A Model of the Primitive Congregational Way, Chapter 5
CHAP. V. That the godly in this Kingdome are every where bound to gather themſelves into this ſacred, viſible, politicall Church-ſtate and order of the Goſpell, if they are of a competent number, in thoſe places where they live, or to joyne themſelves to thoſe particular churches of Chriſt, which are already rightly gathered. One of theſe muſt be done by them.
NOw that this is the duty of the godly, I ſhall labour to make out from theſe enſuing Reaſons and Arguments, which are as ſo many ſoule-quickning and convincing motives, and which (by the bleſſing of Chriſt) may be very effectuall, to put them upon the practice of it.
…otive, The … of Chriſt.1. Is taken from the call of Chriſt, which is to come from Babylon to Sion, that is, not onelyonly from groſſe and ſinfull practices, but alſo from communion in ſpeciall ordinances, as Eſay 52.11. Rev. 18.4. 2 Cor. 6.16, 17. Act. 2.40 Epheſ. 5.11. he calls them to Sion, that they may be a habitation for the Lord to dwell in. As long as you continue (that are Saints) in your old Babyloniſh wayes of confuſion, you can never be a holy temple to Chriſt, nor a golden candleſtick for him to walk in. And therefore the names of Temple, houſe, tabernacle, candleſtick, are given to Beleevers eſpecially as they are in Church-fellowſhip, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. Eph. 2.21.22. Heb. 3.6. Rev. 1.20. & 21.3.
…otive, The …ple of the …s in the …itive times2. Becauſe in ſo doing, they ſhall doe no more then what the Saints have done before them in the Primitive times; for we find in thoſe daies that Beleevers did not live looſely, and caſually, or (as we ſay) at randome, but were gathered and brought into diſtinct bodies, or church-ſocieties, to live under that diſcipline and church order or government, which Jeſus Chriſt had commanded and left to his Apoſtles to ſettle. For it is worth our obſervation, that Jeſus Chriſt did not onelyonly ſend forth his Apoſtles and Diſciples to convert ſinners to him, ☞but he appointed an order of government to be eſtabliſhed by them, to which thoſe that were converted ſhould ſubject unto, as we may ſee in many places, 1 Cor. 12.28. Epheſ. 4.12, 13. Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. and therefore we read ſo much of churches tha were planted and gathered into the order of the Goſpell, Act. 14.23. as Corinth. Epheſ. Phil. Coloſſ. and ſo the churches of Judea, Galatia, Aſia, Macedonia, as we have noted before; which were no other then ſo many diſtinct bodies, or ſocietyes of believers, which the Apoſtles after they were converted to Chriſt, did unite together in thoſe Cities and Countryes: So much is evident from the Epiſtles that the Apoſtle Paul wrote to thoſe Churches: For he doth not write to all in Corinth, to all in Rome, to all in Philippi, but to the Saints in thoſe Cities, that were called and become a Church to Chriſt: 'twas not every Towne, and City, and Country, that made a Church, as tis now in England, but ſo many as were called and united together: now people become members of a church by vertue of being born in thoſe Townes, and places, and pariſhes, where they live, but ab initio non fuit ſic, i. e. from the beginning it was not ſo.
3. Becauſe till the godly do fall upon this worke,3. Motive. Neceſſity of yeelding obedience to Chriſts commands cals for it. there are many holy and ſacred dutyes that Jeſus Chriſt hath laid down to them in his word, which they will be found to live in the neglect and omiſſion of, viz.
1. That of Mat. 18.17. Tell the church; but how can thoſe tell the Church, that are not joyned to a Church? that is, ſuch a Church, or Congregation of Saints, as we have in the former Chapter ſet downe.
2. That of 1 Cor. 5.4, 5, 13. In the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt to deliver ſuch a one to Sathan, &c. but how can they caſt out of the Church ſuch as are ſcandalous, by that authority Chriſt hath given to it, that are not joyned to any church?
3. That of 1 Cor. 14.12. Seeke that ye may excell, to the edifying of the Church; but how can ſuch ſeeke to excel in ſpirituall gifts for this end, that they may edify the church, when they are of no church?
4. That of 1 Cor. 14.34. Let your women keep ſilence in your churches, that is, church-meetings, as Beza and Piſcator reade it, Mulieres veſtrae in conventibus ſileant, not that there were ſeverall diſtinct particular churches, ſtanding under one common claſſicall government, as the Presbyterians would have it: but how can godly women keepe ſilence in the churches, when they are members of no churches?
5. That of Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and ſubmit your ſelves, but how can they obey their Rulers, if they have none to rule and watch over them in the Lord?
6. That of Rom. 12.6, 7, 8. But how can believers keepe up the adminiſt…ation and execution of thoſe offices and ordinances in the churches of Chriſt, ſo long as they are not in ſuch churches, where thoſe offices are to be executed?
7. That of Gal. 5.1, 13. Stand faſt in the liberty wherewith Chriſt hath made you free, & be not, &c. but how can believers ſtand faſt in that liberty which Jeſus Chriſt hath purchaſed for them, and bequeathed unto them, while they are not in any Church-ſtate, to which this liberty referres?
…. Motive. Chriſt hath or…ained no other …ondition for …elievers to a…ide in here.4. Another reaſon is, becauſe there is no other ſtate and condition that Jeſus Chriſt hath appointed for his Saints in this life, in relation to the enjoyment and performance of his publique worſhip, then this, to wit, to b… joyned to a particular church, and therefore as Head and King of Saints, he ordained not only a word to call & convert them, but holy offices, and officers, holy lawes and ordinances to rule and govern them, and build them up in grace to glory, as Epheſ. 4.10, 11, 12. 1 Cor. 12.28. Mat. 16.19 compared with Mat. 18.18. but of this we ſpake ſufficiently before upon the ſecond argument.
…. Motive. The Word and Spirit of Chriſt …re more eſpecially entailed …o this church-ſtate.5. Becauſe the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath in a more eſpeciall manner tyed his Word and Spirit, and all his precious Promiſes, to believers in ſuch a church-ſtate, as Exod. 20.24. 1 Kings 9.3. Eſay 4.5, 6. and 25.6, 7, 8. Eſay 56.7. Pſal. 132.13, 14, 15. Mat. 6.33. Mat. 18.19, 20. Here the Saints may in a more full and excellent manner expect the preſence of Jeſus Chriſt by way of aſſiſting, quickning, comforting, ſanctifying, and ſtrengthening of them, and therefore this ſhould greatly prevaile with them to come into this church-ſtate.
6. Motive. Chriſt takes moſt del…ght to be with the Saints in this church-ſtate.6. Becauſe the Lord Jeſus Chriſt doth own ſuch particular churches of Saints, as the places of his greateſt delight, as appeares,
1. In that he walkes in the middeſt of them, as Revel. 2.1. 2 Cor. 6.16.
2. In that he not only walkes in them, but lodgeth and dwels in them, they are his reſting place, where he takes ſweet repoſe, Pſal. 132.13, 14. and 72.2. and 26.8.
3. In that here he feedes, Cant. 1.7. and 6.2, 3. every particular church of Saints is as a Bed of Spices, full of ſweetnes & pleaſantnes to Jeſus Chriſt, here he eates his pleaſant fruits, Cant. 4.16.
4. In that here he imparts his loves, Cant. 7.12. Chriſt and the Saints do mutually impart their inward boſome delights to each other, a man will not let out his heart to others, as he will and doth to his wife, nor the wife to any as to her husband: Now Chriſt and the Saints in church-fellowſhip are as husband and wife.2. Cor. 11.2
5. In that here Jeſus Chriſt doth more then ordinarily hold forth and manifeſt his glory, as God did of old in the Tabernacle, Pſal. 63.2. which was a type of particular churches now under the Goſpell, and Chriſts appearing in his glory to them, by his word and Spirit. Indeed it cannot be denyed but Jeſus Chriſt doth hold forth the glory of his wiſdome, and power, and goodnes, and holines, and truth in every place, but no where as in the Aſſemblies of the Sainte: here the Spirit reveales the glory of Chriſt in all theſe to and upon the hearts of the Saints in a farre more eminent manner and degree, in pardoning their ſinnes, ſubduing their corruptions, healing their back-ſlidings, curing their diſtempers, ſupplying their wants, ſtrengthning their weakenes, ſupporting them under their troubles, helping them againſt their infirmities, defending them againſt their adverſaries, perfecting and encreaſing their gifts and graces, making them fruitfull in holines, and crowning them with loving kindnes, and tender mercies, as they find by experience. All which ſhewes us how much Ieſus Chriſt takes delight and pleaſure in the right ordered congregations of the Saints.
7. To make out this more fully, the Scriptures ſpeake of many notable and ſingular priviledges which ſuch ſhall enjoy in this relation, which may be another argument to move the Saints.7. Motive. Many ſingula… priviledges th… Saints enjoy i… this church-ſtate.
1. Here they ſhall have a feaſt of far things, Eſay 25.6, 7.
2. Here Death ſhall be ſwallowed up in victory. v. 8.
3. Here they ſhall enjoy a fuller manifeſtation of Gods love, Pſal. 36.8.
4. Here the Lord will command the bleſſing to them and theirs, Pſal. 133.6.
5. Here they ſhall ſee the King in his beauty, Eſay 33.17. that is, in his excellent ordinances and Goſpell adminiſtrations.
6. Here they ſhall have glorious protection and ſafety, ſitting under under the Banner of Chriſts love, Cant. 2.9. Eſay 4.5, 6. Joel. 2. ult. And here the glorious Lord, will be a place of broad Rivers and ſtreames, wherein ſhall go no Gallie with Oares, neither ſhall gallant Ship paſſe thereby, Jeruſalem ſhall be a quiet habitation, Eſay 33.20,Qua deſcripti…ne incolumitas …ccleſiae, et de…enſio divina …b hoſtibus in…uitur. Glaſſ. …n Ioc. vol. 3. p. 563. 21.
7. Here they ſhall enter into Chriſts Wine-celler, and be ſtayed with his flaggons, and comforted with his Apples, being ſick of love, Cant. 2.5.
8. Here their ſoules ſhall grow up as calves in the Stall, and ſpread forth their rootes as the Trees of Lebanon, Hoſ. 14.6, 7, 8. yea here they ſhall flouriſh and grow fat, and bring forth fruit in their old age, Pſal. 92.13, 14.
9. In a word, here they ſhall enjoy heaven upon earth, and glory on this ſide glory, ſo that they ſhall ſay, tis good being here, and never repent their condition, nor deſire to go back again to the Tents of the Edomites, but go on triumphing in the ſervice of Jehovah, till they come to breath out their ſoules into the armes of Chriſt their everlaſting husband.
…. Motive. The Saints en…oy many ex…ellent helpes …nd advantages …o their ſoules …n this church-…tate.8. To make out this more fully as another argument to prevaile with this godly hereunto, conſider the excellent helps and meanes they may enjoy in theſe ſocieties, to further them in the wayes of godlines, and advantage their eternall welfare, as
1. Here they ſhall enjoy all Gods ordinances in Gods own way, after his own mind, and accompanied with his ſpeciall power to make them effectuall to their ſoules, which they cannot enjoy out of theſe aſſemblies: becauſe the Lord hath not annexed his promiſe of meeting his people out of his own way, where he walkes.
2. Here they ſhall enjoy Chriſts own inſtituted diſcipline and government, (the excellency of which I ſhall ſpeak to in the next place) which is very effectuall, to prevent from falling, and to recover when poore ſoules are falne, and which is no where elſe to be found, Mat. 16. & 18.
3. Here they ſhall have the help of the Saints in a more ſpeciall manner engaged to look after them, to watch over them, that they go not aſtray; or if they be overtaken at any time, to reſtore them againe, not in a rough, but in a meek and gentle manner, Gal. 6.1. 1 Theſ. 5.14, 15. Phil. 2.4.
4. Here they ſhall have their burthens borne, their neceſſities ſupplyed with cheerfulneſſe, their afflictions and temptations laid to heart. If they are in priſon, or ſick, they ſhall be viſited, and prayers made for them, for their ſupport in, or deliverance out of their troubles. Act. 12.5, 12. If they have unruly paſſions breaking out, here they ſhall be warned; if their minds be feeble, here they ſhall be comforted, 1 Theſ. 5.14.
5. Here they ſhall have ſpeciall occaſions to exerciſe thoſe gifts and graces they have received from Jeſus Chriſt, for the edifying themſelves and their brethren in love, and building up each other in their moſt holy faith, 1 Theſſal. 5.11. Iude 20. 1 Corinthians 14.12.
6. Laſtly, here they ſhall find and meet with all the encouragements that their hearts can deſire to make them holy, humble, heavenly, cheerfull, and abounding in the Spirit, becauſe here they ſhall enjoy moſt of God, and be under his continuall care, and watchfull providence for good, as I have before ſhewed you. And therefore this ſhould be a great encouragement to the godly to joyne themſelves.
9. In the ninth place, I ſhall deſire the godly to ſet before them,9. Motive. The admira… beauty and g… ry, that ſhi… forth in this Church-ſta… the beauty, excellency, and glory of this Church-ſtate, and order of the Goſpell, above, and beyond all other Church-ſtates whatſoever, that are falſe and ſpurious; to which end and purpoſe I ſhall ſet before them theſe ſix things.
1. The originall riſe and ſpring of this Church-ſtate.
2. The matter of which it is compoſed.
3. The meanes by which it is effected.
4. The Lawes, and Ordinances by which it is governed, and the manner how they are adminiſtred.
5. The power and priviledge, with which it is inveſted.
6. Laſtly, the ends and purpoſes, for which it is ordained.
1. The originall, riſe, and ſpring of this Church-ſtate: Now this is from above, not from beneath; from heaven, not from earth; from God, not from men. Tis not in all the power of men and Angels to compaſſe and bring about ſuch a worke, as we have ſhewed, Chap. 1. This is a houſe for none but wiſdome her ſelfe to build, Pro. 9.1, 2. who is no other thē Ieſus Chriſt the eternal Son of God, the wiſdom of the Father, foreign, the brightnes of his Fathers glory, and the expreſſe image of his perſon, Heb. 1.3. and therefore this church-ſtate is ſaid to come down from above,…ccleſia, Do…nus ibi, n… …en habet, quia …ominus ait, …i duo vel …es congregari …nt in nomine …o, ibi ſum … medio eorum. …ecolampad. loc. …. 17. 14. from heaven, Rev. 21. a…d the name of it * Jehovah Shamah, the Lord is there, Ezek. ult. ult. All other church-ſtates are from beneath, of mens framing and conſtituting, they may call corruption their Father, and the worme their Mother and their Siſter, as Job ſaid of himſelfe, for they ſhall all of them periſh and be conſumed at the brightnes of Ieſus Chriſts comming, 2 Theſ. 2.8. but Mount Sion, that is from above, endureth for ever.
2. The matter whereof this church-ſtate is compoſed: now this is ſpiritual and heavenly, viz. ſuch as are ſanctifyed in Chriſt Ieſus, called to be Saints, 1 Cor. 1.2. ſpiritual worſhippers, Ioh. 4.24. And hence it is, that the true viſible churches of Chriſt are frequently ſtyl…d heaven in Scripture, as Mat. 13.24.31.47 and Rev. 12.1. and 12. v. Rejoyce ye heavens and ye that dwell in them, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, &c. by which heavens can be underſtood no other but the viſible congregations of the Saints: ſo Revel. 15.1, 5. and 18.20.19.1.21.1. and there cannot be a more lively picture, or emblem of heaven, then this church-ſtate on earth, which I ſhall make out, in theſe briefe reſemblances.
1. Heaven we all know is a high place, not only ſeparated from, but elevated farre above the earth: ſo are the viſible churches of Chriſt, though they be in the world, yet farre above the world, and therefore compared to a mountaine, and a City upon a hill, Propter altitudinem, Eſay 2.2, 3.30.9. Mat. 5.14.
2. Heaven is a place of purity and holines, the inhabitants of it are all pure and holy, for no unrighteous perſon can enter into it, as 1 Cor. 6.9. So the viſible churches of Chriſt are places of purity and holineſſe, no uncleane perſon is De jure, i.e. of right, to enter into this church-ſtate, Rev. 21.27. neither is any that worketh abomination to be tollerated in it, but to be put away, and caſt out. 1 Cor. 5.13. Rev. 2.2.
3. Heaven is a place of unſpeakeable ſweetnes, and joy, to thoſe that are in it, there being a Sea of boundleſſe and bottomleſſe pleaſures, in which the Saints ſhall bathe themſelves to all eternity, Pſal. 16. ult. So in this viſible church-ſtate the Saints that are upright in heart, are filled and overcome oftentimes with the joyes of the Spirit, having fellowſhip with the Father, and his Son Ieſus Chriſt, in the pure and precious ordinances of his worſhip, 1 Ioh. 1.3. They are abundantly ſatisfyed with the fatnes of his houſe, and inebriated or made drunke with the Rivers of Gods pleaſures, Pſal. 36.8. they are carried into Chriſts wine-cellar, and ſtayed with his flaggons, and comforted with his Apples, being ſick of love, Cant. 2.4. in a word, they are made partakers of thoſe joyes that eye hath not ſeen, nor eare heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive. 1 Cor. 2.9, 10.
4. Heaven is a place of great and wonderfull dignity, honour & glory, where the Inhabitants have all of them their crownes upon their heads, to ſet forth their excellent and high condition, 1 Pet. 5.4. ſo the members of this church-ſtate on earth, are perſons of great honour and dignity, though the world ſeeth it not, and therefore they are ſtyled Kings and Prieſts to God, Rev. 1.6. and they have crownes of gold on their heads, Rev. 4.4. and 5.10. and they ſit on thrones, Pſal. 122.5. having power committed to them, both of binding and looſing, opening and ſhutting the Kingdome of heaven, Mat. 18.19 by their officers.
5. In Heaven there is a l…vely and ſweet communion of Saints that live in wonderful love together, taking unſpeakeable delight & joy in each others ſociety and fellowſhip: So tis with the Saints in this church-ſtate on earth, their hearts are linked together in wonderfull love and deare affection one towards another, as bretheren and ſiſters dwelling together; & if they are at any time at variance, through the cunning of the Tempter, or the corruption of their own hearts, to which the beſt of the Saints are ſubject, while they are here, yet they are not at reſt till they are reconciled, and their hearts cloſing againe ſweetly each with other, Pſal. 133.1.
6. In heaven, the Saints and Angels do continually ſound forth the praiſes of the eternall God: So is it in the congregations of the Saints here on earth, there is nothing more they are affected with, and exerciſed in, Rev. 4.9, 10.11. and 5.8, to 12. and 15.2, 3, 4. and 19.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
7. Heaven is the place where God dwels, and doth more eſpecially make himſelfe known to the Saints and Angels: So here the congregations and churches of the Saints, are the places where the glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt, doth more eſpecially ſhine forth, and his mind is made known by his Spirit, as I have ſhewed in the 5. Motive.
8. In the lower heavens are placed the Sunne, Moon, and Starres, to give light and influence to the earth, without which the earth would ſoon corrupt and grow inhabitable: So in the viſible churches of Chriſt, is placed the light of the truth, and glorious Miniſtery of the word, and other ſhining ordinances, and divine inſtitutions, without which the whole world of mankind, would live rather like Beaſts then men, and be in continuall danger of ſinking under the burthen of Gods wrath.
9. The lower heavens are oftentimes darkned, with clouds, ſtormes, and tempeſts that are generated in the middle region of the aire, ſo that many times, neither Sunne, Moone, nor Starres, do appeare, but are, as if they were not, to our diſcerning, and yet they have their being notwithſtanding theſe clouds and ſtormes: So it is with the viſible churches of the Saints, they are ſo clouded many times with the tempeſts and ſtormes of perſecutions, &c. that they ſcarce ſeem to be, having no glory, nor beauty, that externally appeares to the eye of men, as Cant. 1.5.
10. Laſtly, Heaven is a place that abideth for ever, there is no enemy to overcome & conquer it: ſo tis with this Church-ſtate of Ieſus Chriſts inſtituting & ordaining, he hath paſſed his word, which cannot faile, that the gates of hell ſhall not prevaile againſt it, as in Mat. 16.18.
By all which we cleerly ſee, of what a ſpirituall frame and conſtitution this true Goſpel Church-ſtate of Chriſts appointment is, but it is far otherwiſe with all other falſe Church ſtates that are not gathered according to Chriſts order and appointment; for they are made up of the world, cages of all uncleane birds, habitations of devils, and all foule ſpirits, Rev. 18.2. drunkards, ſwearers, lyars, Idolaters, Adulterers, perſecutors, and what not? are Church-members.
3. The next particular that holds forth the beauty and excellency of this true Goſpel Church-ſtate of Chriſts Inſtitution, is the proper meanes and way by which it is gathered and brought to paſſe.…d. M. Durie …earned …sbyterian) …is Sermon …re the ho…rable houſe … Com. p. 39. Now theſe meanes are no other then the * Word and Spirit, Mat. 28.19. Ioh. 16.8. as in the Primitive times from the practice of the Apoſtles is moſt cleare. The viſible Churches of Chriſt were then gathered and planted, Verbo, non Ferro, by the Word, not by the Sword. None were compelled by externall force or violence to believe in Chriſt, and come into church-fellowſhip, but as the word and Spirit did enlighten them, & ſweetly draw them to Chriſt and his ordinances of worſhip, ſo they came in willingly, freely profeſſing their ſubjection to the Goſpell of Chriſt, 2 Cor. 9 13. Act. 2.37.41. But it is otherwiſe with falſe Antichriſtian church-ſtates, they force men to the faith, and uſe of church ordinances; the meanes they uſe are externall, by power and policy, allurements or threatning, the Foxes Skinne, or the Lyons Paw, the noyſe of Axes and Hammers are heard in the building of their churches; ſo that let perſons be what they will, have they conſcience or no conſcience, knowledge or no knowledge, they muſt come in and ſubject to their power, and authority, as is the practiſe of Antichriſt, Rev. 12.15.16, 17. and thus they make whole Nations chriſtians, and churches, (though falſe ones) ſuddenly, and in a day.
4. The Lawes and ordinances by which this true Goſpell church ſtate is ordered and governed, and the manner how they are adminiſtred.
1. The Lawes and ordinances by which this Goſpell Church-ſtate is ordered and governed. Now theſe are none other, but divine inſtitutions, ſuch as Chriſt gave in commiſſion to his Apoſtles, to teach thoſe that they converted, and made diſciples, by the preaching of the word, to obſerve, Mat. 28.20. Teaching them to obſerve all that I have commanded you: and therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, that which I received of the Lord, that I deliver unto you, 1 Cor. 11.23. but its otherwiſe with all falſe church-ſtates, the lawes by which they are ordered and governed, are not ſimply divine, and fetcht from the unerring rule of Gods word, but from unwritten Traditions from the Cannons and conſtitutions of men, carnall ordinances of the creature, not of Chriſts appointment.
2. The manner how theſe divine Lawes and ordinances of Chriſt are executed and adminiſtred in this Goſpell church-ſtate. Now This is done by way of inſtruction, exhortation, comfort, reproofe, and correction, in all meekenes, gentlenes, long ſuffering, and forbearance, uſing the Keyes of this Kingdome of Chriſt, not in a Lordly, and Majeſteriall way, but in all humblenes and feare, as Chriſt himſelfe the author of them, whoſe way of dealing with men was in all gentlenes, and love: and by this rule he hath charged all the officers of his Kingdome to walke towards his Saints, that are his Subjects, which have as great right in him, as thoſe he hath made rulers over them, for in him they are all but fellow-ſervants & bretheren, & thevid Duries Sermon before …he Ho. Houſe of Commons, ut ſupra. p. 41. meaneſt of them (as M. Dury hath obſerved in his Serm. before cited) in caſe of any offence may call the greateſt, though he were an Apoſtle, yea the chiefeſt of the Apoſtles, to an account, as we ſee it fell out in Act. 11. But tis not ſo in other church-ſtates, that are not according to the order of the Goſpell, for uſually they deale with the ſoules of men, as withvid Duries Sermon, ut ſupra. p. 40. Beaſts in a meere arbitrary way and manner, binding men to do all they command them Volens nolens, let conſcience be for it or againſt it, requiring no more then a meere implicite faith, ignorantly to obey, only becauſe commanded, as a horſe turneth this or that way, becauſe he that rides him, drawes the bridle to this or that hand, having no reſpect to reaſon or conſcience: and herein indeed (as the ſame M. Dury in his Sermon ſaith, The great whore of Babylon, the mother of fornication, hath out-ſtript all the reſt of the earth in policy, and ſhewed to all the Kings of the earth, the depth of the myſterie of iniquity in this kind of government; ſo that they have drunke out of the cup of her fornications, and their Stateſ-men have committed adultery with her.
5. The Power and Priviledge, with which this Church-ſtate of Chriſts inſtituting is inveſted, This holds forth the beauty of it; here none are higher and greater then other, or ſtanding in ſubjection and ſubordination one to another, but are all alike in jurisdiction and authority, (as I have proved before in the ſecond Chapter) all (Siſter churches, all golden Candleſticks, all fellow ſervants and brethren, ſeeking the welfare and happineſſe one of another; having thrones of judgement ſet up within every one of them, and whole Chriſt to be their King, Prieſt, and Prophet, by and from whom they enjoy all his power and promiſes, all his ſacred Lawes and ordinances, to rule and govern them, to quicken, comfort and eſtabliſh them in the truth, but its farre otherwiſe with thoſe church-ſtates that are not of Chriſts conſtituting and framing, for all their power and priviledge is lockt up within the compaſſe of the Cleargy, that ingroſſe all the power to themſelves, and among themſelves; for they make themſelves the prime ſubject of all church-power and authority, & are a diſtinct body of themſelves from the people, they call the Layety, & hereupon, having all power in themſelves, they have all Lawes, Ordinances, and adminiſtrations in themſelves, be they divine or humane, and can adde or detract as they pleaſe; the congregations under them, being meerely paſſive, further then their authority and injunctions act them; which is little leſſe then meere ſlavery and bondage, altogether unbeſeeming the free Denizons of Sion.
6. Laſtly, The ſacred ends for which this Goſpell church-ſtate was ordained. And they are theſe two.
1. The exaltation of the great God, and our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, for here his name is great, Pſal. 76.1, 2, 3. Eſay 12.4, 5, 6. here he is greatly feared and reverenced, as Pſal. 89.7. Here his noble acts are declared, and his praiſe ſet forth, Pſal. 149.1. Epheſ, 3. ult. In this true Goſpell church-ſtate, the eternall God enjoyes the perfection of his Saints, his ſervice by them in this ſtate, being far more eminent, rich, and noble, then when performed ſingly, and by themſelves alone, as Rom. 16.6. That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God.
2. The bringing of the Saints into nearer fellowſhip with God, and Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.9. 2 Cor. 6.16. 1 Joh. 1.3. both which are not carnall but ſpirituall ends, wheras the ends of a falſe church-ſtate are carnall, not ſpirituall: more ſelfe, then Chriſt, is aymed at by thoſe that are the founders of it, viz. their own greatnes, power, and dominion, their own pleaſure, eaſe, profit, to have all in ſubjection to them, not to Chriſt, ſo they may have an abſolute being of themſelves, and have all things in Subjection to them, without controll, (for naturally all falſe and Antichriſtian government, reacheth to this, and are the only Independants, as they uſe the word) that's all they care for or looke after, as we ſaw in the Prelates of late, and are like to ſee in their ſucceſſors, if the God of all mercy and grace, prevent not.
10. In the tenth place,10. Motiv… Without th… the worke of Reforma… will be to … purpoſe. this ſhould move the Saints to this excellent worke, becauſe till they do come out from the wicked, and ſeparate themſelves, and fall upon the practiſe of this Church-fellowſhip, they will not only by their continuance amonſt them, endanger themſelves by partaking in their pollutions, but alſo all endeavours to reforme the worſhip of Chriſt, and exalting his Kingdome here in England, will be greatly obſtructed, if not altogether in vaine, and to no purpoſe. For grant the Prelaticall government be removed, and the Presbteriall ſet up in the roome of it, which many wiſe men do much queſtion, and not without cauſe, yet they will find it a work not ſo feiſable & poſſible to rule & govern the rude multitude, as they imagine: but notwithſtanding all their terrible thunderbolts of excommunication, and delivering them over Brachio ſeculari, they will be the rude multitude ſtill, if they ſhould ſit never ſo much in the chaire of Repentance, of the Presbyterians making, yet that would have no ſpirituall efficacy upon their hearts, but they would be looſe ſtill, and prophane ſtill, as wofull experience ſhewes it in Scotland and other places, where this Diſcipline is on foot.
11. Laſtly, to adde no more, Is not this the day of Englands Vowes, to become the Lords, and his Chriſts? Have they not covenanted Reformation in the worſhip of God, according to the rule of his Word, and not after the will and commands of men, or their own or others inventions? And doth not the Lord now expect that they ſhould performe their vowes?
If any deſire further Arguments to move them hereunto, they may read M. Burroughs his Moſes Choiſe, that hath much to this purpoſe, from p. 260. to p. 335.
So that all theſe things rightly and duely weighed, I hope the godly will be provoked every where, ſpeedily to ſet upon this courſe of joyning together where they live, or to ſome particular churches neare them, where they may enjoy fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt and his Saints, and be built up from glory to glory. How they ſhould be able to ſet about this excellent worke, I ſhall ſhew in the next Chapter that followeth.