A Sigh for Peace, Part 2
The Second part. Of the Conſtitution of a true CHURCH.
NEither are the demands of our Brethren, about what truths, the knowledge whereof are neceſſary to the Conſtitution of a true Church, ſo difficult; but that we ſhall give them a direct anſwer, at leaſt to a larger degree, than what they in that caſe have aſſigned; for they only ſet down Faith, Repentance and Baptiſm, with a holy life, &c. omitting not only the fourth principle of Chriſts Doctrine, (though they confeſs laying on of Hands, Heb. 6. 2. to be a part of the foundation) but alſo they omit the Belief of the Reſurrection, and the eternal Judgment. If it ſhould be ſaid that they comprehend the two laſt principles in that of Faith towards God, we muſt tell them they had better by far have expreſſed them; for certainly in this caſe we cannot be too expreſs, if we expreſs nothing but the truth. But to be plain, it's juſtly ſuſpected that they do not make the Knowledge or Belief of the Reſurrection and eternal judgment neceſſary to the Eſſence of a true Church; for if they had, they would ſome where or other have aſſerted theſe truths to be neceſſary in that behalf; which they have not done, but rather argued to the contrary, whiles they reaſon from the ſtate of the Church before Chriſts Aſcenſion to the ſtate of the Church after it, as we ſhall ſee more anon.
Theſe things premiſed, I anſwer directly to their demands, (in this caſe) That the belief and practice (ſo far as they are practical) of all theſe principles or truths, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Are neceſſary to the right or perfect Conſtitution of a true Church, which I thus demonſtrate.
All the firſt principles of Gods Oracles (from the time they were in being) are neceſſary to be known, believed, &c. in the Conſtitution of a true Church: Ergo, all thoſe trutbs, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Are neceſſary to be known, believed, &c. in the conſtitution of a true Church.
The Antecedent I prove, becauſe, firſt principles are either neceſſary in the conſtitution of a true Church, or not at all. But firſt principles are neceſſary; Ergo, they are neceſſary in the conſtitution of a true Church. This will yet further appear, by conſidering every principle apart after this manner.
1. If Repentance from dead works be not neceſſary to the conſtitution or beginning of a true Church, no man can ſhew a reaſon why it ſhould be neceſſary at all.
2. If Faith towards God be not neceſſary to the conſtitution of a true Church, then not at all.
3. If Baptiſms be not neceſſary to be taught, &c. in the conſtitution of a true Church, then not at all.
4. If Laying on of Hands for the promiſed and Sealing Spirit be not neceſſary in the conſtitution of a true Church, then not neceſſary at all.
5,6. If the Knowledge that the dead ſhall riſe again and be judged, be not neceſſary in the conſtitution of a true Church, then not neceſſary at all. And therefore I argue further.
Milk is neceſſary for Babes, or mankind in his firſt eſtate; Ergo, all th…ſe principles, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Are neceſſary to Churches in their beginning, or conſtitution. The antecedent is evident by ſenſe, the conſequence is true, becauſe all the principles, Heb. 6. 1, 2. Are called Milk, Heb. 5. 12. And that which pertains to Babes in Chriſt, and conſequently to the conſtitution of Churches.
Again, If the Principles of Religion be not to be taught in the beginning of our Chriſtian State, no man can tell the time when theſe things ought to be taught. For paſs but the time of the beginning, Plantation, or founding of Churches, and let our Brethren reſolve us concerning the proper time to begin to teach the Principles of Religion, and particularly, that principle of Laying on of Hands? Mean while we conclude, that the proper time to inſtruct Men concerning the promiſe of the Spirit, and conſequently touching the means to obtain it, is at or about the time of their beginning their Chriſtian courſe, or being made the Members of Chriſts Body, becauſe every Member of that body ought to be vivified by that one Spirit, which God hath promiſed to them that obey him.
Again, The whole foundation is neceſſary to the constitution of a true Church; Ergo, all the principles, Heb 6. are neceſſary to the conſtitution of a true Church.
The Anteoedent will never be denyed by any wiſe builder, for they know the Superſt…ucture is not like to be ſecure, if the Foundation be defective The conſequence is good, becauſe every principle, Heb. 6. is a part of the Foundation, and ſo Laying on of Hands among the reſt, as is granted on all ſides.
Nor will our Brethrens demands grounded on the ſtate of the Church before the Aſcention of our Lord, prejudice ought that we have ſaid, ſeeing it is evident, that they were not only ignorant of the promiſe of the Spirit, and by what means it ſhould be obtained, but they were plainly ignorant that Chriſt muſt die for the ſins of men, and riſe again for their juſtification, as appears Luke 24. 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27. And he [that is Jeſus] ſaid unto them [that is his Diſciples] what things? And they ſaid unto him concerning Jeſus of Nazareth, which was a Prophet mighty indeed, and word before God, and all the people. And the chief Prieſts and how our Rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him; But we TRUSTED that it had been he that ſhould have delivered Iſrael. And beſide all this, to day is the third day ſince theſe things were done; yea, and certain women alſo of our own company, made us aſtoniſhed, which were early at the Sepulchre, and when they found not his Body, they came, ſaying that they had alſo ſein a Viſion of Angels, which ſaid That he was alive. And certain that was with us went to the Sepulcher, and found it even as the women had ſaid, but him they ſaw not; Then he ſaid [that is Jeſus] unto them, [that is his Diſciples] O fools, and ſlow of heart, to believe all that the Prophets have ſpoken, ought not Chriſt to have ſuffered theſe things.
Hence theſe three things are evident. 1. That Chriſts Diſciples were ignorant that he ſhould work mans deliverance by dying for them. 2. That he ſhould overcome death by riſing again from the dead. 3. That Chriſt both reproves their ignorance, and inſtructs them in the knowledge of the Scriptures touching theſe principles.
Now let us ſee what our Brethren have gained by quering from the ſtate of the Church before, to the ſtate of the Church after the Aſcenſion of our Lord; ſurely not an hairs-breadth of proof, that Laying on of Hands ſhould be diſpenſed with in the perfect conſtitution of a true Church, any more than that the knowledge of Chriſts dying for our ſins, and riſing again for our juſtification, may be diſpenſed with in like manner.
But howſoever it was the pleaſure of God to wink at the days of this ignorance, yet ſurely we know that men are not now under the promiſe of ſalvation, unleſs they confeſs with the mouth the Lord Jeſus [that is, not to cry Lord Lord only, but acknowledge him their Lord purchaſer, and their Lord commander] and ſhall believe in their heart that God hath raiſed him from the dead: whence we conclude, if they be not under the promiſe of ſalvation, they are very unfit for Church-Communion.
And here we will take notice of your demand, Where the Apoſtles Laid Hands upon any after they had received the Holy Ghoſt?
The ground of this demand ſeems to be corrupt in two reſpects; firſt, in that it ſuppoſeth, that if the end of an Ordinance be obtained, the Ordinance ceaſeth. The contrary to which is evident in the caſe of Baptiſm, Acts 10. 47, 48. For Baptiſm in the ordinary way of Gods communicating the graces of the Goſpel is antecedent to the reception thereof, & is propounded as a means wherein not only the Remiſſion of our ſins ſhall be granted to us, but as a condition whereupon we ſhall receive the gift of the Holy Ghoſt, Acts. 2. 38. yet we know the Spirit was (once at leaſt) given, and received before Baptiſm was diſpenſed, yea thoſe perſons had the chief end of Baptiſm; for God that knew their hearts did now evidence the Remiſſion of their ſins, purifyng their hearts by Faith, Acts 11. yet did not all this in the leaſt make void that ſolemn Ordinance, the Baptiſm of Repentance for Remiſſion of ſins, which was fore-ordained to ſignifie and Sacramentally to confer the grace of the pardon of ſin, and the inward waſhing of the Conſcience by Faith in the bloud of Jeſus Chriſt. If then the end of an Ordinance being obtained, doth not make void the practick part (during the time that the Church is under Ordinances) then who can forbid prayer with the Impoſition of Hands, for the gift of the promiſed Spirit, even for thoſe that have received a meaſure thereof already, ſeeing none will ſay (I truſt) that they have received ſo much, but that they are capable of receiving more.
Again, it is the will of God that there ſhould be no Schiſm in the body, nor confuſion in the Doctrine or practice of his holy things, 1 Cor. 1. 10. Rom. 16 17. 1 Cor. 14 33. And therefore hath not ordained a divided or confuſed order in the conſtitution of his Churches, which yet cannot be avoided, if once it be allowed that part of a Congregation (under a pretence that they have the Spirit or gift of the Holy Ghoſt already) muſt be admitted to all manner of priviledges in the Church, without any regard had to an Ordinance, or principle of the Goſpel, without the obſervation whereof, the other part cannot arrive at the priviledge of Communion in the ſame body, without being guilty of the breach of order. A weak ſight may perceive whither ſuch a conceit would lead us at laſt, even into that Wilderneſs whither many are gone, who (forſooth) becauſe they have the kernel, to wit, the Spirit, they have no need of the ſhell, to wit, the Ordinance of God [as if that Spirit which leads men into diſobedience were the Holy Ghoſt] till at length they have ſo much Spirit, that the knowledge of Chriſt crucified without the gates of Ieruſalem, is of as little eſteem with them as his Ordinances.
The other corrupt ground of this demand ſeems to be an over-weaning conceit of preſent receivings, and hath too much of that Language, What pr…fit ſhall we have if we pray unto him? And ſeems to border much upon their apprehenſions, who concerning Holy Baptiſm do thus ſpeak, I am as well as Water can make me. Not conſidering that the way of God is ſtrength to the upright; and that G…d never ſaid to his people ſeek … me in vain. The ground therefore of this demand being thus corrupt, we ſhall leave it without further Anſwer.
We ſhall ſeriouſly conſider the moſt impor…ant pinch of a great part of our Brethrens demands; and that is, whether they ought not to be ſteemed a true Church, they being under the pre…ſſion of Faith, Repentance, and Baptiſm, refol…ing to believe and do further what they ſhall from …me to time underſtand to be according to the will … Go…?
Theſe latter words (I confeſs) do make a fair ſhew, yet are as little ſatisfactory to us with reſpect to the truth under conſideration, as the like reſolution would be to them, from ſuch perſons of other perſwaſions as ſhould deſire Communion with them, only deſiring to be born with, in the caſe of Holy Baptiſm, till they ſee it to be their duty; though in the mean time, they frequently diſpute and write againſt it, and do more than any other Adverſaries whatſoever, to weaken the Hands of many Chriſtians, who religiouſly obſerve it, as neceſſary to the perfect conſtitution of the Church of Chriſt. I ſay, like as this kind of reſolution, would little comfort our Brethren, ſo doth the other as little comfort us, till we ſee them in good earneſt more ſolicitous for the knowledge of the truth which they ſee not, than hitherto (or at leaſt than by this their ſearch) they have appeared to be. But notwithſtanding this, and much more of like nature which might be ſaid, I ſhall anſwer this demand with all integrity and ingenuity: And firſt Negatively.
That thoſe baptized Chriſtians who reject prayer with the Laying on of Hands, for the Spirit o… promiſe, hath a Church-ſtate perfect in principles and orderly in conſtitution, according to He…. 6. 1, 2. [which I take to be a plat-form for the conſtitution of Churches, if there be one in all the New Teſtament] I ſay, that our Brethren hath ſuch a conſtitution, or Church-ſtate I muſt plainly deny, and for the grounds of this denyal I dare refer my ſelf (if not to the Conſciences of our differing Brethren yet) to the Reaſons and Scripture-evidences preceding: But Secondly,
That our Brethren have a Church-ſtate in ſome good meaſure according to truth; I muſt and do chearfully grant, like as I muſt grant him to be a man in reſpect of the genus, who wants an hand, or foot; as alſo in reſpect of that meaſure of Form and proportion which he holds with other men, and yet deny the ſame perſon to be a man in reſpect of the ſpecies or parts, which are neceſſary to the perfect Eſſence, compoſition and Form of a man. Or as I may call an Edifice by the name of an houſe, though it want not only much of its compleatneſs in reſpect of the Superſtructure (as God knows all Churches do) but alſo though it be ſomway defective, by reaſon of the abſence of ſome material part of the Foundation, which defect no Churches (but by reaſon of their wilful want) need to have; for though it is certainly true, …hat we cannot do the things which we would, in going on to perfection (at leaſt according to the higheſt import of that expreſſion) by reaſon of the manifold obſtructions within and without, yet doubtleſs we may learn all the Rudiments or firſt principles of Chriſtianity, maugre the oppoſition of Sathan and all his Auxiliaries; otherwiſe it will follow that we cannot exceed the ſtature of Babes in Chriſt.
And that we may improve our Simile (by which we have explained our ſelves in Anſwer to the moſt important of our Brethrens demands) for the defence of the truth under debate. Let it be conſidered, that look how far forth ſuch a neceſſary Member as the Hand, &c. doth conduce, not only to the well-being, but even to the very being of the body Natural, ſo far doubtleſs the leaſt Foundation principle of Chriſtianity, conduceth not only to the well-being, but to the very being of the Church of Chriſt; and conſequently as he that taketh a Member from the body Natural (be it Hand or other Member) detracteth ſomewhat from the being of ſuch a body, even ſo, he that taketh away from the principles or Foundation of Chriſtianity, doth intrench upon the being of the body Myſtical.
Now, that the Laying on of Hands, Heb. 6. 2. is ſuch a principle as is a part of the Foundation, &c. is granted by our Brethren (as we have heard) and therefore we do with good right ſtand for it, as neceſſary even to the Eſſence of a Church, in ſuch ſort as we have even now declared. And, that that very Laying on of Hands, Heb. 6. 1, 2. is that which we hold it to be, and …ccordingly do practiſe, we truſt is ſufficiently loved before, and that as by other Arguments, ſo alſo by this; namely, becauſe no other Lay…ng on of Hands practiſed by our Brethren, or …ny body elſe, can with any ſhew of Truth or Reaſon be called the fourth principle of Chriſts Doctrine, or Milk for Babes in Chriſt.
Our Brethren do ſeem to be very ſenſible …ow that the removal or extirpation of any o…her of the principles, Heb. 6. would leave (if …ot mortality yet) a dangerous wound or grie…ous maime in the Body of Religion; and …herefore could they but once humbly conſider, …hey would certainly ſee that their rooting out …he fourth principle, is very injurious to the Body of that Doctrine contain'd in thoſe prin…iples, Heb. 6. 1, 2.
Were our Brethren only wanting in reſpect …f the truth we plead for, the caſe were the more tollerable; but now, together with their …eing wanting, they are become the enemies, …nd greateſt oppoſers of it. It is certainly (O …e Searchers) your oppoſition to the truth which we profeſs, which is, and ever was the CHIEF cauſe of our diviſions, as is evident by what is to be ſeen in ſeveral Congregations, where, they being imbodyed before they ſaw duplicate page duplicate page this truth, yet abſtaining from oppoſition an… contradiction, have very much Chriſtian Communion, though they d…er in their apprehe… ſions about the point depending.
It is our Saviours rule, He that is not againſt … is on our part; whence it will follow, that he is n… on our part who is againſt us: But then (our Br… thren) are the men (and in a manner the on… men) which are againſt us in this point … Faith; And this is it which hath made tw… parties, where indeed there ſhould have be… but one.
You ſee then Brethren, that we lay t… ground of our Non-communion with yo… more upon your oppoſing the truth we hold, tha… upon your non-ſubmiſſion to it. Yea beſhre… your late oppoſition diſcovered in your late u… ſeaſonable and partial ſearch: for had it n… been for that, we had gained ſome grou… (through the help of God) of our long diſſen… ons and unhappy diſtractions.
Had you (or at leaſt many of you) carry… it humbly and peaceably as men deſirous know the truth, it may be eaſie for you know how dear you had been to us, when y… conſider how much it was upon our hearts, imbrace you in as large a degree of Communion we could poſſible, without violation of our principle… meerly upon conſideration of your (as … thought) very Chriſtian-like offers in order to peace, viz. That you would not only permit, but deſire us to preach up the principle under conſideration in your Congregations, but alſo that you would ceaſe your oppoſition againſt it. And though it is true, our endeavours for peace went ſlowly on (you know the cauſe) yet you ought to have had patience, for things which are carryed on with leaſt violence, are commonly moſt permanent.
And here I ſhould have given the Reader no further trouble about this particular, but that the Searchers are pleaſed to upbraid, and very ſtrangely to reflect diſhonour upon ſome among us, and upon us all for their ſakes, as if we made not only many more Fundamentals and Eſſentials to Communion, then ever God made; but that we are ſo eagerly ſet upon making every thing fundamentall, as that every circumſtantial thing is by us ready to be received into the adoption of Fundamentals.
But, what the Searchers ſhould mean to ſuggeſt by their demands, as if we made mixed Marriages; The …ating of bloud and things ſtrangled: matters of Apparel; and the taking an Oath to end ſtrife, the Eſſentials and Fundamentals of Churches, I cannot ſo much as imagine, unleſs it be to make themſelves (as well as their Brethren ridiculous in the eyes of their Adverſaries. However a neceſſity lyeth upon us to give the Reader not only a true account of the received Doctrine of the Church touching theſe matters, but alſo the grounds or reaſons thereof; leaſt otherwiſe being prejudiced with their ſtrange reflections, their ſouls ſhould be inſnared in theſe enormities.
And firſt concerning mixed Marriages, thus we teach, That it is unlawful (by the poſitive … of God) for thoſe that are Members of the Viſibl… Church of God, to Marry with th…ſe that are no… of that body. And for this we have the conſent o… Holy Scripture, declaring the will of God here in, ever ſince he choſe a people out of the fal… race of Adam to be his Church. As appears by his revengeful ſtroke on thoſe his Sons, who i… the days of Noah took unto themſelves Wives o… thoſe who were only the Daughters of men; bu… not ſuch as were born from above. Gen. 6▪ 2, 6, 7. To which we will add our Sav… ours premonition and prediction, that the ſi… of the laſt days will be like their's in the days o… Noah, Luke▪ 17. 27, to 30. and particularly i… the caſe of Marriage; for it cannot be that ou… Saviour in that place ſhould be oppoſite t… Marriage, a… it is inſtituted of God for man uſe, no more than he is againſt eating an… drinking lawfully, but it is the ſins of me… committed in theſe actions reſpectively, whic… he diſalloweth.
How much the Lord diſallowed ſuch Marriages in the time of the Law is evident, Exod. 34. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Deut. 7▪ 3. 1 King. 11. 1, 2. Neh. 13. And that the ſame tranſgreſſion in the time of the Goſpel ought to be avoided, cannot be denyed, 1 Cor. 7. 39. and 10. 8. 2 Cor. 6. 14.
And that the nature of the ſin committed by perſons ſo unlawfully coupled is a carnal pollu…on (to ſay no more) cannot be withſtood, but by ſuch as truſt more to their own Arguments then to the Scripture, ſeeing the Law which forbids Members of the Church to marry with thoſe that are not, Deut. 7. 3. is interpreted of the very act, 1 King. 11. 1, 2. Thou ſhalt not … in unto them, &c. and for further Light in this matter, read and conſider theſe Scriptures, Act. 15. 29. Mal. 2. 11, 12. Rev. 2. 14.
As in this caſe the Scriptures are plain to him that is not perverſe, ſo we have the con…ent of the Generality of men profeſſing Chriſtianity, both ancient and modern, to o…it the manifold teſtimonies that might be …rought, I will only ſet down two; The firſt …aith thus.
Marriage is not only grounded on the Law of Nature and Nations, but alſo on the Law of God; … it was inſtituted and commanded by God, and … by Chriſt vindicated from abuſes and corruptions.—In which, regard muſt be had to Religion, that Marriage be not made between thoſe of different The opinion of the Univerſity of Baſil.Religions. It is one thing to ſpeak of Marriage already made; and of that which is to be made; of the former the Apoſtle ſpeaks, 1 Cor. 7. But the latter is moſt ſeverely prohibited, Exod. 34. 12. &c. Deut. 7. 3. Where a reaſon is rendred taken from the danger of ſeducing, to which Pauls ſaying agrees, 2 Cor. 6. 14. Be not unequally yoked with the wicked, or bear not the ſtrange yoke with unbelievers. Sad examples we have of the events of ſuch Marriages of the firſt world, Gen. 6. Of Solomon, 1 King. 22. of Ahab, 1 King. 21. 15. of Jehoſaphat, 2 King. 8. Of Valence the Emperour, who by his Wife was ſeduced and drawn to Arianiſm.
It is not lawful for Catholicks to marry with Hereticks or Infidels. Rhemiſts Teſtament, in 2 Cor. 6. 14. Where they alſo refer to St. Jerom. contra The opinion of the Rhem.Jocinian lib. 1. and to the Council at …aodicea, cap. 10. 31.
Neither may it be inferred of theſe things which we have ſaid that perſons thus tranſgreſſing, muſt put away their yoke-fellows, no, God forbid that any ſhould ſo imagine; for though it is true, God ſuffered that ſin once to be ſo ſeverely puniſhed, yet he hath no where by any ſtanding Law enjoyned ſuch a penalty; but on the contrary, hath permitted ſuch Marriages to continue as have been unlawfully made, as is evident in the caſe of Leah, who was fraudulently given to Jacob, by which means Rachel the lawful Spouſe was withheld from her Huſband.
Shall mortal man be more juſt than God? ſhall man be more Righteous then his Maker, Job 4. 17.
Nothing can be ſaid, why the Marriage of Leah to Jacob ſhould ſtand, that will not as well argue the continuance of the Marriages of ſuch as err in the caſe of their choice as aforeſaid, the ſin being rather greater in the one, than in the other; for it was not lawful to marry two Siſters▪ eſpecially not in the life-time of each other. There was alſo in this act the ſin of Fornication or Adultery. The Learned Proteſtants affirm the ſin to be Adultery. See Dr. Willet in his Hexapla in gen. upon this Text.
Again, Poligamy (or having more Wives than one) was neither according to the Inſti…ution of marriage, nor warranted by any poſitive Law of God, but is rather againſt it. And had its riſe (ſo far as the Scripture bears Record) from Gen. 4. 19.a wicked man, yet divers ſuch Marriages were permitted (when contracted) though never commanded, and ſo never lawful by any appointment of God.
When the ſin of marrying unlawfully was puniſhed, by ſeparating the perſons ſo coupled, the Children alſo was put away as well as the Wives, which howſoever it might ſtand with the ſtate of the Jewiſh Church (and perhaps was neceſſary in reſpect of their Terreſtrial Inheritances, and the policy of their Nation) yet ſurely it would be great cruelty for men profeſſing Chriſtianity, to turn their Wives and Children out of doors, who both by the Law of Nature, and Nations have as clear a right to all Temporal or Domeſtical priviledges now, as the Husband himſelf in any Nation whatſoever.
Finally, ſith God hath grievouſly puniſhed this ſin of marrying contrary to his poſitive Laws in that caſe, provided for his peoples good, chiefly in things pertaining to the worſhip and ſervice of God, let all Chriſtians therefore ſtand in aw, and ſin not, but commune with their own hearts in this behalf, leaſt they provoke the Lord to plead againſt them by his judgments, for his eyes are upon the ways of men; to render to them the fruit of their doings. Chiefly thoſe, who ſin preſumptuouſly, for ſuch do reproach the Lord, as it is written Numb. 15 30, 31.
In the next place, on ching bloud and …hings Gen. 9. 4.ſtrangled, we know the wiſdom of God hath forbidden the eating thereof to Noah and his Sons for ever. And when men had generally forgotten the Lord, he ſevered Abraham Lev. 17. 13, 14, 15.and his ſeed to be his heritage, and gave them this Law to obſerve (among others) which Law he hath eſtabliſhed in the Churches of the Gen…les in thoſe right needful decrees, which doth declare the repeal of the Cerimonial Law, and gives continuance to what was generally neceſſary, upon the delivery whereof Acts 15. 29.the Churches were eſtabliſhed in that F…ith, by which a man is juſtifyed, and not by the works of the Law.
True it is that which g…e…h into the man, defileth not a man, and conſequently bloud doth not defile any man by eating thereof. But diſobedience which proceedeth from an unlawful deſire to that which God hath forbidden, and ſo cometh out of the man, that defileth a man; ſo then, not the fruit which Adam did eat, but the ſin which he committed defiled him, and the ſame will defile his Poſterity, if they covet and take the thing which God hath forbidden.
The Doctrine of our Churches about Apparel is this, that the adorning of Chriſtians ought not to be that of plating the hair, wearing of Gold, nor coſtly array, with Rings and toys, as the humour of phantaſtick perſons in City or Country commonly leads them. But that inſtead thereof, moderation, modeſty, and yet decency, according to the ſtate and condition of perſons reſpectively, ſhould be obſerved on all ſides, that ſo Chriſtians might be examples to others, even in theſe matters. And what though ſome perſon or perſons in the Church be more than ordinary ſet againſt the vain faſhions of our days, and ſometimes lets their zeal go a ſtep too far, is this ſo offenſive to our Brethren, that they can no way bear this without ſuch a publick reprehenſion? I fear in ſo doing they may have done the Church more diſſervice, then thoſe whom they inveigh againſt.
What the Searchers ſhould mean about theſe matters being made the Eſs…ntials of Communion, I cannot imagine, unleſs they would have us to ſuffer men to ſin in theſe caſes without being called upon to reform, and in caſe of obſtinacy to be withdrawn from by the Church, as diſorderly perſons, that they may learn to be aſhamed, (yet we mean not that they ſhould be accounted as enemies, but admoniſhed as Brethren) and ſurely, if this be their meaning, that offenders in theſe caſes muſt be let alone in their ſins; we ſhould in ſo doing looſe the order, and in time the Eſſence of Churches. For ſuppoſe now a gallant of the Times ſhould deſire to be Baptized, and to walk in Communion with the Searchers, only he tells them they muſt give him leave to marry out of the Church, and allow him the liberty to tranſgreſs the Apoſtolical decrees, in eating bloud and things ſtrangled, and meats offered to Idols: and therewithall that he may wear Gold, and tread the ſteps of the Gallants in matters of Apparel, &c. Would the Searchers now admit ſuch a perſon into their Communion? if not, then they make theſe things as neceſſary to Church-communion as we do: And certainly that which is ground ſufficient to keep men out of the Church, will juſtifie a Church in withdrawing from ſuch, if they refuſe to reform.
To give evidence by Oath, to terminate ſtrife among men, we have not one Congregation in England (that I can hear of) doth oppoſe it, (indeed ſome particular perſons are doubtful in that matter, becauſe of our Saviours words, Swear not at all) and therefore it was very unneceſſarily put to publick obſervation, as an Eſſential of our Church-Communion.
What the Searchers do ſuggeſt againſt ſome, as denying that Chriſt took fleſh of the Virgin Mary, is, I confeſs, a matter of great importance. And ſure I am, many of our Congregations never heard of ſuch a thing, till the Searchers became their informers: nor do I think there is ſo much as one Congregation in England that holds ſuch a thing (for particulars no man may ſpeak) however upon this occaſion I can do no leſs then proteſt againſt that Opinion as a moſt dangerous conceit; nothing inferiour to theirs that deny that glorious and bleſſed perſon to be God by Nature; for as the one denies his Manhood, the other denies his Godhead, and ſo between them we have little left to fix on, for our Redemption and Salvation.
And as I have ſhewed my diſlike to theſe conceits (to ſay no more at preſent) ſo I hold it requiſite to proteſt my Faith in this caſe, as I have been taught, and as I have believed, and as (I truſt) I ſhall hold faſt unto the end.
That Faith which I have learned (and is the Faith of our Churches generally) is this, Firſt.
That the - Lord Jeſus, the Saviour of the World is God by Nature, and therefore of one ſubſtance with the Father as touching his Godhead. He is called the only begotten of the Father. The expreſs image of his Fathers perſon. The true God and Eternal Life. The Lord Almighty. It is he by whom the Worlds were made. Without him nothing was made, which was made. He is that very Lord who in the beginning laid the Foundation of the Earth, and the Heavens are the work of his Hands. He is the Alpha and Omega, the firſt, and the …ſt. He is ſaid to be before all things, and by …im all things conſiſt. He is the I A M; who …eing in the form of God, thought not robbery …o be equal with God. He is God over all bleſ…ed forever Amen. I conclude then, that he of …hom theſe things are ſpoken, is doubtleſs God by Nature.
…. This Lord Jeſus the Saviour of the World is man … Nature. He was made lower then the Angels, … took not on him the Nature of Angels, but … ſeed of Abraham He is of one ſubſtance with …is Church touching his Manhood; and for …hat cauſe he is not aſhamed to call them Bre…ren. As they are partakers of fleſh and …loud, he alſo himſelf likewiſe took part of the …me. He was made of a Woman, raiſed up … the fruit of Davids Loins according to the …eſh. He is Davids Son, called frequently a …an; and the Son of man. He had the pro…erties and infirmities of man in all things, ſin …xcepted. This his Birth, Growth, manner of Life and Death do declare. I conclude then, he of whom theſe things may be ſaid, is man by Nature. The ſhort is this.
Jeſus the Saviour of the World was before al… things, and he that made all things, therefore he i… God by Nature, Jeſus the Saviour of the Worl… was born in time, and ſuffered death, or was ſlain … therefore he is man by Nature,
Yet more ſhortly
This Jeſus is Immanuel, or God-Man in on… Perſon.