A Gospel Church, Chapter 10
CHAP. X.
That it is the indiſpenſible duty of all Believers to joyn themſelves unto ſome rightly conſtituted Church of Chriſt, (if they can) together with the Reaſons and ends of their ſo doing.
Queſt. OƲght not all true Believers to joyn themſelves unto, and walk in fellow… ſhip with ſome holy and well-conſtituted Church of Jeſus Chriſt, where they may enjoy and partake of his Goſpel-Ordinance?
Anſ. It is their undoubted and indiſpenſible duty ſo to do, if they have the conveniency and opportunity of doing it. They may not wilfully or careleſly neglect to do it one day, after they have opportunities offered them: they are not, cannot be diſpenſed withal in their Omiſſions; for their wilful or careleſs neglects are their ſins. They are by ſuch neglects guilty of diſobedience and contempt. They diſobey the Royal will and pleaſure of their Soveraign King and Lawgiver the Lord Chriſt; and they do by ſuch neglects, ſlight and deſpiſe his Love and Grace, his Care and Kindneſs. He hath provided holy Temples and ſpiritual Houſes for them to dwell in, and Heavenly proviſions are made ready in them for their entertainment. The doors are ſet open to let in ſuch Gueſts, and the Servants of the great King are gone forth to bid them come away, and invite them to enter in. There ſtands alſo the Maſter of the Feaſt, even at the door, waiting for them; the King of glory attends there to welcome them, when they come, Luk. 14.16, 17. Rev. 3.20. He gets there before them, and abides there in expectation of the preſence and company of all his Saints, Pſal. 11.4. Iſa. 30.18. He declares that it is his good pleaſure, they ſhould come there and eat of his dainties, that he hath bought and prepared for them, Cant. 5.1. Prov. 9.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Now that they ought to joyn themſelves to, and become holy, living and ſpiritual Members of ſome particular Congregational Church of Chriſt (if poſſibly they can) will further appear by theſe following Reaſons and Conſiderations.
Firſt: The Lord Chriſt hath erected, inſtituted and appointed Churches for this end (among others) namely, that his called and ſanctified people might be the matter of them, that they might joyn and walk together in them, and that they might be the materials of them. This ſtate and condition is not ordained and appointed for other perſons, but only for the Holy Seed; for God will not keep Houſe with unregenerate and unholy perſons, but with his choſen Generation and Royal Prieſthood he will. That particular Congregational Churches are of divine Inſtitution, hath been already proved: and if ſo, then it will follow that God's people ſhould joyn to, and walk with them; or elſe to what purpoſe are they appointed, inſtituted, and ordained by Jeſus Chriſt, If none are bound in duty, yea, if all God's people (that can) are not bound in duty and compliance with the Lords ends, to become Churches, joyn to, and walk in and with them? then this Order and Inſtitution of Chriſt is in vain; he hath appointed and inſtituted that which none are, or will be advantaged by; which ſurely was far from the gracious thoughts and intentions of the Lord Jeſus, the Wiſdom and Power of God, 1 Cor. 1.24. For the Lord hath made all things for himſelf, and ordained them for his own Glory and the profit of his people. He hath made nothing in vain. It is far below him to do it, and below reaſonable Creatures to imagine it. And 2. It will follow, that whoever joyn themſelves to ſuch Churches, they do it not as duty to God and their own ſouls, but as an act of their own will and pleaſure, without any reſpect to, or regard had of the Will of God, and their own ſpiritual good, ſo are guilty of Superſtition and Willworſhip, which God loaths and abhors. The very Inſtitution proves it ſufficiently to be our duty to joyn with, and become Members of ſome particular Churches of Chriſt.
Secondly: The unanimous and univerſal Votes of all the Primitive Saints do prove this Truth. Thoſe good men that were converted to Chriſt by the Apoſtles Preaching, with, and amongſt whom they lived and convers'd, and ſuch as they planted, fed and watered, 1 Cor. 3. and theſe both Jews and Gentiles; they do all of them by their conſtant practice witneſs to, and confirm what I ſay. Look where you will in the Stories of the Acts, where you read of the Apoſtles Preaching, and Men Converted; there, or in Pauls Epiſtles, and the Revelation, you ſhall find the young Converts giving up themſelves to the Lord, and to one another by the Will of God, 2 Cor. 8.5. We find them by and by inchurched, and walking in a Church-ſtate and relation. So in Acts 2.41, 42. ult. Acts 5.14. And were not all Pauls Epiſtles (that to Philemon only excepted, which was written upon a particular occaſion) wrote and ſent to the Churches, or to, and for Believers, as inchurched and imbodied together, that they might know how to behave themſelves in the Houſe or Houſes of God, towards God, their Elders, and one another? They are expreſly called Churches, the Churches of God, and of Chriſt, as was ſhewed before. Now all Believers are charged and exhorted to follow their examples and practice, Heb. 6.12. That ye be not ſlothful, but followers of them; who through Faith and Patience Inherit the Promiſes, that is, ſee and mark them in their walkings; obſerve how they lived and practiſed, and do you ſo likewiſe. Paul indeed could not abide with the Church at Jeruſalem, to which he was joyned as a Member, Acts 9.26, 27, 28. becauſe he was ſent to Preach the Goſpel to the Gentiles. But as oft as he could, he joyned and walked with the Churches, as you may often find in reading the Acts of the Apoſtles. Now ſays he to the Church at Philippi, chap. 3.17. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them who walk ſo, as ye have us for an enſample. This Commandement is for you who are in Chriſt, that you walk as Paul and other Primitive Saints walked. If it was their duty and practiſe, as you ſee it was, (for they gave themſelves to the Lord, and to one another by the Will of God that is, they Congregated and inchurched themſelves, not by, or according to their own wills, but by, and according to the Will of God) then I ſay, it is the duty of all other Saints, and it ought to be their practiſe likewiſe. For, whatſoever was written aforetime, (namely, of the Saints duty and approved practiſe) was written for our Learning, that we, who ſucceed them in their Faith and Priviledges, in their Hope and Profeſſion, might follow them in practiſe alſo. If we look for, and expect the ſame Covenant-mercies and bleſſings that they had, we muſt practiſe the ſame duties, and walk as they did. The Primitive Saints were commended and renowned for their orderly walking in a Church-ſtate, Rev. 2, & 3. Chapters, and often elſe-where, Luk. 1.6. 1 Cor. 11.1, 2.
Thirdly, All Believers ought to walk in Church-fellowſhip, by virtue of their Marriage-Covenant. When by the power of Grace, and the Spirits operations in their hearts, they were perſwaded to make Chriſt their choice, and took, received and embraced him on his own terms, they ſolemnly engaged themſelves to be his, choſe his Laws and Ordinances for theirs, and bound themſelves to him, to walk with him, and be obedient unto him in all things, to keep and obſerve, to love and practiſe all his Laws, and to conform in heart and practiſe unto all his Ordinances and Inſtitutions; as David, Zachary, Elizabeth, and other Saints of God had done before them. Thus in effect do all truly-convinced, and ſincere-hearted Believers do, when contracted or married unto Chriſt by Faith, Pſal. 119.106. Hoſ. 3.3. Jer. 30.21. 2 Cor. 8.5. Col. 2.6. Now then, being thus bound, or having thus bound and obliged themſelves to Chriſt, they ought for ever to do and perform, to walk and practiſe accordingly; which they do not until they give up themſelves to one another, and walk together in Goſpel fellowſhip, in the conſcientious Obſervation of all the Ordinances and Appointments of Jeſus Chriſt. For until they do ſo, they walk not in univerſal Obedience to all the Laws and Orders of their Head and King. For beſides their diſorderly walking, they live in the careleſs, if not wilful neglect of ſeveral Duties and Ordinances given to, and incumbent on the Churches, as the Lords Supper, and many brotherly Duties one to another. You have heard before, that a true Church of Chriſt is the ſeat and ſubject of all Goſpel Ordinances; and if ſo, then it will follow, that thither Believers ſhould repair for, and ſeek to find them; there they ſhould walk and obſerve them, and no where elſe, excepting occaſionally. For out of a Church-ſtate they do not orderly obſerve the Ordinances and Appointments of Chriſt in what they do. Many think that they do well, and diſcharge their duties to Chriſt and their own ſouls, if they obſerve and wait on ſome Ordinances, if their hearts be upright with God in their ſo doing; but conſider not the order and method, the places and waies they ought to obſerve and practiſe them in: But herein they are miſtaken, and walk diſorderly. It was the Will of God, that the Ark of his Covenant ſhould be brought to Jeruſalem; and David and the Prieſts did well in attempting to do it; but they failed in the external manner of doing it, and therefore God made a breach on them 1 Chron. 15.13. The Sons of Aaron did well in offering Sacrifice to God; but they failed in offering their Sacrifice with ſtrange fire, Lev. 10. And are not theſe things written for our Admonition? 1 Cor. 13.11. undoubtedly they are. God hath Inſtituted Churches, and appointed them to be the ſeats and ſubjects of all his Goſpel-Ordinances and Inſtitutions; invited and called his people to, or into them to celebrate them there. Now when any content themſelves with the enjoyment and obſervation of ſome Ordinances and Goſpel-Inſtitutions, and attend on them out of a Church-ſtate, as if they found them where they ought to ſeek them: they walk irregularly, and break their Marriage-Covenant by their careleſs or wilful neglects. For how are they univerſally obedient to all his Laws and Ordinances, when they take up with, and only reſpect ſome of them, and ſuch as they do obſerve, they obſerve not in due order, or in a right manner? Oh! think on this, you who live ſo, and what the end will be. Oh! conſider what promiſes you have made to Chriſt, and what Obligations you lay under to him; and examine (ſeriouſly) your ſelves, if you live not in the wilful or careleſs breach of them, and ſo lay your ſelves open to the wrath and diſpleaſure of your Lord and King, and by your neglects provoke him to make a breach on you. O remember, what obligations you live under, To give Him the Honour due unto his Name, in and by univerſal Obedience unto his holy Will in all things. 1. You have his Will and your duty revealed and opened to you in his Goſpel, and further explained by his Miniſters. 2. You are greatly obliged and enjoyned by his mercies and promiſes. 3. You are firmly bound by your own act and deed, by your own free and voluntary Covenants and Engagements: and therefore you may not live any longer in the neglect of any of Chriſts Ordinances and Appointments, And conſider further, that while you live in ſuch neglects, you Rob God of his Dues; you detain his Right of Homage and Service, from him, which will aſſuredly have bitterneſs in the end; and inſtead of being called and intitled Obedient Children, 1 Pet. 1.14. you will incur the odious Name and Title of Diſobedient, if not Stubborn and Rebellious Children.
Fourthly, Believers ought to joyn themſelves to, and walk in Church-fellowſhip for their own Souls ſakes, for their own profit and ſpiritual benefit. They ſtand in need of all God's means to help them on in their journey and ſpiritual warfare, through the Wilderneſs of this world, as experience ſhews. It is well known that all Believers have their Entanglements, Tryals, Temptations, Oppoſitions, Weights, Burdens, and Weakneſſes: The beſt of Saints have them, and are not a little incumbred and preſſed by them. Now God the Father, and our Lord Jeſus Chriſt have in their great Love and Kindneſs to Believers made and provided, offered and given to them ſutable and proper means for their ſupport, ſtrengthening, comfort and encouragement; to feed and nouriſh, to edifie and build up their Souls and Graces, and that by imparting and communicating of his Spirit, Truth, Love and Grace unto their Souls, in and by thoſe means. They are appointed and given to them for their own profit and the glory of God. Such is the Love of Jeſus Chriſt unto his peculiar people, as that he hath conjoyned and made their preſent and eternal happineſs one and the ſame end with his own Honour and Glory in all the diſpenſations of his Graces, and in all his Promiſes and Goſpel-Laws; ſo that they are not two, but one End and Intereſt, wherein his free Love and Grace ſhines forth moſt gloriouſly. Now as God told a Remnant among the Jews, That he ſent them into Captivity for their good, Jer. 24.5. So he hath made and appointed Churches, and ſet his Goſpel-Ordinances in them for his peoples good, that they may come there and reap the fruits and profits of them. Therefore they ought to do it, and not upon any Pretence whatſoever to neglect it; for if they refuſe to come and take them, as they in Luk. 14.16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. may not the great God reprove and condemn them for their wilful neglects and careful refuſals, as he did them? He made a great Supper, a feaſt of fat things, Iſa. 25. bid and invited men to come eat of his Supper; but they made excuſes for their neglects: ſo he hath made a Heavenly Feaſt for Believers, invited them to come, to eat and drink freely and abundantly for the ſupply of their wants, and making them fat and flouriſhing: But they will not come into his Houſe or Houſes, nor accept of his dainties, although they ſtand in need of it, are lovingly and importunately invited by their God and King, their Head and Husband, to come freely, dwell in his Houſe, feed on his Banquets, lye in his Boſom, and refreſh themſelves with his Delights; but they will not do it. They ſtand off, as if they were not concerned in thoſe matters, had no need of them, or not injoyned to come.
They frequently complain and cry out of their wants, weakneſſes, barrenneſs, cold and dead-heartedneſs; of the ſtrength and prevalency of their Luſts and Temptations, of their ignorance, ſadneſs, and carnality. And although they have proviſions made in their Fathers Houſes, and in their Kings Palaces, to help and relieve them, to warm and teach them, to melt and ſoften them, to arm and ſtrengthen them, to comfort and chear them, to water & make them fruitful; yet how ſinfully and ſhamefully do many of them neglect to come and take, to accept and make uſe of their love and goodneſs to them? but they will rather ſtand in the ſtreets complaining, than come into their Fathers Temples, where they may have ſupplies of wholeſome food for their ſouls. The Lord Jeſus Chriſt keeps Houſe in his Churches, where he is very liberal in his diſtributions. In them are his Magazins, his Treaſures of Grace and Love opened. There He gives forth his Loves, and cauſes the Fountain to flow, for the enriching of the Poor, filling the Hungry, and ſatisfying the Thirſty. There Souls ſhall find Food for the Belly, and Cloathing for the Back. There the weary ſoul ſhall reſt, and the troubled ſoul ſhall find peace. There the fainting ſhall find Cordials, and the diſeaſed Soul ſhall find Phyſick, to heal him. There the pained Soul ſhall find caſe, and the weak ſhall find ſtrength. There broken bones ſhall be ſet in joynt; and doubting ſouls reſolved. There they may find the good things they want and deſire, and there they may obtain ſatisfaction to their Souls. Would they ſee Zions King and their beloved Lord and Husband in his beauty and glory? There they may obtain their deſires. Would they grow in Grace, and increaſe with the increaſe of God? why there they may obtain it. Would they be ſealed up to the day of their Redemption, and have a clear Earneſt of their eternal Inheritance? why, in a Church-ſtate they may have it. In a word, there good men may find all good to their ſouls; For God will with-hold no good thing from them who walk uprightly in a Church-ſtate, and in all the Commandments and Ordinances of God therein blameleſly. Well then, if it be your duty to look after, to mind and induſtriouſly to ſeek the welfare of your own ſouls, (as all will readily acknowledg it is) then it will undeniably follow, that you ought to ſeek it in all the ways and means God hath appointed and given to you for that end and purpoſe. Now what other ſpiritual means have you to expect and ſeek for ſuch mercies and ſoul-bleſſings in? where can you expect and hope to find them, but in the Temples, Houſes, Walks, Palaces and Houſholds of your God and King? That you need them, you know, and that there you may find and experience them, you may believe. Oh! that you would be perſwaded to come and ſee, come and taſt, to come and prove the Truth of what I ſay. If you will not, but continue and abide as you are, practically ſlight and neglect the rich proviſions that your God and Father hath made for you in his Churches; you are never like to thrive and proſper, but to continue in, and under your Wants, Barrenneſs, Ignorance, Weakneſs, Doubts and Fears; under your Faintings, Sadneſſes, Witherings & Troubles of ſpirit. If you will ſtill refuſe the means, and neglect to come and take the mercies of the New Covenant; you will grieve the holy Spirit, and provoke him to depart from you, and carry away his bleſſings with him. It is your preſent and eternal good that I ſeek and intend in what I ſay, and the ſame end had your Lord God in appointing this condition and making ſuch proviſions for you. I wonder how Believers can, and that they dare live one day out of a Church-ſtate, and in the wilful neglect of ſo many precious and ſoul-enriching Ordinances and Duties: how they can ſatisfie themſelves in their ways and walkings, and with what confidence they can draw near to God, whilſt under ſo much guilt. I wonder how they can call God Father, apply the Promiſes, and appropriate to themſelves the good of them, while they walk ſo irregularly and diſobediently as they do. Surely they little mind their own ſouls concernments, or the Name and Honour of Jeſus Chriſt, whilſt htey neglect to obſerve ſo many of his good Laws and Ordinances, and to make uſe of their own purchaſed Priviledges, and that, whilſt their Souls ſtand in great need of them.
Object. But we are afraid that we are not fitted and qualified for Church-memberſhip, and that we have no right to the Childrens Bread there, and therefore we dare not joyn our ſelves unto the holy Churches of Chriſt.
Anſw. This may be (indeed) a great caſe with ſome, and it may be a ſtumbling block in their way of walking as they ought to do. They love Chriſt and his People, his ways and Ordinances, but dare not walk in the neareſt Fellowſhip and Communion with them, becauſe they think themſelves unworthy of their Society and the Ordinances of God among them. Now where it is ſo indeed, they ſin not as others do, who neglect not their duties and priviledges on this account, but on other. All that I ſhall ſay to this ſort of Neglecters, is (1.) That this pretence will not wholly excuſe them either before God or Men. For 1. They are no where diſpenſed with their neglect of duty upon that account; or they have no diſpenſation to neglect to do their duty, and wait on God for his grace to better them in his ways and means on that account. For if they might on that account be diſpenſed withal in the omiſſion of their duty, and uſing God's means to better them; by the ſame rule they may neglect and claim a diſpenſation for the omiſſion of Prayer, and other Duties and Ordinances under this pretence, that they cannot worſhip God in Spirit and Truth as God requires all to worſhip him, Joh. 4.23, 24. Heb. 10.22, and therefore they may not, will not worſhip him at all. 2. It is probable that their fears and ſcruples ariſe from the Devils temptations and wiles, and from their own guilty Conſciences. They know that they do not walk with God, ſubdue their Luſts, deny themſelves, and endeavour to know their own ſtates and conditions. They carry about accuſing and condemning Conſciences, which the Devil ſets in with, and works them to his will and deſign, and ſo they are afraid of God, of their duties and priviledges; for they might prevent theſe evils, and know in ſome degrees their ſtates, if they would. 3. One uſe and end of Church-fellowſhip, and the Ordinances of Chriſt therein, is to convey into Believers hearts the aſſurance of their good ſtates and conditions. They are appointed and ordained for them, to wait for it in them, and for the holy Spirit to give and impart it to their Souls there. And therefore, until they ſeek for it there, they may not expect to find it; for if we uſe not the means, how can we hope to obtain the ends of them. 4. If their ſcruples and objections ariſe from real darkneſs of mind, and tenderneſs of Conſcience, without guilt, then I adviſe them to conſider and examine what are indeed the neceſſary qualifications of Church-members, and enquire if they are not in them in ſome good meaſure. And for your ſatisfaction therein, I refer you unto the third Chapter of this Book, beginning at page the 47th. and ending at page the 55. where you will find ten qualifications requiſite for Church-memberſhip, and helps to make a judgment of your ſelves, if they be in you. Therefore read them, and try your ſelves by them; and know, that if you are ſo qualified, or if you can find theſe ſigns of grace in you, that then you are in a meet condition for Church memberſhip, and to partake of all the Ordinances of God's Houſe, what ever elſe you may want.
2. But there is another ſort of Neglecters of Church-fellowſhip, and they are ſuch whoſe neglects ariſe from their careleſneſs, indifferency, cold-heartedneſs, ſtupidity, and woful inſenſibility and not from ſcruples of Conſcience, or fears of their unworthineſs. They ſee not, feel not their need of God's means and ſpiritual proviſions; they know not the worth, neither do they ſee any tranſcendent excellency in them, wherefore they ſhould deſire them: And hence it is that they regard and deſire them not; they have back-ſlidden from God, and He is departed from them, ſhines not on their ſouls to keep them ſoft and tender, nor waters them with Divine dews, to make them compliant with his Will: So that when they are called upon to conſider their ways, put themſelves under all the Ordinances of Gods Houſe, and joyn in the neareſt band of Communion with his People, they turn a deaf ear to all that is ſaid unto them; and yet theſe will pretend ſtrange things for their neglects alſo. They will have their ſcruples and objections too, and they cannot do ſo, becauſe of ſuch and ſuch things in the Churches. They have their weakneſſes, miſcarriages and defects, and therefore they cannot joyn with them. They have the ſight of Beams, or they ſee great Faults among ſuch Congregations, as otherwiſe they would congregate withal; but they ſee none at home, or at beſt, but ſome little Motes in themſelves. They are too good for ſuch Churches, and the Churches are too bad for their Communion. They ſee all the faults abroad, none, or very few at home in themſelves; and they think that this will excuſe their Neglects; but they are miſtaken; for if themſelves are ſo good and faultleſs, and the Churches faulty in this or that, they ſhould the rather joyn with them, and by their goodneſs and abilities, endeavour to better and mend them by their wiſe Counſels and holy Converſations, as knowing that all Churches, as Churches, have their Buts, as well as particular Believers their own perſonal Buts. This is the careleſs Generation of Men, who have loſt their God and hearts in Earthly things, and buried themſelves and graces under the clods of worldly cares, profits, and pleaſures, and ſo are regardleſs of their own ſouls, and indifferent what becomes of them. This, together with carnal ſelf-love and ſond affections to the good things of this world, eager deſires after the getting and keeping them, and indulged fears of loſing them, lays at the bottom of all their neglects; although other pretences there are, or other obſtructions are pretended for them, to ſet a fair face on a foul matter. This Conſcience will tell them, if they will hearken to it, and give it leave to ſpeak out all it hath to ſay in the caſes againſt them.
Let me then exhort you in the Prophet's words, Hag. 1.5.7. Lam. 3.40. Conſider your ways, and ſearch and try your ways. Ask the queſtion in good earneſt, and put it home to your own Conſciences, and deſire them to ſpeak out plainly, and tell you clearly, what obſtructions or matters they are, that keep you from helping to build the Lord's Houſe or Houſes, that hinder you from going up to the Mountain of the Lord's Houſe, from appearing before God in Zion, and paying your Vows in the Mountain of his Holineſs. And ſee if that doth not hinder you, which did hinder the Jews in Haggai's days; (what their hinderances were, you may read in that Book at large) And are they not the evils that hinder you from joyning your ſelves to the Churches of Chriſt, and celebrating his worſhip, and partaking of his holy Ordinances there? Are not the greateſt lets and impediments within you, and ſome from a worldly concern without you? Do you not conſult fleſh and blood, and the will of the fleſh in the caſe, and not the will of God? and do you not find a conteſt ſomtimes in you between Conſcience and Self, Conſcience and the World? Doth not Conſcience ſomtimes bid you go and joyn your ſelves to the People and Ordinances of God, and then you think of doing ſo, and then appears Self and the World and forbids you, calls you back again, and puts you into another mood, becauſe you hearken to their voyce, and not to Conſcience, which ſpake to you from God, for God and your own Souls. Well then, do not ſtand any longer in your Neglects on vain and groundleſs objections, and pretended ſcruples, but ſtick to your duty; Give your ſelves to the Lord; and to his People by the will of God, 2 Cor. 8.5. Acts 2.41, 42, 43. ult.
Fifthly: You ought to joyn your ſelves to God's People, and walk in the fellowſhip of the Goſpel with them, in the celebration of divine Ordinances of worſhip, for the Lord Jeſus Chriſt his ſake, for his Name, Authority, Intereſt, and Glory's ſake; for that his Honour and Glory is concerned in your ſo doing as well as your own good. You heard before, that Goſpel-Churches are his Temples, Walks, Palaces, Delights, and Habitations; that they are his Golden Candleſticks, the Seats and Subjects of his Goſpel-Inſtitutions, the Beauties of his Holineſs, and that they are his great and living Witneſſes in the World. Now as a ſtately and well-built Houſe affords much more honour and renown to a great man, than ten thouſand times as many materials, whereof the ſaid Houſe is built, whilſt they lay ſcattered up and down in the world; ſo a company of holy perſons formed up into a holy Temple by the Word and Spirit, do more honour and glorifie the Lord Chriſt, than ten thouſands of Saints can do, whilſt they walk up and down as ſcattered ſtones among others. Chriſt accounts himſelf much exalted by his People, when they do it together with one heare and mouth, Rom. 15.6. We ought to cauſe our light to ſhine as clearly as poſſible before the duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page World, that they may ſee our good works, ad… glorifie God, Matth. 5.16. The world knows not what to make of Profeſſors, whilſt they wall promiſcuouſly and confuſedly in, and with the world. They cannot ſo well diſcern them from other men, neither know they what to think of them, and conclude them to be; what they are, who they are for, and what they intend, when they are as ſo many individuals, as when they are knit together in fixed Congregations, and walk, live, and converſe, worſhip God, and ſerve one another together as a Family and Houſhold of God, As Brethren dwelling together in Ʋnity, Pſal. 133.1, 2. and united in a holy Band. I have ſpoken ſomewhat of this elſe-where under another head. And therefore ſhall only at preſent ſay, that if it be ſo, that Believers may more honour Chriſt by walking together in Goſpel or Church-fellowſhip than otherwiſe, that then they are bound in duty ſo to walk. For if it be their duty to exalt and honour Chriſt all they can, as certainly it is, then they are bound to uſe the means whereby they may be enabled to do it. Now Chriſt hath given to, and ſet in his Churches many Ordinances of worſhip, and out of every one of them he expects a Revenue of Glory by his people; therefore the more of his Ordinances you have in your hand, and ſpiritually obſerve, the more is Chriſt glorified by you. Beſides this, you are in a better capacity to provoke one another to love and to good works, Heb. 10.24.25. and to inflame one anothers love to Chriſt, to preſerve each other from ſinning againſt him, and reproaching his holy Name and ways by ſin in a Church-ſtate, than out of it. You will likewiſe be capacitated to honour the Lord Jeſus more in a Church-ſtate than otherwiſe, by growing in grace, and getting more Talents into your hands to Trade withall and employ for him in the Church and world, (as you heard before). Therefore do you no longer ſtand off, but joyn your ſelves to ſome Goſpel-Church for the Lord Jeſus ſake.
Sixthly: You that are true Believers, ought to joyn your ſelves to ſome true Church of Chriſt. for your fellow-Members and Brethren's ſakes too. You know that we are bound to do all the good we can to one another, Gal. 6.10. to further each other in the way of holineſs to eternal happineſs. We need each others helping hand, and are ſet in this World to be uſeful and helpful one to another. Now by joyning our ſelves one to another, and walking together in mutual love, peace and concord, and in the ſame judgment (though not ſo in all things) way and order, in the ſame Communion, Ordinances and Worſhip, we do greatly ſtrengthen the hands, chear and quicken the hearts of one another in our duties, under our burdens and Temptations, and help to make our yoke …aſie. We animate and ſtir up one another, and put as it were new courage, life and ſpirit into each other. But by our neglect to joyn in fellowſhip with our Brethren, by being ſtrange to, and keeping at a diſtance from them, we do very much weaken their hands, ſadden, grieve and diſcourage their hearts, and lay them under many Temptations, troubles and diſquietments, as experience ſhews; We ought to bear each others burdens, and ſo fulfill the Law of Chriſt; Gal. 6 2. But we may not burden one another either by Omiſſion or Commiſſion. We are debtors to one another by vertue of Chriſt's Command, and our ſpiritual Relation to each other; we live not from or by our ſelves, & therefore muſt not live for and to our ſelves. I am my Brother's, and he is mine, as to help, comfort, ſervice and uſefulneſs one to another. Such as careleſly or wilfully abide out of Church-fellowſhip, do in a ſenſe condemn thoſe who walk in it. We ought to know and be acquainted with one another, that we may be thereby the more ſerviceable to each other. I am my Brother's Keeper, Teacher, Comforter, Reprover and Admoniſher, and he is mine. I cannot well live, nor ordinarily live well without his help and aſſiſtance; nor he without mine. We have our work and buſineſs to do for one another, as well as for our ſelves. The nearer and faſter Brethren are link't and knit together, the warmer and ſtronger their love will be to, and the more care and tenderneſs they will have for, and towards one another. Now though Church-fellowſhip be not the ground of Brethrens love and ſervice one to another, but their oneneſs with Chriſt, and fellow-memberſhip in him their head, as alſo his revealed will; yet it is certain in experience, that their near and cloſe Communion together in Church-fellowſhip doth greatly provoke, irritate, ſtrengthen and draw forth their love one to another. Diſtance and ſtrangeneſs weakens love, but nearneſs and intimacy ſtrengthens it. Church Communion is a ſpiritual bond, that tyes ſpiritual men together, and greatly knits them into one; when otherwiſe in their walkings they are divided and like bones out of joynt. Therefore let all true-hearted Brethren joyn in Church-fellowſhip with their Brethren, and declare their oneneſs in Chriſt, in ſpirit, faith and love, by their ſo doing. Let them ſtrengthen each others hands, and encourage one anothers heart in their work and duty, in their priviledges and mercies: and know that you are indiſpenſibly bound ſo to do. You have Chriſt himſelf and his ſpirit calling you: you have your own and your Brethrens Souls calling you: you have the practice of the Apoſtles and Primitive Saints calling you, and (in a ſenſe) you have the World calling you into Church-fellowſhip. Why then do it, and make no longer delay; for while you neglect to do it, you neglect your duties to God, to your Brethren, and to your own Souls: yea, you do practically ſlight your purchaſed priviledges and dear-bought mercies; do it ſpeedily for Chriſt's ſake, and for your own peace, comfort, growth and ſecurity.
Seventhly: You that are true Believers, ought to walk in Church-fellowſhip, that you may be, and live under Church promiſes. You heard before, that there are many promiſes made and given to Churches, or to Believers in that capacity; which they cannot claim to themſelves, while they walk alone, as individuals and ſtrangers to one another. God told Solomon, that his eyes and heart ſhould be perpetually in his Temple, 2 Chron. 7.16. But David's Gold, Silver, Braſs and other Materials, that he had provided to build it, had not ſuch a promiſe, until they were formed up into a houſe for God. So it is now with living or lively materials, that are hewn and polliſhed for to build him Goſpel-Temples. They may not expect the good of all the promiſes, but in the wayes of God's Appointments, and their own duties. Although their being in Chriſt, united and married to him by faith, be the ground and foundation of their right to the promiſes, and all the good of them; yet the Great God gives out and imparts the Juice and fatneſs of them unto their Souls, in the wayes of his Goſpel precepts, and appointments, that ſuch as expect to be partakers of them, may ſeek all in thoſe wayes. I have in the laſt chapter inſtanced in ſeveral promiſes, that belong unto Churches, or unto Believers walking with God in that ſtate and capacity. As that in Rev. 2.1. 2 Cor. 6.16. Pſal. 92.12, 13. Pſal. 132.12, 13, 14. Eph. 2. the three laſt verſes, with ſeveral others of like import. Now then, if you will partake of the good of Church-promiſes, you muſt become holy and orderly Church-members. Surely, it is your duty to look after, and earneſtly to ſeek for them, and that where God hath promiſed, and you may find them. There you may obtain the milk and honey of the promiſes of Chriſt's preſence; of making you fat and flouriſhing; of a bleſſed Miniſtry, and the bleſſings of it; of Divine loves and ſweet proviſions, and of peace and ſecurity. I could have perſwaded you to joyn unto, and walk in the Churches of Chriſt, by other Reaſons; but I think theſe may ſuffice ſuch as are of willing hearts, and of meek and humble, ſoft and holy ſpirits.
Queſt. What ends ſhould all men aim at, and have in their eye, in joyning with and walking in Church-fellowſhip, or to what ends and purpoſes ſhould they become Church-members?
Anſw. 1. To pleaſe and honour the Lord Jeſus Chriſt their Lord and King in his Churches, and to ſhew their Reſpect unto him, Obedience to his Commands, and declare their dependance on him for all things, and their ſubjection to him in all things. Chriſt the Lord hath done many good works to pleaſure them, exalt & honour them; and therefore they ought to do his will and their duty, to pleaſe, exalt and honour him, Eſa. 56.4. Col. 1.10. This glorious end every Church-member muſt have in his eye and heart in walking in Churches.
2. To expreſs their high Reſentment of his ſavours to them, and their cordial thank fulneſs for them. They are greatly priviledged, and highly dignified in the Churches by their memberſhip there, and they can no otherwiſe expreſs their gratitude to their head and King, but by accepting them, dutiful and faithful improvement of them to the ends for which they were given. Good men do ſhew how they value them by their accepting and uſing them. Churches and their priviledges are not ſmall matters in their accounts, or light matters in their eſteem, but they are high and honourable in their hearts; and ſo are their works and duties there likewiſe, Pſal. 27.4. Pſal. 63.1, 2, 3. Pſal. 84.
3. They ſhould aim at, and deſign to have and hold Communion with God, and Jeſus Chriſt the Lord. God is known in theſe Palaces, Pſal. 48.3. and to be ſeen in theſe Galleries. There he opens himſelf, and breaks opens the Treaſures of his love and grace unto his people, and there he ſtands holding out his Golden Scepter. There he waits to meet his Spouſes, to kiſs and embrace them, to entertain and ſpeak friendly to them. He meeteth them that rejoyce and work Righteouſneſs, and remember him in his wayes, Eſa. 64.5. The wayes and walks of the Lord God are in his Churches: there he dwells, keeps houſe, manifeſts himſelf unto his Houſhold, and reſts himſelf, takes his delight, and ſhews forth his glory to them, and thither they ſhould go to meet him, 2 Cor. 6.16. Rev. 2.1. Joh. 14.21, 23.
4. Believers ſhould enter into, and walk with God in Church-fellowſhip, to encreaſe and augment their grace, and to better their hearts, to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Chriſt, 2 Pet. 3.18. and that they may perfect holineſs in the fear of God; that they may receive of his fulneſs grace for grace, Joh. 1.16. and be filled with all the fulneſs of God, Eph. 3.19. that they may eat of their Fathers Bread and drink of his Wine, be made fat and flouriſhing, and fruitful in every good work, Pſal. 92. Pſal. 132. Col. 1.10.
5 To keep their hearts warm, ſtrong and lively for God, his work and ſervice, and that they may obtain and enjoy all encouragements for, and in their works, tryals and difficulties. To fence and arm themſelves againſt all their Enemies aſſaults on them, and be enabled to fight againſt and conquer them in the Lord Jeſus. That they may be enabled to run their holy Race chearfully and couragiouſly, and finiſh their courſe with joy, Act. 20.24. 1 Cor. 9.24. Rom. 8. The Son of Righteouſneſs ſhines warmeſt on Believers Souls in the Churches of Chriſt, and there are more ſprings of joy and harveſts of profit, than are or can be found elſewhere. There is a River, the ſtreams whereof make glad the City of God: the holy place of the Tabernacles of the moſt high, Pſal. 46.4. There are no ſprings like the Churches ſprings, nor any harveſts like the Churches harveſts. The fulleſt, cleareſt and moſt fatning ſtreams of living waters flow from the fountain Chriſt on the Churches, and the moſt comely and fruitful branches are, or may be found in them. They may be the warmeſt, ſweeteſt, ſtrongeſt, livelieſt, chearfulleſt, fruitfulleſt, and the moſt ſpiritual men in the World. And that they may be ſuch, they ſhould joyn themſelves to, and walk in the Churches of Chriſt.
6. That they may adorn the Goſpel, convince the World, encourage their Brethren, and witneſs to the Truths, Wayes, Authority and Headſhip of Chriſt. This is no ſmall thing, but they are all matters of the higheſt moments, and of greateſt concernment; and therefore, and for theſe ends they ſhould walk in Church-fellowſhip.
7. To augment and encreaſe your experiences, to obtain more acquaintance with your ſelves, the operations of the holy Ghoſt for you, and in you; and that you may be more clearly and firmly ſealed up to the day of Redemption.
8. To pay your vows and make good your promiſes: to Perform your Covenant, and diſcharge your work to God the Father and Chriſt your head. You owe them perſonal and Church-homage and ſervice: you are bound and engaged to obſerve and do all things, whatſoever your God commands and appoints you to obſerve and do, according to your opportunities and abilities: Matth. 28. ult. Joh. 14.15. which you do not, cannot do, unleſs you walk in ſome Church of Chriſt, and put your ſelves under all his Laws, Ordinances and Inſtitutions. But that you may ſo do, you put, or ought to put your ſelves under them, by joyning your ſelves to, and walking with God and his people in Church-fellowſhip. Theſe are ſome of the holy ends, all believers ſhould have in their eyes and hearts, in their aims and deſigns. They muſt take heed and beware of carnal ſelf-ends in this and all other matters of Religion, which will certainly croud in, and carry a great ſtroke in this matter. For the Lord Jeſus abhors them, and cannot endure to have his holy and ſpiritual matters and concernments ſubjected and made to ſerve mens carnal Intereſts▪ He will have no other aims and ends in Church-members hearts, but his own, whereby he may be glorified, and our Souls profited, and others encouraged to do their duty to him. We have no diſpenſation or allowance given us, to aim at and deſign to augment and encreaſe our Trades and worldly profits, or to be maintained by the Churches Benevolence, in and by our walking with them; or to greaten our names, and encreaſe our friendſhip and acquaintance among men: unleſs it be to capacitate us to do the more good to men, to have larger opportunities to ſerve Chriſt, our Brethren and our own Souls. But our aims, ends and deſigns muſt be the Lord's, namely, to pleaſe and honour God, to expreſs our thankfulneſs to him for his love and grace to us, to hold and enjoy Communion with him, to grow in grace, and to be filled with all the fulneſs of God, to be warm, lively and ſtrong in our duties and performances, and for ſuch holy ends, as God requires. Thus you ſee that all Gods people are bound in duty to joyn themſelves to, and walk in ſpiritual fellowſhip with the Churches of Chriſt: as alſo for what ends, and to what purpoſe they ſhould do ſo.