An Expository Comment on 2 Corinthians 1, Exposition · Sermon 14
SERM. XIV.
Of the Notes and Signes of a true Church.
2 COR. 1. 1.
To the Church at Corinth, &c.
YOu have heard what is to be vnderſtood by this expreſſion of a Church. The true Doctrine about this being ſo neceſſary, I ſhall further inlarge my ſelf, not entring into the whole Common-place of a Church: for that would be too prolix, and ere this Epiſtle be ended, we may happily meet with more Texts, that may afford further knowledge in this point. Only I ſhall after the popular definition of a Church, give you the Notes, or Marks, whereby we may come to know, what is, or where is the true Church. For this hath been a great controverſie between Papiſts, and us.
There are indeed ſome of late, as the Remonſtrants Epiſcopius, &c. Object.who ſay, This dispute and enquiry about the marks of a Church, is wholly uſeleſſe and needleſſe. For (ſay they) either we have to do with an Infidel, or a Believer; if with an Infidel, it is abſurd to tell him of the Notes of a Church, who doth not believe there is any ſuch thing as a Church at all. And for a Believer, he is in the Church already, and ſo they are uſeleſſe to him. But this is meerly frivolous. For
1. When we have to do with an unbeliever, we muſt not in the firſt place Anſw. Why needfull to know the Marks of a true Church.deal with him about a Church, to prove that we are the true Church, but that there is a God, who is to be worſhipped, as natural light will convince of this. Then, that this God hath made known how he will be worſhipped. Next, that the Scriptures do contain this revealed will of God. And when this foundation is …aid, then out of Gods Word we are to inform him of a Church. So that in order, there is, firſt, The Word of God to be diſcovered: 2. What is the true ſenſe and meaning of it. Laſtly, That what ſociety hath this, there is a true Church. And
Secondly, Even Heathens by hearing of the Word preached, have by the Grace of God been converted, and ſo the Word preached, which was at firſt inſtrumental to convert them, doth afterwards by way of a ſign or mark, confirm them therein. The Apoſtle tells us of an unbeliever, coming into Church-meetings, who is ſo wrought upon, that he crieth out, Verily God is here, 1 Cor. 14. 25.
And as to the Believer the notes of a Church are neceſſary, for the further confirming and eſtabliſhing of him. For ſeeing that every Party or Sect ſaith, They are the true Church, and with them onelyonly is Communion to be had, condemning other meetings, as falſe, as the Synagogue of Satan, and as neceſſarily damning all thoſe that continue in that Communion different from them: It is thereby of great uſe, that we ſhould have ſuch Notes or Marks, to conclude that where ſuch are, certainly there is a Church; for we are not to be Scepticks or Seekers. When the Scripture commands us, To tell the Church, Mat. 18. To conjoyn our ſelves to the Church of God, it plainly intimateth, that ſuch a Society may be known. Even as there was a Star to guide the Wiſemen unto Chriſt.
In the ſecond place, There are three things neceſſary to make a Note, or a What things neceſſary to make a Note or Mark.Mark of a Church.
1. It muſt be more known than the thing it ſelf.
2. It muſt be proper and peculiar to that thing alone, of which it is a Note. For if it be common to others, it cannot be a Note. Senſe is not a Note of a man, becauſe it's common to a beaſt. And
Laſtly, It muſt be inſeparable. For if it doth not alwayes agree to it, then we cannot tell how to diſcern that we look for.
Now for ſuch Notes of the Church, the Proteſtants ſay, there are theſe three What are the Notes of a true Church.only.
1. The pure preaching of the Word, with the publick receiving and profeſſing of it.
2. The right and orderly adminiſtration of the Sacraments.
3. The due uſe of holy Order and Diſcipline. Where theſe things are, there we may conclude, that certainly Gods true Church is, and with ſuch a Society we may lawfully joyn.
Thirdly, Only when we give theſe three Notes, we do not make all of the ſame equal neceſſity. Diſcipline and holy Order is for the well-being of a Church. This Church of Corinth was a Church, though that was neglected. It is true, this is greatly to be preſſed for, and the introducing of Chriſts order into a Church, is like the bringing of the Ark into Obed-Edoms family. So that without this, manifeſt impiety being ſuffered, God will be ſo highly provoked, as to give a Bill of Divorce to it, and take away his Goſpel from ſuch an unworthy, people; yet this is not made eſſential to the being of a Church. So alſo the adminiſtration of Sacraments. There was a time, when the Church had none, viz. before Circumciſion was appointed; but ſince Chriſts appointment of them, there they ought to be uſed, where the way and manner he hath appointed can be attained. For the diſpenſers of thoſe holy Myſteries muſt take heed, That they give not pearl to ſwine, nor encourage prophane men in their impieties, by giving them the teſtimonies of Gods love, whom yet he abhorreth. Therefore that which is infallibly neceſſary, and alwayes accompanying a true Church, is the preaching of the Word in a right manner, with the publick receiving and profeſſion of this. I adde, the publick profeſſion; becauſe the Word may be purely taught to a people, who yet are not the Church, becauſe they do refuſe and reject the Goſpel tendred to them, as the Jews did, and many Heathens; ſo that there muſt be a manifeſt and publick profeſſion of it. And beſides the true preaching of the Word is only a ſign of a true Miniſter, not of a true Church, unleſs they give their conſent thereunto. So that when our Divines ſay, The pure preaching of the Word is a Note of the Church; They include and ſuppoſe the publick receiving of it by the people; yea ſome do clearly expreſſe it. By this pure and true preaching of the Word, we may diſcern the true Church from Jewes and Pagans, as alſo from Heretical and Idololatrical Societies, yet pretending to a Church.
Fourthly, When theſe Notes, eſpecially the former, are ſaid to be proper and inſeparable to the Church of God: You muſt alwayes remember here is a latitude in the application of theſe Notes. For ſome Churches may have the Word more ſoundly preached, and the Sacraments more diſpenſed than another, and yet for all that not to be denied to be Churches. This Church of Corinth was foully out of order: And ſo moſt of thoſe Churches in Aſia were ſharply reproved, yet they did not ceaſe to be a Church. Yea the Church of Iſrael had many corruptions both in worſhip and life, yet it was a long while ere God did caſt her off. So that we muſt not for ſome defilements either in the Doctrine, Worſhip or Manners of a Church, preſently deny her to be a Church, and ſeparate from her, for this is againſt Scripture information. Yea, there is no Church ſo perfect, but needeth ſome Reformation. They may build hay and ſtubble, though they keep the foundation. So that he muſt go out of the world, that would live in a Church, where nothing is amiſs. Even that Church of Smyrna the Apoſtle mentioneth, Revel. 2. 8. that was as her Name, ſignifying ſweet ſmelling, and fragrant like a Garden, or bed of Spices, yet ſhe was troubled with ſome, who ſaid, They were Jews, but were not, but were of the Synagogue of Satan. But of this more, when we come to the next Doctrine.
Fifthly, Theſe then being the viſible Marks of a viſible Church, we muſt not confound them with the properties of the Church inviſible. The Church of God hath as it were a two-fold Form; one Internal and Eſſential, which conſiſts in their Union with Chriſt, and communion with his benefits. Now none but thoſe that are truly godly are of the Church in this inviſible manner, he muſt be regenerated and graffed into Chriſt, that can have any ſaving benefit by Chriſt. But then,
2. The Church of God hath an External and outward Form, which conſiſts in the external profeſſion of faith, and obſervance of Chriſts Ordinances. Now a man may be of the Church in reſpect of this outward ſtanding, though he be not truly godly. Therefore Dr Ames ſaid well, That it was a falſe thing, which Bellarmine objected to us, about the conſtitution of a Church; as if we required internal graces, to the making of a man a member of the Church, in reſpect of the viſible ſtate of it. We read in the New Teſtament, that upon the outward profeſſion of their faith, they were baptized, and received into the Church, though it's plain all of them had not true internal grace. So then, when the Queſtion is put, Whether may a man that is not truly godly, be of the Church or no? You muſt diſtinguiſh between the inward form of the Church, which is union with Chriſt the Head, and ſo he is not, no more than a wooden leg is a member of the body, that is not animated by the ſoul, and the External viſible ſtate of it, and ſo he is of the Church, till by his obſtinacy in wickedneſs, he be caſt out as unworthy. We muſt not therefore give thoſe Notes of the Church as viſible, which belong to it only as inviſible, viz. Election, Vocation, and Juſtification, &c.
Sixthly, The Papiſt to avoid this extream, he giveth ſuch Marks of a Church, as ſavour rather of worldly ambition and pride. Yea the true Church of God many times is known by the contrary Marks; they give amplitude and univerſality, as alſo temporal felicity. Now this is rather a Deſcription of ſome worldly Monarchy than Gods Church. For, as for the Churches amplitude, though abſolutely in it ſelf, it may be ſometimes numerous, yet at other times it hath been brought into a narrow compaſſe. Elijah thought none was left, and God ſpeaks of but ſeven thouſand that did not how the knee to Baal, which was a very inconſiderable number to the Idolaters. Therefore reſpectively to the wicked of the world, even when they are moſt ample, they are but a little flock. And as for any glorious felicity, though the Church of God hath ſometimes had her reſpite and halcyon dayes, yet for the moſt part a crown of thorns hath been on her head; and therefore ſhe is juſtly called, the Militant Church, while in this world, becauſe of her ſpiritual conflict with all ſorts of enemies. So that the Church of Chriſt may ſometimes ſay, as Chriſt once did, The Foxes have their holes, and the Birds of the air their neſts, but the Sonne of man hath not where to lay his head. Thus the Foxes of the world, the crafty ſubtil men have great abundance many times, when the Church hath hid her ſelf in the wilderneſſe. And Fowls of the air, men of proud and lofty minds, have their neſts; when the Church like Noah's Dove, hath not where to ſet her foot.
Seventhly, I ſhall not enlarge my ſelf to prove theſe only to be the proper Notes of the Church, only conſider that place, Act. 2. 41, 42. where you have all of them conjoyned together: 1. They received the Word gladly. There is a ſolemn profeſſion of it. 2. There is the adminiſtration of the Sacraments; They were baptized, and continued in breaking of bread, with prayers. There is the ſolemn calling upon God. And as an epitomizing of all this it's ſaid, Then were added unto the Church about three thouſand ſouls. Thus 1 Tim. 3. 15. the Church is called, The pillar and foundation of the truth, that is, by the Miniſteries preſervation of it, and the peoples ſubmitting unto it.
Laſtly, If to this it be objected, as Socinians do, who hold this way of Notes to find out a Church, to be uſeleſs and vain, That true Doctrine cannot be a ſign of the Church, becauſe it's the Form and Eſſence of it. Now How the form of a thing may be a Note or Mark of it.that which notifieth the eſſence of a thing, muſt be diſtinct from it. To this it is anſwered, That the form, as it giveth being to a thing, ſo it giveth to diſtinguiſh from others, Forma dat eſſe, & diſtingui. Although we do not ſay, True Doctrine is the Note of a Church, but the external preaching, and receiving of it, that is a Note, incurring into our ſenſes: Even as Reaſon, though it give a man his rational being, yet ſpeaking is the proper and true ſign, that manifeſts this: So let true Doctrine, or a true faith be the ſoul and life of a Church, yet the external profeſſion is the outward Note and Sign of it. And if further it be ſaid, That every Sect doth claim to it ſelf the pure preaching of the Word, and the right adminiſtration of Ordinances; Therefore theſe cannot be a ſign. It's anſwered, The conſequence is denied, for true preaching and confeſſion is a ſign, although Hereticks pretend thereunto. As true Miracles were a ſure Argument to prove the truth, although others have done, and Antichriſt will pretend to true Miracles. And indeed, though all Sects, as the Socinians eſpecially, pretend much to the Scripture, yet it is not the words only, but the ſenſe of it, that is by the Context and Scope to be diſcovered, that is the word of God. Therefore Irenaeus of old ſaid elegantly, That Hereticks making the Scripture to speak what ſenſe they pleaſed, did as if a man ſhould take the Statue, or Image of a King, and ſo transpoſe the parts of it, as to make it the image of a Dog, or ſome other vile thing.
Theſe things concluded on, let us draw ſome Uſes by way of Corollaries. As
1. In that the holy Ghoſt is pleaſed to appropriate this Word in the New Teſtament to his people, which among the Heathens ſignifieth the meaner ſort of people; for that they called Eccleſia, and it was oppoſite to foreign, the Senate, which conſiſted of more noble men. Hence we may ſee, who they are that are moſt commonly called to be of his Church, even the meaner ſort, Not many rich, not many noble hath God called, 1 Corinth. 1. We ſhould not deſpiſe the Church of God, if it be not ſo externally pompous and glorious as Kingdoms and States. For Chriſt is more peculiarly preſent with his Church, and ſhed his bloud for that.
2. That if we ſpeak properly, the Church is not a material place, not this building of ſtones and wood, but the people of God meeting there. Indeed it may tropically be well enough, called a Church, as Synagogue is applied to the place, He built us a Synagogue, whereas properly it ſignifieth the people meeting together, as you heard. Thus Concio amongſt the Latines, ſignifieth both the place, and the company met together. Bellarmine would have the word to ſignifie a place, 1 Cor. 11. as alſo where it is ſaid, Let the woman keep ſilence in the Churches. And thoſe learned men Fuller and Mede expound it ſo in 1 Cor. 11. But there is no neceſſity of ſuch Interpretation. But though the Scripture doth not call it ſo, we may by a Trope give it that name, and uſe muſt authorize in theſe things. Though Ifidore Peluſiota in one of his Epiſtles, ſharply reproving a Biſhop, that adorned the material place with Images and Ornaments, but neglected the Church of God, the true profeſſours he perſecuted, doth call the people foreign, and the place foreign.
Laſtly, Is it a Church, a company called by God? Then this ſheweth of what conſequence Unity and Concord is amongſt all the Members thereof. How can a body be kept together without ligaments and nerves? How can the building ſtand, if the wood and ſtraw be not aptly faſtned and cemented together? How can the Church ſubſiſt, if there be not Love, Union and Concord? It's obſervable, Phil. 4. 2. that the Apoſtle thought it not too low a thing, even in canonical Scripture, to intreat two women that were at difference to be of the ſame mind, I beſeech Euodias, I beſeech Syntyche, that they be of one mind. Two godly women differing, the Apoſtle doth paſſionately intreat reconciliation and agreement, how much more then would he have intreated the Paſtors and Officers in the Church, to take heed of diſcord?