The More Excellent Way to Edify the Church, Text (1 of 3)

The More Excellent Way to Edify the Church · Text (1 of 3)

p. 1EPH. IV. 16. latter part.

—Maketh Increaſe of the Body, unto the Edifying of it ſelf in Love.

IF I had a voice as loud as Thunder, I would cry Fire, Fire, with a wiſh that all England might hear. A Flame is kindled much worſe than that which burnt down London▪ which threatens both Church and State with ruine: and that is, the Flame of fierce Contention. Mens Hearts are as hot as Hell; their Tongues do ſet on fire the courſe of Nature; ſuch wrath, ſuch bitterneſs, ſuch animoſities every where appear, as plainly ſhew the body Politick and Body Myſtical are in a dangerous fermentation and Feaver, which I wiſh may not iſſue in diſſolution and deſtruction. That Prediction of our Lord is fulfilled; Iniquity ſhall abound, and love ſhall wax cold. Luſt indeed breaks out into a flame; mens Paſſions are hot unto the higheſt degree, and fury makes them p. 2abound in tranſgreſſion; but a deadly damp has ſeiz'd on Love. No wonder that the Churches pulſe does beat diſorderly, no wonder that ſhe is languiſhing, and ready to dye, for Love is the cauſe of her increaſe and Edification.

Is there no Balm in Gilead? is there not a Phyſitian there? are the ſpots and ſymptoms ſuch as ſhew the diſeaſe is mortal, and that there no remedy? Though the caſe be deplorable, 'tis not deſperate. Were my Text but minded, in it might be found a ſure Recipe. Chriſt is the Churches Head and Healer; and were but Love revived, it would quickly bring his Body to a better and more healthy temper. Light may do much, but Love will do more. Love covers a multitude of ſins; Love cures a multitude of Maladies: The Church encreaſes and edifies it ſelf in Love.

Though the Apoſtle was a Priſoner, yet we find his Heart enlarged towards the Epheſians. Having before diſcourſed concerning the Myſteries of Faith, in this Chapter he preſſes Ʋnity and Love with the greateſt vehemency; and in order hereunto he exhorts to all lowlineſs and meekneſs: He knew that pride is the cauſe of contention, and that humility and love are the way both to the Souls, and to the Churches Reſt. He uſes great ſtrength and cogency of Argument, that he may prevail. The Saints are Members of one Body: They p. 3have been regenerated, and are acted by one Spirit; who hath effectually called them to a lively hope of one and the ſame incorruptible Inheritance: And in that Inheritance, there is not, there cannot be the leaſt diſcord. They ſerve one Lord, who is beſt ſerved, when his Servants beſt agree together. They are inſtructed in one Goſpel, juſtified by one Faith, baptized in one Name. Finally, that God is one, who is a moſt compaſſionate and indulgent Father to them all: And from ſo many Premiſes, how ſtrongly and undeniably may we conclude, that all Saints ſhould be of one Heart, and of one Soul!

The Apoſtle in thus preaching Love and Peace, ſhewed he had a very great regard to the glory of Chriſt the Head, who is aſcended far above all Heavens, that he might fill all things; and that he had a great concernedneſs for his Body, the Churches edification: For according to my Text, it increaſes and edifies it ſelf in Love.

In the Words there are four Propoſitions worthy of our obſervation.

Firſt, The Church of Chriſt is compared to a Body.

Secondly, This Body of Chriſt is imperfect in this world, and therefore continually ſhould be increaſing.

p. 4Thirdly, The Body of Chriſt ſhould diligently endeavour the edifying of it ſelf.

Fourthly, The more Love abounds among the Members of the Church, the more the whole Body will be edified.

Propoſit. 1. I begin with the firſt Propoſition: The Church of Chriſt is compared to a Body. The Scripture often uſes this Metaphor of a Body; now a Metaphor is a ſimilitude in a word; and indeed there is a great reſemblance between an Humane Body, and the Church of Chriſt, as by and by will be made evident. Believers are ſometimes called the Brethren of Chriſt, Joh. 20. 17. which intimates a very near relation: Sometimes they are called his Spouſe, whom he has betrothed to himſelf for ever, Hoſ. 2. 19, 20. and that's a relation much nearer; and ſignifies a more intimate and dear affection and familiarity: Sometimes they are called Branches, Joh. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4. and this expreſſes a nearer Union ſtill; and that both the life and fruitfulneſs of Chriſtians depends upon their being and abiding in Chriſt the true Vine. But becauſe Branches, though they grow, are without ſenſe and feeling, ſo that neither themſelves, nor the Vine feel any pain when they are cut or broken: therefore Believers are ſtiled Members, the Church a Body, and Chriſt is the Head; who is very much concerned both in it and for it. p. 5Eph. 5. 2, 3. Chriſt is the Head of the Church, and he is the Saviour of the Body. So Eph. 3. 6. That the Gentiles ſhould be fellow-heirs, and of the ſame body, and partakers of his promiſe in Chriſt by the Goſpel. Again, Col. 1. 18. And he is the head of the body, the Church, who is the beginning and firſt-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Zanchius upon this Text takes notice of two things.

1. That by the Body we are foreign, Phorius in ſcholiis.to underſtand Verum Christi Corpus Mysticum, the true Church, the true mystical body of Chriſt. This Church is made up of them that are really ſanctified; of this Hypocrites are not members; for tho' ſuch are viſibly Saints, yet in truth they are under the dominion of ſin, and ſhall receive for their hypocriſie greater damnation. Tho' hypocrites profeſs themſelves Chriſts members, yet really they are not united to him; Chriſt lives not, rules not, acts not in them, as he does in ſincere Chriſtians: Let them ſeem to be his followers, let them pretend never ſo highly to be his friends, yet really they are ſtrangers, whom Chriſt will profeſs at the great day, he never knew. Luk. 13. 26, 27. Then ſhall ye begin to ſay, We have eaten and drunk in thy preſence, and thou hast taught in our ſtreets. But he ſhall ſay, I tell you, I know you not …hence you are, depart from me all ye workers of iniquity.

p. 62. By the Church we are to underſtand the Church Militant, that part of the body of Christ which is militant on earth, not which is triumphant in Heaven. The Church above needs not exhortations to grow and increaſe in Knowledge and Grace; it needs not the means of edification: Sermons of love are not to be preached there. Glorified Saints have not the leaſt ſinful defect; they ſee God face to face, and Chriſt as he is; and their love to their Father and Redeemer is anſwerable to the ſight they have, and as much as they are capable of. And being refined from all remainders of ſin, they are become ſuch lovely Creatures, that they cannot but love one another with a moſt pure and perfect love. 'Tis the Church of Chriſt on earth the Apoſtle ſpeaks of; this is the Body that is to be edified; and alas, in how many reſpects, how certainly in all reſpects does it ſtand in need of edification.

In the handling of this Propoſition, I ſhall firſt of all ſhew the great reſemblance that i… between the Church of Christ and a Body. Secondly, What kind of body the Church of Christ is. Laſtly, Make Application.

In the firſt place, I am to ſhew the great reſemblance between the Church of Chriſt and a Body.

p. 71. The life of the Body depends upon its conjunction with the Head. Christ is the Churches life, and the Nos Chriſto adglutinamur, non ſicut populus Principi; ſed ſicut membra bumani corporis ſuo Capiti.Church could no more live without Chriſt, than a body could remain alive after the head were ſevered from it. Our Lord calls himſelf the Way, the Truth, and the Life alſo, Joh. 14. 6. By his blood he frees his Church from the ſentence of death and condemnation which ſin had brought her under; and makes her ſpiritually alive by his quickning Spirit. So that the Church breaths after God, walks with him, labours in his work and ſervice, all which are evidences of life ſpiritual. We read 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life. They that by faith receive the Lord Jeſus, are purified, are regenerated, and ſhall live for ever, but as many as through unbelief reject him, remain dead in ſin and doom'd to Hell. Union with Chriſt is a moſt neceſſary, a moſt happy union. The Churches life from this has its beginning, and continuance, unto conſummation.

2. The Head has a mighty influence upon the Body. There is a powerful influence from Chriſt upon his Church; and what good it does, is done by vertue of this influence. He is ſaid to be exalted far above all Heavens, that he might fill all things, Eph. 4. 10. Whatever grace and ſtrength, and comfort is communicated to believers, it is really p. 8and all from Chriſt. He fills Ordinances with efficacy, mercies with ſweetneſs, afflictions with light and uſefulneſs, and Souls with greater degrees of Grace and Holineſs; out of that foreign, all-fulneſs it has pleaſed the Father ſhould dwell in him, Col. 1. 19. Our Lord tells his Diſciples they muſt abide in him, for ſeparated from him they can do nothing, Joh. 15. 5. No wonder the Apoſtle profeſſes, That Chriſt is all and in all, Col. 3. 11. Though the Body, the Church, ſhould be never ſo much increaſed, a deficiency in the Head Chriſt need not be feared; neither is it indeed poſſible: for in him there is all the fulneſs of the Godhead. And conſequently his Rightouſneſs and Grace muſt needs be ſufficient for the whole.

3. The Body has many Members, and theſe members have different Offices. The Church likewiſe has various members, and their different ſtations, relations, callings, diverſify their work and duties; and yet the doing of theſe duties is both comely and advantageous; and the more every one does his own work, the more all are benefited. Rom. 12. 45. the Apoſtle tells us, That as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the ſame office, ſo we being many are one body in Chriſt: And from thence infers, that All ſhould uſe the gifts they have received, which are differing according to the grace and good pleaſure of God the Giver. It would be unreaſonable for the Ear to attempt to ſpeak like the Tongue, or p. 9the Hand to ſee like the Eye: The ſeveral members have their uſes and work proper to them. All are not Apoſtles, all are not Prophets, all are not Teachers, all are not Governours, 1 Cor. 12. 29. There are many indeed, moſt in the Church, that have need to be taught and governed; and thoſe that think themſelves wiſe enough to inſtruct and govern themſelves, and ſo deſpiſe their ſpiritual Guides, uſually are the moſt ignorant and unruly, and hugely need the help and conduct of others. The members muſt abide in their place and calling, Maſters, Servants, Parents, Children, Husbands, Wives, Magiſtrates, Subjects, Paſtors, People, doing their duties which the Scripture in their ſeveral ſtations and relations calls for.

4. The Body is fitly joyned; and thus fitly joyned is the Church of Chriſt. The word foreign ſignifies that there is a congruous order among the members of Chriſt. Without Order an Army would be a Rout and not an Army; a Kingdom would become a confuſed ſelf-deſtroying multitude. The Churches God is the God of Order and not of confuſion. 1 Cor. 14. 33. There is a rule for Order and Government, and a ſubordination in the Church; 'tis not a body of levellers; if there were a perfect parity, all would affect to rule, none would care to be ruled. The reproof of two or three, is more than the reproof of one; the Churches admonition and cenſure is ſtill with greater authority. The flock is to ſubmit themſelves p. 10…o their Paſtors who are over them in the Lord. Heb. 13. 17. and both Paſtors and people are to ſubmit eſpecially unto Chriſtian Magiſtrates, who are prophetically promiſed in the Old Teſtament, that they ſhould be Nurſing Fathers to the Church under the New. A right Order in Churches and Families, will have a mighty influence to make believers ſtedfaſt againſt temptations both to Error and Wickedneſs. The Apoſtle rejoyced in the Coloſſians, chap. 2. 5. when he beheld their order, and the ſtedfaſtneſs of of their faith in Chriſt.

5. The Body is compact together, ſo is the Church of Chriſt; the word foreign ſhews that the Church is firmly knit unto Chriſt the Head, and the members one unto another. The hypoſtatical Ʋnion between the Natures of Chriſt ſhall never be diſſolved, neither ſhall the myſtical union between him and his members; and if ſo, then his true members muſt needs remain cloſely knit together. There are ligaments, joynts, bands, whereby the Body of Chriſt is held together: The Spirit of Grace, and Love unites the body to Chriſt, and members to members. The Miniſters of Chriſt are ſubſervient unto this union; and ought to be preaching and commending love, which is a grace of an uniting nature. The Apoſtle had a concernedneſs for the Coloſſians, which he expreſſes by a great conflict, and that which he wiſht ſo vehemently for, was this, that their hearts might be comforted, beingknit together in love, Col. 2. 1, 2.

p. 11Where is the member of the natural Body that grows weary of its fellowſhip, and is willing to be cut off. The Arms, the Hands, the Leggs, the Feet, are deſirous to keep their places; and and nature makes them abhor to be ſevered. True grace makes the members of the Church to diſlike ſeparation. As they believe ſo, they very well like, and are deſirous of the communion of Saints. A very black mark is ſet upon them who are of a contrary inclination. 1 Joh. 2. 19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifeſt they were not all of us.

6. God hath ſet the Members in the body as it pleaſed him; the different gifts and graces which are in the Church of Chriſt and the members of it, are according to Gods will and pleaſure. He beſtowes larger gifts upon ſome, and leſs upon others; and yet thoſe that have leſs, are not unuſeful. Some Saints receive greater meaſures of Grace, others ſmaller; but all have that grace which is true, and which at laſt will end in glory. Some members of the Church are higher, others lower, and yet they ſhould not envy or deſpiſe one another; for God has aſſigned their place unto both: the higher, may direct the lower, the lower may ſerve the higher. The eye cannot ſay to the hand, I have no need of thee; nor the head to the feet, I Have no need of you; and thoſe members of the body which ſeem to be more feeble are neceſſary. p. 121 Cor. 12. 21, 22. By the grace of God the members of Chriſt are what they are. They have nothing but what they have received; and the more any have received, the more humble and diligent they ſhould be; for where much is given, much will alſo be required.

7. In the Body Nouriſhment is conveyed unto the parts, and the whole is hereby ſuſtained. The body of Chriſt alſo by joints and bands having nouriſhment miniſtred, and knit together, increaſeth with the increaſe of God. Col. 2. 19. The Church of Chriſt has food to eat which the world knows not of, it has ſpiritual ſenſes, a ſpiritual appetite, and its food is ſpiritual. The word of God is compared to food; here is milk for Babes, and ſtronger meat for more grown Saints. No food ſo profitable and nouriſhing, no food ſo pleaſant, no food ſo neceſſary. Heark to the profeſſion of Job, chap. 23. 12. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have eſteemed the words of his mouth more than my neceſſary food. David cries out, How ſweet are thy words unto my taſte! yea ſweeter than hony to my mouth. Pſal. 119. 103. And the Prophet ſpeaks to the ſame purpoſe; Jer. 15. 16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart.

The body of Chriſt is nouriſhed by his Word, and other Ordinances are appointed for the increaſe of this body. A famine of this word deſerves to be dreaded as a very ſore judgment.

p. 13The better the food, if it be well digeſted, the better the chyle, and the purer the blood; and the body will be more proſperous and healthy; the more purely and ſincerely the word of God is diſpenſed, the members of Chriſt will become ſtronger, and the inward man be the more renewed day by day. As Chriſt gives his word, ſo he vouchſafes himſelf to be food to his members. His fleſh is meat indeed, his blood is drink indeed, Joh. 6. 55. And by this they are nouriſhed unto that life which is eternal. It might alſo be added, that Chriſt is the cloathing, as well as the nouriſhment of his Body; his Righteouſneſs is the Robe which covers their guilt and nakedneſs, his Grace beautifies and adorns his Saints; therefore they are bid to put on the Lord Jeſus Christ, and to make no proviſion for the fleſh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. Rom. 13. 14.

8. In the Body, the Members and parts are operative and active for the good of the whole; in the Church there is an foreign, effectual working in the meaſure foreign. Phot.of every part, that the whole may be increaſed. The new Nature which is in ſincere believers, inclines them unto action ſuitable to that nature; ſloth is exceedingly oppoſite unto Religion. God is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him: to ſeek him negligently is indeed to neglect him. The members p. 14of Chriſt are induſtriouſly to do their duty towards their Father, and their Head, and likewiſe towards one another; hence it is that we read of the labour of love, which the Apoſtle requires and encourages, Heb. 6. 10, 11, 12. God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love which you have ſhewed towards his Name, in that you have miniſtred to the Saints and do miniſter; and we deſire that every one of you do ſhew the ſame diligence to the full aſſurance of hope unto the end; that ye be not ſlothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promiſes. The members of Chriſts Church are to be active, but in their place, and calling; for if they act irregularly, that action will be againſt the Body, and to its prejudice, not to its edification. Every part has its place, and that place it muſt keep, and not aſpire higher without a call; and that meaſure of grace which it has received, it muſt faithfully exerciſe, with a regard to the Churches good as well as its own.

9. The whole Body and all its members are animated by one Soul; and the Church with all its true members are animated by one and the ſame Spirit. We read Eph. 4. 4. There is one body and one Spirit: and again 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit. The ſame Spirit which is in the Head, is in all the members which are joyned to him: And the Apoſtle ſticks not to ſay, If any man have not the Spirit p. 15of Chriſt, he is none of his, Rom. 8. 9. All that light which the members of Chriſt have, is from the Spirit; he has cauſed a marvellous light to ſhine into their hearts, which before were under the power of darkneſs: he likewiſe is the worker of that liberty and ability which they have unto what is good: whereas before they had a freedom, but it was only to evil continually. Theſe members of Chriſt are all changed into his image, which is their glory: but the beginning of that change, and the progreſs of it unto greater glory, is from and by the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3. 17, 18. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty, but we all with open face beholding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image from Glory to Glory even as by the Spirits of the Lord. The Spirit dwells in all true believers, and Chriſt has promiſed that he ſhall abide in them for over, Joh. 14. 16, 17. Soul and Body indeed may be ſeparated, but the Spirit and the Saint ſhall not.

The very bodies of believers are affirmed to be the Temples of the Spirit, where he dwells and abides, 1 Cor. 6. 19. What know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghoſt, which is in you, which you have of God, and ye are not your own? And if the body be his Temple, ſurely the Heart and Soul ſhould be as it were the ſanctum ſanctorum, the holyeſt of all; fill'd with light and grace, that it may be alſo fill'd with peace and joy.

p. 1610. The Body is under the Souls conduct and command; the Church is conducted and ruled by the Spirit of Chriſt. The eyes do ſee, the ears hear, the hands work, the feet move, according to the Souls will and pleaſure: and as it has deſpoticum imperium, the command and government of the members, ſo it acts them, and their operations are from the Souls preſence; for if the Soul were gone, the body would immediately become a clod of Earth, and the members be deprived of all ſtrength and motion. The Spirit of Chriſt commands and acts his Members; he makes them to ſee the inviſible God, and that world which is inviſible; he makes them hear the voice of Chriſt, ſo as to obey his call; he makes the hands holy, having firſt purified the heart, and employes them in working Righteouſneſs: He turns the feet into the way of Gods teſtimonies; and ſtrengthens believers ſo as that they run, and are not weary, they walk without fainting.

A Chriſtians converſation is ſtyled a walking in the Spirit, Gal. 5. 16. This I ſay then, walk in the Spirit; in his Light, in his Strength, and according to his will, and fulfill ye not the luſts of the fleſh. Without this walking, 'tis a vain thing to pretend to be in Chriſt, or to hope for Juſtification by his Righteouſneſs; for the Son of God was made a Sacrifice for ſin, that the Righteouſneſs of the law might be fulfilled in them, who walk not after the fleſh but after the Spirit, Rom. 8. 4. p. 17What kind of Saints would there be! What exemplary Members! What illuſtrious Aſſemblies! if every one had in a greater meaſure crucified the fleſh with its luſts and affections, and had a more attentive and obedient ear to hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches. You ſee the Reſemblance between the Church of Chriſt and a Body.

In the Second place I am to tell you, what kind of body the Church of Chriſt is.

1. The Church is a Body of Men. Ezek. 34. 31. And ye my flock, the flock of my paſture, are men, and I am your God, ſaith the Lord God. I grant the Elect Angels have Chriſt to be their Head; but all the Apoſtate Ones were left in that miſery into which by ſin they brought themſelves. And though the Son of God be the Lord and Keeper of the Holy Angels, yet he is not their Redeemer, as he is of his Church, for whom he died. When this Saviour was born, the Tongues of Angels proclaimed peace on earth, good will towards men; Luk. 2. 14. Though the World lye in wickedneſs, yet the Church is gathered out of the World. The Saints themſelves were ſometimes dead in ſins and treſpaſſes; and walked according to the courſe of this world, according to the Prince of the power of the air; fulfilling the deſires of the fleſh, and of the mind; and were by nature the Children of wrath, even as others. Eph. 1. 1, 2, 3.

p. 18All the ſtones of Gods ſpiritual Temple are dug out of the common Quarry of Mankind; and to keep them humble; they ſhould often look to the rock from whence they were hewen. All the Sons and Daughters of the Lord Almighty, are of Adams lapſed race without exception. The Grace of God is admirable, in making a Church of ſuch as theſe: The Body of the firſt Adam was formed out of the duſt, but the Myſtical body of the ſecond Adam was formed out of that which is a great deal worſe, a meer maſſe of corruption. And as there is not a Saint, but was once a Sinner; ſo thoſe Sinners who are choſen, and called, and made faithful, they are not of the wiſe commonly, or of the mighty, or noble of the World: But God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world, to confound the wiſe; and God hath choſen the weak things of the World, to confound the things that are mighty; and baſe things of the world, and things deſpiſed, yea, and things that are nor, to bring to nought things that are; that no fleſh ſhould glory in his preſence; but according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord, 1 Cor. 1. 27. 31.

2. The Church is a Body governed by the beſt Laws: The Lord himſelf is their Lawgiver; and he is holy, and juſt, and good; and his Commands are like himſelf, holy, juſt, and good alſo, Rom. 7. 12.

There is a foreign, Law of ſin, which p. 19the men of the world obey. This Law commands what the Law of God forbids, forbids what the Law of God commands: Darkneſs and light are not more contrary, than theſe two Laws are. But this Law of Sin is foreign, a Law of Death: Obedience is deſtructive to him that yields it. The Law of the Lord is quite of another nature; there is life and peace in the doing of it; Prov. 7. 2. Keep my Commandments, and live, and my Law as the apple of thine eye. Pſal. 119. 165. Great peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing ſhall offend them. The more the Church conforms to the Laws of her Lord and Head, ſhe recovers the more of the Image of God which was loſt by the Fall, and partakes the more of the Divine Nature, eſcaping that corruption that luſt cauſes in the World. This Law is written in the Heart, which is changed and renewed; and the Heart being ſuited to the Commandment, delights in obedience: Pſal. 40. 8. I delight to do thy will, O my God, yea, thy law is within my heart. This Law is of the higheſt authority, therefore the Saints ſhould endeavour to keep it without ſpot; and whatever penalties they ſuffer, they will never have reaſon to repent of their faithfulneſs to their Lord, or their obedience to his Precepts.

3. The Church is the wiſeſt Body and Society in the World. Indeed all the World beſides are a company of meer Fools and mad-men: p. 20Are not they fools that hate knowledge? are not they fools that joyn with Satan to undo themſelves? are not they fools who venture for a meer trifle, a little ſinful gain or pleaſure, to loſe their precious Souls, which are of more value than the whole World put together? are not they fools, who have Salvation, Life, and Immortality offered to them, and neglect the offer? who are warned to flee from future Wrath, and the vengeance of eternal Fire; and yet will needs run thither, and are angry with any that endeavour to ſtop them? Oh how has ſin bereaved men of their Wits and Underſtandings!

But the Church of Chriſt is ſayingly enlightened, all her true members made wiſe unto Salvation: They are ſo wiſe as to make their peace with God, believing in Jeſus, and relying on his blood for Reconciliation; they are ſo wiſe as to follow the Lamb, and that path muſt needs be beſt and ſafeſt, wherein he leads them: They are ſo wiſe as to make timely proviſion for eternity; and to commit the keeping of their Souls into a ſtrong hand, which never loſt any that it undertook to keep and to ſecure. Therefore the Apoſtle ſpeaks with ſo much confidence, 2 Tim. 12. I know whom I have believed, and I am perſwaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him againſt that day. What is the wiſdom of this World compared with the Churches wiſdom, which is p. 21ſpiritual? the Apoſtle undervalues the policy of Princes, in compariſon of the Goſpel; that policy comes to nothing, this Goſpel guides to glory; 1 Cor. 2. 6, 7. Howbeit we ſpeak wiſdom among them that are perfect; yet not the wiſdom of this world, nor of the Princes of this world, (who yet get moſt by their wiſdom) that come to nothing: but we ſpeak the wiſdom of God in a myſtery, even the hidden wiſdom which God ordained before the world unto our glory.

4. The Church is a Body of great beauty and excellency, called therefore in the Song of Solomon, the faireſt among women, Cant. 5. 1. Sion is affirmed to be the perfection of beauty, Pſal. 50. 2. The Church is excellent in regard of her Original, for ſhe is of Heavenly extraction, and born of God himſelf: All her true members are new Creatures; they are beautified with the image of God, and reſemble him in Knowledge, Righteouſneſs, and true Holineſs. As Sin is the greateſt deformity, ſo Holineſs is the trueſt beauty; 'tis this which makes the Angels ſhine; nay, 'tis the glory of God himſelf. Exod. 15. 11. Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the Gods! who is like thee, glorious in Holineſs! How certain is it, that the Righteous man is more excellent than his Neighbour: Now the Church is called the Generation of the Righteous.

The Church is likened to a Woman, becauſe the Woman excells the man in beauty; but p. 22ſhe is ſuch a Woman, as the like is not to be found: Rev. 12. 1. She is cloathed with the Sun, the Moon is under her feet, and upon her head a Crown, not of Gold, and Diamonds, but better; a Crown of twelve Stars. What can equal this Glory of the Church? All fleſh is graſs, and all the glory of man as the flower of the field, which ſoon withers, and fades away. She is ſaid to be cloathed with the Sun, becauſe juſtified by Chriſt, the Sun of Righteouſneſs; the Moon is ſaid to be under her feet, becauſe all changeable things are below her ſpiritualized and raiſed Affections; the twelve Stars, which are her Crown, ſignifie the Doctrine of the twelve Apoſtles of the Lamb, whereby ſhe is inlightned, and brought at length to that light which is everlaſting.

5. The Church is a Body of great ſtrength; for this Body is ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Sinners are without ſtrength; they cannot pleaſe God, they cannot profit themſelves; but the Churches members are ſtrengthened with might by the Spirit in their inward man; ſo that they can do things beyond the power of Nature; they can ſee the inviſible God, they can believe againſt hope, they can overcome and deny themſelves, they can wreſtle with the Almighty, and as Princes prevail with him; they can foil the Principalities and Powers of darkneſs, they can fight the good fight of Faith, and lay hold of eternal p. 23life; and all theſe are mighty acts indeed, too great to be performed by any that are Hypocrites and ungodly. The Church is moſt oppoſed, and yet is moſt victorious; and will ſtill abide in the world, notwithſtanding all the worlds rage; like the Immortal Regiment among the Perſians, that never was deſtroyed till the Empire was deſtroyed; for if any Souldier was killed, another preſently was liſted in his room. This buſh of the Church is unconſumed in a flame; nay, it has been moſt green and flouriſhing when the flame has been fierceſt. God has ſtrengthened and preſerved her, and her preſervation may be look'd upon as one of the greateſt Arguments and Miracles of a Providence.

6. The Church is a Body to whom the whole world is beholding: It ſhould be the joy, for it is the ſecurity of the whole earth. How ſoon would the Tares be pluck'd up, bound in bundles, and caſt into the fire, if it were not for the Wheat which grows among them? Mat. 13. 29. The Church is a Friend, and wiſhes well to Mankind; 'tis her Prayer, that Gods way may be known on earth, and his ſaving health among all Nations; that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt: And like a Mother, ſhe is in travel for the converſion and ſalvation of a greater multitude of Souls. Why ſhould the World be angry, and recompenſe evil for good? p. 24they ſhould all be wiſe at length, and deſire to be incorporated into the Church, and be reſolved to go with her; for they may be well aſſured that God is with her. Zech. 8. 23.

7. The Church is a Body that will at length by many degrees be made more glorious than 'tis at preſent. Now 'tis truly ſanctified, 'tis highly dignified; but it does not yet appear what it ſhall be; 1 Joh. 3. 2. But when Chriſt the Head ſhall appear the ſecond time, without ſin, to ſalvation, what a glorious Church will appear with him! Col. 3. 4. Every member will ſhine as the Sun in the Fathers Kngdom. Mat. 13. 43. And what a glorious ſpectacle will that be, to behold all the Saints together in a company, and every one of them ſhining forth as the Sun; and the Son of God at the head of them all! How with our cries and groans, and ſerious diligence in preparing for it, ſhould we continually be haſtning the coming of that day of God! Chriſts Body, the Church, has its defects and blemiſhes, while it ſojourns here below; but at the laſt day all the ſpots will be off, all the wrinkles ſmoothed, and the end of Chriſts death will be fully attained. Now the Apoſtle tells us, He gave himſelf for his Church, that he might ſanctify and cleanſe it, and preſent it to himſelf a glorious Church, not having ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing; but that it ſhould be holy, and without blemiſh: Eph. 5. 26, 27. How gorgeouſly apparrel'd, how p. 25richly adorned, how amiable and lovely will the Lamb's Bride at laſt be, when Satan ſhall be quite vanquiſht, Death ſwallowed up in Victory, and ſin ſhall ceaſe to have a being! when light ſhall be without any darkneſs, joy without ſorrow, purity without the leaſt mixture of defilement! When Chriſt does put the Crown of Life upon his Churches Head, then that Scripture will be fully verified, Cant. 4. 7. Thou art all fair, my Love, there is no ſpot in thee.

I come now to the Application.

USE. I. Let the Church and all the members of it, conſider their relation unto Chriſt their Head, and doe that duty which ſuch a relation calls for: They are Chriſt's, and not Mammons; they are Chriſts, and not their own; they are his purchaſe, his Spouſe; nay parts, and pieces, and Members of him, which he has bought, and united to himſelf: 'Tis highly againſt all reaſon, that they ſhould ſeek, or pleaſe themſelves in a ſinful and ſelf-deſtroying manner.

Their Duty towards Chriſt, their Lord and Head, is in ſeveral Particulars.

1. The Members of Chriſt ſhould love him in great ſinoerity. The Apoſtle wiſhes, that the grace of God may be with all ſuch ſincere Lovers, Eph. 6. 24. Diſſembled and ſeeming Love is really none at all; and in ſeveral reſpects worſe p. 26than none. Chriſts Love to his Church was moſt real: How exceeding low was his humiliation, that ſhe might be advanced! how great his Sufferings for her eternal Redemption! The Apoſtle ſpeaks as one amazed at the height, and length, and depth, and breadth of this love of Chriſt which paſſes knowledge, Eph. 3. 18, 19. And if the Head be ſo full of love to all the Members, certainly the Members will be in the worſt ſence unnatural, if they return not love to their Head and Saviour; they ſhould prize him moſt highly, counting all things but loſs and dung that they may win him, Phil. 3. 8. They ſhould mourn when he withdraws, but rejoyce exceedingly when they enjoy his preſence, and ſee his face who is altogether lovely. They ſhould value his Word and Ordinances, in which he is to be found, and delight themſelves in the contemplation of his fulneſs, and that great and everlaſting Salvation whereof he is the Author. Their very Souls ſhould love him, Cant. 3. 4. which expreſſion intimates both the truth, and the ſtrength and fervency of affection: and truly our Lord is ſo excellent, that there is no danger or poſſibility that Love to him ſhould be exceſſive.

2. The Members of Chriſt ſhould endeavour to promote his Honour and Glory: They ſhould be very zealous that their Head may be advanced, and have the preeminence over all things. Their tongues ſhould be ſhewing forth p. 27his praiſes, commending him to the World as the beſt of Princes, as the only Saviour; and declaring the unreaſonableneſs of the Worlds prejudices againſt his yoak and burthen, which are ſo eaſie and ſo light. Mat. 11. ult. They ſhould earneſtly deſire that Chriſt their Lord, may be the Worlds Univerſal Monarch; and that all Earthly Kings and Emperors may caſt down their Crowns before him, and willingly ſubmit to his Scepter and Government.

3. The Members of Chriſt ſhould obey all his Commands. Joh. 14. 15. If ye love me, keep my Commandments. And v. 21. He that hath my Commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me. It is a monſtrouſneſs in Nature, if any of the Members ſhould not be placed under the Head: Surely then all the Members of Chriſt ſhould readily be ſubject to him. Thus to be Subject is to Reign. Obedience is the great Sacrifice to be offered under the New Teſtament; the Saints are ſtyled Prieſts; Kings as well as Prieſts; foreign, a Royal Prieſthood, 1 Pet. 2. 9. So that to obey the Lord Jeſus contains in it no leſs than a Regal Honour. He ſhould be reverenced, all his Commands performed. He that hears Chriſts ſayings, and doth them, is the wiſe Builder, whoſe Houſe ſhall never fall; is indeed the bleſſed man, and is in the right way to Life and Immortality. Rev. 22. 14. Bleſſed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree p. 28of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the City.

4. The Members of Chriſt ſhould live by faith upon him: They are to expect the Remiſſion of ſin, and deliverance from wrath to come no other way: when they have done their beſt and moſt, they muſt look unto Jeſus, that they through him may be accepted: For there is no way to be accepted, but in the Beloved. Eph. 1. 6. In all their Temptations, Sorrows, Sufferings, they are to depend upon him for ſuccour, joy, and Grace ſufficient. The Body is ſecured, and in the Spiritual Warfare, has both conduct and conqueſt by acting Faith in Chriſt the Head. Every Member therefore ſhould imitate the Apoſtle, who ſaid, Gal. 2. 20. The life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himſelf for me.

5. The Members of Chriſt ſhould do nothing unbecoming his Members. The Glory and Name of Chriſt, and the Credit of the Goſpel ſhould be very dear to them; and they ought to be blameleſs and harmleſs, without rebuke, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Generation; and ſhine as lights in the World. Phil. 2. 15. They ſhould manifeſt that they abide in Chriſt, by walking as he walked; they ſhould he patient, meek, and lowly as Chriſt was, contemn the world as he contemn'd it, count it their meat and drink to do the will of God as he did: and p. 29ſince Chriſt endured the contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelf, ſo ſhould they. Though the Foes of Chriſt are numerous, and oppoſe his intereſt with never ſo great force and fury, yet his members muſt never be aſhamed to own their Head, nor afraid to follow him. It becomes them, and it concerns them to cleave to him with full purpoſe of heart, Acts 11. 23. For to leave him is to be loſt for ever, and to bid farewell to bleſſedneſs, and life eternal.

USE. II. Let the Members of this Body the Church, conſider the relation they have one to another. They are indeed very near, and ſhould look upon themſelves as very near one to another: And this Relation ſhould be of mighty efficacy to perſwade them to perform thoſe mutual Duties which are incumbent upon them. In the general, All particular Members ſhould conſult the good of the whole Church: They believe the Holy Catholick Church, and their Love ſhould run parallel with their Faith; and care will be an effect of true Love. A private Spirit is very prejudicial to the Body of Chriſt, whilſt only one part is minded, and not another: 'Tis juſt as if there ſhould be an endeavour to make one member of the Body natural great and ſtrong, with an unconcernedneſs how weak, and feeble, and ſmall ſoever the other Members remain. 'Tis lamentable that p. 30there are ſo many Parties in the Chriſtian Church; but 'tis more to be lamented, that theſe Parties are ſo ſelfiſh, and ſo little mind the common intereſt; which being neglected, their private intereſt cannot be regarded ſo truly as it ſhould be. For if a whole Town be burnt down to the ground, no particular houſe eſcapes the fury of the flames: No mans Cabin can be ſecured, if the Ship be caſt away, and ſinks to the bottom of the Sea.

There are ſeveral Counſels which I would intreat the Members of the Church to follow, that it may be the better with the Church, and with themſelves.

1. Let not the higher Members deſpiſe the lower. You that are higher, what have you that you have not received? why then ſhould you glory, as if you had not received it? 1 Cor. 4. 7. That's a Scripture whoſe ſharp point ſhould prick the bladder, and let out pride and ſelf-conceitedneſs. Phil. 2. 3. Let nothing be done through ſtrife or vain glory; but in lowlineſs of mind let each eſteem other better than themſelves. Moſes the holieſt and moſt uſeful man in his time, was the meekeſt man upon earth, Numb. 12. 3. The Apoſtle Paul, though he laboured more abundantly than all the Apoſtles to ſpread the Goſpel and Faith of Chriſt, yet in what an humble ſtyle does he write of himſelf, and ſurely his Heart and Pen went together, 1 Cor. 15. 9. I am the leaſt of the Apoſtles, that am not worthy to be p. 31called an Apoſtle. Nay, he abaſes himſelf beneath all Saints, as well as all Apoſtles, and ventures the Critick's ſcoff, in coyning the word foreign, to ſhew how low he was in his own thoughts: Eph. 3. 8. Ʋnto me who am leſs than the leaſt of all Saints, is this Grace given, that I ſhould preach among the Gentiles the unſearchable riches of Chriſt.

2. Let not the lower Members of the Church be diſcontented. Every Member is highly favoured, highly honoured; every Member is under the Head's care, and ſhall at laſt be fully happy in and with Chriſt Jeſus. To be a Doorkeeper in the Houſe of God, was look'd upon as an honour and Priviledg by a King of Iſrael, Pſal. 84. 10. The leaſt degree of true Grace is more worth than all the Gold and Silver that God has made. Saints are to be blamed when diſcontented becauſe they are not of the higheſt rank; for all Saints are Children, all are Heirs, all are firſt-born; therefore the Church is called foreign, the Church of the firſtborn, Heb. 12. 23. nay, they are all, even the meaneſt of them, advanced to Kingly Dignity. Rev. 1. 5, 6. To him that hath loved us, and waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood, and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God, and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever.

3. Let the Members of the Church be ſenſible of the need they ſtand in one of another. How much are the higher Members of the Body beholding p. 32to the Feet, which are the loweſt of all! the Body could not go without them, but only lame, and a Cripple. God has ordered it ſo in his Church, that as the Members are to have their main and principal dependance upon Chriſt their Head, ſo they are to have ſome kind of dependance upon one another: and the reaſon is, that thoſe two excellent Graces of Humility and Love may flouriſh among them. Though the Hand by the Philoſopher be fitly ſtiled foreign, the moſt uſeful Member, yet it cannot do every thing: It cannot ſee like the Eye; nor ſpeak like the Tongue; and if a man ſhould attempt to go upon his Hands, he would walk after a ſorry and odd faſhion. The ſtrongeſt Saints, nay, the ableſt Miniſters are beholding to the meaneſt Believers; the ſtronger are encouraged when the meaner do their Duty. A word ſometimes from a weak Chriſtian, may be much to the edification of a Chriſtian more grown. The Apoſtle ſays, he lived, if the Theſſalonians ſtood faſt in the Lord, 1 Theſ. 3. 1. And a beggar could not beg more heartily for an Alms, than he did for the Prayers of the Saints at Rome. Rom. 15. 30. Now I beſeech you Brethren, for the Lord Jeſus Christs ſake, and the love of the Spirit, that you ſtrive together with me in your Prayers to God for me.

4. Let the Members of the Church have the ſame care one of another that they have of themſelves, p. 331 Cor. 12. 25. In the natural body it is thus; if the Face be ſtruck at, the Arm endeavours to ward off the blow; if the Body be in danger in one place, the feet are ready to carry it to a place of greater ſtrength and ſafety. Chriſtians ſhould be concerned for their fellow Chriſtians as for their fellow Members: and mind that of the Apoſtle more, 1 Cor. 10. 24. Let no man ſeek his own; that is, his own only, but every man anothers wealth.

5. Let the members of the Church ſympathize with ſuffering members. We are commanded to weep with thoſe that weep, Rom. 12. 15. The ſorrows of afflicted Chriſtians ſhould be ours, and we ſhould feel their burthens. 'Tis the glaſs eye that ſheds no tears, 'tis the wooden Arm and Leg that feels nothing: Every Member of Chriſt ſhould be full of Bowels. The Injunction is plain, Remember them that are in bonds as bound with them, and them which ſuffer adverſity as being your ſelves alſo in the body. Thoſe were upbraided, and threatned ſeverely for their carnal ſecurity and hardneſs of heart, who were at eaſe when Zion was in trouble, and were not at all grieved for the Afflictions of Joſeph, Amos 6. 6.

6. Let the members of the Church be concerned about ſuch fellow members that are ſinfully diſtempered. If any part of the body natural aile any thing, all the other parts are ready to afford the utmoſt relief and aſſiſtance they p. 34are able. And why ſhould Chriſtians be careleſs of Chriſtians, as if they were of Cains temper, who ſaid, Am I my Brothers keeper? If a beaſt be fallen, we pity him, and are ready to help unto the lifting him up again; and ſhould not a member of Chriſt who has fallen into ſin and hurt himſelf ſo much by his fall, move our compaſſions? We are indeed carefully to avoid infection by thoſe that are lapſed: yet 'tis our duty to reſtore them in the Spirit of meekneſs, conſidering our ſelves, leſt we alſo be tempted, Gal. 6. 1.

7. If one member of the Church be honoured all the members ſhould rejoice with it. Is the hand envious at the eyes quickneſs? or the ear envious at the hands activity? Envy is as unreaſonable in the body myſtical, as in the body natural. We ought to rejoice in the gifts of others, and in their graces, and in their uſefulneſs; elſe the Spirit of God who has given theſe gifts and graces, and has made them thus uſeful, will be grieved, and we ſhall hinder our ſelves of that profit which we our ſelves might reap from them.

8. Let there be no diſcord among the members of the Church, but they ſhould perfectly agree together. By that Apologue concerning the unreaſonableneſs of the Members falling out with the Body, Menenius Agrippa did put an end to a contention that was likely to prove fatal, between the Roman Senate and the common p. 35people. How unreaſonable would it be that the hand ſhould envy the eyes, and endeavour to put them out? that the feet ſhould take it amiſs that they are lowermoſt, and ſhould fall a kicking all the parts which are within their reach? Diſcord among Saints is ſuch a kind of unnatural and fooliſh contention. If Abraham the Father of the faithful ſaid unto Lot; Let there be no ſtrife between Me and Thee, for we be Brethren, Gen. 13. 8. ſurely Chriſtians à fortiori may argue with one another, Let there be no ſtrife among us for we are Members, foreign. Rom. 12. 5.

USE III. Let the World take heed how they deal with the Church which is the Body of Chriſt. 'Tis Luthers obſervation, That if any part of the Body be hurt and pained, the ſigns of feeling appear in the Head, the Brows are contracted, the Tongue cryes, Oh! the Viſage is altered. Chriſt the Head, knowes all the ſorrows of his Church, nay in all her Afflictions he is afflicted. When Saul made havock of the Body on Earth, the Head in Heaven cryes out, as having felt his fury; Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? Act. 9. 4. Let the world be wiſe, and the higheſt and greateſt in it, for whatſoever injuries are done to Chriſtians for Chriſts ſake, he accounts them as done to himſelf: in hurting his Body they ſtrike him there where he is moſt tender, moſt ſenſible, and ſuch blows without Repentance, p. 36will be dreadfully revenged. Chriſt who is the Churches Head is to be the Worlds Judge: and if when the Lord comes with ten thouſands of his Saints, hard ſpeeches ſhall be remembred; Surely the Worlds hard uſage of his members ſhall not be forgotten, ſhall not paſs unpuniſhed. If at the great day, the not feeding and cloathing of hungry and naked Saints, will be puniſhed with everlaſting fire; oh what a ſin will it be found to take away their food and rayment from them? if Chriſt will be ſo angry with thoſe who viſited not believers in Priſon, Mat. 25. 42, 43. where ſhall they appear that were the Impriſoners of them? The World ſhould not be cruel to Chriſtians, ſince Chriſt will quickly appear to judge the World in Righteouſneſs. So much for the firſt Propoſition, That the Church of Chriſt is compared to a Body.

Propoſit. II. The ſecond Propoſition is this, That this Body of Chriſt is imperfect in this World, and therefore continually ſhould be encreaſing. Hence it is that Chriſtians are exhorted to grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 2. Pet. 3. 18. and not only to be ſtedfaſt, and unmoveable; but always to abound in the work of the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. 58.

In the handling of this Propoſition, I ſhall firſt ſhew, in what reſpects the Church of Chriſt here on earth is imperfect. Secondly, In what ſenſe the Church ſhould be continually increaſing. Thirdly, p. 37I ſhall produce ſeveral Reaſons for this Increaſe of the Church. Laſtly, I ſhall give you the Ʋſes that may be made of it.

I begin with the firſt of theſe; and ſhall ſhew, in what reſpects the Church of Chriſt here on Earth, is imperfect. Two things are here to be conſidered. Firſt, The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated. Secondly, Thoſe Members which actually are of the Church, are imperfect, the very beſt of them, as long as they remain in this World.

1. The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated. There are more ſtill to be called out of the World, and brought home to Jeſus: All are not gathered, which the Father has deſigned to give him. Joh. 10. 16. And other ſheep I have, who are not of this Fold; them alſo I muſt bring, and they ſhall hear my voice, and there ſhall he one Fold, and one Shepherd.

1. Many, 'tis to be hoped, who have heard the Goſpel, ſhall be converted, though as yet they are not. Though they have hitherto reſiſted the Holy Ghoſt, yet at laſt they ſhall yield unto his Call and ſtriving. When once the day of power, and the time of love is come, they ſhall be made willing to receive a Saviour, to be the Lords, and to ſerve the Lord; though now never ſo great an obſtinacy and unwillingneſs is diſcovered. Pſal. 110. 3.

p. 382. Many who are in the loyns both of Believers and Unbelievers, ſhall in due time be born, and born again. The Church ſhall never quite diſcontinue; it may indeed ſometimes be leſs viſible, but it always has a Being. God will have a Seed to ſerve him in every future Generation. Pſal. 22. 30.

3. The Natural Branches are to be graffed in again to their own Olive-tree. Rom. 11. 24. For if thou wer't cut out of the Olive-tree which is wild by nature, and wer't graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive-tree, how much more ſhall theſe, that is, the Iſraelites, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own Olive-tree? Blindneſs in part is happened to Iſrael, but they are ſtill beloved for their Fathers ſake; and at length the veil which is upon their Hearts, ſhall be taken away, and they ſhall look unto him whom their Fathers crucified, and be ſaved by him: For he is the Meſſiah, the deliverer that is come out of Sion, and ſhall turn away ungodlineſs from Jacob, Rom. 11. 26. Now when Iſrael ſhall be added to the Chriſtian Church, how will this Church be encreaſed! it will be a very glorious augmentation, like a Reſurrection from the dead, Rom. 11. 15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World, what ſhall the receiving of them be but life from the dead?

4. The Kingdoms of the world are to become the Kingdoms of the Lord, and of his Chriſt, Rev. 11. 15. I grant this is in part already; the Gentiles p. 39have been preached to, and have obeyed the Goſpel; Chriſt, according to the Fathers Promiſe, has had the Heathen given to him for his Inheritance, and ſome of the uttermoſt parts of the earth for his poſſeſſion; but we may rationally conclude, after the deſtruction of Antichriſt, and the utter overthrow of his power and uſurpation, that many more Kingdoms of the world will ſubmit unto the Lord Jeſus; and his Church hereby will have a vaſt increaſe. We find Rev. 18. Babylon deſtroyed, the Kings of the earth, and the Merchants that committed Fornication with her, crying, Alas! alas! and lamenting her ſudden and utter downfall; The Heavens, and the holy Apoſtles and Prophets rejoycing over her, becauſe God had avenged them upon her. And then it follows, Rev. 19. 12. that upon the head of Chriſt were many Crowns, which ſhews the ſubjection of many Kings to him: and v. 6. there is a voice of a great multitude, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thundrings, as if all the World did joyn together in ſaying, Alleluia, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. From all this it appears that the Church as yet is incompleat: and that greater numbers of Converts are to be expected; and how ſhould the Promiſes of the Churches enlargement in the latter dayes, be thought upon with joy; and how earneſtly ſhould we pray that thoſe Promiſes may be accompliſhed!

2. Thoſe Members which actually are of the p. 40Church, are imperfect the very best of them, as long as they remain in this World. How plainly does the Wiſe man ſpeak, Eccl. 7. 20. There is not a just man upon Earth, that doeth good and ſinneth not. There is many a juſt man upon earth; and every juſt man his practice is to do good: but there is not one that ſo does good, as not to be chargeable with the leaſt evil. The Apoſtle James that is ſo much for joyning good works with faith, yet acknowledges in many things we offend all, Jam. 3. 2. And the Apoſtle Paul, that great Saint and Preacher, ſpeaks thus of himſelf; (and ſurely he would not tell a lye through abundance of humility: Phil. 3. 12, 13. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect, but forgetting the things which are behind and reaeching forth to thoſe things which are before. I preſs towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. The imperfection of the Saints and Members of the Church on Earth, will be evident in ſeveral reſpects.

1. The Knowledge of the Saints is imperfect. He that knew as much as any, ſayes, We know in part, and propheſy in part, and now we ſee through a glaſs darkly, 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. David, who was wiſer than his enemies, who had more underſtanding than all his Teachers, than the Ancients; yet prays ſtill that God would teach him, that God would open his eyes, and give him underſtanding, Pſal. 119. which expreſſions ſhew a remainder p. 41of ignorance in him, a trouble at it, and a deſire after a more perfect inſtruction.

2. Holineſs at preſent is imperfect in the beſt of men, as well as Knowledg. Other Graces cannot be perfect, if Knowledge be not. He that does not know the evil of ſin ſo fully as he ought, cannot hate it ſo much as he ſhould. He that is imperfect in his knowledge of God and Chriſt, muſt needs fall ſhort in his Faith and Love, and holy Fear, and Reverence. There is not one ſanctifying Grace in us, but needs further degrees. The Apoſtle makes it the conſtant work of Believers here below, to be cleanſing themſelves from all filthineſs both of the fleſh and ſpirit, and to be perfecting holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7. 1.

3. The victory over ſpiritual enemies is not yet fully obtained by militant Saints. They are combating but they have not conquered, they reſiſt Satan, and force him many times to flee; but he returns again and renews his aſſaults: and the God of peace has not yet done it, though he has promiſed to tread him under their feet ſhortly, Rom. 16. 20. They have crucified the fleſh with the affections and luſts; but though the fleſh is faſtened to the Croſs of Chriſt, and therefore the old man is ſaid to be crucified with him; yet the fleſh ſtruggles upon the Croſs: the Body of Sin is not quite deſtroyed, ſome fleſhly and worldly luſts and affections are ſtirring which are not totally mortified. p. 42Militant Saints are not as yet compleat Conquerours, for their enemies ſtill make a head, and continue the war, though at length they ſhall be made more than Conquerours through him that loved them, Rom. 8. 37.

4. The Joyes of believers alſo are imperfect. All tears ſhall at laſt be wiped away from their Eyes, but at preſent their Eyes are full of them. The worlds wickedneſs, and folly in that wickedneſs; profeſſors degeneracy; the Churches diviſions, and diſtreſſes and corruptions; the dreadful tokens and ſigns of Gods diſpleaſure, if not of his departing; finally, their own ſpiritual diſtempers, which are ſo far from being perfectly cured; alas! theſe are enough to hinder their joy from being perfect.

5. Their Happineſs is as yet but an imperfect Happineſs. All the world are miſerable beſides, and the Saints are the only happy ones; and yet theſe by many degrees are not ſo happy as they ſhall be. This ſad effect ſin has by coming into the world, that not a man, not the beſt man can be fully happy, till got out of the world. The Churches true members are happy indeed, becauſe God is theirs, Pſal. 144. ult. becauſe Chriſt is theirs; but they muſt needs be happy only in part, becauſe God and Chriſt are but in part enjoyed.

In the ſecond place I am to ſhew, in what p. 43ſenſe the Church ſhould be continually increaſing.

I. The Church ſhould endeavour to increaſe in numbers, and that the ſtone cut out without hands may become a great mountain, and fill the whole earth, Dan. 2. 34, 35. 'Tis the worlds miſery that it hates and keeps at a diſtance from the Church of Chriſt. But if this world were but taken into the Church, and were brought to believe in the ſame Jehovah, in the ſame Jeſus, and to yield Subjection to the ſame Goſpel, what a New and Happy world would there be preſently! This increaſe of the Church in numbers, is to be endeavoured ſeveral wayes.

1. Prayer ſhould be conſtant and very fervent for this increaſe. All the Sons and Daughters of Sion ſhould be importunate, that the City of God may be enlarged; that the Church may not have a barren womb, or dry breaſts; but that by reaſon of her numerous Offspring ſhe may enlarge the place of her tent, and without ſparing ſhe may lengthen her cords and ſtrengthen her ſtakes, and ſtretch forth the curtains of her habitation, Iſa. 54. 2. There is mercy enough in God, though the miſerable ſinners that come to him are never ſo great a multitude. The fulneſs of Chriſt is ſo infinitely unmeaſurable, that 'tis ſufficient to ſupply and to enrich the whole empty and beggar'd race of Adam. Heaven is of capacity to contain millions of inhabitants more. Let us therefore pray that the converſion of Souls may be by thouſands; p. 44and that they may flie as a cloud, and as doves to their Windows, Iſa. 60. 8.

2. The promiſes of the Churches increaſe are to be believed, and pleaded. In what a ſtrain does God ſpeak unto his Church, what Promiſes does he make her! Iſa. 60. 3, 4, 5. The Gentiles ſhall come to thy light, and Kings to the brightneſs of thy riſing. Lift up thine eyes round about, and ſee; all they gather themſelves together, they come to thee. Thy Sons ſhall come from far, and thy Daughters ſhall be nurſed at thy ſide. Then ſhalt thou ſee, and flow together; and thy heart ſhall fear and be enlarged: Becauſe the abundance of the Sea ſhall be converted unto thee: And the Forces of the Gentiles ſhall come to thee. And v. 11. Thy Gates ſhall be open continually, they ſhall not be ſhut day nor night; that ſtill there may be greater confluence. And v. 16. Thou ſhalt alſo ſuck the Milk of the Gentiles, and ſhalt ſuck the breaſts of Kings; and thou ſhalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour, and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob. Theſe and ſuch like Promiſes are certain; that God who has made them, is eaſily able to make them good: His Glory and Name, and his Sons Honour, are much concern'd in fulfilling them: And he is delighted to ſee his Saints deſirous with a reſpect to his Name, that theſe Promiſes may be performed.

3. The Church is to be increaſed by the powerful preaching of the Goſpel. This Preaching by all means is to be encouraged; for Faith comes p. 45by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God, Rom. 10. 17. Thoſe that moſt preach Chriſt, and leaſt themſelves, are likelieſt to enlarge the Church of God. Thoſe that are moſt skilful to convince men of ſin, that are wiſe to win Souls, that know Chriſt themſelves, and how to reveal him to others, and with greateſt zeal do preſs the love and practice of Holineſs; theſe are the Paſtours after the Heart of God, and are likely to do as Jacob did to Laban, vaſtly to increaſe the Flock of Chriſt. The Apoſtle was ſo far from hindring the preaching of the Goſpel, that he was glad it was preached by thoſe that did not preach ſincerely: Surely the Church may have ſome benefit and enlargement by ſuch. Phil. 1. 15, 16, 17, 18. Some preach Chriſt even of envy and ſtrife, and others alſo of good will: the one preach Chriſt of contention, not ſincerely, ſuppoſing to add affliction to my bonds; but the other of love; knowing that I am ſet for the defence of the Goſpel. What then I Notwithſtanding every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Chriſt is preached; and therein I do rejoyce, yea and will rejoyce.

4. The avoiding of Scandal is much for the Churches Increaſe. The Scandalous and looſe lives of Profeſſors, make the World conclude the Goſpel but a cunningly deviſed Fable; and harden the men of it in Irreligion, and a profane contempt of God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom he hath ſent. The evil works of ſuch as are called Chriſtians p. 46for many of theſe latter Ages, has been a great impediment to the ſpreading of Chriſtianity. Our Lord ſayes, Woe to the World becauſe of offences, Mat. 18. 7. for the World hereby is confirmed in prejudice and Wickedneſs, and at laſt more certainly ruined: But when the Members of the Church do work out their own Salvation with fear and trembling, and ſhew a vehement deſire after the Worlds Salvation alſo, this is the way to gain the World to Chriſt, and to turn it unto righteouſneſs.

5. The Church is mightily increaſed by the exemplary converſation of her Members. When Believers are zealous of good Works, and without rebuke and blame. When they are patterns of Piety, Juſtice, Mercy, Meekneſs, Patience, Self-denial; when they go about doing good; and by the heavenlineſs of their diſcourſe and carriage, declare plainly that they ſeek a better countrey than is to be found in this World; hereby they adorn the Goſpel, and render it more lovely in the Worlds eye, and more likely to be entertained: the ignorance of wicked and fooliſh men is ſilenced by well doing, 1 Pet. 2. 15. nay, they be forced to a confeſſion, that God is in his Church of a truth; and may at length conſent and deſire to be Members of that Church, where there is ſo much of God, and of his preſence viſible and apparent.

p. 472. As the Church ſhould increaſe in numbers, ſo all the Members of the Church ſhould ſtrive to increaſe more and more in grace and goodneſs. They ſhould ſtrongly be induced to this; becauſe of their own imperfection in Grace, which imperfection fills them many times with inward trouble, and tormenting doubts and fears; and makes outward affliction but highly neceſſary. Beſides, Holineſs is of ſuch an excellent nature, and ſo perfective of the Nature of man, that the ſtrongeſt deſires are to be juſtified, the moſt diligent endeavours after it to be commended.

Grace is increaſed in the Members of Chriſt ſeveral wayes.

1. By a Serious and frequent engaging in thoſe Ordinances which he has inſtituted. He that has inſtituted theſe, has promiſed his bleſſing, and adds the efficacy. Prayer, Faſting, giving of thanks, receiving the Supper of the Lord, attending upon the Word preached, and ſearching the Scriptures, and the like means of Grace, when ſeriouſly uſed, do exceedingly promote the growth of a Chriſtian, making him to become ſtrong in Spirit. The Church is the Garden of God; the Saints are planted there; the Word and Ordinances of Chriſt are like the ſhowers from Heaven, and the Husbandmans pains, which makes theſe Plants to thrive and flouriſh. Pſal. 92. Thoſe that be planted in the p. 48houſe of the Lord ſhall flouriſh in the Courts of our God: But ſtill it muſt be remembred, though means are to be uſed, yet we muſt look beyond them, unto him that has appointed them, elſe they will never attain their end, 1 Cor. 3. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increaſe.

2. Grace is increaſed by the improving of Providences. The Diſpenſations of Providence were various towards David; he was exerciſed with great Severity, and likewiſe with great Goodneſs; we read Pſal. 116. 3. That the ſorrows of Death compaſſed him, and the pains of Hell gat hold upon him, he found trouble and ſorrow: and v. 10. He was greatly afflicted; in this diſtreſs he calls upon that God who is merciful and gracious, for deliverance, and his calling is heard, and his Soul is delivered from Death, his Eyes from Tears, and his Feet from Falling: And now how is his Heart affected! his Graces ſtrengthned! He is filled with Love, he is reſolved to give himſelf to Prayer as long as he lived, his Soul is at reſt in God who had dealt bountifully with him, he offers the Sacrifice of Thanksgiving, and he cryes out, Oh Lord I am thy Servant, truly I am thy Servant, v. 16. as if he ſhould ſay, Lord! thou art a Maſter beyond all compariſon; and as it is my firm reſolution, ſo 'tis my Happineſs and Honour, as well as Duty to be a Servant to thee.

3. The Covenant of Grace is to be Studied, and p. 49the Promiſes applyed in order to a Chriſtians increaſe. God has aſſured his People that he will perfect that which concerns them, and that he will not forſake the work of his own hands: He has ſaid, that his Servants ſhall Spring up as among the Graſs, and as Willows by the Watercourſes, Iſa. 44. 4. That the Righteous ſhall hold on his way, and they that have clean hands ſhall wax ſtronger and ſtronger, Job 17. 9. That they ſhall bring forth fruit even in Old Age, and even then be flouriſhing, and this ſhall be to ſhew that the Lord is upright, Pſal. 92. 14, 15. Such Promiſes being prized and applyed, will make the New Creature full of vigour, and perſeverance will be certain. Heark to the Apoſtle, Phil. r. 6, 7. Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it unto the day of Jeſus Chriſt, even as it is meet for me to think this of you all.

4. Grace is increaſed by Having recourſe unto that fulneſs which dwells in Chriſt. Therefore growing in Grace and growing in the Knowledge of Chriſt are joyned together; for Chriſt is full of Grace and Truth, and out of his fulneſs ſayes St. John, We all have received and Grace for Grace, Joh. 1. 14, 16. that is, Grace anſwerable to that Grace which is in him. Grace is his purchaſe, he has it in Poſſeſſion, he gives it to all that have it, and every new degree is from the ſame hand; He is the Object, the Author and the Finiſher of Faith, Heb. 12. 2. They are the moſt p. 50growing and eſtabliſhed Saints, that are leaſt taken with the World, that have leaſt confidence in themſelves, that do beſt underſtand, and moſt look unto Jeſus.

5. All impediments of increaſe muſt be carefully ſhunn'd, as Pride, and ſloth and earthlineſs, carnal and corrupt affections; if theſe, or things of like nature prevail, they will prove to the Soul, what Diſeaſes are to the Body, and make the Members of Chriſt to be feeble and languiſh, depriving them both of their Strength and Beauty. Theſe are like peccant humours, which muſt be Purged if we would have our Souls healthy and proſperous: Theſe are like weights which muſt be laid aſide, if we will run the Race that is ſet before us, ſo as to obtain the Prize, Heb. 12. 1.