Vindication of the Government of New England Churches 2, Chapter 1 – Chapter 2
CHAP. I. Of the form of church government; and that it is one, immutable, and preſcribed in the word.
ECcleſiaſtical polity, or church gevernment or diſcipline, is nothing elſe but that form and order that is to be obſerved in the church of Chriſt upon earth, both for the conſtitution of it, and all the adminiſtrations that therein are to be performed. Ezek. 43.11. Col. 2.5. 1 Tim. 3.15.
2. Church government is conſidered in a double reſpect, either in regard of the parts of government themſelves, or neceſſary circumſtances thereof. The parts of government are preſcribed in the word, becauſe the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the King and lawgiver of his church, is no leſs faithful in the houſe of God than was Moſes, who from the Lord delivered a form and pattern of government to the children of Iſrael in the old Teſtament; and the holy ſcriptures are now alſo ſo perfect, as that they are able to make the man of God perfect, and throughly furniſhed unto every good work; and therefore doubtleſs to the well ordering of the houſe of God. Heb. 3.5, 6. Exod. 25.40. 2 Tim. 3.16.
3. The parts of church-government, are all of them exactly deſcribed in the word of God, being parts or means of inſtituted worſhip, according to the ſecond commandment and therefore to continue one and the ſame unto the appearing of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as a kingdom that cannot be ſhaken, until he ſhall deliver it up unto God, even to the father. So that it is not left in the power of men, officers, churches, or any ſtate in the world to add or diminiſh, or alter any thing in the leaſt meaſure therein. 1 Tim. 3.15. 1 Chron. 15.13. Exod 20.4. 1 Tim. 6.13, 16. Heb. 12.27, 28. 1 Cor. 15.24. Deut. 12.32.
4. The neceſſary circumſtances, as time and place, &c. belonging unto order and decency, are not ſo left unto men, as that under pretence of them they may thruſt their own inventions upon the churches, being circumſcribed in the word with many general limitations, where they are determined in reſpect of the matter, to be neither worſhip it ſelf, nor circumſtances ſeparable from worſhip. In reſpect of their end, they muſt be done unto edification. In reſpect of the manner, decently and in order, according to the nature of the things themſelves, and civil and church cuſtom. Doth not even nature itſelf teach you? Yea, they are in ſome ſort determined particularly, namely, that they be done in ſuch a manner, as all circumſtances conſidered, is moſt expedient for edification: So, as if there be no error of man concerning their determination, the determining of them is to be accounted as … were divine. Ezek. 43.8. 1 Kings 12.31, 32, 33. 2 Kings 12. Exod. 20.19. Iſa. 28.13. Col. 1.22, 23. Acts 15.28. Mat. 15.9. 1 Cor. 11.28. and 8.34. 1 Cor. 14.26. and 14.40. and 11.14.16. and 14.12.19. Acts 15.28.
CHAP. II. Of the nature of the catholic church in general, and in ſpecial of a particular viſible church.
THE catholic church is the whole company of thoſe that are elected, redeemed, and in time effectually called from the ſtate of ſin and death, …nto a ſtate of grace and ſalvation in Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. 1.22, 23. and 5.25, 26, 30.
2. This church is either triumphant or militant. Triumphant, the number of them who are glorified in heaven: Militant, the number of them who are conflicting with their enemies upon earth. Heb. 12, 23. Rom. 8.17. 2 Tim. 2.12. and 4.8. Eph. 6.12, 13.
3. This militant church is to be conſidered as inviſible, and viſible. Inviſible, in reſpect of their relation wherein they ſtand to Chriſt, as a body unto the head, being united unto him by the ſpirit of God, and faith in their hearts. Viſible, in reſpect of the profeſſion of their faith, in their perſons and in particular churches. And ſo there may be acknowledged an univerſal viſible church. 2 Tim. 2.19. Rev. 2.17. 1 Cor. 6.17. Eph. 3.17. Rom. 1.8. 1 Theſſ. 1.8. Iſa. 2.2. 1 Tim. 6.12.
4. The members of the viſible militant church conſidered either as not yet in church order, or walking according to the church order of the goſpel. In order, and ſo beſides the ſpiritual union and communion common to believers, they enjoy moreover an union and communion eccleſiaſtical-political. So we deny an univerſal viſible church. Acts 19.1. Col. 2.5. Mat. 18.17. 1 Cor. 5.12.
5. The ſtate of the members of the militant viſible church walking in order, was either before the law, oeconomical, that is in families; or under the law national; or ſince the coming of Chriſt, only congregational. (The term independent we approve not.) Therefore neither national, provincial nor claſſical. Gen. 18.19, Exod. 19.6.
6. A congregational church is by the inſtitution of Chriſt a part of the militant viſible church, conſiſting of a company of ſaints by calling, united into one body by an holy covenant, for the public worſhip of God, and the mutual edification one of another, in the fellowſhip of the Lord Jeſus. 1 Cor. 14.23, 36. and 1.2. and 12.27. Exod. 19.5.6. Deut. 29.1. and 9 to 15. Acts 2.42. 1 Cor. 14.26.