingdom of the Lord Iesus Christ (Mat. 13:47. Esai. 9:7.) the house and family of God (Ephes 2:19. & 3.15.) out of which there is no ordinary possibility of Salvation (Act. 2:47.) Unto this Catholick visible Church, Christ hath given the Ministrie, Oracles and Ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the Saints, in this life, to the end of the world: And doth by his owne Presence and Spirit according to his promise, make them eff…ctual thereunto (1 Cor. 12:28. Ephes. 4:11, 12, 13. Mat. 28:19, 20. Esai 59:21. Adde hereunto Quaest. 63. of our Larger Catechisme: What are the special privileges of the Visible Church? Ans. The visible Church hath the privilege of being under God's special care and government (Esai 4:5, 6. 1 Tim. 4:10.) of being protected and preserved in all ages, notwithstanding the opposition of all enemies (Psal. 115. throughout Esai 31:4, 5. Zech. 12:2, 3, 4, 8, 9.) and of enjoying the Communion of saints, the ordinary Meanes of Salvation (Act. 2:39, 42.) Offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it, in the ministrie of the Gospel, testifying that whosoever believes in him shall be saved (Psal. 147:19, 20. Rom. 9:4. Ephes. 4:11, 12. Mark. 16:15, 16.) and excluding none that will come unto him (Ioh. 6:37.)
2. Here is our doctrine laid downe in few words. What would this man now say? He giveth us first the Etymology of the greek word, that we render Church; and thence tels us, that an Eccl…sia, or Church, is nothing else but a company of such as God hath called out of this world. Against which I have nothing to say: only, for clearing the matter, I would adde; That there is a company called out of the world by the grace of God, & power of his Spirit, to worshipe him in Spirit and in Truth; and this is that company, which is called the Church invisible, because their union with their Head, and with one another, is by a bond of true and saving Faith, and sincere Love, which are not obvious to the eyes of men. As also there is a greater company of persons, called out of the world, to profess the Name of Jesus, & to worshipe Him outwardly, according to his word, and to owne him for their King, by submitting to his Lawes, Ordinances, & Officers, by an outward profession. And this is that company, which is called the visible Church, because both their exercise, & their bond of union with this King, & with one another, is outward, & obvious to the eye; to wit, an open Profession of the true Religion, & outward submission to & following of the ordinances & institutions of Christ: But as to this visible Church, in his following words, he seemeth to take no notice thereof; for he describeth to us the Church Invisible; and then tels us, that without this Church there is no salvation. But this is impertinently spoken; for that Church is made up only of the elect; And if we should speak of the Invisible Chur…h, as now existing in this world, we could not say, that any elect belonged to it, but such as were effectually called; for the rest were not yet called out of the world, or out of their state of nature; and he told us, that a church is a company of persons called out of the world. To say th…n, that there is no salvation, out of that company, that are already affectually called, is neither pertinent, nor truth; for there are many, who are not yet called, whom God, will in due time call and bring home; and these whom he hath elected, he doth bring into the visible, Church where they may enjoy the ordinances, which God hath appointed …or Conversion: And therefore we say, that out of this visible Church there is ordinarily no salvation: But all this is said by him, to make way for his Church, that will take in Heathens, Pagans, Turks and Tartars, that never heard, nor never shall hear a word of Jesus Christ; which Church, as he would delineate it to us, hath not the least relation to Christ, as Head and King; nor any advantage of, or interest in the Institutions of Jesus Christ. And what a Church this shall be let any sober Christian judge.
3. But let us heare himself speak: He calleth the Church a company of such, as God hath called out of this world, that they may walk in his light and Life. One might readily suppose, that this were good: but hear more. VnderUnder this notion, saith he, of the Church, all these are comprehended, of what Nation, Kinde, Tongue or Family they be, (though far removed from, and strangers to these who profess Christ, and Christianity in words, and enjoy the Scriptures) who obey the divine light and testimony of God within them, so as by it they become sanctified and washen. Ans. That is, in short, All Heathens and Pagans, who have never heard of Christ or of Christianity, belong to this Church of persons, called out of the world, to walk in God's Light and Life; if they have obeyed the Light of Nature and of a Natural Conscience, teaching to abstean from grosse sinnes. This is the Quakers Church, and the Church of persons effectually called out of the world, which they mean: which is nothing else, but a Church of moralized Pagans, A pagan-Church, without the Knowledge of Christ, Profession of Christ, Faith in Christ, Worshipe of Christ, Acknowledgment of Christ, Union with Christ, without the Gospel of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ. An… though he call this, the Catholick Spirit, and the secret life and vertue of Iesus; Yet it is in truth nothing but Catholick nature, which cannot understand the things of the Gospel. This is further confirmed by what he addeth. Therefore (saith he) they may be members of this Catholick Church, who are Pagans, Turks and Iewes, and of every seck among Christians, if they be good single hearted men, though they be ignorant and superstitious. Thus we see the Quakers Church is erected according to the Covenant of works, and that now broken, founded upon the Law of Nature, directed by the Light of Nature: and to it belong all civil outwardly moral persons, whatever Religion they have, and how superstitious soever they be: Yea though they worshipe stocks and stones, and the Devil; for there is no exception here. Reader, what thinkest thou now of this Church, of this Profession, and of this Religion? It is Catholick, I confess, alas too Catholick! Hence we see, how false it is that he saith afterward Pag. 174. that this Church hath sometimes been Invisible, though he, after the Quakers manner, misapply that Ier. 3:14. & 1 King. 19:18. For alas, it hath alwayes since Adam fell, been too visible.
4. Next §. 3. He speaketh of a particular Church; and here seemeth to worde the matter better; but, he having already given us the Key, we shall be the more able to unlock his cabinet. We must (s…ith he) consider a Church, as it signifies a certain number of faithful persons. That is, Persons only taught by the Light of nature, though as for Religion, they may be worshipers of the Devil; for this particular Church needeth but be a part of the Catholick Church▪ what more▪ Gathered together (saith he) by the Spirit of God, and the testimony of some of his Ministers That is (say I) by the Light and Law of nature, and the testimony of Quakers, or such Ministers, as preach nothing of the Gospel, nothing of Christ, revealed in the Gospel, nothing of the mystery of God & of Christ, therein revealed. What more? And brought unto, (saith he) the faith of true principles, and the doctrine of the Christian faith. That is, such principles and doctrine of Christian faith, as may be among them, that never heard of Christ, or of Christian Faith; that worshipe the work of mens hands, and possibly the Devil. Whose hearts (saith he further) united by the same love, and their understanding illuminated with the same truth, meet together, to attend upon God, adore him, and unanimously give testimony against errour, though they suffer therefore. But (1.) Do not their bodies meet together too? (2.) Can that love be true Christian love, which may be among Pagans? (3.) What illumination of truth can they have, who never had another teacher, than a Natural Conscience within, or the Law written upon the works of creation and providence? (4.) What attendance upon God, or adoration of him, without Christ, known and beleeved in? (5.) What testimony against errour can they give, who never heard of the Gospel, or of Christ? (6.) I know that here he is giving us a description of Quakers Conventicles, which really are Synagogues of Satan. He tels us further, that all the members of those meetings teach and instruct one another. And so they are all officers, all eyes, &c. and so monsters: No organical Church. Then he closeth with an untruth, saying, that such were all the primitive Churches, gathered by the Apostles. While as the Apostolick Churches consisted of persons, who called upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 1 Cor. 1:2. They were Churches in God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Thes. 1:1. 2 Thes. 1:1. that is, such as acknowledged and worshiped the true God, and that in Jesus Christ: which neither Pagans, nor Jewes as such did.
5. Having thus spoken of a catholick & of a particular church, he cometh §. 4; to speak something of the qualifications of the members of both, which I judge superfluous, seing that was sufficiently done already. Yet because his words here are of a finer-like dress, let us heare him. That one (sayes he) may be a member of the catholick church, it is necessary, that there be an inward call of God by his light in the heart, and that the heart be fermented by his nature and Spirit, so as he leave off unrighteousness, and turne to righteousness; and that, as to the inward part of his soul, he be cut off the wild olive of nature and planted in Christ, b… his word & inward Spirit. And all this may be in them, that are ignorant of the history of Christ, as was proved in the 5. and 6. Thesis. Ans. These are fine words, to deceive the simple; had he not sufficiently explained himself above, in the place by himself cited, and just now also given us a clear view of his Catholick Church, and of its members, we might readily have been deceived: But, according to his owne interpretation of himself, and a narrow inspection of his words here, We finde (1.) That one can be a qualified member of the Church Catholick, who hath never heard of Christ, or of the Covenant of grace in Christ, nor learned any more of Christianity or of the Gospel, then what nature could teach: and how dissonant this is from the whole Gospel; let any, that ever read it, speak. (2.) All this inward call of God is by the light, that is in the heart of every man by nature: is this any thing else, but natures dim light? (3.) All this fermentation (to speak in the Quakers dialect) is effectuate by the power of this light, and this is it he meaneth by the Spirit, as he hinteth here, and leargly told us before. (4.) All the effect of this work is but an outward turning from unrighteousness, which a natural wretch may do, upon the information of a natural conscience: This is nothing of true Sanctification. (5.) It is impossible that all the operation of nature can bring a man off nature, and plant him in Christ. (6.) The Spirit of God worketh in and with the word, and this word is the preaching of the Gospel; and where the Gospel is, there is the history of Christ. So that where there is nothing of the history of Christ, there is not the word of the Kingdom, there is not the special working of the Spirit of Christ, This word therefore, and inward Spirit, whereof he speaketh, is but he word & Spirit of Nature, that is, nature under new names; the Paganish-word and Spirit.
6. But what is requisite to a member of a particular christian church? He answereth Pag. 175. Beside this inward work it is necessary (sayes he) there be an external profession, and faith in Iesus Christ, and these sacred truthes delivered in the Scriptures, when the inward light, and testimony of the Spirit, shall naturally incline & compel such, as are subject and obedient to it, to give assent and credite to the truthes delivered in the Scripture Ans. We heard before of a Catholick Church, whereof all the members must needs be saved, and of a Particular Church, much of the same complexion with the Catholick; but now we hear of a new Church, called a Particular Christian church; the complexion of which seemeth to differ from the former: But the matter is this; Christianity, with him, is not necessary to sal…ation: th…re may be particular Churches, were there is nothing of the Christian Religion: Pagans, that are somewhat Moral & Civil, belong to the catholick Church, & shall be saved; as well as Christians: But because, where the word of the Gospel is come, there must be some respect had to it, & to the word of God; therefore a little more is necessary in this case, though not in it self, to be found in such as live in such places, where the word of God is; for it were a shame to say, that no more were required of a man, borne and living all his dayes, where the word of God and the Gospel is, than of a pagan, that never heard of Christ. But now what is required? An External profession &c. This is good, & enough to declare, that the Quakers Churches, are not Christian for they beleeve not the holy truthes set downe in the Scriptures, because they oppose and contradict them; Nor do they beleeve in or make profession of Jesus Christ, revealed in the N. Testament, because they oppose him, and all his Institutions. But how is this faith wrought? is it by the Spirit of God? No: the inward light alone doth it: that is, it is a faith of Christ & of the truth of the Scriptures, that nature can sweetly & naturally incline, yea compel unto. But this can reach no further, than the truths, that corrupt nature can teach; and what affinity these have with the Gospel of the grace of God, let Christians judge: And thus we have run round, and are againe, where we begane.
7. He inferreth, from what he hath said, That the inward work of holiness and laying aside of iniquity, is every way necessary, to constitute a member of the Church of Christ. Yet it is but such a work of holiness, that nature can produce & effectuat. We acknowledge, true holiness, wrought by the Spirit of God subdueing & overcoming nature, to be necessary in all that are members of the Invisible Church; but not necessary to constitute one a member of the visible Church, general or particular. What more? That outward profession is necessary, to make one a member of a particular congregated church, though not of the catholick church. Then the particular Church is not an homogeneal part of the Catholick; but of a different complexion. Then members of the Catholick church, cannot be members of a particular Church, without some more be added. It seemeth then, these particular Churches are Visible Churches, but the Catholick is invisible. Yet (saith he) this external profession is every way necessary, where God giveth opportunity to know it, and the outward testimony is to be beleeved, when and where it is revealed. Then it is no way necessary otherwise: and so, without any Knowledge, Revelation, or Acknowledgement or Profession of the Gospel, one may be a member of the Catholick saved Church: are these things consonant to Scripture?
8. Next §. 5. He tels us, that the devil, working in the mystery of iniquity, taught his followers to say, That none, how holy so ever, was a member of the church of Christ, without an outward profession, and unless he were initiated with some ceremonies. Ans. And what can it be else, but the devil, working in the mystery of iniquity, that taught him to say, tha… Pagans, Turks, & Jewes, who are enemies to the true Christian Religion, can be members of the Catholick church, without either Profession, or Knowledge of Christ? (2.) Himself said, that this profession was necessary to particular Christian Churches: And are not these, Churches of Christ? (3.) for the external ceremonies, used in the Church of Rome, we owne them not; but such as Christ hath instituted in his word, if the Spirit within him, be not contrary to the Spirit speaking in the Scriptures, he also should owne. And againe (saith he) That if one have an outward profession, though inwardly ungodly and irregenerate, he may be a member of the true Church of Christ Ans. That such an one may be a member of the Church Visible, we owne it, as the truth of God; and, when he shall be pleased to forme a disput upon this head, shall make it good: And, at best, he is but mistaken, when he addeth, that this is to put light for darkness; as if God did more regard words, than works; For the Lord calleth for both Rom 10:9, 10. He is also mistaken, when he sayes, that Antichrist did build his structure upon this foundation; For he applieth all the privileges of the Invisible Church, unto his visible Synagogue of Satan; & distinguisheth not betwixt the Visible & the Invisible Church; as neither doth this Quaker; & non-churcheth all, who are not of his combination; and how neare this Quaker approacheth to him, in this, he can judge, if he will.
9. What he speaketh of the degenerating of the primitive churches, is true; but when among these corruptions, he reckoneth Pag. 176. this as one, that men became Christians; that is, members of the visible church, by birth; he is far out; for if that be a corruption, the Apostles & first primitive Church were guilty thereof; for we owne it from them: Peter told the Jews, that the promise was to them, and to their children Act. 2:39. And Paul told the Corinthians 1 Cor. …:14. that the children of beleevers were holy: and under the Law, children by birth enjoyed this privilege; & this privilege was never taken away from them under the Gospel. What he saith of the reformed churches: though there be too much truth in it, yet it ill becometh him & his party, to upbraid them; seing all their designe, as hath been often observed, is to make them, & us all, mere pagan churches. And, instead of true holiness, to presse upon us Natural, Dead, & Antievangelick Morality.