A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 160 (Question 50 cont.)
SERMON CXL.
II. IT now follows that we take an Account, of the more ſpecial Duties, that belong to this kind of Worſhip. And here we muſt warily diſtinguiſh, between the Duties of Natural Worſhip, and thoſe which are Inſtitured. And that more peculiarly for two Reaſons. Partly becauſe Natural Worſhip, in all the Parts of it is to be performed by all Chriſtians; and there are none that can live in the neglect of them, without Sin, ſince the very light of Nature tells Men, that they are due to God from the Reaſonable Creature, as was ordained under the firſt Command: Whereas, dwe…s of God's Inſtitutions, do not only appoint Poſirive Duties of Worſhip, but alſo con…ne the diſcharge of them to ſuch Offices, a… are therein ordained of God; and if others ſhould undertake them, they would be guilty of Uſurpation. Such were the Prieſt's Office of old. Hence they ſo treated him, a Chron 26. 18. And they withstood U…iah the …ing, & ſaid unto him. It appert…th …, to barn incenſe unto the Lord, but to the prieſts, the ſ…ns of A…r…n, that … …nſe…ated to barn incenſe: go out of the ſ…ndu…ry, for th… beſt treſpaſſed, neither ſhall it be for thine b…ne… from the L… God. Partly, becauſe the Duties of natural Worſhip, are fixed and unalterable, and remain to the World's F…nd, whereas Inſtitutions are alterable, though not by Men, yet by God who ordains them; and though they are of equal Force with the other, while they have the Seal of God's …uthority upon them, yet when repealed, they ceaſe to bind the Conſcience, yea, they become rude and beggarly Elements, as P…ul calls them, Gal. 4.8. which hath alſo been manifeſted, under the Conſideration of the Nature, Reaſon, and B…unds of Inſtituted Worſhip.
WE are here alſo to remember, that there are Duties of Natural Worſhip, required to he performed, in the Exerciſe of inſtituted Worſhip. Though theſe are diſtinguiſhed in Doctrine, yet they are joined together in Practice; for we obſerved, that this is appointed to help us in exerciſing of that. But ſtill, it is not left to Man's A…b…rement, nor may every one at pleaſure undertake the Performance of theſe, in they way of an Ordinance, under the preterce, that it is natural Worſhip. For ſo would the diſtinct Offices, which Chriſt hath appointed in his Church, be con…nded, Rom. 10.15. And how ſhall they preach, except they be ſent?
Again, WE are to diſtinguiſh between an Inſtitution if ſelf, and the Circumſtances of it. There are ſome natural Circumſtances, neceſſarily required to all Actions, whether civil or religious; thus, every Ordinance muſt be performed, in ſome Time, and in ſome Place, becauſe Man's Nature requires it. Now if God hath fixed theſe, as he did of old, with reſpect to diverſe Services, this belongs to the Inſtitution, and binds the Conſcience to the Obſervation of it: But if the…e be no particular Precept for it, it belongs to the Prudentials of Chriſtians, and the Light of Nature is to direct, yea, and the Providence of God may vary it. There are alſo civil Circumſtances, ſuch as Garb and Geſture, in which Modeſty and Gravity are requiſite, but theſe are not in themſelves, any pare of inſtituted Worſhip, nor hath God appointed any limited Ordinance about them; and how f…r the Practice of the Apoſtles amounted to an Inſtitution, in theſe and thoſe Particulars, is matter of Diſpute. There were ſome things they did extraordinarily; and ſuited to their Apoſtolical Function, and thoſe Gifts which are now ceaſed, the doing whereof is to ceaſe with them. Other things they did occaſionally, and according to the Rules of Prudence, which cannot be the Rule of a fixed Ordinance, in the Church of God.
In ſum. WE have obſerved, that an Inſtitution in Worſhip is, whatſoever God requires to be performed by his People in way of Worſhip, by a Poſitive Precept. And that we may be more particular in this, let us … ſerve. That the Divine Inſtitutions may be confidered, according to the Times of the Church of God. Theſe were ſuch as … given to Man in Innocency, or ſuch as … appointed to Man ſince the Apoſtaſy. God gave to Man in Integrity, the Tree of Life and Knowledge, for a Sacramental Uſe … him, by a Poſitive Law, which were added as Seals to the Sanctions of the m…ral Law. Since the Fall we may divide the Times … two Parts, viz. From Ad…m to Chriſt, and from Chriſt to the End of World. From Adam to Chriſt. Chriſt treated with the World un… new Covenant, of which, there were mo… ſcore Diſpenſations, till Chriſt himſelf app… ed to be the Light of the Word. Hence … gave them diverſe Ordinances, for the … of their Faith, and directing of them in th… Relig o… wo…ſh…pping of him. Theſe was ſerver at the beginning, and grew more … m…us in proceſs of Time, according to G… Pleaſure, and the ſuitableneſs of them, of the State of the Church then being. Be… the Flood, the principal that we have in… mation of, were Sacrifices, which are … with …ut ſome reaſon ſuppoſed, to have … offered immediately upon the full, and … firſt Parents cloathed with the Skins of the… but expreſſed to have been offered by … and Abel, Gen. 4. begin. And the diſtia… of Beaſts, into Clean and Unclean, which … ference therefore was obſerved, in Nu… ſorting of them in the Ark, and after … Flood offering only of thoſe, Gen. 7.2 … 8.10. And Noth builded an alter unto the … and to…k of every clean beaſt, and of every … fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the …. And the aſſembling of themſelves for p… Worſhip, Gen. 4. ult. Then beg…n … upon the name of the Lord. After the … God added the Prohibition of earing … by a Poſitive Law, there being no re… the Law of Nature, why that ſhould … well he eaten, as any other part of the … ture, Gen. 9.4. And from thence till … hem, we have no notice of any thing a… to inſtituted Worſhip. But to him he … Circumciſion, Gen. 17.10. And thus … continued till Moſes, by whom God … the Children of Iſrael, a Syſtem of … ons, too numerous here to be related. The Paſſover appointed, with all the part…. Ordinances of it, upon their comming … Egypt, E…d. 12. But the reſt were gl… Moſes in the Wilderneſs, upon Mount … upon the tenor whereof, God renewed Corenant with that People, and took them … his People. Hitherto belonged the Taber… cle and all the Utenſils of it. The giving the Prieſthood to A…ron, and his Poſterity. The putting Holineſs upon Times, and Places … Things. All the Coremonies of the cere… nial Law, which were very numerous; which things were to ſtand in Force, till the Time of Reformation, Heb. 9.10. i. e. till Chriſt ſhould come and make a Change, in the …le frame of inſtru…ted W…ſ…. Now, as Chriſt upon his c…g, and accompliſhing the thing that did p…e…gute him under the …ow, did put an End to the Moſaical Peda…gy, and thereupon thoſe former Appoint … …ow coated to be Ordina ces… became …garly Elements, as the Ap…ſtle aſſerts and peres …n the Epiſtles to the G…s and …: So be ordaired new l…ſ…tutions in the Goſpel Church, to be obſe…red by them, who profeſs themſelves, Chriſtians; and ratined them by the ſame Auth…. On which … we are told, Heb. 3 2 I… b… was ſaith … that apper…ed him, as alſo Meſes was ſ…fol is e… his waſe. And theſe are they wich we are concerned withal. And hitherto were peculiarly do belong.
1. THE app…ciment of Goſpel Churches for alo … Wirſ…p of God. The L…gat of … indeed tells us, that as Man was made for God's Service, and conſequently …s a Worſhip to him, and being made a …calle Creature, ought as there is On… … to ſerve him in a ſocial War. Nevertheleſs, the Appointment of the ſeveral So…ies of Chriſtians for the up…ding and … on of this Worſhip, is Poſitive, and ſod hare uſed his ſovereign Wiſdom in the peſ…ing and ordering of ſuch S…c…eties ſo … they may belt obtain the End of their Or…. It would here be endleſs to enjoin into all the Diſputes, that have been …ged about the Nature and Conſtantion …pel Churches, but that there are ſuch …red by Chriſt, is e…dent in the New …, which mentions Churches in the …, and tells us of the ſeveral Places, …ei… they were planted, the Appointment … regulation whereof, belongs to Chriſt's … Authority, who is the King of his …, from whom they are to receive their …uct oas, Mat. 2…. 1…, 19, 20. All power is … unto we in heaven and earth. Go ye therefore. Whoſe entire frame is manifeſtly di… from that of the Jewiſh Church State, … f…rted to the Service of Chriſt, already … in the Fleſh, and exalted on his ….
2. THE Appointment of the ſtated Ordinances, which are to be adminiſ…red in theſe Churches. The Uſefulneſs of theſe Churches, was for the convenient performing of theſe Ordinance Now it is notorious, that the Ordinances of the Jewiſh Church, were vaſtly diverſe … thoſe of the Goſpel Church; they are … carnal Ordinances, and theſe Spiritual; his from the End of them, for therein they … but for the Nature of them. Now theſe … ances principally are,
1. PUBLICK Prayer. For though Prayer … is a part of natural Worſhip, yet the …inting of it in Church Aſſemblies, is an Ordinance. 1 Tim. 2, 8 I will therefore that men … every where, liſting up holy hands, withous … and doubting. But of this there will be further cecafi…n u…der the Conſideration of the Helps to Obedience, whereof this is one Principal.
2. PREA…NG of the Word. That the Word of God is given us, … our … and direction is the Service of God, is cer…, and the Law of No… tells us, that if G…d aff…rd his Word to us, we ought … acquaint … with it, and … ſu…a…le med …s to that f…d. But this particular was … preaching it, in the Corg…gations of God's People, which he hath opp…inted to be a Mea…, for the Converſion and Editic… of his Cuoſ…, is Poſitive, 1 Cor 1 21. F…r after that, in the …ſd … of God, the world … …ſd… know not G…d, it pleaſed God by the … ſ…eſs of p…ac…ing to ſave the… that be eve. This therefore is …lemal… preſſed on Timothy, 2 Tim 4. 1, 2. I …erge the therefore belove God, and …e Lord … judge the quark and the deal, … appearing, and his kingdom: Preach the word.
3. BAITIS… and the Lord's Sapper. That theſe Sacrame is are to be uſed in the Goſpel Cha…ca, is terra…, becauſe there is a Precept for it. That they are no part of natural Worſhip, but purely Poſitive, is no leſs evident, and … that Reaſon they are acknowledged by all the O…th dux, to be ſacred Ceremonies; and that they are arbitrary and alterable is ev…dent, becauſe they are brought into the Goſpel Worſhip, in the room of Circumciſion and the Paſſover, which are thereupon removed and ceaſe. The former being more ſuited to repreſent Chriſt to come, and theſe to commem…a…e the great Benefirs, that he hath introduced by his coming. The Appointment of theſe we have the Account of and the ſtanding of them for uſe in the Goſpel Church, till Ordinances will be of no further uſe. Of the former in, Mat. 28.19, 20 G…ye therefore and teath all nations, b…ſ… …ng them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and f…h… holy Ghoſt: Teaching them to …ſerve all thing what ſerver I have commanded you: end … I am … y…u alway even unto the end of the world, Amen. T…e latter. Luk. 22.10. For I ſay unto you, I will not drink of the from of the vine, until the kingdom of God ſhall come. Compared with, 1 Cor 11.26. For as often as ye cat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do … the Lord's death wil… be come.
4. THE Diſcipline, by which the Government of Chriſt in his Church, is to be upheld. Every Church is a Society of ſuch, as are under: Ordinances adapted to the preſervation of ſuch a Body, in due Order. And becauſe it conſilts of ſinful Men, it is neceſſary for the preſervation of it, that there be a due Diſcipline exerciſed in it, for the reclaiming of the Scandalous, encouraging of the Penitent, and Warning of all. This the light of Nature teachers. But the determining of the particular Ru… of this in the Church, is Poſitive, And … is quite of another Nature from that of … Bodies whoſe Weapons are Carnal and applied only to the outward Man: whereas theſe are Spiritual, and concern the Conſcience, …r. 10.13, &c. Hitherto be long Church Cenſures, of Admonition, and when need requires, Excommunication, in caſe of Contumacy; and the reſtoring of ſuch as are Penitent: which are called by the general terms of binding and lo…ſing, Mar. 18.1…. remitting and retaining, Job. 20.23.
5. RELAG…O…IS Faſting. Faſting it ſelf, as it is an outward abſtinence from the uſe of the Creature is no part of Worſhip at all, and conſequently not of Natural Worſhip. That God hath appointed it, as a Duty to be practiſed in his Church, as well as by particular Perſons, on Occaſions, for Solema Humiliation and Prayer, is abundantly confirmed in the times of the Law. Hence that, in Jo…l. 2.15, 16. Blow the trumpet in Zion, ſ…n…ſly a fast, ca… a ſolemn aſſembly. Gather the people &c. And that it alſo belongs to Goſpel-times in the W…ſhip o… G…d, Act. 13.2, 3. As they miniſtred to the Lord, and faſted the holy Ghoſt ſaid, Seperate me Barn…bas and Saul, for the work where unto I have called them. And when they bad fasted &c. Of which Nature alſo are Days of Thanksgiving.
3. THE Appointing of the Offices in the Church, for the diſpenſation of the Goſpel Ordinances. Theſe Ordinances are to be diſpenſed in Chriſt's Name, and by his Authority. And hence there muſt be ſome Authorized by him for it, without which Commiſſion, none ought to take this Province upon him. It is ſaid of the High Prieſt of Old, Heb. 5 4. And no man taketh this honour unto himſelf, but be that is called of God, as was Aaron. And it is of like force in all the Offices in the Church. The Offices in the Goſpel Church, are not the ſame under the New-Teſtament which they were under the Old, which infer their being Poſitive. We are told what they are, and that they were Chriſt's Aſcenſion-Giſts, Eph. 4.10, 11. He that deſcended, is the ſame alſo that aſcended far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave ſome Apoſtles: and ſ…me, Prophets: and ſome, Evangeliſts: and ſome, pastors and teachers. And Chriſt himſelf grounds their Commiſſion, upon the Authority he had to give it, Mat. 28.18. Hence that, Rom. 10.15. And how ſhall they preach, except they be ſent? And theſe only have the promiſe of Chriſt's Preſence with them as ſuch, ver, 20.
4. THE Maintenance of the Miniſtry. For tho' the light of Nature ſaith in general, that ſuch as ſerve the Publick, ought to have a Publick Support: Yet, as the Miniſtry are an Ordinance, ſo their Maintenance is appointed by Chriſt, 1 Cor. 9.14. Even ſo hath the Lord ordained, that they which preach the goſpel ſh…uld live of the goſpel. Gal. 6.6 Let him that is taught in the word, communicate unto him that tea heth in all good things. Nor hath Chriſt le…t it, ar Men's liberty, whether they will or no. Though poſſibly the way and manner of it under the Goſpel may be a Prudential; yet doubleſs, every Hearer, hath a tye of Conſcience, to obſerve a ſuitable proportion, recording as God bleſſeth his Labours. And this may ſuffice for the ſubject-matter, about which our Obedience to this Command, is to be imployed. Which was the firſt thing … obſerved in the Anſwer. It follows to Conſider,
II. THE Things wherein this Worſhip is to be performed: Which are Three, viz-the recer…, obſerving, and keeping pare & entire theſe Ordinances. Which may briefly be ſpoke….
1. WEar to Receive theſe Ordinances. Dent 33 3. And they ſate down at thy ſeet: every … ſhall receive of thy words. And this is the … ſtep to, as well as part of our Obedience, … the Second Commandment. Which rec…i…ing contains in it,
1. AN Acknowledgment of the Divine Auſterity in giving us theſe Institutions. The… Commands are Arbitrary, and we cannot … ways diſcern the particular Reaſon of th…, but then it ought to ſuſtice us, that the Authority by which they are enjoyned, is indiſputable. God in nothing more aſſerts his … vereignty in his ſpecial Government, tha… in the Seco…d C…mmand; and therefore he gi… that for the binding Reaſon, I am the Lord And this muſt ſatisfy us, and ſilence all … C…v…llings. If he Commands, our buſineſs … to obey him, Deut. 12.32. What thing ſ… I command you, obſerve to do it: thou ſh… … add thereto, nor diminiſh from it.
2. A thorough Approbation of them is … Minds. We then only receive God's World aright, when we approve of it, and acc…d it to be every way excellent, when we … put that encomium upon it, Pſal. 19 7, … The law of the Lord is perſect, converting … ſoul: the testimony of the Lord is pure, … ning the eyes. And profeſs as he, Pſal, … 24. Thy teſtimonies alſo are my delight, and … counſellers. And this produceth in us, a … to the Ordinances of God, and a deſire … them; and we take content in them. … it is by theſe cloſing Affections, that we i… the ways of God, upon the free Election that our Will hath made of them, which pro… from the preciouſneſs of them diſcovered … our Minds. And hereupon we do not … tain them as hard Injunctions, and gt…, but as an eaſy Yoke.
3. An intire and cordial Subjection of … ſelves unto them. A Law is then proper… … ceived, when they to whom it is given, ſubject themſelves to it, and reſolve to conform them? ſelves accordingly. They take it for … Rule, and acknowledge themſelves to be … der the Obligation of Obedience, and willingly engage themſelves. They bind themſelves to it, with a full purpoſe of adhering to the directions of it. Thus we ſind that David did Pſal. 119 106. I have ſworn, and I … perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgements. And this muſt be, without any … ſe…ve, either as to any particular Precep… of the Command, or as to any outward Cire… ſtances, attending of our Obedience. This Subjection, muſt be full & abſolute, Pſal. 119.6.
1. WE are not only to receive them, but alſo to Obſerve them. And this is the end of the former, and that wherein alone it can be ſer…ceable to our Obedience. And this Obſervation is to terminate in Practice. Deut 11.32. And ye ſhall obſerve to do all the ſtatutes and judgments which I ſet before you this day. Now to a right Obſervation of theſe Statures of Worſhip, there are theſe things requiſite,
1. A ſtudious Endeavour to get a thorough A…p…intance with them. Knowledge is …e …ſary to Practice. We can never do the Duty as it ought to be, unleſs we know it. And it is not here enough, that we know this … that to be a Divine Ordinance, but we muſt ſeek to know it, in the Parts & Circumſtances of is; for a miſtake in any of them, may r…der us guilty, and provoke God. As that … the Ark did them, on which David … that remark, 1 Chron. 15.13, The Lord … God made a breach upon us, for that we ſ…ght him not after the due order. For this reaſon God is joyned his People of Old, to be very much in meditation on his Law that they might have a very diſtinct knowledge of it. And herein David teſtifyed his reſpect to it. Iſal. 119.97. Hence that, Ezek. 43.10, 11. … write it in their ſight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
2. A careful and conſtans Attendance upon th…. Tho' the Promiſe ſuppoſeth Knowledge, … it terminates on doing. Joh. 13.17. We are not to ſatisfy our ſelves with the acts of Natural Worſhip, but we muſt faithfully …ly with all God's Inſtitutions. As we are out to add, ſo neither to diminiſh, Deut. 12.32. We are nor to content our ſelves with primate and ſecret Worſhip, but we are to … upon publick Ordinances, and delight in them. To be able to ſay as he, Pſal. 26.8. …, I have loved the habitation of thy houſe, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Hence we have that Precept. Heb. 10.25. Not forſ…ing the aſſembling of our ſelves together, as the manner of ſome is, but exhorting one another: and ſo much the more, as ye ſee the day approaching. He ought to be diligent in our coming in the Houſe of God, and not for trifling hous;es to abſent our ſelves from it. Nor … to reſt content in the Preaching of the …, but we muſt ſeek after an orderly en… Baptiſm, and the Table of the Lord; … the Precepts for theſe are inſtamped with … me Authority, which the other is. This pleaſure is given as the Character of th…ſe … Perſons. Luk 16. And they were both … before God, walking in all the commandment and ordinances of the Lord, blameleſs
3. A Conſcientious care to conform & confine ourſelves to the Preſcriptions of them. The … doth not only tell us, what are theſe Ordinances in general but it hath told us how they are to be performed; and we are to reſt ſatisfyed, in the Wiſdom and Pleaſure of Chriſt about them, and be able to warrant all our Actions, in the diſcharge of the Duties of them, by the Command or Chriſt, That therefore is a Precept ever to be attended, Iſal 8 20 To the law and to the teſtimony. We are not therefore to ſay, this of that looks as it it were ſuitable, in ſuch an Ordinance; but terminate all in this, whether Chriſt hath commanded it, Mat. 28.2….
4 A Cordial Devoting of our ſelves to God, in all this. It is a great miſtake to think, that the Second Commmand only …ireth External Worſhip. Chriſt hath aſſured us otherwiſe, Joh 4.24. And that is an univerſal Precept, Prov. 23 26. My ſon, give me thine heart. The great deſign of all Ordinances is to promote Communion with God. We are to draw rear unto him in all. There is therefore the exerciſe of all our Graces required in this Obſervance. And that Complaint had a reference to Gods Inſtitutions, Iſal. 29 12. This people draw near me with their month, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me.
3. WE are to keep them Pure and Entire. Which as it hath a reſpect to them former, ſo it includes in it theſe Things,
1. THE Preſerving them as God hath leſt them, without any mixture of our own inventions. One principal reſpect in which a thing is ſaid to be pure, is when it is without any mixture of another matter, than what belongs to it. And more peculiarly, when it is not compounded, with any thing, that is more baſe than that is. Thus Metals are pure, when they are free from any droſs, or baſer Metal. Now the mixing of any thing of our own with the Ordinances of God, is to put Droſs to Silver. This therefore we are to avoid. To do all things according to the Pattern. Nor introduce any thing for an Ordinance, which hath not the ſtamp of Divine Authority upon it. Of which God may demand of us, as of them, Iſal. 1.12. Who hath required this at your hand?
2. THAT we apply theſe Ordinances to the proper Subjects of them. God hath not only told us, what are the Ordinances, which he hath ſanctified for the Uſe of his Church, but alſo who are the Subjects who are to partake in theſe and thoſe; and the Miſapplication of them, is reckoned to be a defilling of them. It was therefore a blame which God laid upon them of old, for which he threatened them, Ezek 22.26. Her prieſts have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put n… difference between the holy and profane, neither have they ſhewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my ſabbaths, and I am profaned among them. And it is an Advice given by our Saviour, Mat 7.6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither caſt ye your pearly before ſwine, left they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rent your. And that the Lord's Table is a guarded Ordinance is acknowledged by all Sober Chriſtians, and warranted by the Diſcipline which he hath eſtabliſhed in the Goſpel.
3. THAT we lay aſide no Ordinance … uſeleſs, nor arrogate any under the pretence of the greater Perfection. That it is our Duty to take heed to our ſelves in both of theſe reſpects, we have already obſerv'd; and by thus doing we keep them entire. That therefore is the Seal of the Goſpel, as it was once of the Law, Rev. 22, 18, 19. None are to be let drop, as if the Church could do as well without them; not any to be taken up, as though it could not be ſafe without the addition of them. We muſt therefore renounce our own Wiſdom, and wholly take up with the Wiſdom of God in this reſpect.
USE. I LEARN hence their Sin, who caſt off the Ordinances, under a pretence of Spiritual Worſhip. Such there are, and have been in the World; who have condemned all Inſtitutions for Carnal, and thought themſelves gotten above them, and thrown all the Contempt they could upon them, and deſpiſed thoſe that Conſcientiouſly attended them. But thoſe that are gotten above Ordinances, are fallen beneath Chriſtians, and take away the Second Command from the Decalogue. And that Text may well be applied to them, Prov. 30.12. There is a generation that are pure in there own eyes, and yet is not wiſhed from their filthineſs.
USE. II. THIS alſo ſhews their folly, who live in the Neglect of Ordinances. And indeed there is nothing in which God's Authority is more deſpiſed. This indeed, is directly to ſet themſelves to withſtand the Authority of God to Command them. And for ſuch as bear the Name of Chriſtians upon them, it is to violate their Allegiance to him, which by the Goſpel-Covenant, whereof they are the Partakers, they are obliged unto. And indeed it is to neglect the Means in which they are pointed the way to obtain Salvation. Let us then thank God for his Inſtitutions, and be faithful in our obſerving of them, and take that encouragement ſo to do, which he gave to his People of old, Deut. 32.47. For it is not a vain thing for you: becauſe it is your life; and through this thing ye ſhall prolong your days in the land whither ye go over Jordan to poſſeſs i….
[DECEMBER. 16. 1701.]