A Gospel Church, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
Of the Ordinances and Worſhip of God, in a Goſpel-Church.
Queſt. WHat Ordinances of Divine Worſhip, hath God given to, and appointed for a Goſpel-Church, to be obſerved by them?
Anſw. Firſt, walking together in conſtant, Cordial Communion, and Goſpel Order in a Church-ſtate, in Brotherly love, peace and oneneſs of ſpirit, in the frequent and joynt Celebration of all the worſhip and appointments of Chriſt, is certainly an Ordinance of Chriſt and their Indiſpenſ…ble Duty, as hath been already ſhewed. Believers may not enter their names among Chriſt's Diſciples, and then take liberty to do what they pleaſe; omit or neglect their place and duty there, when, and how they will, and content themſelves with having their names enrolled in a Church; come among them, and go from them at their own will and pleaſure. No, but it is the will and Ordinance of our Lord Jeſus, that they ſhould conſtantly, and conſcientiouſly in obedience to his holy will, abide and continue there, holding Communion or Fellowſhip together, as a united and entire body, or ſpiritual Corporation, and joyntly with one mind, heart and ſoul, obſerve and celebrate his Ordinances and Worſhip, Heb. 10.24, 25. Acts 2.42, 44, 46, 47. Rom. 15.6. 1 Cor. 1.10.
Secondly: Preaching and hearing the Goſpel. It is true, that this is not a ſpecial Church-Ordinance, or an Ordinance appointed for and given to Churches, or to Believers, excluſive of all others. For it is the great Ordinance of God for the converting, quickning, and bringing ſinners to Chriſt, Rom 1.16. 1 Theſ. 1.5. By this Ordinance God conveys his ſpecial Grace, and the ſpirit of Grace into ſinners hearts. By it he opens blind eyes, unſtops deaf cars, enlivens dead Souls, and convinces carnal men of ſin, Righteouſneſs and Judgments; Acts 26.18. Joh. 5.25. Joh. 16.7, 8. And by it he turns them from the power of Satan unto God, and works them to, and for his own uſe; makes them Veſſels of Honour, and tranſlates them out of the Kingdom of darkneſs and the Devil into his own Kingdom, Col. 1.13. The great Ordinance of Preaching and hearing the Law and Goſpel, is given and appointed to make, fit and prepare ſinful men for Memberſhip with Chriſt, & his holy Goſpel-Churches. For until they are moulded and qualified by the word and ſpirit, they are no way capable of either, conſidering what condition all men are in by ſinful nature; namely, dead, blind, filthy, vile, hateful, enemies to God, Children of Satan, under the Law, the curſe and wrath of God, ſtrangers to and ignorant of God, Chriſt, Grace, Duty and Goſpel-holineſs. But although hearing and preaching the word of God, be an Ordinance of God to others, namely, ſuch as are not en-Churched, to prepare them for that State, and the Duties and Priviledges thereof; yet I think it may be called a Church-Ordinance alſo. For the Lord Jeſus hath by his ſoveraign Authority ſet this Ordinance in his Goſpel-Churches, and committed the Preaching of it unto men there, namely, to ſuch as he is ſaid to impower and ſend, to give unto, and ſet among them for the work of the Miniſtry, 1 Cor. 12.28. Acts 20.28. Eph. 4.10, 18. Act. 14.23. 1 Tim. 5.17. The Miniſtry of their Paſtors and Teachers is their own Miniſtry; and theſe Officers being given to them by Chriſt, and ſet in his Churches for their ſakes, they may call the Ordinance their Ordinance, ſuch Officers theirs, and their Miniſtry theirs, as having a peculiar Relation to them; which is one of the Churches peculiar priviledges, and which they ought highly to prize, and bleſs God for. Now as ſome men are gifted, impowered and ſent out by Chriſt, to convert and turn men to Chriſt, who may not have any Relation to Churches, as their Paſtors or Teachers, ſo there is the ſpecial and peculiar Miniſtry of Paſtors and Teachers given to, and ſet in the Churches; whoſe work and buſineſs lyes there, and but occaſionally elſe-where to other men. Take heed (ſayes the Apoſtle) to the Flock, over which the holy Ghoſt hath made you Overſeers, to feed the Church of God, Act. 20.28. The ends of theſe Officers, and their Miniſtry in the Church, is not intended for the calling and regenerating of Church-Members; for (as was ſhewed) they muſt be effectually called and regenerated, before they can be meet Members of a Holy Temple of God: but to build up and carry on the work of Grace in their hearts, holineſs and fruitfulneſs in their lives and walkings towards God and men; To confirm and eſtabliſh them in the Truth and Faith of Chriſt, which they have received, and to inſtruct and enlighten them further in all Chriſt's and their own ſouls concernments. This Ordinance of God is intended and deſigned by the Lord Jeſus, and it ſhould be ſo uſed and managed by all Teachers and Hearers continually, to carry on the work of Grace, to convey and receive more of the Grace that is in Chriſt Jeſus for them, to convince them of, and ſhew them more clearly the evil of ſin, the deceits of their hearts, the power of in-dwelling luſts, the Wiles and Methods of Satan, the neceſſity of Chriſt and his blood, and of his Ordinances and Inſtitutions; To ſhew and convince them of the Excellency, Beauty and Lovelineſs of Chriſt, and the love and grace of God to them in him; To Preach and hear their hearts and ſouls into clearer knowledge of the three perſons and one eternal living God, and into more acquaintance with them; ſo likewiſe into more cordial and unfeigned, more ſtrong and fervent, pure and conſtant love to him; To acquaint themſelves with the nature, uſefulneſs and proper life of faith, perſwade and work their hearts to it, practically and dutifully to love it in all things, works, duties and conditions; To arm and ſence them againſt Satans fiery Darts, and Temptations, and the worlds ſnares and allurements; To diſcover and detect ſelf luſts, and whatever warrs againſt our ſouls, and to mortifie and deſtroy them; and in order thereunto, to know and be able, expert and accurate in the uſe of our ſpiritual Weapons and Armour of proof, which Chriſt hath ſanctified and given unto us; in Eph. 6. and elſewhere in the Goſpel; To ſanctifie them throughout in ſoul, body and ſpirit, keep them from deadneſs, coldneſs, lukewarmneſs, and indifferency of ſpirit, and to prevent ſleepineſs and back-ſliding from God, neglect of duties, and careleſs performance of them. This Ordinance is intended for the further informing them of the holy will and mind of Chriſt, and their duties to God and men, to ſweeten and diſpoſe the heart to love and practice them, and to enable them to perſiſt in ſo doing without wearineſs and fainting, grudging or diſputing, and with joy and delight; To call back perſons from their wanderings, and to give them Repentance unto life. Theſe are ſome of Gods holy and bleſſed ends in ſetting up this Ordinance in the Church: which all are indiſpenſibly bound to aim at, intend and endeavour in all their uſe of it. See Eph. 4.10, 11, 12, 17. Eſa. 30.20, 21. Eph. 5.25, 26, 27. Eph. 3.18, 19. Micah. 2.7. 1 Theſ. 4.10. Heb. 10.38. Rom. 1.16, 17. 2 Pet. 3.18. 1 Theſ. 5.23. Phil. 3.13, 18. Joh. 17.17, 19.
Thirdly, Prayer, Prayer to God is a Church-Ordinance. It is true, that all men are bound to pray to God both publickly and privately: the neglect whereof is ſeverely threatned; Jer. 10. ult. It is a part of natural or moral Worſhip, which all men ought to practiſe continually. For as God is their Creator, and they his reaſonable Creatures, he their Sovereign, and they his Subjects, and as ſuch Creatures, are to live, and alwayes to have their dependency on him for their ſubſiſtence in this world: ſo they are to expreſs and manifeſt their ſo doing, by their asking ſuch things as they want of him. For it is a Duty and Homage they owe him, as him in whom they live, move and have their being, Acts 17.28. and profeſs him to be their God, Protector and maintainer, and expect all things from him. They ought in all their wayes to acknowledge him, Prov. 3.6. although they know him not in the face of Chriſt by any Goſpel-Revelation. But notwithſtanding this is a Church-Ordinance alſo, that is, they are appointed to pray publickly in their meetings, as a Church, and that not as it is a moral Duty, and agreeable to reaſon, and mens natural principle, but as it is a Goſpel-Ordinance of Chriſt appointed for them, and they commanded by him to obſerve it among themſelves. This the Church of Jeruſalem was commended for, Act. 2.42. And they continued in the Apoſtles Doctrine, and fellowſhip, and breaking of bread, and in prayers. and in Acts 12.5. 'tis ſaid, that prayer was made without ceaſing of the Church unto God. Now this Ordinance in the Churches of Chriſt muſt be obſerved and practiſed, as an Ordinance of his appointing, who is Lord and Head of them, and becauſe it is his Sovereign will they ſhould ſo do, without which they cannot in the doing of it, approve themſelves unto him, as his obedient Children and Subjects in his houſe. For whatever work they do, and whatever Ordinance they obſerve in the Church, they are indiſpenſibly bound to reſpect his will, and have their eye on his Authority therein, as the ground and reaſon of what they do; and becauſe he hath ſo commanded and appointed, therefore they do it. Moreover to the well performance of this Duty, and right obſervance of this Ordinance in the Church, there is required a peculiar Miniſterial gift in the Teachers or Overſeers of the Church. For they cannot rightly perform this part of their work in and for the Church, by their natural and common acquired gifts and parts, but in and by the ſpirit and his Miniſterial gifts and grace conferred on them, for their profitable and right performance of their Works and Duties in the Church, Rom. 8.26, 27. 1 Cor. 12.6, 7, 12.
Fourthly, Baptiſm, water-Baptiſm is another Church-Ordinance, to be holily, reverendly, dutifully and ſpiritually obſerved. The power of adminiſtring this holy Ordinance of Chriſt is given to Paſtors and Teachers, and only to ſuch as are authorized and called to adminiſter other Ordinances, and perform other parts of the work of the Miniſtry, Authoritatively, by virtue of their Commiſſion from Chriſt received: Any Diſciple of Chriſt may not adminiſter it, but ſuch as are ſet … part for, and appointed to the work. For they muſt do it, and it muſt alwayes be done by men in office-power, Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. And Paul tells us, Eph. 4.11, 12. That Chriſt gave ſome Paſtors and Teachers for the work of the Miniſtry, and edifying of the body of Chriſt: And we never read in Scripture of any other, than ſuch as were called to the work of the Miniſtry, that did Baptize any. This Ordinance is inſtituted and appointed in Matth. 28.18, 19. and it was confirmed by the conſtant practice of the Apoſtles and Teachers afterward, Act. 9.18. Act. 10.47, 48. 1 Cor. 15. Baptiſm is a Sign, Token and Seal of the Goſpel-Covenant, (as Circumciſion was Rom. 4.11.) for the aſſuring and confirming Believers of the reality of the Covenant, and the gracious purpoſes of God to perform it, and convey unto them all the Grace and bleſſings of it in his time. To raiſe and ſtrengthen their hope in Chriſt and God the Father by him, that God is and will be their God, and alſo the God of their Seed, according to that glorious grant and engagement of God, in Gen. 17.7. I will eſtabliſh my Covenant between me and thee, and thy Seed after thee in their Generations, for an everlaſting Covenant, to be a God to thee, and to thy Seed after thee. To which Covenant, God ſet his Seal, vers. 10. This general ſum or head of the Covenant given to Abraham; and his Seed in their Generations, we have produced and brought in by the Apoſtle Peter in his firſt Sermon after the coming of the Holy Ghoſt on him and other of the Apoſtles, in Act. 2.39. when he was about the ſetting up of Churches and Church-Order, Laws and Ordinances among them (ſayes he) Repent yee and be Baptized; why? for the promiſe is unto you, and to your Children, and to all that are a far off, even as many as the Lord our God ſhall call: which is the ſame for ſubſtance given before to Abraham. And Paul told the Galatians Chapt. 3.14. That the bleſſing of Abraham is come on the Gentiles through Jeſus Chriſt. This Ordinance of Baptiſm, is of meer Inſtitution, and made known to us in and by the Goſpel. The Light and Law of nature knows nothing of it; neither are we bound to obſerve it, but upon the command and appointment of Chriſt, which is ſufficient for us, and we need no further warrant for our obſervation of it.
Fifthly, The Lords Supper is clearly another Church-Ordinance. And indeed it cannot be rightly and orderly adminiſtred and received, but in a regular Church-ſtate; we never read of any Believers that received it, or any Officers that adminiſtred it, after Chriſt's aſcenſion, but as they were congregated, en-Churched, em-bodied and formed into a holy Temple: but we read of Churches celebrating it; as at Jeruſalem, Acts 2. Corinth. 1 Epiſtle 11. and elſewhere. We find the Inſtitution of this Ordinance in Matth. 26.26, 27, 28. Mark 14.22, 23, 24. Luk. 22.17, 18, 19, 20. 1 Cor. 11.23. to the end. In this laſt Scripture we have many weighty things of and concerning this great Ordinance (1) The Inſtitution its ſelf. (2) The time when, the ſame night in the which he was betrayed. (3) The Inſtitutor, namely, the Lord Jeſus. (4) The manner of it: 1. The Lord Jeſus's own practiſe, He took, bleſſed, brake and gave the Bread, and ſaid, take, eat, this is my Body. 2. By commandment, this do ye in remembrance of me. (5) Who ſhould received it, and how perſons ſhould be qualified and prepared for the reception of it. 1. With light and faith: They muſt be able to diſcern the Lords body, the ends and uſe of the Ordinance, and to make ſuitable and pertinent application of all to themſelves. 2. They muſt be able to examine themſelves, and actually to do it, and be in a ſtate and practical fitneſs and readineſs to meet Chriſt in it, to thank and praiſe him, and to ſhew forth his death until he come. (6) The danger and peril they are in who eat, and drink, and uſe this holy Ordinance unworthily. 1. They are guilty of his Body and Blood. 2. Of their own damnation. (7) We are informed of ſome of the ſad effects their unworthy receiving of this holy Ordinance had on ſome of them: for this cauſe many are weak and ſickly among you, and many ſleep.
Sixthly, Singing of Pſalms and Hymns and ſpiritual Songs, is another Church-Ordinance or Inſtitution of Chriſt, Eph. 5.18, 19, 20. Col. 3.16. Mat. 26.30. Mark. 14.26. This is a ſpiritual Ordinance and Duty; yea it is a heart-warming, Soul-refreſhing, Spirit-raiſing, and grace-quickning. Ordinance. To the well performance of it, much ſpecial grace and diligent exerciſe of it, as alſo the ſpirit of grace is neceſſary. Much wiſdom and ſpiritual underſtanding, life and vigor, care and watchfulneſs is requiſite; ſincerity and faithfulneſs, ſpirituality and heavenly-mindedneſs is needful for our acceptable obſervance of it to God, through Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 14.15. Col. 3.16. Eph. 5.18, 19, 20. It is true, that all men ought to ſing praiſes and thankſgivings unto God, for it is a natural and moral duty: and it is as true, that none can rightly, holily and acceptably do it, but ſuch as are partakers of the grace and ſpirit of Chriſt; and that the Lord Jeſus hath inſtituted it, and made it a Church-Ordinance. And as, or becauſe he hath inſtituted, and made it one of his Goſpel-Ordinances for his Churches, that therefore they ought ſo to obſerve it.
Sevently: Holy diſcourſes and heavenly conferences among the members of the Church, is another Church Ordinance, which all are bound to mind and practiſe, as they have ability and opportunity: for the obſervation and celebrating of which, they ſhould ſeek for occaſions and ſeaſons to meet together, and endeavour to promote it: and when they have them in their hands, to uſe and improve them to the glory of God, and their own mutual profit; and that becauſe it is their Lords Ordinance for their good: The neglect of which is (doubtleſs) one of the procuring cauſes of thoſe witherings, languiſhings, and moſt dreadful decays in grace, and woful back-ſlidings, which are ſo notoriouſly evident among Church-members. This uſeful profitable Ordinance, was once in eſteem & much accounted of by Believers; but it is now almoſt laid aſide & forgotten by them; it was their delight, but now their burden. They made happy earnings of it to their Souls, but now they fancy that they have no need of it, that there is neither duty nor priviledge in it. But however, it is and ſhall ever be an Ordinance of God, and their obſervation of it, their priviledge and duty, Jude 20. Building up your ſelves in your moſt holy faith, 1 Theſ. 5.11. Wherefore comfort your ſelves together, and edifie one another, even as alſo ye do. See alſo, verſ. 14. and Heb. 3.13. Heb. 10.24, 25. Mal. 3.16, 17. Church-members muſt take heed that they meet together for the better, and not for the worſer, as the Apoſtle told the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 11.17. that they ſo improve their occaſional and determined meetings, as to profit and better one another. This holy Ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt ſhould be ſeriouſly, frequently, diligently, ſpiritually and ſincerely obſerved of all Church-members: And if they ſhall ſo obſerve and practiſe it, in obedience to his will, and with holy deſigns and aims, namely, to pleaſe and honour God, and to profit and better their own and each others Souls; they will find it an exceeding profitable Ordinance to them, for the promoting and carrying on the grace and intereſt of Chriſt in their hearts: and it will be an effectual means to encreaſe love one to another, unite their hearts and endear affections. God will bleſs and empower it, in your dependence on Chriſt and his free grace; to keep your Conſciences awake, your Affections warm, and your hearts ready to every good work.
Eightly: Church-Diſcipline. This Ordinance is inſtituted and appointed for the Churches regular and orderly walking: for the preventing and curing diſorders in them; and there is as much need of this Ordinance and Inſtitution as of any other, as experience ſhews. And it ſhould be ſeriouſly minded and conſidered; wiſely, and diligently obſerved and practiſed in the Church, as much as any other Ordinance of God therein. There is no Church in the world but is ſubject to diſorders, and too many irregularities, becauſe the Luſts, Temptations, and carnal Intereſts of ſome of the Member, are ſtrong and impetuous; which cauſes many diſtempers and diſturbances in the body, as may be ſeen in the primitive Churches. Now Diſcipline is appointed by Chriſt to heal and cure them, and without it the body cannot be healthful and continue in a good condition; but botches and plague-ſores will break forth, 2 Cor. 10.8. Mat. 18.15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. 1 Cor. 5.4, 5, 7, 13. Gal. 6.1, 2.
Theſe are ſome of the principal Inſtitutions, or Ordinances of Chriſt in his Goſpel-Churches; which they ſhould ſeriouſly mind, diligently and faithfully obſerve continually, to the glory of Chriſt and their Souls profit.