A Gospel Church, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
Of an Inſtituted Goſpel-Church, and the Extent thereof.
MY purpoſe and deſign is to diſcourſe only of a particular inſtituted Goſpel-Church: and in my proceedures, I ſhall not concern my ſelf with any Mens conceptions of a Church in any other ſenſe; but keep clôſs to the ſubject or Church under conſideration, without medling with the controverſies that are amongſt learned men in their different apprehenſions of Churches and their concernments. For as I deſire (and hope I may without offending any) to have liberty to declare and practiſe my own light, faith and perſwaſion in theſe things; ſo, I think it moſt reaſonable to leave others to their own perſwaſions, expreſſions and practice in theſe matters, without any Reflexions.
It is the profit of ſuch as I am concern'd withall that I aim at; and I judge my ſelf obliged in duty to make known the whole will of God to thoſe I have the overſight of, according to my Light, Abilities, and Opportunities, and that by all the regular ways and means I can find out and obtain the knowledge of: And it is for them that I chiefly intend theſe Lines, although they may probably fall into other mens hands.
Therefore, waving the thoughts of men, I ſhall proceed to acquaint you (who ſhall read this diſcourſe) with the will of God in this matter, ſo far as I know & believe, and as may be profitable for you; which I ſhall do by way of Queſtion and Anſwer.
1. Queſt. What is a true Inſtituted Goſpel-Church?
Anſw. A true Inſtituted Goſpel-Church is, a Society or Congregation of perſons called out of the world, or their ſtate of death, blindneſs and unbelief, by the Word and Spirit of Chriſt; to the knowledge of Chriſt and his will, and unto the Obedience of faith: or, A company of Believers united together in a holy Band, by ſpecial and voluntary agreement; who by the grace and power of Chriſt in their hearts under the conviction of their duty, do give up themſelves to the Lord, and to one another by the will of God; to live and walk together as Saints, in love, peace, and in the conſtant celebration and practice of all the Laws and worſhip of Chriſt; and in the obſervation of all his Goſpel-Ordinances, in Obedience to his Holy Will, for his Glory and their own Spiritual profit, Rom. 1.5, 6. 2 Cor. 8.5. Heb. 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.5. Eph. 2.21, 22. 2 Cor. 4.6. 1 Pet. 2.9. Eph. 2.1.5. Col. 2.6. 2 Theſ. 1.5.
This Church, ſo united and built, is called a Church, a Houſe, a Temple, Habitation of God and Jeſus Chriſt; and they own it as their own, call it by their own Names, and confirm it with their Preſence in it. And as ſuch a Church, it is the proper ſeat and ſubject of all the Goſpel-worſhip and ordinances of Chriſt in the world, as will appear in the other Chapters; and therefore I ſhall not inſiſt on it here. OnelyOnly take theſe ſew hints of this Church, along with you.
1. It is an Inſtituted Church of Jeſus Chriſt; namely a Church of his own appointment and erection; of his own making, and forming, according to his own will and pleaſure, by his own Authority and Approbation.
2. The materials or perſons conſtituting this Church are ſaid to be holy perſons, called out of their old worldly ſtate of death, blindneſs and unbelief, unto the knowledg (that is, the ſaving knowledg) of Chriſt and his will, and unto the Obedience of Faith.
3. The Inſtruments that call them and work them for this ſtate; and that is the Word and Spirit of Chriſt.
4. The form of this Church; namely their own free, ſpecial and voluntary agreement among themſelves, giving themſelves to the Lord (before each other) and then to one another by the will of God: entering into a holy band or Engagement, to live and walk together, (through divine aſſiſtance) in Love, peace, and in the celebration and practice of all the Laws, worſhip and ordinances of Chriſt in the Church; in obedience to his holy Will.
5. The ends of their ſo doing, namely, the Glory of Chriſt and their own ſpiritual profit. Theſe are ſome of the chiefeſt things to be obſerved in this definition of an Inſtituted Goſpel-Church: All which I ſhall (through God's help) prove and demonſtrate hereafter, under ſeveral heads.
2. Queſt. Of what Extent ſhould an Inſtituted Goſpel-Church be; or, how many perſons ſhould it conſiſt of?
Anſw. It ſhould be formed of ſo many perſons as may capacitate them to perform all neceſſary-Church Acts, in purſuance of Chriſt's Laws and Rules, by which the Society ought to walk: Mat. 18.15, 16, 17. and of no more than may conveniently meet together in one place, for the celebration of all Goſpel-Ordinances, and the Edification of the whole Church. Now, How many perſons (preciſely) are requiſite to make and conſtitute ſuch a formal Church, I cannot determine: but undoubtedly, there ought to be ſuch a number, as may orderly and regularly deal with and proceed againſt a delinquent-member, according to that Rule in Mat. 18. And as the Church ſhould conſiſt of ſo many, ſo it ſhould have no more perſons in it, then (as was ſaid) may comfortably and conveniently meet or aſſemble together for the worſhip of God, and profit of the whole Church, in one place: and that (1.) becauſe they are one congregation by their own conſent and agreement, and ſo ought not to devide and ſeparate themſelves one from another in the worſhip and ordinances of God, but there (at the ſame times) with one heart and one mouth, glorify God, Rom. 15.6. (2) Becauſe the whole Church is bound at all times (excepting extraordinary caſes) to wait and attend on the adminiſtration of their own Officers, by virtue of Chriſts Law, Heb. 13.17. enjoyning them ſo to do, and alſo by virtue of their own engagement and relation they ſtand in to them. (3) For their own comfort and edification, in the Church and ordinances of God. This is one of the great ends of Churches, and the worſhip and ordinances of God there, namely, the profit and edification of all, 1 Cor. 14.3, 31. But how can it be, unleſs they can all hear, and joyn one with another, in the ordinances? (4) Becauſe a Church ought to obſerve ordinances, and worſhip God as a Church, and not as, or under the notion of ſingle and individual Believers; but, as an united Body and ſociety they muſt all at once, and in the ſame numerical duties and ordinances, in one place, joyn together as with one Heart, Mouth, Mind and Judgment; deſigning, aiming at, and carrying on the ſame holy Ends in all the worſhip of God. Therefore a Church of Chriſt may not exceed ſuch a number of members, as may conveniently meet altogether in one place, 1 Cor. 5.4. But I ſhall not enlarge on this head.