The True Catholic and Catholic Church Described, Part 2
Secondly, I am now to shew you the Ʋnity of them, and of the Body which they constitute. The Members of the Catholick Church are united in all these following respects.
1. They have all but One God, the Fountain of their being and felicity, and are all related to him as children to One Father, reconciled to them, and adopting them in Jesus Christ, John 1. 12. Galat. 3. 26. Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, Gal. 4. 5, 6. Eph. 4. 6. There is One God and Father of all, &c.]
2. The Members of the Church have all One Head, the Redeemer, Saviour, Mediator Jesus Christ, Ephes. 4. 5. As the Commonwealth is denominated from the Unity of the Sovereign power that heads it; so the Church is hence principally denominated One from Christ, who is the Head, the Sovereign, and the Center of it. And therefore it is called frequently his Body, and he the Head of it, Ephes. 4. 15. & 1. 22. Col. 1. 18. & 2. 19. Ephes. 5. 23. Colos. 3. 15. Rom. 12. 4, 5. 1 Cor. 10. 17. Ephes. 2. 16. He is the Foundation, and the Church is the building that is erected upon him, and other foundation can no man lay; 1 Cor. 3, 11, 12. From this Head the whole Body fitly joyned together, and compacted by that which every joynt supplieth, according to the effectual working of the measure of every part, maketh increase of the Body to the edifying of it self in love, Ephes. 4. 16. All therefore are members of the Catholick Church, that are members of Christ. He is the chief corner stone, that's laid in Zion, elect and precious, and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded; to whom coming as to a living stone, we also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house,] 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5, 6. As this One died for all, 2 Cor. 5. 14. because all were dead, so by the righteousnesse of this One, the free gift cometh on all to Justification of life; and by the Obedience of this One shall many be made righteous, Rom. 5. 18, 19. And by One Jesus Christ we shall reign in life, Rom. 5. 17, In him the Church of Jews and Gentiles are made One, Eph. 2. 14, 15. To this One Husband we are all espoused, 2 Cor. 11. 2. So that we [are all One in Christ Jesus] Galat. 3. 28. And to us there is but One God the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and One Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we in him, 1 Cor. 8. 6.
3. The whole Catholick Church (strictly taken, as comprehending onelyonly the living Members) have only One holy Ghost dwelling in them, illuminating, sanctifying and guiding them, and are animated, as it were, by this One Spirit. By this One Spirit we are all baptized into One Body, and have been all made to drink into One Spirit, 1 Cor. 12. 13. And whoever hath not this Spirit of Christ, the same is none of his, Rom. 8. 9. By this One Spirit we have all accesse to the Father, Ephes. 2. 18. And through this Spirit we are One habitation of God, Ephes. 2. 22. And therefore he that is joyned to the Lord is called One Spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. And as it is said of Christ, so may it be of the Spirit in a sort, He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified are all of One, Heb. 2. 11. This is the scope of the Chapter that my Text is in.
4. The Church is One as to their principal ultimate end. The same God is their End who is their Beginning. The same Eternal Glory with him, is purchased and prepared for them, and intended by them through their Christian course. The wicked have a lower End, even flesh and self: but all the Members of Christ are United in the true intention of this End. They are all the Heirs of life, and partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, and have all laid up their treasure in Heaven, Matth. 6. 20, 21. Colos. 1. 12. Gal. 4. 7. Rom. 8. 17. 1 Pet. 3. 7. Tit. 3. 7. Gal. 3. 29. Heb. 1. 14. Eph. 3. 6. All that are risen with Christ, do seek the things that are above, Colos. 3. 1. and have their conversation with him in Heaven, Phil. 3. 20, 21.
5. All the Members of the Catholick Gospel Church have One Gospel to teach them the knowledge of Christ, Gal. 1. 10, 11. and One Word of promise to be the charter of their inheritance, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Heb. 9. 15. Gal. 3. 22, 29. and One holy Doctrine to be the instrument of their regeneration, and the seed of God abiding in them, 1 Pet. 1. 23, 25. Luk. 8. 11. It is but One that God hath appointed for them; and it is One in the substance that is the instrument of their change.
6. It is One kind of faith, that by this One holy Doctrine is wrought upon their souls. Though the Degrees be various, yet all believe the same Essential points of faith, with a belief of the same nature. There is One faith, Eph. 4. 5. And in all these Essentials, the Church is of One mind, Joh. 17. 21. Act. 4. 32. 1 Pet. 3. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 2, 3, 4. though in lesser things there be exceeding great diversity.
7. There is One new disposition, or holy nature wrought by the Spirit of God in every member of the Catholick Church. This is called their Holinesse, and the New creature, and the Divine Nature, and the Image of God, 1 Pet. 1. 16. 2 Pet. 1. 4. John 3. 6. That which is born of the Spirit, is Spirit. Col. 3. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 17.
8. The Affections which are predominant in all the Members of the Church, have One and the same object. Sinne is the chiefest thing that all of them hate; and the displeasure of God the chief thing they fear, and God in Christ is the prime object of their love, and they have all the same object of their Desires and Hopes, even the favour of God, and everlasting life: and they all chiefly rejoyce in the same hopes and felicity; as were easie to manifest and prove in the particulars, as to all the Essentials of Christianity that are the objects of the will, Phil. 1. 27. & 2. 3. Ephes. 4. 4. Matth. 22. 37, 38. Rom. 8. 28. 1 Cor. 2. 9. And thus they are all of One heart and soul, as uniting in the same objects.
9. They have also all One Rule or Law to live by: which is the Law of faith, of grace, of liberty, of Christ, Rom. 3. 27. & 8. 2. Jam. 1. 25. Galat. 6. 2. And as One Law is appointed for them all, so One Law in the points of absolute necessity is received by them all; for it is written in their hearts, and put into their inward parts, Jer. 31. 32. Heb. 8. 10, 16. Though in the other points of the Law of Christ, there be much diversity in their reception and obedience. All of them are sincerely obedient to what they know, and all of them know that which God hath made of necessity to life.
10. Every Member of the Church is Devoted to God in One and the same Covenant. As the Covenant on Christs part is One to them all; so is it One on their part. They all renounce the world, the flesh and Devil, and give up themselves to God the Father, Son and holy Ghost. And this being used by Gods appointment, to be solemnly done in Baptism; therefore Baptism is called the Principle or foundation, Heb. 6. 1. And there is said to be but One Baptism, Ephes. 4. 5. and Baptism is said to save us, 1 Pet. 3. 21. Not the putting away the filth of the flesh (that is, not the outward washing) but the answer of a good conscience to God; that is, the sincere internal Covenant of the heart, and delivering up our selves to Christ; so also the Fathers, when they (usually) speak of the necessity of Baptism, they mean principally our becoming Christians, and entering into the holy Covenant which was done by Baptism. Though if any be so weak as to think, that this outward Baptism is to be delayed (as Constantine, and many of the Fathers did) if in the mean time he make and profess his Covenant with Christ, he is to be taken as a Christian and Church-member: but as a souldier without colours, or a King not crowned; he is a Christian not orderly admitted, which is his sin.
11. Every Member of the Catholick Church hath the same Instrumental Founders of his faith under Christ, that is, the Prophets and Apostles, infallibly inspired by the holy Ghost. We are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord, Ephes. 2. 20, 21. These were the eye-witnesses of the Resurrection of Christ, and the ear-witnesses of his holy Doctrine, who have delivered it to us, as confirmed by the Miracles of the holy Ghost, by Christ, and by themselves. And though possibly some ignorant Christian may not well understand his relation to these founders of his faith, yet from them he had it, and is thus related to them: and commonly this is understood and acknowledged by them.
13. Every Member of the Church is related to all the Body, as a member of it: and are no more strangers and sojourners, but fellow citizens of the Saints, and of the houshold of God, Eph. 2. 19. But this the vary term it self doth sufficiently import to you.
14. Every Member of the Church hath an habitual love to each particular Member of the same Church. Though mistakes and infirmities may occasion fallings out, even as with Paul and Barnabas, to a parting; and there may be dislikes and bitterness against one another upon misunderstandings, and not discerning Gods graces in each other; yet still as Christians they are heartily loved by each other; and did they know more of the truth of each others Christianity, they would love each other more. Every member is United by Love to the rest; for this is a lesson that is taught us inwardly of God: And by this we know, that we are translated from death to life, 1 Pet. 1. 22. 1 John 3. 11, 14, 23. & 4. 12, 20, 21, 8. 1 Thess. 4. 9. Joh. 13. 34, 35.
14. Every Member of the Church hath a special Love to the whole, and desire after the Churches welfare and prosperity. Yea their Love to the Body exceedeth their love to the particular members, Psal. 122. 2. And therefore they desire and pray for its safety and increase.
15. Every Member of the Church hath a special Love to the more noble sort of Members. As every man is more carefull of the heart, the stomack, the lungs, the liver, then of his finger, so are Christians as Christians in greatest Love to those that have most of Christ in them, and on whom the Churches welfare doth most depend, of them are they most solicitous, so far as they understand it. This is true both of mens Graces, Gifts and Offices. He that loveth Grace, loveth those most that have most Grace. And he that loveth the Church, honoureth those in a special manner whom he discerneth best gifted for the benefit of the Church, and to imploy his gifts most faithfully thereto. And though I will not say, but it's possible for some Christians to be converted by a private man, and die before they know a Church-officer, and for some weak ones in a temptation to deny and disclaim, or quarrel with their Officers; yet so far as any true Christian is acquainted with the necessity or usefulness of the Ministry to the Churches good, and Gods honour (as ordinarily all know it in some measure; and they that know it not, are in some fit of a phrensie) so far they cannot choose but love and honour them. And thus far all Christians joyn for the Ministry: As Gods intention was for all their good in giving Pastors, Teachers and Gifts of special service for the Church, Ephes. 4. 11, 12, 13, 14.
16. All Members have an inward inclination to hold communion with fellow-members, so far as they discern them to be Members indeed. As fire would to fire, and water would to water, and earth to earth, and every thing to its like; so Christians would have actual communion with Christians, as delighting in each other, and loving Christ in each other, and finding benefit by each others communion. Though I know that this inclination may be much kept from execution, and communion much hindred, by mistakes about the nature, and manner, and requisites of it, and by infirmities and passions of our own. Brethren may fall out; but there is naturally in them a brotherly love, and when the mistake or passion is over, they will get together again, Acts 4. 32, 33. & 2. 42, 44. Heb. 10. 25. Psalm 16. 3.
17. There is in every true Member of the Church an inward Inclination and propensity to all the instituted means of grace, and a suitableness of spirit to them, which fitteth them to relish them and highly to value them: And ordinarily this disposition is brought forth into act. The Word of God is engraffed or innaturalized to them, Jam. 1. 21. It is to them as milk to the new born babe, 1 Pet. 2. 1, 2. The Lords Supper is sweet to him, as representing Christ sacrified, and offering him Christ the food of the soul, and affording him special communion with the Saints. For the cup of blessing which we blesse, is the communion of the bloud of Christ; and the bread which we break is the communion of the body of Christ; For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread, 1 Cor. 10. 16, 17. The same holy disposition have they to prayer, confession, the praises of God, and all other parts of his service. Though it's too true, that as diseases may put our mouths out of relish to our meat; so temptations may bring some Christians to mistakes about some Ordinances, especially as to the manner, and so may make them guilty of too long forbearance of them.
18. So also every Member of the Church hath in the main the same holy imploiment and conversation, that is, The service of God, so farre as they know his will, is the business of their lives, Rom. 12. 1. We are his workmanship created to good works in Christ Jesus, Ephes. 2. 10, 11.
19. And every Member hath an inward enmity to that which is destructive to it self, or to the body, so farre as he knoweth it, that is, 1. To sinne in general. 2. To all known sinne in particular: And, 3. Specially to divisions, distractions and diminution of the Church. These things their inward disposition is against; and when they are led to them, it is by temptation producing mistakes and passions against the bent of their hearts and lives. Thus abhorre that which is destructive to the body, as such.
20. Lastly, They shall all at the end of their course obtain the same Crown of glory, and see, and enjoy the same blessed God and glorified Redeemer, and be Members of the same celestial Jerusalem, and imployed everlastingly in the same holy Love, and Joy, and Praise, and Glorifie, and Please the Lord in all, and Center, and be United perfectly in him, John 17. 21, 23, 24. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things, to whom be Glory for ever, Amen. Rom. 11. 36.
And thus I have shewed you in twenty particulars the Ʋnity of the Saints; though it is not from every one of these that they are called One Church, yet all these are inseparable as to Possession from the true Members, and as to Profession from the seeming Members that are adult.