A Gospel Church, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX.
Of the priviledges of a Goſpel-Church, or the ſingular priviledges and ſpiritual advantages Believers have, or may enjoy in a Church-ſtate and Relation.
Queſt. WHat are Believers priviledges and ſpiritual advantages in a Church-ſtate, or as enchurched and embodied together?
Anſw. There are many and great priviledges and Soul-advantages for Believers in a Church-ſtate, which they may enjoy and improve to the promoting of their preſent and eternal happineſs. Solomon tells us, That two are better than one, Eccleſ. 4.9, 10, 11, 12. So many knit together in a holy Band for mutual profit, are in a far better condition than when they walk ſingly, and alone. In Gen. 2.18. (it is ſaid) that it is not good for man to be alone; I will (ſays God) make him a help meet for him. So God knowing our frame, Pſal. 103.14. and what need we have of ſpiritual Union and Communion one with another, he hath in love and mercy, in his great pity, tenderneſs, and compaſſion to us, appointed and ordained a Church-ſtate and Relation for us; that we might walk together in holy Brotherly love, and oneneſs of heart; ſerve him with one conſent, Eph. 3.9. and carry on a common mutual intereſt together in his fear.
Firſt: Believers in a Church-ſtate ſhall have much more of the preſence of Chriſt with them, than while they walk in a ſingle capacity, as ſo many individual perſons, without a near Church Union and Communion, without their holy Band, and perfect joyning together in the ſame mind, heart and affection, 1 Cor. 1.10. How often doth the word of God inform us of this? (pray read and mind, conſider and lay to heart theſe Texts,) Rev. 2.1. unto the Angel of the Church of Epheſus write; theſe things ſaith he, that holdeth the Seven Stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midſt of the Seven. Golden Candleſticks. (Mark it) he doth not ſay, that he calleth and looketh into them, no… but he walketh in his Churches, in their walking with him. And Paul tells us in 2. Cor. 6.16. That God hath ſaid, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; namely, in the particular Goſpel-Church at Corinth, formed of Saints, and Sanctified in Chriſt Jeſus; 1 Cor. 1.2. 2 Cor. 1.1. which is undoubtedly the priviledge of all other Goſpel-Churches of the Saints, Pſal. 9.11. Sing praiſes to the Lord which dwelleth in Sion. And in Pſal. 132.13, 14. (ſays David) for the Lord hath choſen Sion: he hath deſired it for his Habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell, for I have deſired it. To which laſt recited Texts, with many other of like import, the Apoſtle alludes Eph. 2. ult. In whom you alſo are builded for a Habitation of God. For what end are they built up together? why, it is for God to dwell in. Theſe are a few of the many Texts that ſpeak of, and plainly declare this to be one of the great priviledges of Goſpel-Churches. And it is no ſmall one, but very great and full of inviting and encouraging force and efficacy to draw and perſwade all true hearted Nathaniels to joyn themſelves to them, and walk in and with them; and to provoke and ſtir up all Church-members to walk and carry themſelves ſo towards God, Chriſt their head, and towards one another, as to enjoy and experience the good and ſweetneſs of it; and cauſe not to obſtruct and hinder God, and by unworthy carriages to God to withdraw himſelf from them, and deprive themſelves of ſo great and glorious a priviledge, 2 Chron. 15.2. It is not enough that you are in a true Goſpel-Church, to poſſeſs you of this priviledge, but you muſt walk and demean your ſelves in that ſtate according to his will: you muſt walk therein as becomes the Goſpel of Chriſt; and in heart and practiſe Conform unto his Laws and appointments: that your Father, head and King may delight to dwell with and walk among you as in his holy Temple. For he is in his holy Temple, Pſal. 11.4. Eph. 2.21. Oh! remember, that God is great, and greatly to be feared in the Aſſembly of his Saints, and to be had in reverence of all that are about him: Pſal. 89.7. and conſider how great a priviledge this is.
Secondly, A true Goſpel-Church, or Believers inchurched, are and ſhall be priviledged with more of Chriſt his Graces, Spirit and benefits, than others. Chriſt will impart and diſtribute more fully and richly to them of his riches of love and grace, when they carry themſelves obediently to him in a Church-ſtate, than when they walk as individual and ſingle perſons. His hand and heart ſhall be opened wider to them, and he will abundantly bleſs them, when orderly walking in his holy Temples. They may hope, expect and wait for great things from him in his holy walkes, Gardens and Galleries.
And that Firſt, becauſe he dwells there. There he dwells and walks (as you heard before) and be ſure where the King of glory keeps his Court and place of reſidence; where he makes his abode, and that with greateſt delight and complacency, as he doth in his Goſpel-Churches, there he will communicate and impart moſt of his riches and choiceſt loves and favours. The conſideration of which, made David ſo earneſt and importunate in his deſires and prayers to be in the houſe of God, which he preferred much above and beyond all other good in the world, Pſal. 63.1, 2, 3, 5. Pſal. 84.1, 11. Pſal. 27.4. There he knew that God would meet him, and he ſhould meet God. There he expected to find the fulleſt, cleareſt, comfortableſt, and the moſt conſtant preſence of God, and there he expected to obtain and enjoy his love and favours alſo: for God is great in Zion, Pſal. 99.2. namely, great in glory, praiſe, renown, and in the diſtributions of his favours.
2. Becauſe, they ly in the way of them, and wait at wiſdoms gate, and at Bethefda's-Pool. Believers in a Church-ſtate are waiting on and for their Lord and King, and for his favours and bleſſings, in the way and ways he hath commanded them, and appointed to bleſs them in. And therefore their receivings muſt needs be more abundant from him, Pſal. 133. ult. As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that deſcended upon the Mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the bleſſing; even life for evermore. Every Ordinance of Chriſt is as a full Breſt, golden Pipe, and Honey-Comb, which conveys and yields abundance of Milk and Honey, of Cordials and water of life, to nouriſh, ſtrengthen and refreſh the City of God, by which they are, or may be made fat and fruitful. The Springs, Treaſures and Fountain of love and grace is opened in and to the Churches, and there Chriſt Jeſus cauſes the Horn of his Davids to flouriſh, Pſal. 132.17. In a Church-ſtate, Believers live in the ſtreams of all Goſpel-Ordinances, and therefore they may grow there, as Willows by the Water-courſes; Eſa. 44.4. for there they may with joy, draw water out of theſe Wells of Salvation, Eſa. 12.3. The more obedient Believers are to the will of their King, the more he will bleſs them, and communicate of himſelf and his Grace to them, Joh 14.13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 23. Joh. 15.7, 10. Now in a Church-ſtate they do give up themſelves in Univerſal, profeſſed and avowed obedience, to the whole will of Chriſt, and put themſelves under all the Ordinances of Chriſt, and ſo under all the bleſſings of the Covenant of Grace, which are to be communicated to their Souls by them
3. God hath promiſed to impart his loves and favours to his people, in their walking with him in a Church-ſtate and Relation, in a eſpecial manner, Cant. 7.12. Let us get up early to the Vineyards (the Churches and Ordinances of God in them): there will I give thee my loves Pſal. 92.12, 13, 14. The righteous ſhall flouriſh like the Palm-Tree; he ſhall grow like a Cedar … Lebanon. But where ſhall they thus grow and flouriſh? ſee the 13.14. verſes. Thoſe that be planted in the houſe of the Lord, ſhall flouriſh in the Courts of our God. They ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age: they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing. Well might David ſay, Bleſſed are they that dwell in thy houſe, Pſal. 84.4. For great and glorious are their proviſions, priviledges and advantages, to help and encourage them in their journey towards Heaven, God hath alſo promiſed to bleſs, yea abundantly to bleſs his Churches proviſions, and to ſatisfie their poor with Bread; that is, to fill and impower his Ordinances and their Miniſtry, with his Preſence, Grace and Spirit, that they may greatly profit their Souls, and nouriſh them up to eternal life, Pſal 132.15, 16.
4. God loves & delights moſt in his Churches or in Believers walking together in the faith and order of the Goſpel, in an inchurched ſtate, Pſal. 87.2, 3. The Lord loveth the Gates of Zion, more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are ſpoken of thee, O City of God, Selah, Eph. 3.17. The Lord thy God in the midſt of thee (viz Zion, verſ. 16.) …is mighty: he will ſave, he will rejoyce over thee with joy, he will reſt in his love, he will rejoyce over thee with ſinging. Where men love and delight moſt, there they are moſt free and liberal, to ſuch they are moſt bountiful and open handed, ſo is God to his Churches, becauſe they are in their holy walking the greateſt objects of his love and delight, of his joy and rejoycing: therefore I ſay, they are the ſubjects of his abundant grace and favours.
5. Churches or Believers in a Church-ſtate, do Chriſt more ſervice than when they walk ſingly, and out of that Goſpel-way and order. They are now his living publick witneſſes: his Candleſticks that hold up his burning Candles, and they are his ſhining lights in the World. They are the ſeats and ſubjects of all his Goſpel-Ordinances, and the ground and pillars of truth. They do publickly and openly own and profeſs him to be their Lord and King, and to be ſubject to his Laws and Authority, and declare themſelves his true and loyal friends and ſubjects, and that before all men. They manifeſt in the face of the Sun, that they are not aſhamed of his yoke, nor his ſo much deſpiſed word and ways, but own them, cleave to them and walk in them, as the only good, holy and ſafe ways. Many ſpiritual Diamonds orderly ſet in one gold Ring, Church form, do caſt their luſtre and reflect their glittering light and beauty on each other, and ſo make a more lovely and glorious ſight to Beholders. There they do, or may wait on God their Father, and Chriſt their Head and King, with their praiſes and melodious Harps, and that with one heart and ſoul, Pſal. 65.1. Their harmonious conſent in breathing forth their oneneſs, love, faith, hope and delight into one anothers hearts, doth greatly raiſe heat, and animate one another, in powring out their joynt love, affections and praiſes into the ears and heart of Chriſt, which is moſt lovely and pleaſant unto him, Cant. 2.14.
6. They expoſe themſelves to greater trouble from the World, in a Church-ſtate, than in walking ſingly. A Church is as a Beacon ſet on a Hill which is viſible to all beholders, and by their publick, practical and avowed ſeparation from the World, and walking by themſelves, they lay themſelves open thereby to their adverſaries wrath and vengeance. They are the Buts of their invenomed Arrows of Reproach, Scorn, and Contempt of their Malice, Hatred and Perſecution. The World takes more notice of a hundred Saints walking in cloſe and intimate communion in a Church-ſtate, than of five thouſands of others who walk ſingly. This is ſo obvious to all, as that it needs no further proof to confirm it. Now then, the more Believers expoſe themſelves to ſufferings in the Lords ways, and for his ſake, the more of his preſence and bleſſings they ſhall have, Eſa. 43.1, 2. Eſa. 41.10. Joh. 14.15, 16. chapters. 1 Pet. 3.14. 1 Pet. 4.12, 13, 14.
Thirdly, As Believers inchurched are priviledged with more of the preſence of God, and the Communications of his love and favours, ſo likewiſe with mutual help and aſſiſtance from one another. Their nearneſs in Union, Fellowſhip and Communion, their knowledge of and acquaintance with each other, together with the Laws of Chriſt among them enjoyning them thereunto, and brotherly love reſulting from all capacitates, enables, quickens and encourages them to more and conſtant uſefulneſs to one another, than otherwiſe they could or would be. Their holy and ſpiritual Intimacy and Communion, begets and preſerves warm, hearty and ſtrong love and affection one to another, which inclines their hearts to mind and do their external duties to each other. It prompts and puts them upon ſympathiſing one with another, on watching over one another, on exhorting, comforting and provoking one another to love and to good works, Heb. 10.24, 25. to reprove, admoniſh, and endeavour to heal each other, when need requires, Gal. 6.1, 2. to edifie one another, warn the unruly, and ſupport the weak, 1 Theſ. 5.11, 14. And is not this a great priviledge and advantage to our Souls, to have ſuch ſeaſonable aſſiſtance one from another? Is it not a great priviledge, when I am tempted and burdened, to have my Brethrens hands under me, to ſupport and ſtrengthen me? when by my heedleſneſs I have fallen and broken my bones, wounded and weakned my Soul to have ſuch a ſpiritual Phyſician to give me Phyſick? ſuch a good Samaritan at hand, to pour in Wine and Oyl into my wounds? Luk. 10.33, 34. Surely, none who are indeed concerned in their own Souls concernments, but will eaſily acknowledg it is. There is or ought to be a ſpiritually natural care in ſound-hearted Church-members to one another, 1 Cor. 12.25. They rejoyce with them that rejoyce, and weep with them that weep, Rom. 12.15. and remember them that are in bonds, as being bound with them, Heb. 13.3. You may expect it, yea require it of one another; for you who are joyned together in Churchfellowſhip and relation, are as much concerned in each others Soul concerns, as the Members of the natural body, are with one another. And one of Gods holy ends in uniting and joyning them together in one body and ſpiritual ſociety, is, that they might help, ſuccour, admoniſh, reprove, exhort, edifie, comfort, watch over, ſerve and heal one another; To further each other in all duties, and in the love and practice of Goſpel-holineſs and Righteouſneſs; as alſo to preſerve each other from ſin and affliction.
Fourthly, The Churches of Chriſt are priviledged and benefited with a Miniſtry and Miniſters of their own: ſo that they need not go to ſtrangers to fetch bread, but to ſuch as they have a ſpecial intereſt in and relation to▪ They have Miniſters, or Paſtours and Elders ſent by Chriſt, and ſet among them by his grace and Authority; to feed and nouriſh them; to teach and eſtabliſh them; to admoniſh and reprove them; to exhort and comfort them; to watch and take the overſight of them; to Miniſter all the Ordinances of Chriſt to them; and to attend on the ſervice of their Souls: and they are ſuch as he hath promiſed to be with all, in all their work and labour of love, Math. 28.20. They are ſuch as he hath promiſed to bleſs to them, to furniſh them with his Spirit and grace, and to ſucceed their Miniſtry, and proſper their endeavours to the ſpiritual profit of their Souls, Pſal 132.15, 16. Jer. 3.15. Eph. 4.11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Other Saints who walk not in the order of the Goſpel, have not Paſtors and Teachers of their own, between whom there is ſo near a Relation, Union and Communion. For their Teachers cannot call their Auditors their own flocks, as the Churches Paſtors and Teachers may call their Churches their own. For the Churches and their Paſtors and Teachers, are each others by free, hearty and mutual choice, and by cordial and mutual engagement. Their Paſtors and Teachers are the fruit of their prayers and tears, and of Chriſt his Death and Aſcenſion, Eph. 4.9, 10, 11, 12. Churches may claim their Paſtors Gifts, Authority, and miniſterial Abilities, as theirs, and make uſe of them as their own right and property, given to them by Chriſt, for their good to edification. They may repair to, and make uſe of them in any material Soul-caſe or caſes. However ſome look on, and account of this matter; yet I have ever valued it as a great Church-priviledge, namely, that they have a ſpecial and peculiar Miniſtry of their own, whoſe work and buſineſs is to wait on the ſervice and concernments of their Souls; and they being ſent to them, and ſetled among them by Chriſt in love and mercy, and the fruit of their own prayers, choice and deſires, they ſhall be, & are undoubtedly bleſſed in their labours, to the profit of all ſincere hearts amongſt them.
Fifthly: Goſpel-Churches are the proper ſeats and ſubjects of all the ſpiritual Ordinances of Chriſt; which is one part of their honour, glory and renown. What is ſaid of the Miniſters and Miniſtry of Chriſt, is in this matter true of all other Ordinances and Inſtitutions of Chriſt, 1 Cor 12.28. And God hath ſet in his Church Apoſtles, Prophets and Teachers; ſo Eph. 4. that is he hath appointed Teachers and all other Ordinances for, and placed them in his Churches. The Churches are his Temples, Houſes, Habitations, Vineyards, Walks, his reſting and dwelling places (as was ſhewed): now where doth God ſet and ſix his Ordinances of Divine worſhip, but in them? To whom are Paſtors and Teachers given? to whom is the Lords Supper and Diſcipline given, but to the Churches? They are the ſeats and ſubjects of them, and none elſe, that we can find in the Scriptures. The Lord Jeſus hath given to and ſet among them his Goſpel-worſhip and Ordinances: among them he dwells, and of them he expects the honour and worſhip due unto his name, Pſal. 29.2. God keeps houſe in his Goſpel Churches, and there he hath his Houſhold about him, waiting on, and doing honour to him: and that they might do all according to his holy will, he hath given them his Ordinances and Goſpel-Inſtitutions, to expreſs and manifeſt their dependance on and obedience to him in, as to their head and King: God made the Church of Iſrael under the Old Teſtament the ſeat and ſubject of all his then inſtituted worſhip and Ordinances, and under the Goſpel-diſpenſation he hath made new Teſtament particular Churches, the ſeat and ſubjects of all his Goſpel-Ordinances. The Catholick Church as ſuch, cannot be the ſeat and ſubject of them, for that cannot aſſemble, or meet together in one place to celebrate and obſerve them: the World, or viſible unbelievers cannot be the ſeat and ſubject of them; for they are no where ſaid to be given to them, neither are they capable (while in their ſtate of enmity againſt Chriſt) of them: Therefore they muſt be the Churches dowry's, rights and priviledges, and none other perſons, or ſocieties whatſoever. Whileſt Believers neglect to walk in a Church-ſtate and relation, they deprive themſelves of this and many other priviledges, and Soul-advantages: and it is no ſmall wrong they do their Souls thereby. It may be ſaid of all Goſpel-Churches, as Moſes told the Church of Iſrael, Deut. 4.7, 8. for what people is there ſo great, who hath God ſo nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things we call upon him for? And what people is there ſo great that hath Statutes and Judgments ſo righteous, as all this Law which I ſet before you this day?
Sixthly: Goſpel-Churches, or Believers inchurched are priviledged with ſafety and ſecurity. They are Gardens encloſed, Cant. 4.12. A Garden incloſed is my Siſter, my Spouſe, a Spring ſhut up, a Fountain ſealed. A wall or hedge in our Gardens to ſecure them from Beaſts and evil Men, and we are more careful of, and at greater coſt and pains in and about them, than about our Fields. So the Lord Jeſus lays out, and expends more care, coſt and charge, in and about his Goſpel-Gardens, than about others. Men are moſt watchful and careful of and about their Houſes and places of reſidence and abode, where they live, expect and take moſt delight. Now where doth God make his abode, and Chriſt the Lord, keep his Court? Is it not in his Churches (as was before proved)? They are his Temples, Houſes, Vineyards, Gardens, Habitations, Walks and Palaces; his delights and reſting places: and will he not be moſt careful and mindful of them, for his own honour and glory; and their good? Believers in living on and walking with God in a Churchſtate, are of all perſons, in the beſt and ſafeſt condition. They are under the greateſt ſecurity from Seductions and Satanical Deluſions from back-ſliding, and Apoſtacies, from the Spirit of Error and Hereſies, from ſpiritual decays and witherings, from hardneſs of heart, or from being hardened and ſtupified through the deceitfulneſs, and enſnaring allurements of this world, Heb. 3.13. For they have greater and more conſtant means and proviſions for their preſervation and ſecurity, than others have. They have more promiſes of being ſecured by their Lord and King, Eſa. 27.2, 3. Sing ye unto her a Vineyard of red Wine. I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: leſt any hurt it, I will keep it night and day. They have the Lords preſence and glory, his love, grace and benefits frequently before their eyes, to warn, quicken and keep them awake and watchful, diligent and faithful, and they have freſh ſprings often flowing in upon their hearts. They are much in the eye of Chriſt, and he is much in their eye, which keeps an awe on them; and the frequent views of his glorious perſon, love, grace, Laws and Ordinances are of great uſe towards their ſafety. So alſo is the watchfulneſs, help and aſſiſtance they have from one another in a Church-ſtate. Believers walking irregularly and diſorderly, as they do, when not joyned to ſome true Church of Chriſt, they are as common fields that lye open to all ſorts of Beaſts, and as Souldiers walking and ſtragling without the Camp, ready to become a prey unto their Enemies: But in a Church-ſtate, and walking with God therein, they are as a Garden walled in, as a Caſtle and City, with …ates and Barrs, and as a Houſhold of perſons ſhut in, with doors and locks. They are hedged in with Chriſt his Diſcipline, and ſecured with his watchful eye and protection, ſo as that the Gates of Hell cannot ſo eaſily prevail againſt them, as they may againſt others.
Seventhly: Goſpel-Churches are very honourable Societies and Corporations. They are exalted and dignified ſo by Chriſt, and that they are the moſt high, excellent, as honourable Houſes and Cities in the World. They are the Houſes and Houſholds of the great King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 1 Tim. 6.15. Pſal. 48.1, 2, 3. Eph. 2.19, 20, 21, 22. A Houſe built up, fitly framed and artificially formed of hewen ſtones and Timber, is much more honourable and glorious, than the materials whereof it was builded were, before they were ſo formed up. One holy Temple fitly framed, conſiſting of a hundred meet and well qualified perſons, hath more beauty, glory, excellency, honour and renown on it, than ten thouſand ſuch materials have, whilſt they lye ſcattred up and down among the Rubbiſh of the World. And as they do more (as it were) adorn and beautifie Chriſt in the World, ſo he doth more adorn & beautifie them. They are ſaid to be beautiful for Situation: Pſal. 48.2. and Gods holy Temples, Eph. 2.21. They are honoured with more of his honourable and glorious preſence, with more of his holy and ſweet Laws and Ordinances, and with more of his promiſes, power, gifts and graces▪ Their honour, fame, and renown is farr above my reach, and farr beyond what I can declare. They are made the keepers and upholders of his Truths, Name and Intereſts. Churches in their orderly and holy walkings, are terrible as an Army with Banners, Cant. 6.4, 10. and glorious things are ſpoken of this City of God, Pſal. 87.3. As God ſaid of Job, namely, that there were none like him in the earth, Job. 8 1. So he ſaith of his New-Teſtament Churches, that there are not any Societies like them in the earth. For what other Corporations and Societies of men are ſo qualified, that have God with them, as they have? that have ſuch a head and King, ſuch Ordinances, Laws and Law-giver, as ſuch Churches have? where are thoſe Societies to be found, that God ſpeaks ſo honourably of, and gives ſuch honourable Titles to, as he doth to them? They are (or ought to be) all ſtones of Gold, and precious Jewels: they are Kings and Prieſts, and made up of Royal Diadems, Eſa. 62.3. Rev. 2.1. Mal. 3.17. They have the Lords name written on them, and they are called by his name. They are called the Churches of God and of Chriſt. What other Societies of men are there governed by ſuch Laws, ruled by ſuch Rulers, animated by ſuch a Spirit, and fed with ſuch Heavenly bread and ſpiritual proviſions, as they are? They are the lights and glories of, or in the World, and by their joynt prayers and intereſt in Heaven, they are the ſupporters of the world. Theſe are a few of the ſpecial priviledges of inchurched Saints, which have been dearly purchaſed for them with the blood of Chriſt, and conferred upon them by the holy Ghoſt; which they are bound to take ſpecial notice of, affect their hearts with them, rejoyce greatly with them, and in the Authour of them, be very thankful for, and faithfully improve them to the glory of Chriſt, and to their own peace, comfort, incouragement in holineſs, and to their growth in grace.
You that are Churches, and Church-Members, are bound to conſider and lay to heart your great, ſingular and invaluable priviledges; your unworthineſs of them; the price they have coſt your head and King; the ends for which they are given you; to walk worthy of them in your Church-ſtate and Relation, and ſee that you walk and carry your ſelves honourably in all your ways towards God and men. And remember, that God gives you all theſe and other priviledges and injoyments, that you ſhould be rich in good works, yea that you might abound in the work of the Lord, 1 Tim. 6.17, 18. 1 Cor. 15. ult. Your priviledges are ſingular and glorious: Oh! ſo let your words, carriages, deeds and performances be alſo. God hath dignified you; do you ſee that you exalt him. God hath done great things for you; do you do great things for him; you ſhall reap the benefit, and he the glory.