The Tabernacle of God with Men, Title page – Propositions
THE Tabernacle OF GOD with MEN: OR, The Ʋiſible Church Reformed.
A Diſcourſe of the Matter and Diſcipline of the Viſible Church, tending to REFORMATION.
By Richard Resbury, Miniſter of the Word in Oundle, in Northamptonſhire.
London, Printed in the yeare 1649.
The Preface to the Reader.
Reader,
THere are many intereſts in this active age contended for; the Soveraign intereſt, the Kings Prerogative, the State intereſt, the Priviledges of Parliament, the popular intereſt, the Subjects Liberty; there is one above all theſe to be heeded; the intereſt of the Church as more excellent; thoſe civil, this ſpiritual; thoſe the intereſts of men as men in their ſeverall ſtations, this the intereſt of the Saints as Saints; thoſe making for a politicall, this for a ſpirituall; thoſe for a momentany, this for eternall happineſſe; this the intereſt of Chriſt himſelfe, who is head of his Church aſwell according to her viſible and miniſteriall, as her inviſible and ſaving ſtate; and therfore he alone it is, who appoints her officers, adminiſtrations, lawes, priviledges, liberties in the grand charter of his word; none of wch, may the higheſt upon earth, without crimen laeſae Majeſtatis, attempt againſt the Crown of Chriſt, to violate; Neither is this onelyonly excellent above the reſt, but moſt advantageous to them; It is not onelyonly the piety, but the true policy, of Kings, Parliaments and people, to give due heed to the ſetling of this, which ſetled truly, ſettles all theirs ſurely and beautifully. Be wiſe now therefore O ye Kings, be inſtructed yee Judges of the earth: Kiſſe the Son. Nay the obtaining of the kingdome of Chriſt in the world in all its claims, ſhall renew the face of the whole Creation, and make a new heaven and a new earth.
It hath been my endeavour in the integrity of my heart (ſo far as I have obtained mercy to diſcern that deceitful piece) to enquire into the true ſtate and order of the viſible Church of Chriſt; and if I may, to bring ſomething, if but a little Goats haire towards the ſetting up of the Sanctuary; One thing I have labour'd, I hope not unuſeful, to bring down the enquiry particularly to our condition in this Nation, that we might diſtinctly conſider what after ſo many engagements to the Lord, by his great works for us, by our ſolemn Covenant with him, lies upon us to practiſe. No more; Only I have, if thou beeſt faithfull, thy prayers; if ingenuous, thine indulgence, where thou ſhalt finde ſlips.
Thine in the ſervice of the Goſpel, RIC. RESBURY.
The Heads of this enſuing Diſcourſe are theſe eight Propoſitions or Inſtructions following.
I. THe true matter of the viſible Church is viſible Saints onelyonly.
II. Diſcipline is an Ordinance of Chriſt, for ordering the viſible Church in her ſeveral Congregations.
III. To the people of the Church it belongs by Divine right to chuſe their officers.
IV. Chriſt hath committed the power of Diſcipline not to the Officers alone, but to the Church, that is, to the Officers with the brotherhood.
V. There is a Church-power formally diſtinct from the Civil.
VI. That Biſhops in office above Presbyters, are no Church officers of divine inſtitution, it is pleaded by Jerome from Scripture and the higheſt Goſpel-antiquity.
VII. To a particular Congregation of viſible Saints, furniſhed with Officers, it belongs to exerciſe all parts of Diſcipline within it ſelfe.
VIII. To a Congregation of viſible Saints, not yet poſſeſt of Officers, it belongs to poſſeſſe themſelves of them.