in his own house by his own Servants Sueton. in Domit. Under Trajan a great persecution was raised against the Lamb's followers about A.D. 100. Multitudes of them are destroyed some mentioned by name viz. Simeon the Son of Cleophas Clemens Alexander Quirinus and his Daughter Balbilia Sulpitius and Servilianus Nereus and Achilleus Phocas a Bishop in Pontus Ignatius This Storm continued fourteen Years In fine by a resolution of his joynts nummedness of body and a choaking Water Trajan miserably perished Dion Cassius de Traj Under Hadrian about A.D. 120. a Storm falls upon the Christians not a few are cut off About the Second Year of his Raign Aurelius Comes casts about 1250. of them into Prison whom he at last burnes to death Amongst whom was Alexander the Bishop of Rome and Hermes the Praefect of the City Zenon a Roman Senator with ten thousand two hundred and three it 's said were slain in a Witness for CHRIST Cent. Mag. Cent. 2. c. 3. p. 12. At last he perishes with a flux and casting of blood Aelius Spart in Had. Some add that he gave the World this Poetick desperate farewel Animula Vagula blandula Hospes comesqùe corporis Quae nunc abibis in loca Pallidula rigida nudula Nec ut Soles dabis jocos Antoninus Pius comes next about A.D. 139. Many of the Disciples of Christ are cut off at Rome Felicitas with her seven Sons Braxedis In Spain and France not a few amongst the rest Photinus Bishop of Lions with fourty nine more At Alexandria in Aegypt Ptolomaeus and Licius with many others are Martyred for Christ Euseb Chron. Justin Apol. After he had read the Apologies of Justin and others he became better affected to the Christians and send 's Letters into Asia to stop the Persecution Euseb l. 4. c. 26. For which cause perhaps the Lord poured not forth his wrath on him as on others who abode in their enmity against his chosen Ones Under Antoninus Verus about A.D. 162. the Church had their time of Tribulation as the Epistle of the Saints at Vienna and Lions to the Brethren throughout Asia and Phrygia recorded by Eusebius l. 5. c. 1. does abundantly declare wherein they acquaint them that the fierceness of the Gentiles anger against them the great things they suffer cannot be well written or spoken Amongst others that suffered they mention Vetius Epagathus Sanctus Maturus Attalus Blandina Ponticus Photinus Alexander c. by name At Rome they were persecuted amongst others Justin there fell by wicked hands In Asia there was great distress Euseb l. 5. c. 15 as the Church of God at Smyrna unto the Church at Philomilium and to all the Churches throughout Pontus intimates where they at large declare the manner of the Martyrdom of Policarpus Nor was there a stop put to this Persecution by the Apologies made for the Christians by Melito Bishop of Sardis and Apollinarius Bishop of Hierapolis At last his Army being sorely distressed in Germany for want of Water the Christian Legion by their Prayers procures Rain and Thunder and Lightning that scare and routes the Enemy upon the account whereof they are termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Thundring Legion this comes with some conviction upon the Emperour who now writes Letters that they should not suffer as Christians that the Informers Prosecutors of them as such should be burnt Alive Tertull. in Apologet. Lying speechless for three dayes he dies of an Apoplexie Cent. Mag. Cent. 2. c. 4. p. 28. The Church had a little rest under Commodus the Emperour who succeeded Antoninus yet was his Throne tinctured with some of the blood of the Saints Apollonius a Roman Senator by vertue of an ancient Law made against the Christians and unrepealed lost his head in a witness for Christ Euseb Hieron But in the time of Severus about A.D. 205. the Devil is let loose to purpose a fresh Persecution is raised every where against them Euseb l. 6. c. 1. Spartian The accusations against them were generally Sedition Treason Sacriledge Incest Adulteries the Candles being put out Leonides the Father of Origen is beheaded Euseb ibid. With many others Tertul. ad Scapul Apologetick contra Gentes All manner of cruelties were exercised against them their houses were rifled their goods taken away they themselves are murdered burnt in a witness for Christ But the Emperour at last payes dear for these cruelties After he had endured great pain in all his members especially in his feet he poisons himself to put an end to his torments Cent. Mag. Cent. 3. c. 3. p. 22. For a little while the Church had some tranquillity but under Maximinus about A.D. 237. Persecution is raised against the Pastors of the Church upon this Principle that they being removed the rest the Flock would deny their Profession Euseb l. 6. c. 28. The distress was short but smart He continued Emperour but three Years and then he with his Son yet a Child was torn in pieces of the Souldiers all crying out Ex pessimo genere ne catulum quidem habendum That not a Whelp was to be left of so cursed a Stock Aurel. Victor Capitol Decius A.D. 247. raises another fierce persecution Euseb l. 6. c. 39. Cypr. l. 4. Epist 4. Nicephorus l. 5. c. 29. tells us that 't is as easie to number the Sands of the Sea as the Martyrs that lost their lives by this persecution Some are mentioned by name as at Jerusalem the Bishop of the Church there who was cast into Prison and died as did Babylas the Bishop of Antioch Niceph. l. 5. c. 26. Another Babylas Bishop or Pastour of the Church at Nicomedia was Martyred Spec. Vincent l. 11. c. 52. Asclepiades Pastor of the Church at Antioch with fourty Virgins Id. Ibid. At Lampsac one Peter In Troas Andrew Paul Nicomachus and Dionysia a Virgin Id. l. 11. c. 46. At Caesarea Germanus Theophilus Caesarius Vitalis l. 11. c. 52. At Babylon Polychronius their Bishop c. 49. At Perga in Pamphylia Nestor their Bishop c. 52. Olympias and Maximus in Persia But the violence of this persecution was in Africa as is manifest from Tertullian Cyprian and particularly at Alexandria as Euseb l. 6. c. 40 41 42. Demonstrates from the Epistles of Dionysius Pastor of the Church there At Rome Fabian their Bishop and Cornelius Sabel l. 7. Ennead 7. As they were an innumerable company that at this time suffered for the Name Worship of CHRIST so were their Sufferings of divers kinds some were driven from house and harbour spoil'd of their Goods and Enjoyments bound with Chaines shut up in Prisons cast to wild Beasts to be devoured consumed in the Flames Cypr. contr Demet. Some they beat with Clubs prick Face and Eyes with sharp Quills Stone to death drag along the Streets sorely scourge dash against Milstones They break into their Houses take away their Jewels and all of any value throw the wooden stuff into the streets burn it to ashes Euseb l. 6. c.
beseech you Brethren by the coming of our Lord Jesus and by our gathering together unto him that ye be not shaken in mind neither by Spirit i. e. by any that shall pretend to Revelations by the Spirit To mention what of this kind was in after dayes is endless somewhat is spoken to it chap. 3. Of the ensuing Treatise 5. Pretensions to a more than Ordinary Authority Power False-Prophets Pseudo-Apostles there were even in the Apostles dayes 2 Cor. 11.13 Such are False-Apostles Transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ See Mat. 24.5 11. Rev. 2.2 and many have risen up since whereby the Faith of some have been perverted and they have been drawn off from the wayes of Christ 6. False Miracles Lying Signs and Wonders Of this we have an account Mat. 24.24 For there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders Mar. 13.22 2 Thes 2.9 Even him whose coming is after the working of Satan with all Power and Signes and lying wonders Rev. 13.13 14. And he doth great wonders so that he maketh fire to come down from Heaven on the Earth in the sight of men and deceiveth them that dwell on the Earth by the means of those Miracles Antichrists Kingdom hath been full of such lying signs and wonders whereby the Faith of some hath been Shaken and they drawn off from the pure Worship of Christ 7. Open avowed oppositions to Gospel-Institutions of this device of Satan to ruine the Churches of Christ we might give a distinct and large account some there were of old that opposed denied some particular Ordinances others refused communion with the Churches as no Churches of Christ In the third Century the Manichees denyed baptism with Water August l. 2. de mor. Manich. and l. 6. Contra Faust The Meletians in the fourth century refused communion with the Churches saith Theodoret. And Augustine ad quod vult c. tells us that they would not so much as Pray with the Saints The Audaeans or Anthropomorphites who held that God had a humane form or shape as a man denied communion with the Churches in the same Century Epiphan in Anacephal August ad quod vult c. Theodoret l. 4. c. 10. The Donatists held in the same century that the Church of God was wholly lost and to be restored by them amongst whom in Africa 't was only preserved August l. 2. Cont. lit Petil. c. 15. l. 2. Cont. Cres c. 37. for which they pretended Miracles Visions Dreams What open avowed oppositions have been are in our dayes made to the Churches Institutions of Christ is known and ought to be bewayled by us These things might have been more at large spoken to but I am sensible how far I have transcended the due bounds of an Epistle to so small a Treatise and shall only add That 1. I plead not for the Continuance of This or That particular Church of Christ Many such have been dis-churched and may be so God may be so far provoked against This or That Church as to Write Lo-ammi Lo-ruhamah upon it to disown his relation to it or its relation to him Where is the Church of Ephesus Pergamos Laodicea c. but only argue that God doth will continue the Gospel-Church-state Ordinances in some particular Church or Churches in the World to the next personal coming of Christ Much less 2. Do I plead for the corruptions of Churches which indeed are too many and great perhaps amongst the best purest Churches at this day and in some at that height as the synagogue of Rome that there is no communion to be held with them without God-provoking iniquity that will without Repentance bring his Wrath Vengeance upon us Rev. 18.4 3. That persons had need take heed how they speak evil of slight oppose persecute the Churches of CHRIST his Worship Institutions Ordinances The Judge stands before the door the Lord of the Vineyards is ready to be revealed and in flaming fire to take Vengeance on them that know him not and obey not his Gospel Nor will it be a sufficient plea at that day for any to say we accounted them not thy Churches Ordinances therefore we so managed our selves towards them a despising rejecting these is one way of casting off the Authority of Christ as we afterward demonstrate 4. That it highly concerns all that know the Lord who are either separated from or were never adjoyned to any Church of Christ to testify their love and subjection to him by subjecting to his Commandements in this matter lest not being found where Christ expects them they be blamed shamed at his day 5. That the utmost care should be taken industry used to keep those Iniquities out of particular Churches as may provoke the Lord to spew them out of his mouth as he did Laodicea of old Particularly 1. Schisms amongst themselves Which as they are an Argument of Carnality 1 Cor. 3.3 so they distast greatly provoke the Lord. 2. Formality Lukewarmness 3. Pride both inwardly in Heart Spirit outwardly in Apparel Garb God resisteth the Proud sets himself in battel-array against them 4. Covetousness which is Idolatry A wretched spirit that hath too much overspread prevailed upon the body of Professors Such as are Baptized into it are Enemies to the Cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 19. 5. Sinful complyance with and Conformity to this World 6. Carelesness as to sanctifying the Name of God in every part of Worship The nature of this great work is opened in the following Treatise with many other things of which we must not now speak 6. That particular Churches ought to be much often considering their ways get a sense of their miscarriages upon them pollutions amongst them to remember from whence they are fallen repent do their first works And if ever 't were the duty of the Churches of Christ to attend carefully to these things it 's much more now What languishing dying Churches have we How is Jehovah by word providential Dispensations crying aloud to them to be zealous Repent return What little attendment to his Voice amongst many How doth he discover his unwillingness to leave them How doth he seem to hover over them How many ways hath he been alluring drawing by cords of Love unto himself and if after all he should pull down these Tabernacles and erect others for himself in some remote part of the World leave poor England suffer Papal Darkness Superstition Idolatry to overspread the Land must we not say he is Holy we reap the fruit of our own doings He is faithful to his Word Churches Ordinances He will have in the world to bear his Name though we are reduced to Rubbish Ruins I have been am trembling within my self lest he should at last be provoked to leave us at least for a season Wo wo wo unto us if he depart from us Repent oh England Awake awake Churches awake awake Professors lay hold on God renew your Covenant with him labour to find
Europe is made a shambles wherein the Blood of millions of the Innocent Lambs of Christ hath been poured forth for which they shall be plagued destroyed in the time appointed by the Lord These things are known to all who have thought it their concern in the least to turn aside to consider of them The boody cruelties of the Antichristian Party against the Bohemians in Holland also the Massacre of Paris Ireland the Valleys of Piedmont c. wherein many thousands of the Lord 's Innocent Ones have been barbarously murder'd for no other reason in the World but because they laboured according to their Light to maintain and be found in the Doctrine and Worship of Christ is yet recent in the memory of most What heart so rocky as to read the Histories of the deep suffeings of those worthy witnesses of our Lord the Waldenses without pouring forth floods of tears What treacheries clandestine Plots breach of Covenants Oaths have the Antichristians been found guilty of pursuant to that bloody principle Nulla fides No Faith is to be kept with Haereticks and all are such in their account that embrace not their heresie abomnable Idolatries that they might obtain their end to waste destroy root out the Heritage of God Another way Satan hath taken to accomplish this his design is 2. Schisme amongst the Churches of Christ This was early set on foot even in the Apostles dayes 1 Cor. 3.3 11.18 When ye come together in the Church I hear that there be divisions Schisms among you and I partly believe it and hath been more or less with cunning heat violence managed ever since by Satan to the disturbing breaking crumbling into nothing some Churches of Christ The frequent charging and recharging of Schism upon each other by those that truely fear the Lord and agree in the fundamentals of Christianity hath been no small machine of the wicked one to weaken destroy them A work he 's still managing and we are too too little awakened to see his design and to study in the right Spirit to prevent it 'T would make ones heart to bleed to see hear with what keenness acrimony bitterness some Protestants are acted against others who are not of the same mind in all things whilst the Devil in the Papacy stands laughing to think what an easie prey hereby he shall make of them all Ah! alas where is the Christian simplicity amity How little respect have some to the great Commandment of Christ to Love one another who yet would be accounted his Disciples Were it not for a hasty Spirit bitter envying that is upon some one would think they had no concern for Religion at all and yet even this discovers that they are too little impregnated with the Spirit of the true Religion of Jesus Christ which engages to love meekness condescention mutual forbearance amongst Saints 3. False Doctrine Worship This also had an early entrance amongst the Churches The denial of the Resurrection of the dead substituting in the room thereof a metaphorick Resurrection betimes infected some at least of the Church at Corinth 1 Cor. 15. with 2 Tim. 2.18 Justification by the Law by Works was introduced into many of them as the Churches at Rome Galatia c. against whom the Apostle of the Gentiles Paul smartly disputes in his Epistles directed to them Into the pure Worship of God the inventions traditions of men were at last so introduced that God could no longer own it as his Worship at all And in respect of both these none ever were so degenerate corrupt as the Synagogue of Rome To enumerate particulars were endless what more contrary to Truth sound Doctrine than their assertions that the Original Hebrew and Greek of the Old and New-Testament is corrupt That the Scripture is not perspicuous cleer That to one Man the Pope the interpretation of Scripture doth belong who is Infallible and Judgment Conscience all is to be subjected to him That he is the alone Judge of Controversies who hath the Spirit of God given to him above others for his so doing That the Pope can dispense with the Law of God That he is Universal Head of the Church That he is not to be questioned for his Doctrine or Actions Si Papa infinitas animas in infernum traheret tamen nemo debet ei dicere quid facis If the Pope should carry an infinite number of Souls headlong to Hell none ought to say to him what doest thou For the will of the Pope stands for reason Glossa By his own Authority he can make Laws to bind the Consciences of the faithful He hath Power Authority over Princes can crown un-crown set up depose as he pleases That the Scriptures are not a sufficient Canon or rule of Faith and Manners but Traditions written and un-written are also necessary That Traditions are sufficient without the Scriptures but the Scriptures are not sufficient without Traditions That Christ is mediator only according to his humane Nature That 't is unlawful for Priests to marry That there is a certain place in which as in a prison after this life souls are purged who were not here perfectly purged that being so purg'd they might enter into Heaven That Saints are to be Worshipped That Images are to be Worshipped with the same Worship that is due to those whose Images they are as the Image of God Christ yea so that the Worship be terminated in the Image That the Sacraments confer grace ex opere operato That they justify That there are seven Sacraments That the Church hath power to Institute new Ceremonies for spiritual ends That persons un-Baptiz'd are damn'd there 's no salvation without it That Baptism takes away all sin That the Bread and Wine is converted into the Body and Blood of CHRIST That the Priest offers up Christ a propitiatory Sacrifice for the quick and dead to God the Father That there are sins in their own nature Venial That Concupiscence in those that are renued is no sin That men may be sav'd if they will 't is in their own power to believe c. That men are not justified by Faith without Works That inherent Righteousness justifies That none can be certain in this Life either of their Election Justification Perseverance to the end or Eternal Life That we are justified by Works that we merit Eternal Life by them And these are some of those pure streams that too many have a great mind to return to drink of and would by force bloody cruelty compel others to drink and be poysoned with them 4. False Visions lying Revelations upon which many times false Doctrine Worship hath been built supported Somwhat of these was also in the Apostles times Divine Visions Revelations there were many see Act. 10.11 16.9 18.9 10. 23.11 27.23 24. Gal. 1.12 2.1 2. 2 Cor. 12.4 Act. 7.55 10.3 Some also there were who were full of their false Visions Revelations 2 Thes 2.2 Now we
are also intended by these Gates The armoury of the City was over the gates of it But in this forcible attaque of the Church he hath also fail'd He did his uttermost by bloody cruelty during the first Persecutions But what was the issue The executioners of his wrath the Roman-Pagan-Emperors had Torments within them perpetually gnawing them whilst the Holy Ones that kept the Commandements of Jesus were fill'd with Peace and Joy and triumph'd over them in the Spirit and Power of Jesus both living and dying The vengeance of God eminently wrought on their notorious Persecutors whil'st the blessing and good will of him that dwelt in the Bush was with these and the more they were Persecuted the more they grew So that it became a Maxim Sanguis Martyrum semen Ecclesiae The Blood of the Martyrs the seed of the Church And Satan not being able to hold it in the Roman-Pagan-State enters into the Papal-Antichristian-Monarchy and hath therein hector'd and ranted breathing forth nothing but threatnings and slaughters against the Saints of the Most-High who have the Commandments of God and Testimony of Jesus Millions of the Lords poor People have been destroyed by this Roman-AntiChristian-Beast in days past of late not a few In the Massacres of Paris Ireland and the Vallies of Piedmont c. Not to mention the Bonfires they made of the bodies of our Brethren in the bloody Mary's days Which notwithstanding their haughty confidence they 'l shortly pay dearly for The judgements of the Lord God Almighty will speedily come upon the great Whore for these cruelties his Wrath will consume Her utterly But what 's the Issue The number of the Lambs-followers are multiplied their faith confidence and courage heightned And let the Pope and that bloody Crew know that they are ready to withstand him in his next attaque and advance against them being encourag'd thereunto by that great Cloud of worthy Witnesses they are encompas'd about with and that plerophory of assurance that in this last Attempt he with his whole Party will stumble fall go into Perdition never to appear more The sum is 1. The Church is built upon a Rock who then is able to evert overturn it What winds blasts storms what ragings of Waves Seas can over-whelm destroy it Satan hath fail'd in all his Attempts hitherto against it and prov'd in-successful 2. Christ hath engaged that it shall continue un-shaken immovable notwithstanding all attaques by fraud or force Is he not faithful Will he not make good his Word Can he depart from it Wants he Will or Power to accomplish what he hath promised What more derogatory to Christ impious wicked can be Asserted Object But Churches may Apostatize and so dis-dis-Church themselves They may provoke the Lord by his judgments to do so The first is notoriously Evident in the Church of Rome The latter manifestly true with respect to other Churches Answ Both the first and second is granted But 1. The promise of Christ cannot fail Therefore 2. The defection of this or that particular Church the removing the Candlestick from it the taking away its Church-state was never denyed by us Such a dispensation is not in the least contrary to the promises of Christ Mat. 16. But 3. A total Apostasy of all the Churches of Christ in the World with the suspension cessation of the Ordinances of the Gospel-thereupon is what is impleded by us as diametrically opposite to this promise of our Lord. Two things are also heedfully to be attended to 1. That we un-Church not a Church when that is not to be found upon it for which the Lord hath declared they are un-Churched nor before he doth un-Church them Some Errors in doctrine formallity luke-warmness departure from first-love doth not un-Church a Church rightly Constituted These things were found in the Churches of Corinth Ephesus Laodicea c. yet at the same time true Churches of Christ The latter are own'd writ to by Christ as such as the former was by the Apostle of the Gentiles when yet these evils were found amongst them 1 Cor. 1. 2 Cor. 2. Rev. ch 23. 2. That 't is the Duty of particular Believers upon the un-Churching a Church to joyn themselves to some other Church or if a number sufficient of themselves so to do to form themselves into a body or Church of Christ for otherwise they disobey and offer an open affront to the authority of Christ in that great Gospel-appointment of his and so indeed lift up themselves against his Kingly Soveraignty over them Thirdly This Church-state is represented under the Notion of the Kingdom of Heaven 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Kingdom of Heavens Mat. 13.24 31 33 44 45 47. 25.1 The Kingdom of Heaven shall be likned unto ten Virgins c. And it wants not its weight that this Kingdom of Heaven or Gospel-Church-State notwithstanding the declension drowsiness sleepiness of the subjects of it or Virgin-professors visibly Espoused to Christ in respect of their subjection to his Institutions 2 Cor. 11.2 is expresly affirm'd to continue unto the coming of our Lord v. 6 7 10. And at midnight there was a Cry made Behold the Bridegroom Christ cometh go ye out to meet Him Then all those Virgins arose and trimmed their Lamps c. And while they went to buy the Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the Marriage and the door was shut I. Why the Gospel-Church-State is represented under the Notion of the Kingdom of Heaven must a little be enquir'd into 'T is so upon the account 1. Of its Original from thence 'T is not of man but from Heaven as was John's Doctrin Baptism Ministry 2. Of its supereminent Glory whatever persons account of it 't is of Heaven heavenly beautiful glorious 3. Of the design of God in the Institution Erection of it viz. to lead Persons to Heaven Eternal Life 4. Of its Stability Duration Heavenly things are stable abiding The Kingdoms of this world are changing mutable the Kingdom of Heaven fixed permanent II. That none but He who dwells in Heaven is higher than the Highest who is the alone Supreme Soveraign of this Kingdom hath Power to alter the Frame of it put a Period to it The Devil hath no Power or Authority in it He 's indeed styl'd the Prince of this World Joh. 14.30 the Prince of the Power of the Air Eph. 2.2 The whole World is said to be in subto him 1 Joh. 5.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He hath a Presidency Authority in the Anti-christian Kingdom is the Head of it is Worshipt in it The Devil gave him the Beast the Pope his Power Rev. 13.2 4. And the Anti-Christians are expresly said to Worship Devils Rev. 9.20 because they Worship Idols of Gold Silver c. A Worship Instituted introduced at first by them But with respect to the Kingdom of Heaven he hath nothing to do nor can he by any of his Wiles Strength cause it to
so the great controversy of Antichrist against the Lord's Children hath been is and will be till he be destroy'd upon the account of their abiding by the institutions of Christ Rev. 12.17 The Dragon or Devil was wroth with the Woman the Church and went to make War with the remnant of her seed which keep the Commandments of God Commandments What Commandments Such as relate to what is obvious to the eye of the Devils Instruments viz. Gospel-Institutions of which afterwards Sixthly Gospel-Churches are said to be the Body of Christ Rom. 12.4 5. But 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 every one members of another 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ Christ the head and Saints the members make but one Christ Mystick v. 27. Now ye are the body of Christ and members in Particular Eph. 4.15 16. The Head Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyn'd together maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in Love In which places the Church is called a Body the Body of Christ Two things are briefly to be enquired into 1. What we are to understand by the Church 2. Upon what account it 's called the Body of Christ I. As touching the first I shall not run over the various acceptions of the word Church in the Scripture I have done it elsewhere That in every one of the places instanc'd in a particular instituted Church of Christ is intended is evident For 1. Paul directs his Epistles to them as such Those whom he stiles the Church in the beginning of his Epistles 1 Cor. 1.2 or beloved of God call'd to be Saints Rom. 1.7 i. e. the particular Church at Rome Rom. 16.1 21. Or the Saints which are at Ephesus the Faithful in Christ Jesus Eph. 1.1 i. e. that particular Church there Rev. 2.1 He afterwards calls the Body of Christ in the places fore-quoted 2. Such a Church is intended amongst which a Schism may be 1 Cor. 12.25 but Schism is entirely in one Church among the members of one particular Society 3. 'T is such a Church as hath Officers set and placed among them 1 Cor. 12.28 29. see Act. 18.8 9 10. 1 Cor. 3. 21 22. These are placed of God in particular Churches relate to them as such Act. 14.23 and 15.2 4 6 22 23. and 16.4 and 20.17 and 21.18 Tit. 1.5 Jam. 5.14 Act. 20.28 II. Upon what account this Church is called the Body of Christ must nextly be considered 'T is so called because 1. Of the forming fashioning of Christ Particular Churches whatever is pretended may not be modified formed fashioned according to the wills humors or lusts of men but according to the Type or Pattern of them given forth by Jesus He shall build the Temple of the Lord Zach. 6.12 2. Of their Union with relation to the Lord Jesus The Union betwixt Head and Body is a real near Union cannot be separated but by the Destruction of the whole 3. Of Christ's Love to care of defence over it The Head is careful of the Body Nor can it be supposed without the highest advance against the Faithfulness Wisdom Love of the Lord Jesus that he should not be so to his Church Three things necessarily follow from hence 1. That Christ is obliged to preserve his Gospel-Church-state in some particular Churches who may glorifie him in their professed subjection thereto They are his Body now every one will nourish cherish his own Body 2. That therefore this Church-state in some particular Churches is preserved by Jesus Christ If it be not he 's unfaithful fills not up that relation he stands in to his Body the Church Besides if he preserve it not 't is either for want of Love or Power so to do The first cannot be asserted for no man yet hated his own flesh but loves nourisheth cherishes it nor the second for all power in Heaven and Earth is given to Him 3. If the Church-state be not continued then Christ hath now no body is a head without a body For they are Saints as walking in such a state viz. the Order and fellowship of the Gospel that are so called as I have proved Seventhly Gospel-Churches are stiled The Temple Tabernacle House Building of the Lord. 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of the Living God 2 Cor. 6.16 Ye are the Temple of the Living God Rev. 13.6 And he opened his mouth in Blasphemies against God to Blaspheme his Name and his Tabernacle Prov. 9.1 Wisdom hath builded her House i. e. Christ hath done so Builded Planted his Churches She hath hewen out her seven Pillars Christ's House or Churches is said to be built upon seven Pillars to point out its sure and stable Foundation Heb. 3.6 Whose House are we 1 Cor. 3.9 Ye are God's Building 1 Pet. 2.5 Ye also as lively Stones are built up a Spiritual House Saints are the House building of Christ saith a reverend and learned Author upon a treble account 1. Of their peusons In them he dwells really by his Spirit Eph. 2.20 21 22. 2 Cor. 3.16 and 6.19 John 14.17 2. Of their being compact together in Church-Order according to his institution whereby they are built up cemented united and become an House like the Tabernacle or Temple of God Eph. 4.16 Col. 2.19 3. Of their Joynt-Worship performed in that order wherein and whereby he also dwells among them or is present with them unto the Consummation of all things Rev. 21.3 Mat. 28.20 This must be a little further considered Saints Congregated together in the Fellowship of the Gospel are his Temple Tabernacle House Building in a scattered divided state they cannot strictly be so call'd and so denominated in Scripture with respect to the Tabernacle Temple of Old that were the Lords Building viz. Built by his Command express direction in every part of them These were Types of Gospel-Churches Now insomuch as the Temple of Old was the most considerable type hereof Let 's a little consider upon what accounts Gospel-Churches are so call'd with respect to the Building They are so upon various accounts 1. The Temple of Old was built of precious hewen-stone ready prepared for the building 1 King 5.17 18. and 6.7 Gospel-Churches are made up of Living-stones formed prepared as fit materials for this Royal Building 1 Pet. 2.4 5. 2. That was built by Solomon an Eminent Type of Christ These by Christ himself Zach. 6.12 of which afterward 3. That was renowned for its Magnificence Excellency and Glory These however debased reproached by one and another shall be so Isa 60.13 4. That had in it the Ark the Mercy-Seat all Types of Christ and the special presence of Jehovah These have most eminently the presence of the Lord with them Mat. 18.20 2. Cor. 6.16
to them is obliged by Virtue of that relation that he hath taken them unto himself into to care for watch over them should when in some singleness of spirit they are testifying their love to him though with many infirmities weaknesses in subjecting to his appointments so holding fast his name and bearing a testimony to him in the World I say can it be imagined that he should at once reject cast them off unchurch them credat Apella Is this the manner of Husbands poor mortals of weak love finite bowels to those whom they take as Brides to themselves Hath not this Lord said that 'T is not lawful for a man to put away his Wife but in case of Fornication Mat. 5.32 and shall it be supposed that he who is infinite in bowels choicest love will reject his when they are not to be charged with such wickedness God once took Israel for a People unto himself and though actually guilty of spiritual adultery worshipping in a way that never entred into his heart to prescribe serving Idols offering their Children to Moloch persecuting also the Servants of the Lord that labour'd to recall them to primitive institutions yet how long did he bear with them He woe 's them after they had committed whoredom with many lovers to return again to him with promises of pardon reception new embraces as if they had never so offended him Jer. 3. 1 12 22. 4.1 And when he hath thoughts of giving them up with what seeming regret is it Hos 11.8 Nor did he totally do so till he had sent his Son whom they by wicked hands took cast out slew Mat. 21.37 38 39 40 41 42 43 45. And are the bowels of the Lord dried up Hath he forgotten to be gracious Is not his Covenant-Relation with his People in a Gospel-Day as strong efficacious as in the times of the Law Besides hath he any where in all the Scriptures given us the least Iota or syllable upon which we may conclude That this his relation with at least some particular Churches should cease or expire En tabulas let the Scriptures Prophecies thereof be consulted Object God took Israel into such a relation to himself Call's himself their Husband Jer. 31.32 saith he is married to them Jer. 3.14 Yet afterwards rejects them Answ 1. This Objection is in part obviated already and enough said to an intelligent Reader 2. Let it be granted that God calls himself their Husband Jer. 31.32 Though a better Translator renders the words otherwise then we read them viz. Paul Heb. 8.9 Because they continued not in my Covenant and I regarded them not saith the Lord That which we translate although I was an Husband to them the Apostle renders and I regarded them not And the learned Pocock in his Miscellanies Cap. 1. p. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. at large demonstrates that the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Baalti which we read I was an Husband signifies not to regard to neglect refuse despise so also the Greek and Syriac render it But I say let it be granted as indeed the Lord doth own himself to be the Husband to be Married to them though in the place instanc'd in he doth not do so Let a few things further be considered and the impertinency of what is objected with respect to that we are pleading for will soon appear For 1. He himself by signal providences breaking to pieces destroying their Church-state and that Temple to which their solemn Worship as a Church was affix'd apotomized cut them off no such act of God with respect to his Gospel-Churches can be instanc'd in 2. He bare long with them before he cast them off and actually continued with them in that relation for about two thousand years Nor 3. Did he reject them till they had for many years rejected Him despised his Institutions Ordinances committed adultery with many lovers Jer. 3.1 In that matter did worse than the Nations round about them Ezek. 5.6 7. If this can be charged upon any of the Churches let them plead their own cause I 'll be no advocate for them nor is it necessary with respect to our present controversy since there are Churches to whom nothing like it can be imputed Though this I must say I know none of the Churches of Christ at this day but are pure and unchargeable as to any such guilt Oject 2. The Church of Rome was a true Church had Christ for her Husband Bridegroom Is it thus with her now Is not her Church-state perioded Is she not the apostatick Synagogue No Bride of Christ but the Whore the Mother of Harlots and abominations of the Earth Answ 1. God forbid that I should plead for that filthy Strumpet Synagogue of Satan the generation of God's curse against whom he hath indignation for ever 2. The Church of Rome so call'd that now is is in nothing like the Church of Rome that then was as to its Constitution Matter Form Worship Ordinances That was a particular-Church of Christ this pretends to be Catholick Universal That was constituted according to the Mind of Christ its matter visible Saints its form their free spontaneous giving up themselves to the Lord and to one another according to the Will of God This constituted by the cunning subtilty lying Miracles of the man of Sin by the Lusts Laws Compulsions of an arm of Flesh It s Worship Ordinances had for their Substratum the Law Commandment Authority of Jesus Christ the Worship of Rome is bottom'd upon the Authority Canons Laws Traditions of Popes sinful men false pretences to the personal appearance of Christ the Virgin Mary c. to them giving them in charge to practise this and that as his Worship Appointment not found in the Scriptures contrary to them So that the Church of Rome so call'd that now is was never a Church of Christ but a Synagogue of Satan set up in opposition to his True Churches 3. Had it been never so much a True Church of Christ it hath actually dis-church'd it self by its horrid Idolatry worse than the Heathen Worshiping Idols of Gold Silver Wood Stone with the same Worship that is due to them whom they set these up to represent so as that their Worship as Bellarmin tells us is terminated in these which scarce ever entred into the heart of an ingenuous Heathen to affirm upon the account whereof they are call'd Gentiles Rev. 11.2 Her persecution also bloody cruelty against Christ in his members sufficiently bespeaks her to be deserted rejected by the Lord actuated by another Spirit than the Spirit of the Gospel which is pure peaceable gentle meek so far from having any resemblance of the Churches of Christ that it 's the very shambles of Satan by whom as his butcherly bloody instruments they have destroyed poured forth the blood of millions of the meek innocent Lambs of the Lord Jesus 4. Let the argument be considered There was a gospel-Gospel-Church of Christ at
Rome the members of it fell asleep in Jesus having served the Lord in their generation by the subtilty of Satan and the man of Sin upon that spot springs up a sort of Professors bearing the name of Christ calling themselves a Church that at last at least have nothing to be found upon them like unto what they pretend to be therefore there 's a period put to the Church-state to all Churches Christ's relation to them as the Builder Foundation Head Husband notwithstanding And why so I pray May not there be true Churches of Christ and he stand thus related to them and as their Builder c. support uphold preserve his Church-state amongst them though that and many other Churches prevaricate depart from him That he hath actually done so from the time of his first planting Churches to this day we shall if the Lord will in the ensuing discourse demonstrate In a word let it be proved against the present Churches That they have unchurch'd themselves by Idolatry bloody cruelty against the Saints as this pretended Church of Rome hath done or this objection must be acknowledged to be of no weight To shut up all we have to say upon this argument Christ is the Builder Foundation Head Lord Husband of particular Churches and so call'd with respect unto a special relation to them as such as hath been proved either then there must be such Churches or this relation is at an end And thus far touching the second argument CHAP. III. The continuation of Gospel-Churches further demonstrated The Scripture the sole Directory both with respect to Doctrine and Worship Whatsoever Christ hath instituted given in charge therein 't is the duty of Saints in every day to be found in the practice of Christ of old prophesied of as the great Prophet whom God would raise up to instruct his People whom they were bound to attend Deut. 18.18 19. explained Christ's instructions contain'd in the Scriptures No other way or means intimated by God the Father or Christ for the indoctrination of the Saints as to Doctrine or Worship besides the Scriptures Of Popish Traditions Visions The Personal appearance of the Virgin Mary of Christ to them These the Foundation of their festivals religious orders God sends us to the Scripture for Direction in Faith and Worship hath under each Ministration commanded his People to observe whatever he hath appointed therein without Addition or Substraction It 's sufficient to instruct and guide us 2 Pet. 1.19 Explained Objections Answer'd Of pretensions to Christ's personal appearance That there hath been no personal appearance of Christ on the Earth to any since his Ascension proved Of the appearance of Christ to Stephen Paul John That he convers'd not with them on Earth proved Demonstration III. THat the Scripture is our sole Directory both with respect to Doctrine and Worship that 't is the duty of the Saints in every generation to attend to the Laws Commandments Rules of our Lord laid down therein that none have power to supersede any Law Commandment of Christ hath hitherto been generally own'd as a truth amongst all the reformed Churches 'T is true some amongst the Papal-Synagogue have blasphemously asserted That the Pope that man of Sin and Son of Perdition hath authority to dispense with the commands of Christ and he and some Combinations of Men call'd Councils amongst them have actually so done in many cases But as was said amongst those that separate from that Synagogue of Satan none haâ—e as yet doctrinally declar'd the lawfulness thereof What is of that nature practically done by any of them is not to our present purpose to enquire This then might one would think be taken for granted whatever Christ hath instituted charged commanded upon his People in the New-Testament is the duty of the Saints in every day to be found in the practice of Yet insomuch as the most plain indisputable principles commonly received maxims are by one or other in this day questioned and opposed it may not perhaps be altogether useless briefly to discover the basis upon which this Principle is built I. Then 't was long before the exhibition of the Lord Jesus prophesied That God the Father would raise up a Prophet to his Church like unto Moses to whom it was their duty to attend in all things should be declared taught them by him under the most severe penalty was this charg'd upon them Deut. 18. 18 19. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their Brethren like unto thee and will put my word in his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him And it shall come to pass that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him The Seventy render it I will take vengance on him And the Hebrew Doctors so explain the words He that transgresseth against his words is guilty of death by the hand of God as it is written Deut. 18. I will require it of him Maimon in Jesud Hatorath C. 9. § 2. And the word require often signifies to require by punishment Gen. 9.5 42.22 the Apostle expounds this place of of Christ and this requiring to be destroying from amongst the people Act. 3.22 23. That this Prophet is Christ he tells us ver 26. Nor is this Prophesie interpreted by any of the antient or modern Rabbies except some very few but only of the Messiah Nor can it be interpreted of any other every particular being exactly fulfill'd in him A Prophet Mat. 21.11 This is Jesus the Prophet From among your Brethren Christ was raised up from amongst his Brethren and 't is particularly mention'd out of what Tribe amongst them he was taken Heb. 7.13 14. viz. of Judah and the Family he was of in that Tribe namely that of David is frequently mentioned Luk. 1.69 And will put my words in his Mouth Accordingly Christ said to God the Father Joh. 17.8 I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me He shall speak unto them all that I shall command him This Christ did Joh. 12. 49 50. I speak not of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me a commandment what I should say and what I should speak whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so I speak Joh. 15.15 All things that I have heard of my Father have I made known unto you Joh. 17.8 I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me and they have received them So that evidently Christ is the Prophet here spoken of Two or three things are worthy our special remark 1. That Christ is a Prophet raised up sent by the Father 2. That the end of God in his Mission of Christ as a Prophet was to instruct the Sons of Men in the whole of his Will that he thought meet to manifest to them 3. That Christ actually made such a discovery of the Fathers will John 1.17 18. The Law was given
which is to come ver 4.8 11. doth intimate that he is treating of what reaches from the beginning of the Church to the latest Ages thereof even to the coming of Christ ver 7. 4. The preamble into the Vision of the seven Churches ver 10. and that of the seven Seales is so like that it seems they are both of like extent and importance 5. Else no Reason can be given 1. Why after the Spirit had given notice that this Book is a prophesie of things to come he should presently start from the title and intended subject to write Seven Epistles that have nothing considerable of Prophesie in them and that he should do this with as great pomp and as high a preamble as when he begins the Prophesie of the Seals and the open'd Book 2. Why the Epistles should be writ to the Churches of Asia rather than to the Churches of Europe and Affrick 3. Why he gives the precedency to this Church rather than that 4. Why just Seven neither more nor less 5. Why these seven rather than any others which might have the very same Vertues and Vices 6. Why Christ is described holding the Seven Stars in his right hand in the Epistles to the Churches of Ephesus and Sardis 7. Why the Church of Ephesus of all others should be commended for their trying false Apostles 8. Why 't is said to the Church of Smyrna more than to any other Be thou faithful nnto Death and I will give thee a Crown of Life 9. Why such an Ataxy in the ranging of the Churches that the two irreprehensible Churches Smyrna and Philadelphia are not joyned together Ephesus Sardis and Laodicea against whom there is no complaint of eating things offer'd to Idols and then Pergamos and Thyâ—tira in which there is 10. Why Christ before the Epistle to the Church in Pergamos is set out by a two-edged Sword and in the Church of Thyatira by his feet like fine Brass as if they burned in the Furnace for that supplement must be added 11. Why Antypas should be named by name in a Book so full of aenigmatical involutions 12. Why Christ expresseth a greater disgust against the Church of Laodicea than that of Sardis which is said to be quite dead 13. Why in every Epistle that phrase is used I know thy works which is a thing of small importance in the literal sense but in the prophetical it seems on purpose so repeated to intimate an allusion in Asia to the Hebrew word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as if 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was intended to answer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that Asia may also be significant as well as the names of the Seven Churches 14. Why a particular Woman should be taken notice of by name in the Church of Thyatira more than others 15. Why the promise of ruling over the Nations and receiving the Morning-Star should be made to the Church of Thyatira more than others 16. Why the temptation that was to come upon all the World should be mention'd rather to the Church in Phyladelphia than others 17. Why upon her should be written the Name of the City of God c. 18. Why the Church of the Laodiceans should account her self so hugely rich increased in goods and to have no want in any thing 19. Why that phrase He that hath an ear to hear let him hear which our Saviour is found so often to add at the end of his Parables should be used in every Epistle they being no Parables but Epistles sent to each of those Churches in Asia respectively The sum is the seven Asiatick Churches were Types of the State of the Church or the Churches of Christ from that time to the end of all things There must then all along be Churches to answer to these Types Sometimes 't is true more Pure Spiritual Splendid Visible sometimes less as the Types of them represent but alwayes such as Christ ownes for his Churches and as such walks in the midst of them But further The State of the Churches as represented in the Book of the Revelation may be consider'd under a fourfold period of time I. The time of the Roman-Pagan Empire That then there were true Churches of Christ will not be denied Against them Satan the great red Dragon in that Pagan-state set himself with all the cruelty imaginable pouring out the blood of Myriads of the Lords faithful Ones These Churches wrestle with God night and day in Faith Prayer Supplication and at last the whole State as a just Judgment of God upon them for their cruelties exercised upon his Children passes away Rev. 6. These Churches are the Woman cloathed with the Sun having the Moon under her feet and upon her head a Crown of Twelve Stars Rev. 12.1 II. The time of the prophesying of the Witnesses which Synchronizes with the time of the Wild-Beast or Antichrist That during this time which is one thousand two hundred and sixty Dayes or fourty-two Months which according to the Grecian account thirty dayes to a Month is the same There were Gospel-Churches is evident For 1. The Witnesses themselves are such therefore call'd Two Candlesticks Rev. 11.4 These are the two Olive-Trees and the two Candlesticks standing before the Lord of the Earth Candlesticks Who or what are they The Palmoni wonderful numberer the interpreter one of a thousand shall answer for us and one would think the interpretation he gives should pass without question among those who call themselves by his name Rev. 1.20 The seven Candlesticks which thou sawest are seven Churches Object But why here but two Candlesticks Answ The Antichristian apostacy had now so far prevailed that Christ could own but a few as standing in such a relation unto himself 2. During this period there is a Temple of God an Altar and such as Worship therein which can denote nothing less than a Gospel-Church-state and Gospel-Worshippers therein in opposition to the Court without and Holy City which is given to the Gentiles or Antichristians to tread under foot Rev. 11.1 2. And this Temple c. is to be measured with a Rod ver 1. 'T will not be altogether impertinent to enquire what 's held forth by the Measuring of the Temple c. Five things I humbly conceive the Spirit of the Lord intends by it 1. The Churches of Christ that were in a Witness for him being reduced to more Purity and Scripture-simplicity than was with them a little before Through the cunning working of the man of Sin though then in a Mystery professors had not a little swerved from Scripture-rule The body generality of these are swallowed up in the Antichristian Apostacy a little remnant are awakened to stand up as Witnesses for Christ and they perceiving disorders amongst themselves reduce all to the Scripture-standard The only way to heal all the differences amongst Christians touching Worship at this day 2. The paucity of true sincere Worshippers so few that they might easily be Measured 3. The
profession of our Faith which lies eminently in our subjection to him therein the assembling our selves together to exhort one another which he would not have us forget is annext to bottomed upon the New-Covenant of which he is ex professo treating And a wilful rejection of these in open despight of Christ and contempt of his Authority he calls v. 29. A treading under foot the Son of God because it 's a high affront to his Soveraign Authority an accounting the Blood of the Covenant an unholy thing not only because these Institutions are annext to that Covenant which was ratified by the blood of Christ but also because they have all their Foundation in that Blood our approximation to God in them our advantage by them is the issue of its effusion and a doing despite unto the Spirit of Grace because as hath been proved they are all the Ministration of that Spirit should God immediately by himself speak from Heaven to us and declare in so many words These Gospel-Institutions establisht by My Son are all of them bottomed upon annext to the New-Covenant we could not have a greater certainty that they are so than what is in that Scripture-evidence we have hitherto been discoursing of But 3. They belong to the Old-Covenant or the New There 's no medium To the Old-Covenant it 's most certain they appertain not Other manner of Ordinances which were only to continue to the Gospel-day as Circumcision Sacrifices appertained thereunto not the least notice under that Covenant as any part of the oeconomy thereof of particular Churches Baptism Breaking-Bread Christ came to put a Period to that Paedagogie and all the Laws Institutions thereunto appertaining and vertually did so by his Death actually by providential dispensations taking out of the way destroying that Temple to which they were peculiarly affixt And becoming a Mediator of a better Covenant established uppon better Promises as such he gives forth the Laws and Institutions we are pleading for of which afterwards 4. The Communications of Divine Life the Royal manifestations of the Love of GOD to us the bestowment of the Spirit upon us Divine peace comfort support upholdment with whatever Grace we are made partakers of are all conveyed in the way of the New-Covenant Now whatever any talk the communication of these as 't is promised to us as we have found attending upon the Lord in his own Institutions of which more anon so the Saints in every day at this day through wonderful riches of Grace are under the enjoyment of The Spirit is received Faith communicated Peace and Joy shed abroad upon the hearts of Believers as they conscientiously attend on these appointments of Christ Such as know not these things or having known them through the power of temptation slight undervalue them are to be pitied not attended to or regarded in their present apprehensions touching them 5. That God hath a people that he hath in the New and everlasting Covenant taken unto himself for a peculiar People will not be denied To these God gives himself as their GOD he betroths marries them to himself and they give up themselves spontaneously unto him as a People to own subject to his Authority Soveraignty and to profess their so doing by a conformity to whatever Commands Injunctions he shall lay upon them Gospel-Institutions he gives forth for the trial of their Love Loyalty to him charges them to be found in the practice of them as hath been proved Their obedience subjection hereunto he looks upon as a great part of their Loyalty to him in the Conjugal-Covenant he hath taken them into with himself Jer. 3.14 15. Turn O back-sliding Children saith the Lord for I am married unto you and I will take you one of a City and two of a Family and I will bring you to Zion And I will give you Pastors according to mine Heart which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding Where coming unto Zion or our attendment on God in wayes of his own Appointment is asserted to be that wherein our Marriage-relation to him stands Hence departing from these is call'd Whoredom Adultery and those that do so The great Whore the Mother of Harlots and fornications of the Earth The sum is Gospel-Churches Institutions are bottomed upon the New-Covenant therefore abiding CHAP. VIII The Churches that have been are are the Churches of Christ or Antichrist They are not the Churches of Antichrist proved The matter of Antichristian-Churches and of the present Churches The Form Foundation Doctrine Worship Nature Characters Properties of the one and the other considered 1 Tim. 4.1 The Daemons there mentioned what they are Their Original Office manner of Worshipping them the Doctrines of Daemon's the Doctrine of the Apostatick-Synagogue of Rome Demonstration VIII THat there have been persons under the profession of the Name of Christ congregated together for the solemnization of Ordinances from the first-times of the Gospel hitherto hath been before proved That there are so still cannot be denied Now these Churches must be either the Churches of Christ or the Churches of Antichrist There 's no medium A Church that was neither of Christ nor Antichrist was never yet heard of in the world since the first-dawning of the Gospel-day So then if we demonstrate that the present Churches are not Antichristian-churches we evince them to be the Churches of Christ and a continuation of the Gospel-Church-State at least hitherto is evidently discover'd That they are not Churches of Antichrist is easily demonstrated They wholly differ from the Antichristian-Church in respect of matter form foundation doctrine worship nature characters properties Touchching which it 's needful that we particularly discourse First then the Matter of the Antichristian-church is whoever own 's the Christian Faith make 's a Profession of it though never so deboysh vile wicked to every good work reprobate Notwithstanding all their pompous shews of Religion Forms of Godliness they are really such as have pleasure in Unrighteousness 2 Thes 2.12 Is this the matter constitutive of the present Churches Do they admit persons of so black a character into their Communion If any such spots are found amongst them do they tollerate indulge them Are not the rules of Christ prosecuted till they appearing to be persons of a reprobate mind are rejected out of their fellowship Is it not the avowed principles of all the Churches that such as these are not fit matter for any Church of Christ Can they be charged with walking contrary to their principles in this matter Who hath the confidence impudence thus to charge any one of them 'T is true now and then some scandalous persons are found amongst them and so there were in the Primitive Churches as in the Church of Corinth c. that crept in unawares but they are matter of grief humbling to them and they do not dare not cannot suffer them in their Communion 2. The Form if it may be so call'd of the Antichristian-Church lie's in a
came to them So that if because they have not Apostles the present Churches are no Churches of Christ neither were the Primitive-Churches at least some of them such The Objection lies as directly against them as any after-Churches But II. The Apostles as Apostles are neither Foundation matter or Form of the Church so far are they from being of the Essence of the Church 1. Foundation they are not for Christ is the alone Foundation as hath been proved 'T is true Saints are said to be built upon the Foundations of the Apostles and Prophets Eph. 2.20 but the intendment thereof is no more than that they were built upon the Doctrine was Preacht by the Apostles the substance whereof was Christ 2. Not the Matter as Apostles as Saints 't is true they were so as well as others but no otherwise 3. The Form of the Church they are not for that lies in somewhat else as before was Demonstrated III. Let 's suppose that which may be supposed It hath been as is known that by the Providence of God the meanest Saint is cast upon any spot where the Gospel never was He preaches Christ to the Natives they are Converted by the Spirit of the LORD accompanying his Ministry may these Converts give up themselves to the Lord and one another to walk with him in ways of his own Institution or not If the first actum est periisti Antichristiane there may be true Churches without Apostles for herein lie's the Essence of a true Church If the Second it 's lawful then it seems for believers to disobey the Commands of Christ which will at least sound harsh in the ears of sober Christians for Gospel-fellowship Churches we have proved to be commanded by Christ Nay IV. The Apostles quâ Apostles never belong'd to any perticular Church Authority in the name of Christ they had in and amongst them all never related to any particular Church as such They were non-residents ubiquitaries and the Office whereunto they were called by the Lord Jesus required that they should be so Mat. 28.18 19. V. What the Apostles were to the Gospel-Churches that at least Moses and Aaron may be supposed to be in the Judaick Church The Law came by Moses In every difficult Case he was their Mediator to God and gave responses to them from him Aaron had his Vrim and Thummim whereby he gave in matters proposed to him infallible answers from the Holy One. They had also the Ark with the Mercy-Seat and Cherubims The Fire from Heaven the Majesty or divine Presence viz. the Oracle in the most Holy Place where God dwelt between the Cherubims Num. 7.89 Psa 80.2 the Holy Spirit viz. the Spirit of Prophesie not only in the Priests but in the Prophets were these of the Essence of the Church was their Church-state dissolved because of their want of them What more frivolous can be asserted Moses and Aaron soon fell asleep before they came into the good Land As for the last mentioned they enjoyed them not under the second Temple as the Jews themselves acknowledge yet their Church-state continued till the death of Christ as is granted by all 'T is impossible to fix upon any Argument to prove the necessity of Apostles for the continuation of a Church-state in Gospel-dayes which will not also evince a necessity of what we have instanced in with respect to the necessity of the existence of Moses c. for the continuation of the Judaick Church-state than which nothing is more false Besides VI. The Church was never Built upon the Apostles one or other of them but upon their Doctrine which from the Lord Jesus they delivered or rather upon Christ the sum and substance thereof 'T is true the Papists tell us as hath been intimated that 't was Built upon Peter from Mat. 16.18 upon which they have laboured to build their Babel endeavouring to substitute the Pope in his room The vanity of which attempt hath been discovered by several and by none more than the every-way learned and accomplished J.O. in his Animadversions on Fiat Lux. But as was said 't was their Doctrine not their Persons the Church was Built upon This through the wonderful kindness of God we have continued to us and therefore no need of their personal Ministry Yet VII Suppose we had Apostles amongst us the self-same Apostles that were sent forth and instructed by Christ to indoctrinate the Saints in his will to charge them to Observe whatever he had commanded them They would declare to us the same things or they would not If the same they are upon record in the Scriptures of truth and are as much to be heeded by us as if they had been delivered to us by them Vivâ voce The latter cannot be imagined The Apostle hath for ever shut the door against any such conceit Gal. 1.8 9. Though we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed So that evidently the want of Apostles is the most weak frivolous argument that ever men of the least reason or converse with the Scripture or knowledge of that faith that ought to be with us in these matters ever fixt upon Object 2. But there was an Apostasie foretold by the Apostles of our Lord which we find actually came to pass within a few hundreds of years after Christ Therefore there are no true Churches for the Apostasie hath covered swallowed up all Answ That an Apostasie was foretold as intimated that it was also introduced is granted But this proves not the nullity of Churches Ordinances For 1. 'T is expresly declared that the Apostasie mentioned should not be a total Apostasie 1 Tim. 4.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not all but some shall depart or make a revolt from the Faith I confess had the Scripture asserted a universal Apostasie the objection would have seem'd to have had some strength in it I say 't would have seem'd for really it hath none For had the Apostasie as is falsly pretended over-spread all for a season as sometimes it did in the Churches of old as was demonstrated in the preface to this discourse yet it follows not but in persons by the call of God delivered from under that Apostasie a true Church-state might exist Which is notoriously true with respect to thousands that for some while the Papacy drank in But 2. We have already proved Demonstrat 4. c. 4. that all along the Apostasie the Lord had his true Churches witnessing for him against it So that we need not say more touching this matter There was an Apostasie foretold that should overspread the greatest part of the Churches prevail in most places of the Christian World It did so to purpose at Rome c. Ergo there are no true Churches risum teneatis amici or rather pity pray for them who by reason of prejudice temptation have their