A Gospel Church, Chapter 2
CHAP. II.
Shewing that a particular Church of Believers is of divine Inſtitution.
3. QUeſtion. Whether particular Churches of Believers be of divine Inſtitution; or whether they be of God.
Anſw. They are appointed and Inſtituted of God, by Jeſus Chriſt: which will appear in or by theſe particulars.
Firſt, The Scripture tells us, that the Spirit is the former and builder of them. The Text is clear for it, in whom you alſo are builded together, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit, verſ. 22. Theſe are the words of Chriſt (by Paul) unto the particular congregational Church of the believing Epheſians, as is clear in the 20 Chapter of the Acts, 27, 28. Rev. 2.1. Where the Lord Jeſus calls them a diſtinct Houſhold, Church or Body of Saints, gathered or joyned together in his name, for his glory, the celebration of his worſhip, ordinances and appointments: I ſay, Chriſt ſtiles them a Church, and ſpeaks to them as a Church and diſtinct Body or houſe of Saints, from all other perſons or Churches whatſoever: and this Church was not formed and built by man, but by the will, power, light and direction of the holy Ghoſt; & therefore the particular congregational Church of Epheſus, is called the Houſe of God, 1 Tim. 3.15. and the Church of the living God in the ſame verſ. and the diſtinct particular Churches, are called the Churches of God, 1 Cor. 11.16. 2 Theſ. 1.4. 2 Cor. 1.1. and the Churches of Chriſt, Rom. 16.16. Act. 20.28. And the Lord added to the particular Church at Jeruſalem, ſuch as ſhould be ſaved: Act. 2. vlt. The holy Spirit by the appointment and with the conſent and Authority of God the Father and Chriſt his Son, who is alſo God bleſſed for ever, Rom. 9.5. prepares materials for a Church, and then he joyns them together, and makes them a holy and glorious Temple or Church of God, Eph. 2.21, 22. and Chap. 5.27. So that we have enough to confirm this Truth, (viz.) that particular Churches of Believers are of God, in this one particular, namely, Becauſe God himſelf is the former and builder of them, Mat. 16.18. Iſa. 43.21.
Secondly, It further appears by the Lord's owning of them, promiſing and vouchſafing his preſence with them: which he would never do if they were not of his Inſtitution and appointment. But now the Lord declares his owning of, and promiſes his preſence and abode with them, as his Churches. Jeſus Chriſt doth not only (by his Spirit) prepare and fit men for this ſtate, build them up and ſtamp his own and his Father's name upon them; but alſo he dwells in them, and makes them his walks, palaces and places of his delight: Here (ſays he) will I dwell, for I have deſired it; Pſal. 135.14. yea theſe Churches are his choſen and moſt pleaſant habitations, Pſal. 132.13. where he reſts, and repoſes himſelf, v, 14. and that for ever: not, to look on or viſit them now and then, but to reſt himſelf, and dwell there for ever: not for a few days, but for ever. And in Rev. 2.1. the Lord Jeſus tells the Church at Epheſus, that he walked in the midſt of the ſeven Golden Candleſticks; which were the ſeven diſtinct, particular, and congregational Churches, Rev. 1.20. and in the 2 Cor. 9.16. (ſays he) I will dwell in them and walk in them: that is, in the particular Church at Corinth. Now, particular congregational Churches are of God, or Men, but they cannot be of mens deviſing and ſetting up, becauſe God owns them and confirms them with his preſence; deſires, and chuſes them for his Reſt, and dwells in them continually with delight and complacency; and therefore they muſt be of God: for, the great and holy God will not own the devices of men in and about his name and worſhip, but abhorrs and loaths them, condemns and rejects them as filthy and abominable things, Lev. 10.2 Sam. 6. and much leſs will he delight and reſt in them.
Thirdly, That particular congregational-Churches of Believers are of divine Inſtitution, is further evinced and confirmed, by the conſtant and univerſal practice of Believers in the Apoſtles daies: for, no ſooner were any Jews or Gentiles converted to Chriſt, but aſſoon as they had opportunity, they joyned to, or congregated into, Churches. So Acts 2.41, 42. it is ſaid, that they were daily added to the Church, verſ, 47. and Acts 5.14. This is evident in the places where the Apoſtles preached amongſt the Jews and Gentiles, and the Goſpel was received, that aſſoon as a number were converted, they congregated, as being the firſt work they were to do after they had received Chriſt Jeſus the Lord. Col. 2.6. and ever after they were called Churches of Chriſt and Temples of God; a multitude of them you read of in the Acts, Epiſtles of Paul, and in the Revelation. And what they did therein, was by the doctrine and advice of the Apoſtles, and according to what they taught them, from and in the name of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 11.23. 2 Pet. 1. ult. Now, what they did and practiſed by Apoſtolical direction, and with the approbation of Jeſus Chriſt, hath the binding force and power of a divine precept, 1 Cor. 11.1. Heb. 6.12. It was the univerſal practice of the primitive Saints, to joyn themſelves to ſome Church of Chriſt; inſomuch, that we can hardly find any one of them continuing out of a Church-ſtate any time, after their converſion. We ſeldome read (in divine hiſtories) of any believers, but what had relation to one Church or other, planted and watered by the Apoſtles or Evangeliſts, 1 Cor. 3.6. By which ſaid univerſal practice we may conclude, that particular Churches of Believers are of Gods owne Inſtitution. For the Saints of God durſt not do then, as many dare do now, namely, to live in the willful neglect of ſo great a Duty and priviledg; the love and fear of God, and the will of Chriſt, eaſily perſwaded them to give up themſelves unto Chriſt in univerſal obedience unto his whole revealed will. And they could not congregate and joyn into Churches, nor abide and worſhip God in them in faith and obedience unleſs they had known that what they did therein, was the will of Chriſt, and their duty.
Fourthly, This Truth is further confirmed, by the Laws, Rules, and Orders, that Jeſus Chriſt hath given to his Churches, as Churches, and not as to individual and ſingle Believers. Almoſt all the Epiſtles of Paul are written for, and directed to Believers as inchurched and incorporated into bodies and diſtinct congregations: and he directs his Epiſtles to them under the ſtile and Title of Churches, To the Church of God which is at Corinth, 1 Cor. 1.2. and To the Church of the Theſſalonians, 1 Theſ. 1.1. In which Epiſtles, are all the Laws, Rules and Orders, for all the members of the Churches walking and practice, contained: (which ſhall be afterwards opened, when I come to ſpeak of the duties of Churches) and the Epiſtles of Paul to Timothy are written and ſent to him, to direct him how to behave himſelf in the Houſe of God, and to ſhew him what his work and duty was in the Church: 1 Tim. 3, 14, 15. So other Epiſtles are given to the Churches, that they might know how to behave themſelves in that ſtate and Relation. There are Rules and Laws for their faith and Love, and orders for their walkings and practices. There they are Inſtructed and taught how to carry themſelves towards God the Father, and Jeſus Chriſt their Head and Ruler, towards their Paſtors and Teachers, and towards one another as fellow-Members. There they have laid down their particular works and duties towards God and Men, and ſhewed how they ſhould perform them; as alſo, motives and encouragements to move and quicken them to diligence and faithfulneſs in the practice of them. And although all ſorts of duties are there laid down and commanded, namely, ſuch as reſpect other Relations and Capacities, as of husband and wife, parents and children, &c. yet the chief and great end, matter and ſcope of them, are intended for them as Believers in a Church-ſtate and Relation, as will further appear when I come to ſpeak of the ſpecial and particular duties of Church Members, as ſuch.
Now then, if God hath given his Laws, Rules and Orders unto Churches, or to Believers as in a Church ſtate and condition, for their holy and regular walking towards God and one another, as in that relation; then undoubtedly, particular congregated Churches of Believers are of God, and of divine Inſtitution: For ſurely the holy and jealous God would never ſo far own and priviledge the devices and Inſtitutions of men in matters that ſo nearly concern his worſhip and Glory, as to dignify them with his holy Laws and Ordinances; as he hath done to his own Churches, that are of his own Inſtitution and appointment.
Fifthly, This Truth is further ratifyed and confirmed, by the Officers he hath given to them, for their well-being, ordering and managing of Church-affairs and concernments, in his name, for his glory and their profit. Theſe Officers are ſpecified and enumerated in Eph. 4.11. 1 Cor. 12.28. Phil. 1.1. 1 Tim. 3.1. Tim. 5.17. and elſewhere; as in Acts 20.17, &c. And they are not given by men, but, God: authorized & impowred by him to act and officiate as ſuch in the Church, 1 Cor. 12.28. God hath ſet them in his Church. And Acts 20.28. (ſays Paul to the Elders of the Church at Epheſus;) Take heed to your ſelves and to the Church over which the holy Ghoſt hath made you Overſeers, or foreign, ad paſcendam Eccleſiam Dei, to feed the Church of God: And in Eph. 4.11. he (that is, Chriſt, verſ. 10.) gave Paſtors and Teachers, for the work of the Miniſtry, verſ. 11. And as they are given, authorized and ſent of God, or ſet by him in the Churches; ſo he hath allotted and appointed them their ſeveral diſtinct works and buſineſſes there, and charged them to take heed and ſee they do it, as he appoints: Acts 20.17, 18. Rom. 12.7, 8. Heb. 13.17. 1 Tim. 5.17. and takes ſpecial care about their qualifications for their work, 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. yea, he gives and beſtows Gifts and abilities, himſelf, on them, for the Churches ſakes, that they may be able miniſters of the New-Teſtament; not of the letter only, but of the Spirit; and promiſes to be with them, himſelf, in all their endeavours, to diſcharge their Truſt, and perform their works, Eph. 4. Rom. 12. Mat. 28. vlt. and will bleſs and proſper their labours to his Glory and the Churches benefit.
Now aſſuredly, God would never have made ſuch proviſions, for Churches of humane Invention, and ſetting up: he would never ſo far own the works of mens hands, without his mind, Authority & appointment; and therefore ſeeing God hath provided and ſet Officers in them, appointed them their works, qualified & fitted them by his Spirit; & promiſed to be with them; particular Churches of Believers, muſt be of divine Inſtitution: of God, & not of men.
Sixthly, This further appears, by the order and diſcipline Chriſt hath appointed, and required to be obſerved and practiſed in his Churches. He hath appointed and given Officers unto them (as before-ſaid), and to them hath he committed the uſe, exerciſe and power of the Keys, to open and ſhut his door; to execute his Laws, and to manage his concernments and houſhold-affairs therein: namely, in his Name, and by the Authority he hath given them for that end and purpoſe; and he hath charged the Churches to Obey and ſubmit themſelves to them in the Lord, in the exerciſing of their power and Authority in his name, to his Glory and the Churches profit, according to his direction, Heb. 13.7, 17. 1 Theſ. 5.12. Theſe Officers or Elders, have the power and Authority of Chriſt in their hands, to correct offenders, to inſtruct, admoniſh and reprove; and, in caſe of obſtinacy, to caſt them out, or remove them from their memberſhip in the Churches, (which the Churche's ſuffrage) and upon Repentance to receive them in again, Mat. 16.18, 19. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5.7, 12, 13. 2 Cor. 2. The neglect of which, Chriſt reproves the Churches of Aſia for, Rev. 2.14, 20. And as the Churches have, by their Elders, the orders and diſcipline of Chriſt, with power and Authority to uſe and exerciſe the ſame; ſo, each particular Church hath power to chuſe and appoint Officers for themſelves, namely, ſuch as they judge the Lord Jeſus hath appointed and fitted for them: ſuch as he offers and preſents to them and gives a place and intereſt in their hearts, Acts 14.23. Acts. 6.3. foreign, Quumque ipis per ſusfragia creaſſent per ſingulas Eccleſias (Beza); a Church may Authoritatively do that which Believers cannot ſo do in a ſingle and individual capacity, as Believers; but they may as a congregated Body, and as an incorporated ſociety, who have voluntarily given up themſelves, and engaged to one another, & to Jeſus Chriſt by the Will of God, to ſubmit to, & walk together by the ſame Laws and Rules of the Society or Corporation: Theſe have not ſingly, but joyntly as a Corporation, the power and exerciſe of diſcipline. When ye are come together, deliver ſuch a one to Satan, in the Name of the Lord Jeſus, 1 Cor. 5.4. and if he will not hear thee, tell it to the Church, &c. Mat. 16. So then if Chriſt hath given Rules, laws and power of order and diſcipline to particular congregated Churches of Believers, then they are of divine Inſtitution. And indeed ſpiritual diſcipline cannot elſewhere be rightly exerciſed.
Seventhly, This Truth is further confirmed, by their names and honourable Titles. God the Father, and Jeſus Chriſt his Son, calls them by their own names, and ſo owns them for their own Churches, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God; If any man defile the Temple of God, him ſhall God deſtroy: for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are. So 2 Cor. 6.16. And as Jeſus Chriſt honours them with the high ſtile and Title of his holy Temple, ſo alſo his Habitation, Eph. 2.22. and his Houſhold, Eph. 2.19. as alſo the Houſhold of Faith, Gal. 6.10. And further he intitles them his Churches, or the Churches of God, and Chriſt, and golden Candleſticks: Rev. 1.20. Rom. 16.16. 1 Cor. 11.16. 2 Theſ. 1.4. And that in alluſion to the old Temple, and Candleſticks thereof, which were of his own appointment. Moreover a particular congregated Church of Believers, is called the Houſe of God, 1 Tim. 3.5.15. Heb. 3.5, 6. and Chriſt his Walks, Rev. 2.1.
Theſe were particular Congregational Churches that he thus owns, and honours with ſuch Titles; (viz) the particular Churches of Epheſus, Corinthians, Theſſalonians.
Eightly, Believers as inchurched or incorporoted Bodies, are ſpoken to by name, the great diſ overies made of Gods purpoſes and intended works in the latter daies, are directed and given to them by the Spirit. Hence it is often ſaid in the Revelations; he that hath an Ear let him hear, what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches; which were diſtinct incorporated Bodies and Societies of Believers, Rev 2.7, 17, 29. Rev. 3.6, 13, 22.
The Holy Ghoſt reveals to them, the rice, name, nature, and works of Antichriſt; what he ſhould be, and what he ſhould do; from whence he ſhould come, what he ſhould do to the Churches, Temple and beloved City of God, and what his end ſhould be. There he deſcribes the New Jeruſalem, and Church-ſtate of Gods People, and what he would do with and for them. There they are ſhewed largely and abundantly, the care and Love of Chriſt to his People, of the warr and conflicts that ſhall be between the Dragon, Beaſts, Whore, falſe Prophet; and Jeſus Chriſt and his followers; as alſo the Iſſue of all: as you may find in that book of the Revelations. All which ſhews, that particular Churches of Believers are of God. For the Holy Spirit would never own the Inventions of men ſo farr as to make known to them ſuch great things, as he there declares unto the Churches.
Ninthly, If particular congregational Churches had not been of divine Inſtitution, but of mens deviſing; then ſurely Jeſus Chriſt and the Holy Spirit would have ſharply reproved them for their ſetting up their poſts by God poſts, as he did the Jews, Ezek. 43.8. and as he reproved them for their miſcarriages in their Church-ſtate, Rev. 2.3. and the Corinthians and Galatians, &c. But we never find them reproved or found fault withal for their being inchurched and incorporated into diſtinct congregations, but they are often Commended for it, Act. 2. Col. 2.5. For men to ſet up Churches, Temples and Houſes, to be the ſeats and ſubjects of Gods Ordinances and Worſhip, and then to entile the name & Authority of Jeſus Chriſt to them, had been a moſt high and preſumptuous wickedneſs indeed, and ſuch as he would never have wincked at, but abhorred and rejected them, as mens works. Therefore particular congregated Churches of Believers are of God; for if they had not, he would undoubted have ſeverely reproved them for their ſo walking.
Tenthly, Theſe congregational Churches muſt needs be of God; becauſe without ſuch, the worſhip and ordinances of God cannot regularly & orderly be obſerved and performed by men, in a ſolemn, fixed and publique ſtated way and manner; neither can the paſtors & overſeers of them rightly and comfortably perform their work, and adminiſter the ordinances of Chriſt to men. For all that are priviledged with Chriſt his Inſtitutes, and profeſs to own him for their Lord and Saviour, ought to live under his Government and diſcipline, and to ſubject themſelves to all the orders and Appointments of Chriſt, and to own and give up themſelves to the guidance and Rule of ſuch as he hath ſet over them; and their Teachers and Elders are to take care of, watch over and duely adminiſter to ſuch as Chriſt hath committed to their care, inſpection and charge: Now how can they do it unleſs they are fixed, formed and known Churches or Congregations: unleſs they have mutually choſen each either to walk together in their ſeveral places and capacities as a ſtated Church or Family of God? How can they be overſeers of Churches, and take care of them as ſuch, as Chriſt commands them, Act. 20.17, 28. unleſs they are firſt Churches, and declare themſelves to be ſuch unto their Guides, that they may take the care and charge of, and adminiſter to them as Churches of Chriſt? If their officers are ſtated, fixed officers to them, then they muſt be ſtated, fixed Churches to their officers. How elſe ſhall they know who are their flocks, their care and charge, and who are not? who they are bound to over-ſee and miniſter too, as their own peculiar flocks? what they are to do, give or receive, to or from them? or how to diſcharge their miniſterial work unto them, and give an account of them unto their Lord and Maſter; unleſs they are incorporated Societys, who have engaged to walk together as Churches, in all Chriſts-Ordinances, and choſen them to adminiſter to them in the name of Chriſt, and by his Authority? And how can they adminiſter Church-Ordinances unto them as Church-Officers unleſs they are, and they own and approve of them as the Churches of Chriſt; and believe that they are ſet there by Chriſt, as Church-Officers, to officiate for him as ſuch, to his Churches as Churches? what Authority can they claim over them, unleſs with their own mutual conſent they acknowledge and own each other as Churches and Officers of Chriſt, to and in them? How can they adminiſter the Lords Supper to them, authoritatively, require their attendance on their adminiſtrations, and reprove their neglects: and how can their Teachers preach to them with all Authority: How can they watch over and feed them and expect their Love, Duty, and Subjection, and how can they exerciſe the power of the Keys, and adminiſter cenſures, to and amongſt them, unleſs they are related to one another as Officers and Churches? Miniſters are charged to take care of their own flocks, Act. 20.17, 28. and to behave themſelves ſo and ſo in the Houſe of God committed to their Truſt, 1 Tim. 3.5, 15. and ſuch are pronounced Bleſſed, Mat. 24, 25, 26, 27. Who then (ſays Chriſt) is a Faithful and Wiſe Steward, or Servant, whom his Lord hath made Ruler over his Houſhold, to give them meat in due Seaſon? Bleſſed is that Servant, &c. Theſe are ſome of the many Reaſons and demonſtrations, that might be given, to ſhew that particular congregated Churches of Believers are of God and not of men. I might have added as many more to evince and confirm it; but theſe may be ſufficient to ſatisfy the Faith and Conſciences of, and encourage Believers in their walking in Church fellowſhip, or congregating into diſtinct Churches and particular Societies.