The Holy Arbor, Chapter 4 · Section 9
§. 9. The Holy Catholique Church.
Concerning the holy and Catholique Church of Chriſt, we believe, That the Son of God doth from the beginning of the world, Joh. 10.11. Gen. 26.4. to the end thereof, Rom. 8.29. gather, defend and preſerve unto himſelf by his Spirit, Iſa. 59.21. and Word, Acts 2.46. out of whole Mankinde, Mat. 16.18. Joh. 10.28. a company choſen to everlaſting life, 1 Joh. 3.21. and agreeing in true faith; And that we are lively Members of that Company, 1 Joh. 2.19. and ſo ſhall remain for ever, 1 Cor. 18.9. To believe in which holy Catholique Church, is to believe the Doctrine thereof, wherein ſhe followeth Chriſt, the Prophets and Apoſtles, the onelyonly ſure ground and pillar of Truth; and that in this viſible Company and Society are ſome true Repentants and truly converted, and my ſelf to be a lively Member of the inviſible and viſible Church: So that to believe and confeſs the Doctrine of Salvation taught and delivered by the Prophets and Apoſtles, is an infallible and inſeperable note of a true Church of God; for Gods Church is nothing elſe, but a company of Gods people, called by the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apoſtles, unto the ſtate of Salvation; ſo that out of the Church there is no Salvation ordinarily: In which regard Noahs Ark was a true Type of the Church, none being ſaved from drowning that were out of it. And none but ſuch who are of Chriſts body, ſhall partake of the benefits of his Office; for himſelf ſaith, He prays not for the world, Joh. 17.9. In which reſpect alſo out of the Church no Salvation, for the body being the true Catholique Inviſible Church, he that is not a member of this body is out of the Church, and ſo hath not Chriſt to be his Head and Savior: Yea, the Church is alſo Chriſts Spouſe; the many eſpouſal Titles which in Scripture are given to Chriſt and the Church, in mutual relation of one to another, evidently declareth as much: He is ſtiled a Bridegroom, ſhe a Bride, Joh. 3.29. He Well-beloved, ſhe Love, Cant. 1.13, 15. He an Huſband, ſhe a Wiſe, 2 Cor. 11.2. He an Head, ſhe the Body, both one fleſh, Eph. 5.23, 31. Thus the Church being the Communion of Saints, ſanctified in Chriſt Jeſus, confeſſing him the Son of the living God, in every place knit in one Church as the Body, and every Member unto Chriſt as unto one Head, it is moſt evident that no man can be ſaved out of the Church: for whomſoever God hath choſen and elected to the end, which is eternal life, them he hath choſen to the means, which is the inward and outward calling. But here note, That Infants born in the Church, are in charity to be reputed of the Church, till at their mature Age their life notoriouſly expreſs the contrary.
The Church is called Catholique or Ʋniverſal, becauſe it is not now tyed to any certain place or people, as it was under the Law, before the coming of Chriſt. Now the Doctrine of the true Church conſiſteth in the Sentences and Decrees, which we are bound by the Commandment of God to believe and obey; and no Doctrine is to be propoſed to the Church, that is repugnant to the holy Scripture, or not contained therein. And the Church hath Authority to judge and determine in Controverſies of Faith, according to Scripture; to interpret and expound the Word of God, with reſpect to the Analogy of faith, Rom. 12.6. And though ſhe be the Witneſs and Keeper of Gods written Word, yet may not inforce any thing to be believed as neceſſary to Salvation, that is either contrary or beſide the Word of God.
The viſible Church is a company among men, imbracing and profeſſing the true and uncorrupt Doctrine of the Law and the Goſpel, and uſing the Sacraments aright, according to Chriſts Inſtitution, and profeſſing Obedience unto the Doctrine; in which company are many ungenerate or hypocrites, conſenting notwithſtanding to the Doctrine. The inviſible Church is a company of thoſe which are Elected to eternal life, in whom a new life is begun here by the Holy Ghoſt, and is perfected in the world to come: They which are in this inviſible Church, never periſh, neither are any hypocrites therein. And it is called Inviſible, not that the men are inviſible, but becauſe their Faith is ſo, that we cannot certainly diſcern the godly from the hypocrites. And although this Univerſal inviſible Church, is that Militant Church which remaineth as yet in the field, and is fighting on Earth, yet it is, and lieth hid in the viſible Church; ſo that in this reſpect, there is as it were no more difference between them, then between a whole and a part. Now thoſe viſible Churches which refuſe to be governed by Chriſts Word, but are by Humane Traditions playing the Adultereſſes by committing Idolatry, are not of this Catholique Church which is ſubject to Chriſt; neither are Infidels that defie Chriſt, Hereticks that deny him, Ignorant perſons that know not his Will, Prophane perſons that deſpiſe, Worldlings that lightly eſteem him, nor any that perſecute or ſcorn him in his Members. Thus many have a Name of being of the Church, who indeed are not. And as for the Church of Rome, they are departed from the Truth, they have denyed the Faith, they have defiled themſelves with Idols, they will not have Chriſts Righteouſneſs imputed to them; they ſet up their own Works, and ſeek Juſtification by them; they will not receive Chriſt to be their onelyonly King and Prieſt, they will merit Salvation for themſelves, and therefore they are not a true, but a falſe Church.
The word Church ſignifieth an Aſſembly called together: which calling is twofold; viz.
1. Outward, which is common to all that make profeſſion of the Goſpel; in this reſpect it is ſaid, Many are called, but few are choſen, Mat. 20.16.
2. Inward, which is proper to the Elect; none but they, and all they in their time, ſhall both outwardly be called by the Word to a profeſſion of Chriſt, and alſo inwardly and effectually to believe in Chriſt, and obey the Goſpel. Theſe make that Church whereof Chriſt is properly the Head and they the Body, and that in theſe reſpects:
1. They are under Chriſt as a Body under a Head.
2. They receive Spiritual life and grace from Chriſt, as a body natural receiveth ſenſe and vigor from the head.
3. Chriſt governeth them as a Head the Body.
4. They are ſubject to Chriſt as a Body to the Head.
This Metaphor of a Body, implieth two things; viz.
1. A myſtical Union with Chriſt, by vertue whereof they who are of Chriſts Body,
1. Receive Grace and life from him, Epheſ. 4.15, 16.
2. Are guided and governed according to his Will.
3. Seek to honor him in all things they do.
4. Are offended and grieved when he is diſhonored by others.
2. A Spiritual communion with the Saints, being fellow-Members; by reaſon whereof
1. They love the Brethern, 1 Joh. 4.11.
2. They are ready to ſuccor ſuch as are in diſtreſs.
3. They will edifie one another, Eph. 4.16.
4. They retain a mutual ſympathy, rejoycing and mourning one with another, 1 Cor. 12.26.
Again, Chriſt is Head of the Church in two reſpects:
1. In regard of his Dignity and Dominion over the Church, Col. 1.18. The cauſes whereof are
1. The good pleaſure of God his Father.
2. The Dignity of his perſon being God-Man.
3. The Merit of his Sacrifice, whereby he hath redeemed and purchaſed his Church unto himſelf.
4. The Omnipotency of his power, whereby he is able to protect.
5. The All-ſufficiency of Spirit, whereby he is able to give to every member all needful grace.
2. In regard of the near union betwixt him and the Church.
All things requiſite to joyn huſband and wife together, do fitly concur betwixt Chriſt and the Church:
1. They are perſons fit to be joyned: Though Chriſt be God, yet for this end he became man, Joh. 17.19. And though the Church were impure, yet for this end is ſhe cleanſed and ſanctified.
2. They have their Parents conſent: for God is the common Father of both, Joh. 20.17. And God hath given Chriſt to the Church, Rom. 8.32. and the Church to Chriſt, Joh. 6.39.
3. They have given their mutual conſent each to other, Cant. 2.16.
4. He beareth an husband-like affection to her, and ſhe is willing to yield a wife-like ſubjection to him, Eph. 5.23, 24.
5. He hath given her many favors and gifts as pledges of his love, Eph. 4.8. And ſhe, in teſtimony of her faithfulneſs, was under the Law circumciſed, and is under the Goſpel baptized.
6. He hath prepared a place of habitation for them both together, Joh. 14.3. and ſhe earneſtly deſireth to be with him, Rev. 22.17, 20.
7. He will aſſuredly perform all the offices of a kinde husband; as, to love her, bear with her, provide for her, and the like: Let the Spouſe endeavor therefore by all good means to maintain the honor of her place, deſpiſing the world, preſerving her chaſtity, and yielding all love, reverence and obedience to this bleſſed Bridegroom, who bought her with his Blood to endow her with immortality.
The Priviledges of Chriſts Spouſe, the Church, the Saints, his faithful ones; viz.
1. Chriſt is made a yoke-follow with his Church; he puts his hand under all her burthens to make them the more eaſie, yea the great burthen of Gods wrath hath he wholly taken on himſelf.
2. Chriſt is
1. As her Champion, to anſwer all challenges ſent unto her.
2. As her Advocate, to plead and anſwer all complaints made againſt her.
3. As her Surety, to diſcharge all her debts, even all in all for her and to her.
3. All his honors, goods and priviledges are hers; ſhe hath a right to them and a part in them, ſhe is a co-heir with him, Rom. 8.17.
The marks to know the true Church by; viz.
1. The profeſſion of the true, uncorrupt and rightly underſtood Doctrine of the Law and Goſpel.
2. Her Badges and Signs, which are the two Sacraments truly adminiſtred.
3. Obedience towards God and his Doctrine, both in Life and Maners.
The Titles wch Paul gives the Church; viz.
1. The Houſe of God, who dwelleth therein, defending and guiding it by his holy Spirit.
2. The Pillar of Truth, becauſe by the Miniſtery thereof God preſerveth and keepeth Truth in the world.
3. The Mother of all the faithful, becauſe God therein hath begotten us with the incorruptible ſeed of the Word, and hath put us over unto it, to be guided and brought up in faith.
For what Reaſons the Church is called Holy:
1. Becauſe, as Paul ſaith, It is ſanctified, after that he hath cleanſed it by the waſhing of water through the word; that is, made clean from all ſin by the precious Blood of Chriſt, daily preſented to us both in the Word and Sacraments.
2. For that the Members of it being Regenerated by the Holy Ghoſt, and ſanctified, do apply themſelves diligently to holineſs of life.
3. Becauſe all true Chriſtians are Spiritual Prieſts by an holy Unction.
4. Becauſe the holy Trinity dwelleth in it: Chriſt will ſend the Comforter.
5. Becauſe it is ſanctified by Invocation:
The Church is
1. One onelyonly; becauſe as it doth acknowledge one onelyonly High Prieſt, Jeſus Chriſt; ſo one onelyonly Religion in Faith, Hope and Love: which Unity one Spirit conſerveth by the Word and Sacraments.
2. Holy, purged by the blood of Chriſt, 1 Joh. 1.
3. Catholique in reſpect
1. Of Place; not tyed to Rome, but ſpread through the whole world.
2. Of Men; not tyed to the children of Abraham after the fleſh.
3. Of Time; for it hath and ſhall be for ever, Chriſt is with it to the end of the world.
4. Inconquerable; Lifted up, even as Mount Sion, impregnable, ſo as the gates of hell ſhall not prevail againſt it.
Though the Church be onelyonly one, which is the Spouſe and Myſtical Body of Chriſt, yet in regard of man, it is conſidered in a double reſpect; viz.
1. Viſible, which is that company of the faithful, gathered together in the Name of Chriſt, to be inſtructed and confirmed in his Faith, by the ſincere preaching of the Word, as alſo the true uſe of the Sacraments, which is called the Militant Church, becauſe it warreth with the Devil, the World and the Fleſh.
2 Inviſible, being all the Elect, which may be divided into three parts:
1. They which are already received into heaven, called thence the Triumphant.
2. They which do yet live on the earth, called Inviſible, becauſe their faith and conſcience to Godward is not perfectly known unto men.
3. They that are yet unborn.
The Reaſons for which the true Church ought to be diſcerned from all other Churches; viz.
1. Becauſe of the Commandment of God, 1 Joh. 5.39.
2. For the glory of God, who as he will not be coupled with Idols, ſo will he have his Truth ſevered from lyes.
3. For our own Salvation, that the faithful may know which to joyn themſelves to, and of what Kingdom they are.
4. For the better confirmation of our faith and comfort, when as we ſee that to be rightly in our Church, which is wanting in others.
5. Leſt we being deceived, ſhould embrace the Doctrine of ſome other Church or Sect for true Religion.
6. Leſt we be partakers of the puniſhments which are to come on ſuch men, Rev. 18.4.
7. That the wicked may be left unexcuſable.
Why God oftentimes ſuffereth for a while his Enemies to prevail over his Church:
1. Becauſe his own people ſin againſt him, and therefore he is even compelled to correct and chaſten them, howbeit in mercy not in fury; for their inſtruction, not for their deſtruction, that they may not be condemned with the world: For as the Buſh which Moſes ſaw in the Wilderneſs, though in the midſt of a fire, yet not conſumed; ſo is the Church on Earth in the midſt of Perſecution, yet not overcome.
2. That his children may learn to reſt in God alone, and not on themſelves, or upon the Arm of fleſh, rather then upon the living God. Thus profited Manaſſeh more in the Priſon at Babylon, then on his Throne, 2 Chron. 33.11, 12.
3. To harden the hearts of the Enemies, that they may run forward to their own confuſion, and fill up the meaſure of their iniquity.
The difference between the Church before the coming of Chriſt and now ſince, is fourfold; viz.
1. The Church before Chriſt did ſet him forth, his Death and Reſurrection, but darkly, by certain outward ceremonies, as Sacrifices, Lights, Waſhings, and the like.
2. This conſiſteth in Reformation of life; for as the knowledge of Chriſt is now greater, ſo alſo the efficacy and working of the Holy Ghoſt is far greater, which mortifieth our fleſh, ſo as we do more earneſtly obey his Commandments, according to the Promiſes declared by the Prophets (ſome ſpecial gifts granted to ſome ſpecial men, as Moſes, Elias, and others, who went far beyond us, onelyonly excepted.)
3. In that everlaſting life was but obſcurely and darkly offered to the Iſraelites, wrapped or folded up onelyonly in earthly Promiſes.
4. The Church under the Law, was as it were bounded with the borders of Judea, or ſhut up within that countrey; but now it is diſperſed and ſcattered throughout the whole world, neither is it tyed to any one place, time or people.
The difference of the true doctrine from others; viz.
1. This Doctrine was delivered from God, other Sects are ſprung from men, and have been invented by Devils.
2. True Religion hath firm Teſtimonies, both Divine and Humane, ſuch as quiet Conſciences, and convince all other Sects of Error.
3. In the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apoſtles is rightly delivered the whole Law of God, and both the Tables of the Law are perfectly kept; other Sects caſt away the principal parts of Gods Law, the Doctrine concerning the true knowledge and Worſhip of God contained in the firſt Table, and reject the inward obedience of the ſecond Table.
4. The whole Goſpel of Chriſt rightly underſtood, is in the true Church alone taught, and in this true Doctrine alone contained; other Sects are either quite ignorant of it, or do patch ſome little part of it out of the Doctrine of the Apoſtles, unto their own Errors.
True Chriſtian Religion conſiſteth eſpecially in five principal points, diſtinguiſhed thereby from all other counterfeit Religions:
1. It maketh all the chief Points of the Doctrine thereof to agree with the nature of the true God, in the knowledge of whom it ſtrengthneth and keepeth the godly.
2. That it eſtabliſheth the glory of God in the Salvation of men, and ſo the godly are more and more confirmed in the certainty of their Salvation.
3. That it joyneth good Works with our Salvation by a moſt near band, although it be no way grounded upon them, ſo that the faithful cannot take any matter of boaſting in them.
4. That it openeth a way for us unto God, to crave of him all things neceſſary for ſoul or body, for this life or that to come.
5. That it yieldeth to the godly matter of patience and joy in adverſity, yea alſo Aſſurance in the greateſt dangers, and not without much circumſpection, care and watchfulneſs in the moſt proſperous condition.
The difference between the Church and Commonweals; viz.
1. Commonweals are diſtinct in divers places and times; the Church is alway one and the ſame.
2. The States of the World have many Heads; the Church but one, and that in Heaven.
3. Kingdoms are governed by mens Laws; the Church by the Holy Ghoſt and Gods Word.
4. The civil State requireth outward obedience onelyonly; the Church both inward and outward.
5. States give Power to Civil Magiſtrates to alter and make new Laws; the Church is ſo tyed to the Word of God, as ſhe may not adde to, or detract ought from it.
6. The civil State hath Corporal Power; but the Church puniſheth by denouncing Gods Wrath out of the Word of God.
7. In the Church are always ſome Elect and holy, but not always in the Commonwealth.
The Office and Authority of the Church, as concerning the Scriptures,
1. It is as the Keeper of the ſacred Rolls and Records, to preſerve them, not to authorize them.
2. It is as a Touchſtone to diſtinguiſh them from counterfeit Scriptures, not to make that Scripture which is no Scripture.
3. It is as the voyce of a Cryer, to preach, publiſh, promulgate and teach the Truth, but cannot adde to, or take from it, nor authorize, nor alter or change it.
4. It is as an Interpreter and Expounder of the Scriptures according to the Scriptures.
How the Church may be ſaid not to erre:
1. The whole doth not erre, though ſome Members do.
2. It doth not erre univerſally, though in ſome points of Doctrine it may.
3. It erreth not in the Foundation.
As the Church may ordain ceremonies tending to order, decency, unity and edification; ſo hath it no power to appoint what ſhe pleaſe: For ſhe may not decree any Rites or ceremonies that are
1. Idle or unprofitable, but muſt all tend to edifying.
2. For their nature impious, like the Ordinances, Maners and Idols of our Forefathers, Ezek. 30.18. Teachers of vanity, Jer. 10.8. and of lyes, Heb. 3.10.
3. For uſe Superſtitious, like the Brazen-Serpent Hezekiah brake, 2 Kings 18.
4. For their worthineſs in the eyes of the ordainers, either of equal price, or of more account then the very Ordinances of God, ſo as for the performance of them the Laws of God muſt be left undone, Mark 7.8, 13.
5. Againſt the liberty of Chriſtians, to the intangling of them again with the yoke of ſervile bondage, Gal. 5.1.
6. For their weight over-heavy, and grievous to be born, Luke 11.46.
7. Any way contrary to the Commandments, Will and Word of God, Mat. 15.13.
8. They muſt not be too many.
The duties to be performed by us in believing the holy Catholique Church:
1. To renounce and abandon all wicked Societies, becauſe we profeſs fellowſhip with Saints, betwixt whom and theſe there is no agreement.
2. To be companions of Saints; viz. of ſuch as be of an holy life, and not to think it a diſgrace to be holy and pure; and to be of a good and pious life, ſeparate from the prophane multitude.
3. To walk in the light of Gods holy Word by vertuous living, becauſe of our fellowſhip with Chriſt, and through him with God the Father, for God is light, 1 Joh. 1.7.
4. To do good unto all, but eſpecially to thoſe of the houſhold of faith, in being like-affected towards them, not onelyonly in diſtributing our temporal, but ſpiritual goods.
5. To be comfortable in all our Sufferings, becauſe our Head is not without a ſympathy and feeling of our miſeries, and will not ſuffer us to be tempted beyond what we are able.
6. To have heavenlineſs within us, by leading an heavenly life whileſt we live upon earth, becauſe there is a communion betwixt us and the Saints in heaven.
When Tyrants Storms of Perſecution raiſe,
And when Religion blows too many ways;
When Rome's Euroclydon does roar like Hell,
And that Whores Cup doth to a Deluge ſwell:
This is that Ark, which, when the Floods abate,
Doth land the Faithful on Mount Arrarat.
Truths Pillar, wreath'd with Innocence and Love,
Whoſe Stems below, and Baſis is above:
Chriſt's black, yet comely, and beloved Spouſe,
His own true Vine, thrice happy are the Boughs.