A Gospel Church, Chapter 3

A Gospel Church · Chapter 3

p. 22CHAP. III.

Of the matter of a Goſpel-Church, or the materials of Gods Holy Temple.

4. QUeſtion, What are the Materials of a Houſe of God: or how ſhould perſons be qualified for Church-fellowſhip: or who ought to be Church-Members?

Anſ. OnelyOnly regenerate and converted Perſons; ſuch as are married to, and have put on Chriſt: ſuch as are ſavingly and powerfully enlightned and enlivened, quickened and convinced of Sin, Righteouſneſſe and Judgment, Joh. 16.8, 9. 2 Cor. 5.5. Eph. 2.1, 5. Such as have choven Chriſt for their Lord and Saviour, and reſigned and made over themſelves to Chriſt, & received him upon his own Terms, Col. 2.6. 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. Such onelyonly as are reconciled unto, and are in favour with God; as are juſtifyed by Faith, ſanctified by the Spirit, and ſet a part for Holyneſs, and unto Living to God, and no more unto themſelves. Such as are the beloved of God, called (effectually) p. 23to be Saints, and have really and ſincerely taken upon them the Yoke of Chriſt Jeſus. I ſay ſuch perſons, and only ſuch, doth Jeſus Chriſt account meet to be partakers of this priviledge and dignity, Col. 1.12. and to make Heavenly Places, Eph. 1.3. although men do not certainly know them to be ſuch, and by reaſon of their darkneſſe and fallable Judgments, they may receive and admit others into Churches, and unto their priviledges and immunities; yet in truth they have no right unto them, and ought not to be there. For theſe Spiritual-Holy things are for, and only for Spiritual and Holy Men; Heavenly places are for Heavenly Perſons, and Spiritual works for Spiritual Men. Now the Churches of Chriſt are the only Holy, Spiritual and Heavenly places, and the Seats and Subjects of Holy and Heavenly things. Chriſt prepares men by his Grace, Word and Spirit, to make them fit and meet materials, and then he calls them to joyn together and become a Spiritual Houſe, for his Delight, Service and Glory, 1 Pet. 2.5. And therefore ſuch, and only ſuch perſons ought to be Members of a Church of Chriſt; as will appear by theſe following particulars.

1. Becauſe God threatens, and often declares his deteſtation and abhorrence of others being there, and manifeſts his Indignation againſt them. As to the man that came to the ſupper without the Wedding Garment, Matth. 22.11, 12, 13. Then ſaid the King to his Servants, bind him hand and foot, and caſt him into outer Darkneſſe, Iſa. 33.14. The Sinners in Zion are afraid, fearfulneſs hath ſurprized the Hypocrites; p. 24who among us ſhall dwell with the devouring fire; who amongſt us ſhall dwell with everlaſting Burnings? And the five fooliſh Virgins, Mat. 25. and the dreadfull end of the Tares, Matth. 13.38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43. which were the Hypocrites that by the Devils inſtigation crept into the Churches, as in the 2. to the Galatians 4. c. Matth. 13.38, 39. It is true, that ſuch were and will be in the beſt Churches, let their Guides do all they can to prevent it, becauſe they cannot make an infallible Judgment of perſons ſtates (as was ſaid); and it is as certain, that they are Ʋſurpers, and ought not to be there▪ For although they are by Gods providence permitted to creep in, yet be ſure they are not there with his approbation and allowance: they are not all Iſrael that are of Iſrael, Rom. 9.6. for ſaith God to all the uncircumcized, What have you to do to take my Covenant into your mouth, ſeeing you hate Inſtruction and caſt my words behind your Back, (as all Hypocrites do) Pſal. 50.16, 17. and Chriſt ſays, that ſuch as will not have him to reign over them (and Hypocrites be ſure will not) ſhall be deſtroyed, Luke 19.27. Now either the Churches of God ſhould conſiſt of Saints and ſincere hearted Believers, or of formal hypocritical profeſſours, (as all are that are not prophane men, or real Saints) for all ſober men will confeſſe, that open prophane and debauched perſons ought not to be accounted Church Members, while they continue ſuch: not of Hypocrites, becauſe they are the moſt loathſome and abominable perſons in the ſight of God, as may be ſeen at large-in p. 25the 23 chapt. of Matth. from the 13. verſ. to the 35. and Chriſt tells us, that publicans and harlots ſhould go into the Kingdome of God before them, Matth. 21.31. And therefore they ſhould and ought to be ſincere-hearted Believers, and none elſe. I do not ſay that Churches ſhould account ſuch for Hypocrites, and reject them as ſuch, becauſe they do not certainly know them to be ſincere Saints who offer to joyn in fellowſhip with them: but I only ſay, that Hypocrites have no right unto, neither ought they to preſſe into the Holy Churches of Chriſt: for all the New-Teſtament Churches ſhould conſiſt onelyonly of New Creatures, and real Members of Jeſus Chriſt.

2. That all Church-members ought to be ſincere hearted Believers, appears, by the high Titles that the Lord Jeſus gives unto the Members of his Churches in the Scripture. He calls them not his Copper, but his Golden Candleſticks, Rev. 1.20. So David deſcribes the Spouſe of Chriſt, Pſal. 45.13. The Kings Daughter is all glorious within: her cloathing is of wrought Gold. So they are called Saints; holy Brethren and Beloved; elect and called; dear Children of God, and called into the fellowſhip of his Son, Rom. 1.7. Col. 3.12. 2 Theſ. 2.13. Eph. 5.1. Heb. 3.1. And the Apoſtle Paul tells the Church of the Theſſalonians that they were ſuch to whom the Goſpel came, not in word only, but alſo in power, and in the holy Ghoſt, and in much aſſurance: and hence he concludes, that they were the Elect of God, 1 Theſ. 1.4, 5. and he tells the Philippians, that God had begun a good work in them, and would perfect p. 26it, and that not in a few, but in all of them, chap. 1.5, 6. And the Church at Corinth, is called the Spouſe of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 11.2. and the Temple of God, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. 2 Cor. 6.16. as alſo the Holy Churches of God, and of Chriſt, (as you heard before), and that the Church of Epheſus was formed into a Holy Temple of God, and made his Habitation by the Spirit, Eph. 2.21, 22. And the Church at Rome wer the Children of God, and joynt heirs with Chriſt, Rom. 8. And Peter ſays, that they were lively ſtones, built up a Spiritual Houſe, and a Holy Prieſthood, 1 Pet. 2.5. and Paul tells the Epheſians, that they were the Lords Sealed ones, that they had the Spirit of God, which had Sealed them up unto the Day of Redemption, Eph. 1.13.4.30. Now theſe glorious things that are ſpoken of the Cities or Churches of God, Pſal. 87.3. ſuch honourable Titles belong not unto meer formal profeſſours, but only unto the real members of Chriſt; not unto thoſe that have a name only, but to ſuch as are ſo indeed and in Truth.

3. A third Reaſon is taken from the ends of Churches, or the ends of God in Inſtituting and appointing them: I'le name a few. 1. They are ſaid to be built by the Spirit for God, Eph. 2.21, 22. that is, for God to dwell in them and walk in them: to reſt and repoſe himſelf in them as in his holy Walkes, Gardens, houſes and Temples, 2 Cor. 6.16. Rev 2.1. Pſal. 132.13, 14. For the Lord hath chiſen Zion, he hath deſired it for his Habitation: this is my reſt for ever; here will I dwell, for I have deſired it: (Oh! that all Church-members would ſeriouſly p. 27mind this) and in Zeph. 3.16, 17. it is ſaid: In that day (ſpeaking of Goſpel-times) it ſhall be ſaid to Jeruſalem, fear thou not: and unto Zion, let not thine hands be ſlack. The Lord thy God in the midſt of thee is mighty: he will ſave, he will rejoyce over thee with Joy; he will reſt in his Love, he will Joy over thee with Singing. As men refreſh themſelves, and delight to be in the Houſe of their dear and hearty Friends and Relations, ſo doth God in his Churches, and as the Bridegroom rejoyceth over his Bride, ſo doth God over & in his own Churches, Iſa. 62.5. Now then if this be one of the holy ends of God, then ſurely they muſt be Churches of holy perſons not of Hypocrites, for God hates and abhors their preſence and ſervices, Iſa. 1.13.—16. Iſa. 66.3. Prov. 15.8.

2. They are intended and erected by his Spirit and Authority for his Glory in the World. When great Men build ſtetely Houſes, it is for their honour and Glory, and to diſtinguiſh themſelves from others: ſo when God builds himſelf a Spiritual Houſe, it is for his Honour and Glory, to diſtinguiſh his People from others. Solomon tells God, that he had built God a Houſe to dwell in; and alſo for his name, 1 Kings 8, 13, 19. (which he did by the Lords appointment and direction) ſo God appoints and ſets up particular Holy Temples by his Spirit, for his name and Glory: that they ſhould be to the praiſe of his glorious Grace; and be the living Witneſſes to his Name, Truths and Ways: that they ſhould be the Habitations of beauty and Glory: of fame and renown in the World, and be the lights therefore; and that with one p. 28heart and mouth they ſhould glorify God, Rom. 15.6. Golden Candleſticks in Princes Courts are ſet up for their glory, as ſuitable to their ſtate and dignity: ſo doth God erect and ſet up his Golden Candleſticks (the Churches of Believers) for his glory, as having a reſemblance of his ſtate and dignity: and it is Goſpel-holineſſe that becomes his Houſe fore ver, Pſal. 93.5. The Meſſengers of the Churches are ſaid to be the Glory of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 8.23. God calls the Church of the Jews his Glory, Iſa. 46.13. and that becauſe they were a Church of his own planting, and a Covenant people, and for Abraham, Iſaac, and Jacob, and the little Remnant ſake of Believers that were amongſt them, and who glorify him indeeed & in Truth. God beſtows his Grace, ſtamps his Image and infuſes his Holyneſſe into men, to meeten them for his Temple and Temple-work; and then formes and ſets them up in his own beauty and Glory, in a Church-ſtate; that there, as a Body compact, they may ſhine forth to his Glory and praiſe in the World. As many glittering daimonds in a gold Ring, do ſhine more gloriouſly upon a mans hand, than a hundred times ſo many more ſcattered up and down here and there, would do: ſo a company of men which are made pretious ſtones, fitted for a Houſe of God, being well and orderly ſet in a Church-ſtate or in a Houſe of God, do ſhine more gloriouſly there, than many more can do in a ſingle and individual capacity and ſtanding alone, to the honour and glory of God.

3. God Inſtitutes and builds Believers into Spiritual Houſes, for his peoples Spiritual profit p. 29and advantage: that God may there Impart his Loves, Cant. 7.12. and communicate his grace Truths and Counſels unto them, as to his avowed and publique houſhold and family, Eph. 2.19. Chriſt Walkes, and God the Father Dwells there, & the Holy Spirit Speaks to them in an eſpecial and frequent manner, Rev. 2.1. 2 Cor. 6.16. Rev. 2.7.11, &c. And aſſuredly Jeſus Chriſt does not walk, nor God the Father dwell there empty handed, but diſtributes plentifully of their Love and fullneſs. As great princes where they go and lodge, they will give like themſelves unto the houſhold Servants: and much more will God, as ſome can (and more may) experience. The Church-enjoyments of ſerious holy men are the faireſt, fulleſt, cleareſt and ſtrongeſt of all they have at any times; and that becauſe God dwells there as in his holy and delightful Temple, and walks there as in his pleaſant Gardens and Walks: and where God moſtly Dwells and Walks, and takes moſt pleaſure, there he imparts moſt of his Love and Grace. It is ſaid in 1 Kings 8.10, 11. That the Glory of the Lord filled the Houſe of the Lord, ſo that the Prieſt could not ſtand to Miniſter, becauſe the glorious preſence of God was ſo exceeding great there; and his diſtributions of Love and Grace to Solomon and other Saints, ſo many and great, as that the people went home joyfull and glad of Heart, verſ. 66. and in the 2 Chron. 7.16. ſays God (ſpeaking of the Temple) mine Eyes and mine Heart ſhall be there perpetually. Now if God did ſo now that material Temple made of Wood and Stone, as to manifeſt his Glory p. 30ſo much there, impart ſo richly of his Love and Grace to his people, and promiſed to dwell there continually: how much more will he do ſo unto his New-Teſtament Churches of Believers. They ſhall find that prophetical promiſe made good to them, in Pſal. 102.16. When the Lord ſhall build up Zion, he ſhall appear in his Glory. Beſides, a Church-ſtate, is a ſafe, as well as a thriving comfortable ſtate: for a Church of Chriſt rightly and duely formed and made up, is a Garden encloſed, Cant. 4.12. a Spring ſhut up, a Fountain ſealed (or barr'd): Whilſt Wood and Stones lie ſcattered abroad they may be ſtollen and carried away from the owner, ſo while Believers walk apart, and lie up and down ſcatteringly, they are in great danger of being ſeduced and lead away from Chriſt, with ſome of the errors of the wicked, and ſo in meaſure full from the Truth of Chriſt, 2 Pet. 3.17. but now in a Church-ſtate, or formal Houſe of God, they are ſafer and more ſecure, becauſe there they are hedged in with the diſcipline of Chriſt: there they are watched over by their fellowmembers and by the Officers of Chriſt, who are their overſeers and watchmen: there they are as in the orderly Inſtituted Family or houſhold of Chriſt, in the way and walks of Chriſt, and under the Eye and with the ſpecial preſence of Chriſt. Whilſt an Army of Souldiers walk as ſingle and individual Perſons, ſcattered abroad, they lie open to deſtruction by their Enemies; but when they are formed up, and walk together under officers and military diſcipline, every one knowing his place and p. 31keeping it, knowing the commands of their General, and obſerving them, they are ſafe, and ready to defend themſelves, and offend their Enemies. Particular and rightly conſtituted Churches of Believers, are like an Army with Banners, Cant. 6.4, 10. marching under the conſtant conduct of Jeſus Chriſt their Captain General, Eph. 1.22, 23. Heb. 2.10.

4. They are formed and ſet up by Jeſus Chriſt, to be the only Seats and Subjects (as of his glorious preſence) ſo of his Laws, Ordinances, Power and Authority: that they might receive, obſerve and obey his Laws, declare before all men their owning of him for their Lord, by their open and publique profeſſion of, and ſubjection unto him as ſuch, and that by their diſtinct and ſingular following of him in incorporated Bodies, they might manifeſt to all men that they are his Subjects and diſciples; that they have choſen him for their Lord and King, and his Law for their Rule and Obedience; that they are not their own, but his, and that they have taken up in him as in their happineſs and eternal Bleſſedneſs, Col. 2.6. 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. 2 Cor. 5.15. That they are called out of the World, Joh. 15.19. and ſet apart by his Grace, for himſelf, to live unto him; and that they have taken upon themſelves his holy Yoke, and the obſervation of all his Laws. So likewiſe, that his ſubjects might with one mind and mouth together, preſent their ſervice and homage unto him, as their only Lord, Head and King. For Churches as Churches, or Believers walking according to his appointment p. 32and direction in Churches, are capable of his holy Supper, that glorious Pledge and Seal of his Love and Grace to them: it is called the Communion of the Body and Blood of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 10.16. and ſays the Apoſtle to the particular congregated Church at Corinth, we being many, are one Bread and one Body, verſ. 17. That great ordinance of the Lords Supper is not given to Believers as ſuch only, but unto Believers as in a Church-ſtate, or incorporated into a Body or Communion together: having the name, form and order of a Church of Chriſt, and Houſe of God.

The Iſraelites were not to permit any to Eat the paſſover until they became members of their Church, Exod. 12.47, 48. Neither will Chriſt Jeſus have any to Eat his Supper out of a Church-State, where and when they may have it in a Church-State. And (as was noted before) it is obſervable, that almoſt all the principal Doctrines and Laws of the New-Teſtament are given and directed unto the Churches, or to Believers as inchurched; as alſo Teachers and Ruling Elders are provided for, and given to the Churches: and there the Lord Jeſus comes, and obſerves how they are received and obeyed, Rev. 2.23.

5. God hath Inſtituted and formed up Believers into Churches, that he may feed and nouriſh them there, as his flocks: that he may water them as his Gardens, ſupport them as his Houſes, order and govern them as his Familys & Houſholds, and that by his Spirit & Miniſters. They are appointed to water them, 1 Cor. 3.6, 7. to feed and nouriſh them, Act. 20.17, 23. p. 331 Pet. 5.1, 2, 3. and to rule, govern and take the over-ſight of them: Heb 13.7, 17. 1 Theſ. 5.12. They are to teach and inſtruct them, to warnand caution them: to reprove and exhort them: to comfort them and build them up with the milk and ſtrong meat of Spiritual ſound Doctrine, 1 Cor. 3.1, 2. Heb. 5.12, 13, 14. and that by their ſpeaking unto them (as to their own flocks and peculiar Churches and charges, from and under Chriſt) the Truths of Chriſt in Love, they may grow up into him in all things, Eph. 4.15. So alſo for Believers regular and orderly walking, Col. 2.5. God is a God of Order, and he loves to ſee his People walking orderly and regularly, conforming themſelves to his Laws and Government. And if earthly Governours (by the Light of Nature) are careful to ſet up, and give unto their Subjects, Laws and Orders for their regular and orderly walking, and love greatly to ſee them ſo to walk under their Laws and Government, in their Cities and politick Bodies; how much more careful is Jeſus Chriſt to ſet his People in order and method, and how pleaſing and delightful muſt it needs be to Jeſus Chriſt, to ſee his Subjects walk orderly and regularly in his Cities, and Spiritual Bodies, that are of his own appointment. Theſe are ſome of the ends of God, in inſtituting and erecting of Churches. Many other might be named and inſiſted on, but that I may not exceed my Intentions.

Fourthly, The Churches of Jeſus Chriſt muſt conſiſt of new-Creatures and ſincerehearted Believers, Becauſe they can and will p. 34anſwer and proſecute theſe aforeſaid and ſuch like holy ends of God in and by his Churches. I ſay theſe can and will becauſe they are fitted and qualified (in meaſure) by the grace and Spirit of Chriſt to aim at and effectually to proſecute theſe holy ends of God; but ſo cannot others, neither would they, if they could, becauſe they have not the ſaving Knowledge, nor practical Wiſdome of Chriſt in them: they are ſtrangers in Heart to Jeſus Chriſt and the Power of Godlyneſs. All others at the beſt have but a name to live, but are dead at the Root, Rev. 3.1. Matth. 8.22. neither are they made a willing People, to joyn Iſſues and comply with the holy ends of God. Pſal. 110.3. becauſe God hath not (by reaſon of their wickedneſſe and obſtinacy) wrought in them, to will and to do, as he hath in his peculiar people; they are not yet wrought by God for this ſelf ſame thing, as real Saints are, Phil. 2.13. 2 Cor. 5.5. they are not renewed in the Spirit of their minds, after the Image of Him that Created them, as Saints are, Col. 3.10. But now real and peculiar Believers are fitted and framed, moulded and polliſhed by the Holy Ghoſt, for their growing up into a holy Temple in the Lord, Eph. 2.21. and ſo by the conſtant and promiſed guidance and conduct of their living head, Jeſus Chriſt, with their Spiritual qualifications, they are enabled to anſwer and perform the great ends of God in erecting and building them up in Churches. When a wiſe man builds a Houſe, he will propound ſome ends to himſelf in his ſo doing, and accordingly he will make uſe of, and lay in ſuch materials, and ſo form and build p. 35it, as that it may effectually anſwer his ends, if he be able: Now if he build it with hay and ſtubble, or with rotten wood, althought it may ſtand a while, yet be ſure it will not ſtand long, nor anſwer his ends. So the great maſter builder who is the Alſufficient and only wiſe God, propounded great and holy ends to himſelf, in Inſtituting and building of Churches and Temples: and theſe ſuch, as ſhould irrefruſtrably be obtained, notwithſtanding all poſſible contingencies & Interveniencies whatſoever for ſays God, my purpoſe ſhall ſtand and I will do all my pleaſure, Iſa. 46.10. I will build Churches and Temples, for my Glory, to dwell in them, and walk in them; to have peculiar Love, homage and ſervice from them; to have their free hearty and chearful obedience and Reſpects: that I might enrich them with my Grace, build them up in Faith and Godlyneſs, delight in an refreſh my ſelf with them; make them a praiſe in the Earth, and Glorify the Houſes of my Glory: Iſa. 60.7. That there I may ſet my miniſtery. and Officers, and that among them I may ſet my Laws Rules and Ordinances. But hypocrites and formaliſts will never anſwer nor proſecute theſe ends, as I found by experience among the Old-Church-Members of the Jews: I cannot look for it, nor expect it from them; for they are a people of an other Spirit; they ſlight my Grace and reject my eaſy yoke: and therefore they ſhall not be honoured with memberſhip in my Churches; in my particular Goſſpel Churches; but if they creep in (as many will do) I will loath and abhor their preſence, p. 36I will root them up, caſt them out, and that into everlaſting fire: for whatever they profeſs to be, yet I know that they are not for my Turn and will ſtand me in no ſtead there, but to provoke me to wrath with their Hypocriſy, and make fuell for the fire of my Jealouſy. Therefore my New-Teſtament-Churches ſhall be built only of Holy and Spiritual materials, not of dead, but living Stones, 1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 2.1.5. ſuch as my Word and Spirit ſhall polliſh and prepare for that work and Service, that ſo by them I may obtain my Holy ends and carry on my great deſignes. I know that my peculiar People will receive, ſubmit unto, and obey my Laws; that they will Love and honour me, that they will ſhine as lights in the World, and that they will give me kind and cordial entertainment, and that will cleave to and not forſake me. Therefore they ſhall be my Churches.

Fifthly, Becauſe all the Laws, Ordinances and Works of Church-Members are holy, Spiritual and Heavenly. They are ſuch as the natural Man underſtands not, cannot diſcern what they are, and that becauſe they are ſuch, and they that are not taught of God ſavingly and powerfully, to underſtand and make a Judgment of them, do think and Judge of them carnally and vainly, 1 Cor. 2.9. — end. But Believers have them written in their Minds and Hearts beforehand; they have them not without Book; I mean they have the ſame Laws of Chriſt written in the books of their hearts, which they find in the Bible, Jer. 31.33. Heb. 8.10, 11. Heb. 10.16. by which they are capacitated p. 37and (in ſome meaſure) enabled to underſtand, receive, love and rightly obey, the Laws and Ordinances of Chriſt without. The Laws, ſays Paul, is Spiritual, Rom. 7. and a real ſound Believer is called a Spiritual Man, 1 Cor. 2. Their Laws are Holy and Spiritual: their works and buſineſſes in a Church are ſo likewiſe, John 4.23, 24 Eph. 5, 19. Col. 3.16. and a particular congregated Church is called a Holy-Temple, and Spiritual Houſe, Eph. 2.21. 1 Pet. 2.5. They have a Holy God, (who is a Spirit) to Serve and Worſhip, a Spiritual head to believe in and obey, and Holy and Spiritual Work to do in their Churchſtate; and therefore they had need be Holy and Spiritual Perſons, not without in profeſſion only, but within in Truth. Almoſt all the Laws and Ordinances of Chriſt are committed to them, and God expects his principal and choiceſt Worſhip from his Churches, and they are all above and beyond the reach of carnal Men. God firſt makes Spiritual Men, and then with them he formes Spiritual Houſes, and then as ſuch, he gives them Holy Laws and Ordinances, and ſpiritual work to do; and requires them to do it as ſpiritual Perſons and Churches. Chriſt doth not form them into Churches as reaſonable men, but as good, Holy and Spiritual men, and ſuits his Laws to their Capacities and States; as at firſt he framed and ſuited them to his Laws. Chriſt calls his People into Churches, and incorporated congregated Bodies, that they may as ſuch receive and practice his ſpiritual and Holy Church Laws and Ordinances, for his Glory p. 38and their good; and they are ſpiritual Laws and Ordinances for ſpiritual men; and therefore only ſuch ſhould be Members of Chriſt's Churches. For what ſhall Hypocrites do in the Holy ſpiritual Temples and Churches of God, and what uſe will they make of Chriſt's Laws and Holy Ordinances, but to defile and polute them, and eat and drink their own Damnation? 1 Cor. 11.

Sixthly, Becauſe the ſeparation between Saints and Sinners begun here in this Life, by the Lords calling men out of the World and forming them up into Holy Temples for himſelf, is the beginning of that everlaſting ſeparation that ſhall be in the great day of Chriſt his appearing, between the Sheep and the Goats; Matth. 25.31, 32, 41. or at leaſt a ſhadow and reſemblance of it; for the comfort of the Saints and terror of the wicked. Says Chriſt hereafter I will come in Glory, ſet upon my Throne, before me ſhall be gathered all nations, and then will I ſeperate them on from another, as a Shepherd divideth this Sheep from the Goats. 31, 32. and then I will ſay to the Sheep, come ye Bleſſed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you; and to the other, go ye Curſed into everlaſting ſire: 34.41. Now becauſe you wil not believe me, nor what I ſay in this matter, ſee what I have begun already in it; you ſee a few ſeperated from you in this world before your eyes, and formed up into Holy-Temples for me: and this is not their own Work, or done of themſelves, or of their own minds and carnal apprehenſions, or ſingular proud notions and Opinions (as you falſly charge them) no, but this thing is done of me: p. 39I will own it as my own Work; for I have commanded them to ſeparate, and have called them out from amongſt you, who continue ſtill in your Infidelity and unregenerate States, John 15.19. 2 Cor. 6.14, 15, 16, 17. 2 Tim. 3.5. and bid them congregate together as my peculiar People, and become my Spiritual Houſes and Churches; and I have by my Spirit made them willing and moved their hearts to do ſo, as you ſee them do: I own them, and will ſtand by them in it, for it is not ſo much they that have ſeparated themſelves, as it is I my ſelf that have done it: and what they have done therein is in obedience unto me, and that to convince you of the Truth of my Word for as certainly as you ſee theſe my People now ſeparated from you, ſo I will at the laſt day make an eternal ſeperation between them and you, unleſs you repent and become my People in Seaſon. And as it is intended for the conviction and terror of the wicked, ſo alſo for the comfort and confirmation of Believers; for by the Lords ſeparating them from the World and building them up into Holy-Temples, he gives them a notable pledge, and earneſt of the aſſured and promiſed difference, of that great and everlaſting diſcrimination & ſeperation, that ſhall be between them and the wicked. Now good men are apt to think that (becauſe all things ſeems to happen alike to all as Solomon ſpeaks) that there is no difference, or very little between the wicked and them (although there is indeed a vaſt difference, (upon many accounts) between them now) and ſo are apt to be diſcouraged in their duties p. 40and walkings; but to chear them up, and ſupport their Spirits; here ſays God is a very great diſtinguiſhing difference, and a pledge of a greater between you and the World. I have called you out of the World, and brought you near unto my Self: I have ſeperated you already from the Lions and Goats and made you my formal and publique habitations and Holy-Temples; which is your honour, priviledg and dignity. I do not ſay that all, that are not of ſuch or ſuch particular Churches, are Goats, or unbelievers, no, I cannot entertain ſuch a thought in my Heart; for as I think and fear, that there are many hypocrites crept into Churches, ſo I believe that there are many gracious Perſons, which to their own loſſe, and Gods diſhonour, do live out of Church-fellowſhip: ſo their are others that would joyn with them, but cannot, and others can, but will not. But I ſay, that Jeſus Chriſt will have his Churches made up of Saints only, and not of ſuch as ſhall be everlaſtingly ſeperated, but of ſuch as ſhall live and reign with Jeſus Chriſt for evermore, in the Church triumphant; and that for this reaſon (among others) becauſe it may comfort, and confirm the Saints in their hope and walking with God, and convince and terrify the wicked.

Seventhly, The Churches ought to be built of Believers and regenerate perſons, becauſe they may continue and ſtand faſt in all Storms and Tempeſts, and hold out unto the end, as being built upon the Rock Jeſus Chriſt. For whatever Church is builded upon the Sand and not upon the Lord Jeſus, and by the Authority and help p. 41of his Word and Spirit, will not ſtand long; becauſe it wants a bottome to bear up its weight. They muſt all be built upon the Rock and chief corner-Stone; the foundation that God hath laid, Matth. 7.24, 25. 1 Cor. 3.11. Matth. 16.18. the Lord Jeſus tells us, that upon this Rock (that was himſelf and the Truths that Peter had confeſſed) will I build my Church, and the Gates of Hell ſhall not prevail againſt it.

Now Hypocrites are not built upon Chriſt, for if they were, that great promiſe of perſeverance would belong to them, and then the ſtony Ground would be in as good and ſafe a condition. as the good Ground; but the contrary is apparent, Matth. 13. and Matth. 7. But it is certain that they are not built on Chriſt by faith, but are vocted in themſelves, and build their vain hopes on a ſandy Foundation, Job. 8. Matth. 7. and in many other Scriptures is manifeſt. Therefore, if there perſons are not built on Chriſt, their Church-ſtate is not, but upon the Sand. Hence then it follows, that only ſound Believers are built on Chriſt and ſo they are the perſons only that Chriſt will have built up into Holy-Temples: becauſe the Churches that Chriſt builds, (he himſelf ſays,) he will build upon himſelf, that they may ſtand inpregnably in all weathers, and that is only of ſuch as are united unto him by Faith, and have choſen him for their only Rock and Foundation, by a lively Faith, and not of ſuch as do ſecretly reject him.

Obj. If it be ſaid, that, the Text in Matth. 16. ſpeaks of the inviſible Catholick Church.

I Anſwer, And I am ſpeaking too of the p. 42Members of the Catholick Church; and ſay, that all particular congregated Churches of Believers, are, or ought (to be ſuch as are united unto and built upon Chriſt by Faith; and that theſe ought) to congregate and become Churches of God and none elſe; and that according unto the directions of the Goſpel of Chriſt: and then, if they be indeed ſuch, that promiſe in Matth. belongs to them, and they ſhall be ſecured by it, as well as the Catholick Church, although they be formed up (according to Chriſts his Inſtitution) into particular congregational Churches. And although (after they are thus formed) they may be broken (in a Senſe) and ſcattered, as the Church at Jeruſalem was, Act. 8.1. yet they are ſtill ſecured by that promiſe, and have communion with each other in Faith. Love, tears and Prayers: in Judgment and affection.

The Lord Jeſus ſuffers in name and Glory by the fall of his Churches, or ſuch as pretend to be ſo: as he that built his houſe on the ſand is called a fooliſh man, by Spectators, Matth. 7. and if Churches ſhould be ſo built, either for want of a good Foundation, or good matter, or wiſe and carefull cementing and forming up the materials; how greatly will the Wiſdom and care of Chriſt ſuffer, by the Tongues of his Enemies, becauſe ſuch Churches took upon themſelves the name of Chriſt and pretended to be his people and to walk by his Laws. And as the fall of them will be a Reproach to Chriſt, ſo it will be matter of grief and ſcandal to the weak Members of Chriſt alſo whether they were in, or out of thoſe Churches, thus fallen; p. 43and it will greatly harden the hearts of Sinners againſt the good ways of God, and cauſe them to think that there is no reality in his Goſpel Religion; and therefore Chriſt cannot endure, to ſee his houſes fall to the ground, but takes care, that all that he builds by his Word and Spirit, be ſo built and ſecured, as that the Gates of Hell ſhall not overthrow them, nor by any means prevail againſt them, to deſtroy them and that becauſe they are founded, ſecured & ſupported by his promiſe and Spirit.

I might produce many other Reaſons for the proof and confirmation of this Truth, that none but real Believers ought to be formed up into a Church of Chriſt. As concerning the priviledges and promiſes that belong to a Church of Chriſt. There are many of them (which may be ſpoken of, on an other head) which are two high and glorious for the Inglorious profeſſing Hypocrities; and therefore they muſt be entayled only on the true heirs of them, (viz.) the living Members of Chriſt and Children of God. Hypocrites who refuſe to have Chriſt on his own Terms, and who preferr their Luſts before him, and their own Righteouſneſſe, before Chriſts, and daily make him a Lyar, 1 John 5. have nothing to do with them. There is a little Remnant called out of the World, to whom they do onelyonly belong, and they, and only they, may claim them as their own. Again, becauſe only Believers are Chriſts willing ſubjects, ſuch as have freely put their necks under his Yoke, and given up themſelves in univerſal obedience to him, and that have heartily choſen him for their Lord p. 44and Governour, and his Laws for their Rule and practice But it is well known, that all other men do reject him, and yeild obedience unto the Devil and their Luſts. They will have the Lord Jeſus bow down to their Terms, but they will not come up to his. They ſay as thoſe in Joh. 6.60. this is a hard Yoke, who can bear it: and therefore although we will profeſſe him, that we will not have him rule over us. And therefore he doth not call them to partake of the Children of the Kingdomes Bread, or to his true Subjects priviledges and Bleſſings, whileſt they continue ſuch. Moreover, only true Believers are Clean, and Pure, all others are unclean: They are ſtrangers to him and his People) unwaſhed and uncircumcized in Ears and Hearts. They are not Juſtifyed nor Sanctifyed, nor purged from their uncleanneſſe by the blood of the Lamb: and therefore they may not come near to, or touch the holy things of his Church, which are holy, pure things, and ſanctifyed unto the holy uſe of his enchurched-members. I would not be tedious, and therefore ſhall wave all further conſideration of this matter, although I could multiply Reaſons to prove, that only real true Believers ſhould be Church-Members. But I ſhall ſpeak a few words for the removing of an objection advanced againſt this Truth, which is this. But we read of Tares in the field, amongſt the good wheat, good and bad fiſhes, caught in the neet of the Goſpel, and brought into the Kingdome, which is the Church of God; as alſo many evil members in ſeveral of the Congregational Churches, mentioned p. 45in the Scripture, and therefore Churches may conſiſt of good and bad men.

All this may be true, and yet the Truth inſiſted on, not at all touched or weakened thereby. It is true, if there were evil members in thoſe Goſpel Churches, and they proved evil Members indeed, and great afflictions to bleſſed Paul, and the good Members of them. But what then? ought they to have been there, or were they known to be ſuch indeed to the Apoſtles and other good men, when they admitted them? were they there by Chriſts call, and with his approbation and allowance, although he permitted them to creep in among his People? Now unleſſe it can be proved that they ought to be there, that they were admitted when known to be ſuch, as afterward they appeared to be, that it was their duty and priviledge, while ſuch, and that Chriſt approved there being there: I ſay until that be proved by the word of God, we muſt conclude that they were Ʋſurpers and had nothing to do in the Churches of Chriſt, I do not diſcourſe of who were in the Churches, but who ought to be there: Not who thought themſelves worthy and crept in of their own accord, but who Chriſt called there, and came in, in obedience to him. I am ſure they were not welcome to Chriſt or his People: the Apoſtles wiſhes ſuch were Cut off: Gal. 5.12. and exhorts Believers, to withdraw from them that walked diſorderly: 2 Theſ. 3.6. and to turn away from them, 2 Tim. 3.5. to mark and avoid them, Rom. 16.17. and the Lord Jeſus gives in charge to his Churches, that they proſecute his Laws againſt p. 46diſorderly Church-members, even to the caſting of them out of the Church, in caſe they repent not, Mat. 18.17. and threatens the evil Members of the Churches of Sardis & Laodicea, ſeverely, Rev. 3. and therefore ſurely, if they were Hypocrites, he would not have found them there, to diſhonour his name and grieve his People, as they did.

And as for the inſtances of the Tares, and bad fiſhes brought into the Kingdome of Heaven, no more can be ſaid for the juſtifing them, in what they did, than of the other, before minded and anſwered, and the ſame Anſwer will refell theſe two likewiſe. But if you mind it, you will find that the Tares there, if meant of Perſons and not of doctrines (which is a queſtion) are ſaid to be the Children of the wicked one, and he that ſowed them was the Devil, verſ. 38, 39. So that theſe Tares, or Members, were not of Jeſus Chriſt his bringing there, but of the Devils; and who will ſay then that they ought to be there? Will Jeſus Chriſt have the Devils hand and help to enlarge his Church, or will he accept and approve of ſuch perſons for his Church-members, to help forward the building of his holy Temple, for the habitation of God, that are choſen and ſent by the Devil? As for others it is expreſly ſaid verſ. 37. that he that ſoweth the good Seed, is the Son of Man: and in oppoſition thereunto, it is ſaid, his Enemy the Devil ſowed Tares in the ſame field, which was hurtfull unto the good ſeed. Therefore (as I ſaid before) that Hypocrites are not called nor ſent by Jeſus Chriſt into Churches, but by the Devil: which is a good p. 47Reaſon againſt their being there. And to what purpoſe are they there, but to grattify the Devil and their own Luſts, to afflict and grieve (if not corrupt) the good Seed, to diſhonour Chriſt and encreaſe their own miſery.

As to the good and bad Fiſhes, there need no more be ſaid concerning them, then that Hypocrites and rotten hearted men will croud into the Churches of Chriſt, amongſt his good People, but they ought not ſo to do, for they are not called to come, becauſe they are of Satans Kingdome of darkneſſe, and have no part or portion with the true Children of God and heirs of his Kingdome. So that I think there hath been enough ſaid as to that, namely, that none ought to be Members of Chriſts particular Churches, but real Believers. And now I ſhould proceed to ſpeak of the form of a particular congregated Church of Chriſt, but that I think it neceſſary to ſpeak a little unto two Queſtions firſt.

5. Queſt. What fitneſs or qualifications ſhould Believers find in themſelves for their own ſatisfaction, before they enter into fellowſhip, & become Church-members, or joyn themſelves as members to ſome Church of Chriſt.

Anſw. Firſt they ſhould have a well grounded hope of their Regeneration, or new ſtate in Chriſt, that they have ſeen their need of Chriſt; ſingled him out (by grace) and choſen him upon his own Terms: that they have received a meaſure of his anointings, Grace, Spirit, light and Life, and that they are accepted in the Lord Jeſus: that they have put off the Old Man, and put on the New, and are renewed p. 48in meaſure, by the word and Spirit, after the Image of Chriſt. I ſay, they ſhould have at leaſt, a well grounded hope. For many gratious hearts have ſuch a hope, that have no aſſurance; who hold their Title and claim to Chriſt and Heaven, but had never the ſeal of it on their hearts; or if they ever had it, they have by their own careleſneſs loſt it; and ſo have only hope left. And this indeed will hold their Souls in Life (by the Spirit) though not in comfort and ſatisfaction: Heb. 6.19. and the Apoſtle tells ſuch that they are ſaved by hope, Rom. 8.24. and that they are the Children of hope, which puts them upon that great and Noble Work, of purifying themſelves, as he is pure: 1 Joh. 3.3. and ſtirs them up, to perfect holyneſſe in the fear of God: 2 Cor. 7.1. As faith that precedes it, doth, Act. 15.9.

This Hope is not a dead, but a lively hope: it is not idle but operative and working; it is active and laborious in purging out of Luſts, and getting in of Holyneſs and Grace, 1 Pet. 1.3. 1 Joh. 3.3. as a ſound ſpecial Faith is, Jam. 2.18. And the Apoſtle tells us; that it is an Anchor of the Soul, both ſure and ſtedfaſt, Heb. 6.19. ſo when God promiſes mercies unto his People, he tells them, that he will give them a door of hope, Hoſ. 2.15. which hope is Chriſt in them, Phil. 1.27. And therefore if you have this Hope, you are in a happy State, and ought to joyn your ſelves unto ſome Church of Chriſt, give up your ſelves in univerſal obedience to Chriſt, and wait in a houſe of God for his Seal, and the full aſſurance of his love p. 49to your Souls. But more particularly and briefly; I deſire you to examine your ſelves, and ſee how you can anſwer theſe few Interrogatories: try your ſelves effectually and throughly by them.

1. Can you ſay indeed, that you do ſeriouſly and heartily deſire, chuſe and endeavour, to ſee and be more deeply and powerfully convinced of your own vileneſs, and ſinfulneſs: of your own weakneſſe and wretchedneſſe, and of your wants and nothingneſſe? and that in order to your deep and Spiritual humiliation and ſelf debaſing: that you may be more vile in your own eyes, and Jeſus Chriſt, and free grace more precious, high and honourable, more ſweet and deſirable? that your hearts may be melted into Godly ſorrow, and that you may be moved thereby to abhorr your ſelves, and repent in Duſt and Aſhes? Job. 42.5, 6.

2. Can you ſay that you do ſeriouſly and heartily deſire, chuſe and endeavour to believe in Chriſt, and to receive and accept him upon his own Terms? ſuch as you find in Mark. 8.34. Luke 14.26, 27, 28. and elſewhere. Do you ſo deſire, chuſe and endeavour to have him with his Yoke and Croſs, Matth. 11.28, 29. and do you ſo Deny your ſelves of your ſinful ſelf, and righteous ſelf, and worldly ſelf, and ſuppoſed able and powerful ſelf; and all other carnal and Spiritual ſelfs, that Chriſt may only be exalted; that you may be nothing in your luſtification and Salvation, but that Jeſus Chriſt and free Grace, may be all, and in all things? Col. 3.11. Phil. 3.7, 8. do you deſire, p. 50chuſe and endeavour, the having of Chriſt upon the hardeſt Terms, and do you deſire, &c. that all may go for Chriſt his Perſon, his Blood and Righteouſneſs: his Grace, Love, Life and Spirit: for the pardon of your ſins and Juſtification of your Perſons: that you may be found in him, not having your own Righteouſneſſe, but the Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, by Faith? Phil. 3.9. and do you go and preſent your ſelves naked, and as condemned Sinners to him, and to God the Father in and by him, that you may be cloathed with the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and that God may pardon, juſtify and accept you for his ſake, only?

3. Do you ſeriouſly and heartily deſire, chuſe and endeavour, to have Chriſt Jeſus for your Lord and Ruler too, Col. 2.6. that he may Rule in you and over you, and that your Luſts and your ſelves, your Intereſts and your all may be ſubject unto him, and be all at his command and diſpoſal continually? Is Chriſt the Lord as acceptable unto you, as Chriſt Jeſus the Saviour, and are you willing to obey him, and ſubject to his Authority and Lordſhip, as well as to be ſaved by him? Would you have him deſtroy your Luſts, make an end of Sin, and bring all under his Obedience?

4. Do you ſeriouſly and heartily deſire, chuſe and endeavour, never to ſin more, but to walk with God unto all well pleaſing continually, Col. 1.10. and do you pray earneſtly, that God would work in you that which is wellpleaſing in his ſight, Heb. 13.21. that you may in all your waies, honour and glorify p. 51him, as the end of your living in this World, 2 Cor. 5.15. Would you indeed live to the praiſe of his glorious Grace, and be an Ornament unto his Name and Goſpel, and would you be fruitful in every good Word and Work? Are theſe things the Scope, aim and intendment of your hearts and Souls (in ſome good meaſure and degree) daily, in duties and Ordinances, and at other times?

5. Do you ſeriouſly and heartily chuſe and deſire communion with Chriſt, and do you indeed and in truth, endeavour ſo as to obtain it, and keep it? do you ſo ſeek for it in the way of Goſpel obedience, and in obſerving your duty and keeping Chriſts commands, and do you prefer it before and above earthly, carnal things? do your hearts breathe and pant after it, and are you willing to deny ſelf and carnal Intereſts to get it? Are you glad when you find it, and ſad, when by your own careleſneſs you loſe it? doth it (when obtained) quicken your love to, and zeal for Chriſt; doth it warm your hearts and cauſe them (for a time) to run your race in Goſpel obedience, cheerfully? doth it lead you unto, and lodge your hearts in Chriſt, and doth it oblige and bind them faſter unto him, and doth it ſtir you up to thankfulneſſe?

6. Do you ſeriouſly, and heartily deſire, chuſe and endeavour, to be filled with Goſpel ſincerity towards God and men, and had you rather be ſincere and real hearted towards God, than ſeem to be ſo towards Men? had you much rather have the Praiſe of God, than of men, and to be approved of by him, than extolled by p. 52men? Is it your care, aim and endeavour, to carry your ſelves ſincerely before him, and to approve your ſelves unto him, under the fear & conviction of his all ſeeing Eye? Is it the great thing you mind and aim at, in your profeſſion and practice; namely, ſincerity and uprightneſſe of Heart: do you make conſcience of drawing near to God with it, and to ſeaſon every duty with this divine Salt? do you indeed deſire, chuſe and endeavour to be after Gods own Heart (as David was) and Nathaniels indeed, in whom is no Guile, although you cannot get clear, nor rid your ſelves of all Hypocriſy, as you ſhould? Is Integrity and uprightneſſe of Heart in your Eye, reſolutions and Intentions, and is all Hypocriſy hateful and abominable unto you? & do you love ſincerity and labour after it indeed? Are you afraid of Hypocriſy, and do you watch and ſtrive againſt it, as againſt an Enemy to God and your own Souls, and are you grieved indeed, when you find it in you?

7. Do you deſire and chuſe Jeſus Chriſt for the great object of your Love, Delight and Joy; and do you find him to be ſo, in ſome Meaſure? do you deſire and endeavour to make him the object of your ſtrongeſt and warmeſt affections, and to love him Sincerely, Heartily, Spiritually, fervently and conſtantly; and do you expreſs your Love to him, by keeping his commandements, and doing the things that are welpleaſing in his ſight? Joh. 14.15. 1 Joh. 3.22. Are you grieved and afflicted in Spirit, becauſe you can love him no more, and do you earneſtly pray unto him to Circumciſe your hearts p. 53to love him, Deut. 30.6. and to Shed abroad his love into your hearts, by the Holy Ghoſt; that you may love him as you ſhould, Rom. 5.5. Are you glad and do you rejoyce when you find your hearts Knit to him in love, and is it your trouble when it is otherwiſe with you? doth his Love and Lovelyneſs attract and draw your hearts to him, and doth the Love of Chriſt in your hearts, move and draw you to obey his commands? Is it ſo indeed, do you find it ſo ſometimes with you?

8. Is it the deſire, choice and endeavour of your Hearts and Souls, to have all ſin purged out of your Hearts, and to have them filled with Chriſt, Grace, Truth, and Holyneſs, and do you hate your ſin, watch and arm againſt it and endeavour to keep it under? do you indeed aim at, deſire, labour and ſtrive to be holy in Heart and Life, and conformable unto Jeſus Chriſt in all things? Are your Luſts your heavieſt Burdens and your greateſt afflictions; and do you intend and endeavour their utter ruine and deſtructions? will no degree or meaſure of Grace ſatisfy you, but you muſt and will be perfect, to the utmoſt, as Chriſt is? Are you ſo much concerned with Chriſts honour & your Souls holyneſs and happineſs, as that you dare not knowingly ſin againſt them for a World, or do in word or deed, directly or indirectly by omiſion or commiſſion, that which may diſhonour, grieve or wound them? Are theſe things ſo indeed?

9. Have you a meaſure of Spiritual knowledge, and diſcerning of Spiritual things? do you a little underſtand the nature and concernments p. 54of a houſe of God, and the work and duties, the priviledges and enjoyments thereof, and what you have to do there? have you ſtudied and learnt theſe matters, and do you in meaſure underſtand them, and can you make a right and competent Judgment of the ends of God, in Inſtituting and erecting of Holy Temples, and Spiritual Churches?

10. Do you intend, purpoſe and reſolve in the light, Life and power of Chriſt, to ſeek for and endeavour unfainedly to obtain and proſecute the ends of Church fellowſhip, when you ſhall be accepted among them; and do you deſire and aim at the holy ends of God in deſiring Communion with them? As (1) To enjoy God, and hold communion with him in all his ordinances and appointments. (2) To worſhip God there in Spirit and Truth, and give him your homage and ſervice in his houſe. (3) To ſhew and declare your ſubjection and obedience unto him, and to make a publique and open profeſſion of him before men. (4) To receive of his Grace, to enrich your Souls with his fulneſſe, and to be ſealed by his Spirit unto the day of your Redemption. (5) That you may walk orderly and beautifully, and ſhine as Lights in the Churches, and in the world before Saints and Sinners. (6) That you may be eſtabliſhed in the Truth, live under the watch and care of Chriſts Miniſters, and of fellow Members; that by their inſpection and faithful dealings with you, you may be kept from, and brought back from ſin to God, by their wiſe Reproofs and holy Inſtructions. (7) That you may yield up your ſelves in Univerſal obedience unto p. 55Chriſt, and do all things whatſoever he commands you; that you may have the right uſe and enjoyment of all your purchaſed priviledges, and be ſecured againſt the Gates of Hell? Are theſe, and ſuch like ends, in your minds and hearts, in your walking in Church-fellowſhip; and can you find the forementioned mark or ſigns of Grace in you, in meaſure, though not ſo clearly and fully as you would? Why then I may boldly and humbly tell you, that you are fitted and qualified for Church memberſhip, that you are called and invited into the houſe and Temple of God, and that you are indiſpenſibly bound to anſwer to the call of God, and ſay, behold Lord, we come unto thee, and will freely without delay; thankfully without grudying; humbly without pride, with mourning and rejoycing, enter into thy Courts; joyn with thy Churches, and grow into a holy Temple to thy Praiſe and Honour. We will no longer ſlight our great priviledges, neglect our great and indiſpenſible Duties, or walk diſorderly, as we have done: but we do now willingly come and offer our ſelves unto thee, and to enter into a ſolemn engagement, to be thine, to walk in all thy ways, and do the things that pleaſe thee.

I ſay, that Church priviledges are yours; the doors of Gods houſe ſtand open for you; Chriſt ſtands at the door and waites for you: he invites you to come in, ſit down at his Table, and you ſhall be moſt freely and heartily welcome to your Lord, and his people. And know, that it is your unavoidable and indiſpenſible duty to enter into his houſe.

p. 565. Queſt. Ought a Church of Chriſt, eſpecially the Guides thereof, to let in any that profeſſe the name and waies of Jeſus Chriſt; (and offer themſelves unto them) or ought they not to try and prove them firſt, whether they are rightly qualified by the grace of Chriſt, for full memberſhip with his people: if ſo, then what are the qualifications they ſhould look for, and find in them, for their own ſatisfaction, which they admit into the holy Temple of God?

Anſw. 1. It is certain, that all that profeſſe the name of Chriſt and his waies, ought not, may not be admitted into the Lords holy Temples; becauſe many, if not the moſt of them, are very Ignorant of Chriſt and his ways, and notorious ſcandalous in their Lives: as ſad and wofull experience ſhews.

2. It hath been (I think) ſufficiently proved before, that not any but real-hearted ſound Believers, are fit materials for a houſe and holy Temple of God; and if ſo, then a Church, or the Guides thereof, may not admit any into it, but ſuch only as they judge by the word of God, and their own charitable diſcretion, are ſuch indeed; although 'tis poſſible they may be Hypocrites: but they may not admit them if they groundedly know, or think them to be ſuch. For if they ſhould admit ſuch againſt their knowledge, they betray their Truſts, and defile Chriſts holy Temple, by taking in ſuch perſons as they know, or ought to know, Chriſt would not have there. And that they ought to try and prove perſons, that they may know their worthineſſe and fitneſſe before they admit them in, is clear, in Acts 9.26. and p. 57becauſe Chriſt hath committed the keys of his Temple unto them, to take in, and put out, according to his will and Appointment. Moreover he blames Some for ſuffering Tares (if meant of perſons) to be ſowen in his Kingdome, and not endeavouring to prevent and keep them out, Matth. 13.25. ſays he, while men Slept, the Enemy came and ſowed Tares: that is, while ſuch as ſhould have kept the Temple Gates ſhut againſt them, to have kept them out, were negligent and careleſſe of their duty: for they ſhould have done all they could to have kept out the Devils ſeed; for what agreement hath the Seed of the Serpent with the Seed of the Woman, & the Rebells with the true Subjects of Chriſt? or as Paul ſaith, what concord hath Chriſt with Belial? 2 Cor. 6.14.

3. As to ſatisfying qualifications in perſons deſiring admiſſion into Churches: I ſay, that when they have been well tryed and are found (in the Judgment of Charity) ſuch as Chriſt hath received and competently qualifyed for Church memberſhip, they ought to receive them in the Lord, Rom. 14.1. Rom. 15.7.

1. If they can make forth, and declare unto the Church, their (at leaſt ſeemingly) Regeneration, Converſion, Repentance and Faith in Chriſt: their knowledge of Chriſt and his ways, Laws and Ordinances; of their loſt and periſhing ſtate in Sin, and by reaſon of it, and their ſincere deſires and Reſolutions to become the Lords, and to walk with him unto all well-pleaſing in all his ways.

2. If they are ſound in the Faith of the Goſpel, I mean in the chief and principal Doctrines and p. 58Truths thereof; although they may be ignorant of, or err in leſſer matters. If they have ſome diſtinct knowledge, and Faith concerning theſe, and other ſuch Truths and matters contained in the word of God. As of the ſtate and condition wherein man was firſt created. How he loſt that holy and bleſſed State, and the miſery he brought himſelf, and all his poſterity into thereby. Concerning themſelves, that they are by nature Children of wrath, dead in Sins and Treſpaſſes, and condemned to eternal Death. That they are Enemies to, and at enmity with God. That they have neither will nor power by nature, either to will or do that which they ought, and is pleaſing to God. That they have forſaken God, and are under the Curſe of the Law, and that they are the Children, Subjects and Servants of the Devil, World and their own Luſts. That God left not all men in this State and condition, but provided an all-ſufficient Remedy, namely, Jeſus Chriſt, and that by an Everlaſting Covenant, entered into with Chriſt, in the behalf of men, before the Foundation of the World, Tit. 1.2. 2 Tim. 1.9, Prov. 8. and that in purſuance thereof, he elected and gave ſome to Chriſt, that he might ſave them, and that of his meer Grace and Love, Joh. 6.37, 40. Joh. 10. Joh. 17. Eph. 2.4. That God the Father gave and ſet his Son, the ſecond perſon in the Trinity, to mediate peace between God and Men, and to reconcile men to God, by his active and paſſive Obedience. That Jeſus Chriſt gave himſelf, and became a propitiation for their Sins. That he aſſumed our nature, p. 59and took it up into a perſonal Union with himſelf, whereby there are two natures in one Perſon, by which he was made capable of his Mediatorſhip. That he being God-man in one Perſon, took upon himſelf our guilt and puniſhment: obeyed the whole Law of God, that men had broken, and did always do the things that pleaſed God. That when he had finiſhed his active obedience, he became obedient unto the death of the Croſſe, to the wrath of God, and curſe of the Law, Gal. 3.12. Phil. 2. That he really dyed and was buried, lay in the Grave, and roſe again the third day, and after forty days, he went up into Heaven, and ſate down on the right Hand of God, and that he will come again to Judge the Quick and Dead. That he is King, Prieſt, and Prophet. A King to give Laws unto men, and command their obedience to them: to rule and Govern his Subjects, and to reward the obedient and puniſh the diſobedient. That all power in Heaven and Earth, is committed unto him, and that he is coequally and coeternally God with the Father and holy Spirit. As a high prieſt he dyed and made Atonement for the Sins of his People, and ſits in Heaven to make Interceſſion, and appear in the preſence of God for them, Heb. 7.25.9.24. That there are three perſons in the God-Head, but one God. That the Holy Ghoſt is eternall God, was ſent into the World, & came from the Father & Son, for the elect ſake, that it is he that regenerates Perſons, works effectually in their Hearts, applies Jeſus Chriſt and all his benefits to men, and ſavingly Convinces his Elect of Sin, Righte, p. 60ouſneſs and Judgment, Joh, 3.5. Joh. 16.1, 8.13, 14, 15. That all that rightly Believe in Chriſt ſhall be ſaved, but thoſe that believe not ſhall be damned, and that all that believe in Chriſt, muſt be careful to do good Works. That Believers are made righteous with the Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, and that they have none of their own to commend them unto God. That God hath made Jeſus Chriſt unto his choſen, Righteouſneſſe, wiſdome, ſanctification and Redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30. and that they are made the Righteouſneſſe of God in him, 2 Cor. 5. ult. That God imputed their ſins to Chriſt, and imputes the blood and Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt to them; and that they are juſtified thereby, and not by inherent holyneſſe and Righteouſneſſe. That God Loves, Pardons, Juſtifyes and Saves men Freely, without any reſpect to their good Works, as any cauſe thereof, but all the moving cauſe (without himſelf) is Jeſus Chriſt and his mediation. That the Ground and reaſon of their obedience and doing Good works, is the revealed will and pleaſure of Chriſt commanding them, and the ends of them are to expreſſe their thankfulneſs to God, for his Grace and Love: to pleaſe and honour Him: to meet with God and enjoy communion with him: to receive of his Grace and the good of many promiſes; To ſhine as lights in the World and be uſeful unto men: to declare whoſe and what they are, and to lie up for a reward in another World: to keep their Luſts under and their graces in uſe and exerciſe; and to manifeſt their Reſpect and Subjection to Jeſus p. 61Chriſt, his Authority and Law. That the Law for the matter of it, as qualified by Chriſt, is the Rule and Law of all obedience; & that all are bound to yield obedience & ſubjection to it. That there ſhall be a Reſurrection of the juſt and unjuſt. That Regeneration is abſolutely neceſſary to Salvation, and that without it none can enter into the Kingdome of Heaven, Joh. 2.3, 5, 7. That the Scriptures of the Old and New-Teſtament contain and hold forth unto men the whole revealed will of God, and are ſufficient to make the man of God perfect, thorowly furniſhed to every good Work, 2 Tim. 3.16, 17. and that whatſoever you are to believe and do, is contained therein, and that it is the ground of their Faith, Hope and Practice. That Jeſus Chriſt hath inſtituted and appointed many Ordinances of Worſhip, for his own Glory and his Peoples profit, and that all are bound to obſerve, and waite on God in them. That all perſons are indiſpenſibly bound to mind and carefully to obſerve the principal manner and end of all their duties, and to ſee that they be right, holy and Spiritual indeed, and not pleaſe themſelves with the matter of duty without them. That no men can ſerve God, or do any acceptable work unto him, until they are regenerate and put into a ſtate of Grace. Theſe are ſome of the matters of Faith, that they ſhould rightly (in meaſure) underſtand and believe, that are admitted into full memberſhip in the Churches of Chriſt. And theſe and other Truths, muſt not be notionally, lightly and in the general known and believed, but heartily, powerfully p. 62and particularly, not for others, but themſelves, or elſe their faith and knowledge will no way profit their Souls to Salvation.

3. They muſt be qualified alſo with blameleſs converſations. Their Converſations muſt become the Goſpel, Phil. 1.27. or elſe they are not meet for memberſhip with Goſpel-Churches. Carnal walkings will not ſuit ſpiritual Temples. For they will greatly pollute and defile them; ſtain and darken their beauty and Glory. Therefore they muſt not be brawlers or contentious Perſons: they muſt not be coveteous and worldly minded; vain and frothy Perſons. They muſt not be froward and peeviſh Perſons; neither muſt, or may they be Defrauders, or ſuch as detain others dues careleſſy from them: nor ſuch as ſlight the worſhip of God in their Families, or are careleſſe of Governing, and educating them in good manners, and the things of God. They may not be ſuch, as are known to neglect duties and ordinances in their times and ſeaſons, or to have vitious families through their neglects: nor any other ſuch kind of perſons, whoſe ſtinking Spirits and converſations, are odious to God and his People. And therefore whatever their profeſſion be, they may not be accepted or received into the holy Temples of God, until they have repented, of theſe or any other hateful and ſcandalous evil, in their carriages and walkings.

4. If they are ſuch as have choſen the Lord Jeſus Chriſt for their King and head; given up and made over themſelves, to Jeſus Chriſt, to live in him and to him: have ſingled him out p. 63and ſet him apart (as it were) to be the object of their truſt; Love and delight, of their ſervice and obedience. If they have choſen and cloſed up with him upon his own Terms (as they hope), renounceing and rejecting all their own Righteouſneſſe, worthyneſſe, Intereſts, and ſufficiency, and choſen and appropriated him to themſelves, for their Righteouſneſſe, worthyneſſe, portion and ſufficiency; upon the ſight and conviction of the nothingneſs, emptineſſe and inſufficiency of their own; and with a heart ſatisfyed with perſwaſion of the lovelyneſſe, fullneſſe, and ſufficiency of Chriſts.

5. And if all this be ſeriouſly, humbly, ſelf-debaſingly and heartily done, ſo far as Men may Judge? Is it done, or do they make known the dealings of God with their Souls, and their faith in Chriſt, in ſuch a manner, and (at leaſt ſeemingly) with ſuch a Spirit, and with the ſenſe and feeling of what they declare? you may alſo be much helped in making a right Judgment of them, whether they are ſent of God, as fitted by him for Church memberſhip, by the ends they propound unto themſelves, and declare unto you, in deſiring memberſhip with you. If they do ſeriouſly profeſſe that what they do, is in obedience to the will and (as they judge) the call of Chriſt, as their indiſpenſible duty, and that they dare not live any longer in the neglect of the Church-ordinances of Chriſt. That they joyn in fellowſhip to meet with and enjoy God; to receive of his fulneſſe, to fit and enable them to the performance of all duties, and conform their hearts and lives to the p. 64will of God in all things: and other ends before named. To which they do ſeriouſly bind themſelves to God to perform and proſecute, as alſo to walk and carry themſelves in his Church, according to the will of God, through the Grace of Chriſt. I ſay ſuch may undoubtedly be accounted worthy Members, and be received in as ſuch.