reclaim them Who would have gathered them as a Chicken under his wings but they would not Him they refused thrust away by wicked hands took condemned crucified slew him and now the measure of their Fathers iniquity being filled up and the time appointed by Jehovah to take down that Tabernacle being fully come and to set up another in the room of it by the Messiah CHRIST he puts a full period to it apotomizes cuts them off perfectly unchurches them and at last layes waste destroyes their City Temple with an utter Destruction Now was the total ruin of that Apostatick Judaick Church And to purpose in capital letters is Lo-ammi and Loruhamah written upon them viz. Ye are not my People I have no mercy for you and not so plainly at any time as now 'T were easie to make many remarks to the advantage of the present truth we are risen up in the defence of from the foregoing discourse The prudent Reader can do it himself To whom we leave it The whole Church-politie of the Jews being vertually dissolved at the death of Christ a New-Church-state is introduced by him New Churches formed according to his rule model new-institutions appointed by him which 't is the duty of those Churches to conform to Two things must here briefly be enquired into 1. What a Gospel-Church or an Instituted-Church of Christ is 2. That such a Church is of the Institution of Christ As touching the first A Cospel-Church is a Society of Believers once dead in trespasses and sins but now quickned by the Spirit sanctified justified by the Free-Grace of God in Christ illuminated by the same Spirit in the knowledge of his Will separated from the World and voluntarily joyned together for the exercise of the Communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Institutions Ordinances of Christ This description of a Gospel-Church is proved in every part of it from the ensuing Scriptures Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins ver 5. When we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ 1 Cor. 6.11 Ye are washed sanctified justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. 1.2 Unto the Church of God which is at Corinth to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints 2 Cor. 6.16 17. What agreement hath the Temple of God with Idols For ye are the Temple of the living God Wherefore come out from amongst them and be ye separate saith the Lord and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you Heb. 3.1 Holy Brethren partakers of the Heavenly calling Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us by the word of Truth Rev. 1.20 The seven Golden Candlesticks which thou sawest are seven Churches 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 22 23. As touching the second that such a Church was instituted by Christ is evident 1. From Christs appointment and approbation of such a Church Mat. 18.15 16 17 18 19 20. 2. Christ charges his Apostles Mat. 28. to teach those who should be converted by their Ministry to observe whatever he commanded them In pursuance of which charge we finde that as soon as any were converted to the Faith by the direction of the Apostles they were gathered into Church-Societies Acts 2.41 42 47. 8.1 11.26 14.23 27. 3. These are called the Churches of God of Christ Act. 20.28 1 Cor. 1.2 10.32 11.22 15.9 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.13 1 Tim. 3.5 Rom. 16.16 because of their institution establishment by him 4. The Apostles in the Name Authority of Christ direct their Epistles to them as such 1 Cor. 1.1 2 Cor. 1.1 Gal. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Col. 1.2 4.16 1 Thes 1.1 2 Thes 1.1 Eph. 1.1 compared with Acts 20.17 1 Pet. 5.2 or unto particular persons giving directions touching their carriage deportment and duty towards them 1 Tim. 3.15 Tit. 1.5 5. Christ calls them his Churches Rev. 1.20 6. Own 's himself to be their Head Husband Lord King they his Body Bride House Family of which afterwards 7. A great part of the Apostolick-writings consists in giving Precepts Exhortations Counsels to guide lead them in their duties to each other in such a relation and for their preservation in Purity and Order Of which we shall have occasion particularly to make mention in the ensuing Discourse 8. His special care of them 9. The particular notice he takes of them in the book of the Revelations sending particular Epistles to them Exhorting reproving counselling incouraging them taking no notice of any that did not appertain to them Rev. chapters 2. and 3. with much more that might be said doth abundantly demonstrate that the Church described was of the institution of Jesus Christ That the Ordinances practised in and amongst those Churches such as Preaching the Word Prayer Baptism breaking Bread c. were of the Appointment of Christ will not be denied se Act. 2.42 and 6.2 1 Cor. 14.3 2 Tim. 4.2 Heb. 13.7 Act. 6.4 and 13.2 3. 1 Tim. 2.1 Mat. 28.19 and 26.26 27. 1 Cor. 11.23 ERRATA Reader Some few mistakes in Printing are here remarked the rest being inconsiderable are left to thee to amend IN the Epistle to the Reader p. 10. l. 21. r. bloody l. 36. abominable p. 13. l. 3. hath In the body of the Book p. 7. l. 2. r. it 's l. 3. this p. 16. l. 10. blot out the. p. 17. l. 11. r. letter p. 20. l. 34. persons p. 21. l. 15 inasmuch l. 17. that p. 30. l. 14. their p. 39. l. 5. blot out are p. 54. l. 8. r 1 Job p. 56. l. 32. apostacy p. 63. l. 15. women p. 66. l. 33. after much r. as p. 73. l. 30. tu es p. 77. l. 19. increase p. 79 l. 30 throughout p. 85. l. 28. for have r. are p. 114. l. 7. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 117. l. 22. after have add said Gospel-Churches A Standing ORDINANCE OF Jesus Christ CHAP. I. Gospel-Churches an Institution of Christ to continue to his next coming demonstrated from the Appellations given in Scripture to such Churches They are call'd 1. The Kingdom of God Why they are so call'd open'd Mark 9.1 Acts 1.3 and 19.8 9. Explained Several inferences from hence A two-fold Kingdom viz. of God and of the Devil and Antichrist Several wayes Satan takes for the support of the Antichristian Kingdom An Objection Answered 2. A House built upon a Rock Matth. 16.18 opened at large Peter not the Rock but Christ proved The Gates of Hell what they import Satan's attempts by subtlety and power to destroy the Church invalid An Objection Answered 3. The Kingdom of Heaven Why the Gospel-Church-State is so call'd An Objection Answered 4. A Kingdom that cannot be shaken Heb. 12.27 28. explained 5. The Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.7 8. opened at large 6. The Body of Christ Gospel-Churches hereby intended proved Vpon what accounts they are so call'd shewn Several inferences from hence
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-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
pass away The same may be said concerning the sons of men They may 't is true advance against it attempt to shake remove it as they have done and do with all their force and cunning but 't is a Kingdom so far above them so supported strengthned by the King of Heaven that they never succeed in their Attempts Vain ridiculous are their Consultations Aggregations together in order hereunto Can they pull the Stars out of the Firmament Stop the Sun in its Course Turn it into blackness darkness Pull it from the place God hath Ordained for it Are not all Attempts of such a Nature worthy to be scorned derided at as acts of the greatest Folly and desperate Madness Such are the advances of the Anti-Christians against this State Kingdom Whilst God sits in the Heavens he will laugh them to Scorn and have them in Derision There must first be a Power Authority above God's before this Kingdom can be brought to a Dissolution by any save he that Erected it Object But doth not God say that he will create new-new-Heavens and a new-Earth and the former shall not be remembred nor come into mind Isa 65.17 And the Apostle Peter assures us 2 Pet. 3.7 10 12 13. that the Heavens that now are are kept in store reserv'd unto Fire c. that there is a time in which the Heavens shall pass away with a great Noise c. They shall be dissolv'd that the Saints look for New-Heavens Answ 1. Dato non Concesso granting for Disputation's-sake that by Heavens we are to understand a Church-state perhaps somewhat else is intended in the places under considerations viz. the purifying delivering the Creation from that vanity corruption to which 't was subjected by reason of Sin the Introduction of the Restitution of all things by Jesus Act. 3.21 yet 2. It doth not yet appear nor is it in hast like to be proved that by the Heavens that are to pass away more is to be understood than the removing of the Judaic Church-state which indeed passed away and was melted down by fervent heat when the Temple to which 't was affixt was consumed with Fire not long after Peter writ that Epistle The New-Heavens spoken of may perhaps signify the Gospel-Church-State there 's not a tittle spoken of their Passing away but the contrary Isa 65.22 But 3. That we may give to this Objection such as it is the greatest weight it 's capable of Let it further be granted that by the Heavens in Peter which shall Pass away is to be understood the Gospel-Church-State and that Isaiah and Peter speak of a New-Church-State which shall succeed that The first Heavens Pass not away till the consuming Fire is kindled nor is it in the Power of man to set Fire to them to cause them to cease to be as the Creation of the New-Heavens is the peculiar Act of God so is the dissolution of the Old Fourthly This Church-State is represented under the Notion of A Kingdom which cannot be shaken moved Heb. 12.27 28. Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have Grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear A few things must be inquired into viz. I. What we are to understand by this Kingdom Answ The Gospel-Church-State we are discoursing of This is Evident for 1. 'T is a Kingdom introduced immediately upon the shaking of the Heaven so as to remove the things shaken i. e. upon the putting a period to the Judaic-Church-State with the removing of all the carnal Ordinances thereunto appertaining When God gave forth the Law upon mount Sinai his voice shook the Earth v. 26. But then was the solemn visible beginning or creation of their Heaven or Church-State which now is shaken by the death of Christ so that 't is virtually remov'd and Saints are no longer to be subject to it 2. 'T is a Kingdom introduced by Christ's speaking from Heaven v. 25. or of his establishment as coming from the bosom of the Father and declaring his mind to the Sons of Men. Which can be nothing else but the Gospel-oeconomy or ministration introduced by him 3. 'T is a Kingdom which they the Jews believers at least amongst them were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 then receiving or undertaking subjecting to which was the Ministration spoken of And is indeed one part of the design of the Apostle in this Epistle to perswade them fully to embrace or receive with the rejection of Mosaic antiquated observances 4. 'T is a Kingdom with respect to which they are said to serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear v. 28. Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which though in the general it denotes to serve in any kind of work or service yet it s special signification as used by the Seventy in the Old Testament and Christ and his Apostles in the New is to worship God in wayes of his own institution and appointment II. In what sense it 's affirm'd concerning this Kingdom and the things appertaining to it that it cannot be shaken moved That those things which cannot be shaken may remain The words are variously rendred That those things may remain which are immovable V.L. Which are not to be moved Ar. Which are not to be shaken Aeth Which are void of motion Syr. The words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies to be moved or shaken as with Winds or Tempests as the ship in the Sea with storms The Seventy use it when the earth is said to be moved 2 King 22.16 And the Pillars of it shaken Job 9.6 to be by force removed out of its place 1 Chron. 16.30 Job 41.15 Job 9.28 with respect to which the Gospel-Ministration with the Ordinances of it are said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Immovables things that cannot are not to be removed taken down Storms and Tempests it meets with but it abides firm and immovable under all A Kingdom which cannot be moved which is also diversly rendred an immovable Kingdom V.L. A Kingdom which is not shaken Ar. Which cannot be shaken Aeth The word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 immoveable unshaken firm stable that bears up against winds and tydes The most rough winds impetuous storms waves cannot shake sink it The meaning is the Mosaic Ministration the Judaic Church-State was liable to shakings 't was at last so to be shaken as to be utterly removed taken out of the way but this Kingdom the oeconomy of the Gospel the Gospel-Church-State is not such 'T is true it shall at last period but not by any shakings that shall dissolve it as the former to make way for a new and better Ministration It shall continue immoveable till it run into and be swallowed up in the Glorious Visible Kingdom of the Messiah or New Jerusalem-State Fifthly The Church-State is called the Ministration of the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That Ministration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.7 8. That by the
out every accursed thing that may be in the midst of you cast it away with loathing abhorrency bemoan your selves for the sins iniquities are with you be conscientious in filling up the relation you stand in each to other as members of the same Body cry to God to fill you with Presence Glory to communicate the suitable grace to you that you may be able to glorify him in the Fires Oh Watch and Pray that you may be accounted worthy to escape the things that are to come to pass and stand before the son of man Oh! Wait look for his Coming as those that are indeed ready for it And if you meet with any spiritual good and advantage by the serious perusal of the ensuing Treatise let God have the Glory and pray for him who accounts it his honour to be A Servant of Christ and the meanest of his Children R.B. THE PREFACE To the ensuing Discourse OF the Creation of Man Divine Institutions in the State of Innocency Man's fall A New-state of things thereupon introduced Christ the Foundation of Instituted Worship and Mans Communion with God therein A Church-state in Adam's Family Cain Excommunicated The Church-state preserved pure till about the dayes of Enosh Separation from carnal Worshippers in his dayes Gen. 4.26 Explained The Church-state preserved in a great measure of purity for about a thousand Years A grand Apostasie there-from in the dayes of Noah The purity of Worship preserved in his Family Apostates destroyed by the Waters of the Flood A solemn Covenant made by the Lord with Noah upon his coming out of the Ark. The Statutes God gave to him The purity of Worship continues uninterrupted for about forty Years Ham excommunicated A dredaful Apostasie about the thousandth Year after the Flood A remnant kept pure 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who they are The general defection Idolatry that overspread all in Abraham's time His call The erection of the pure Worship of God in his Family Corruptions in Jacob's Family before their going into Egypt whilst there Jehovah's bringing them out from thence giving the Law at Mount Sinai Their Idolatry The ten Tribes led captive beyond Assyria the two Tribes into Babylon God looks after them there brings them from thence A new Reformation begun by Ezra Nehemiah c. Their Apostacy afterwards yet they are not totally rejected till they had refused rejected crucified the Son of God Then their Church-state is vertually dissolved A new-Church-state set up by Christ What a gospel-Gospel-Church is That 't is of the Institution of Christ together with the Ordinances thereunto belonging Proved BEfore I come to that which is the main design of this Treatise viz. A plain Scripture-Demonstration of the Continuance of Gospel-Churches to the next Personal Glorious coming and Kingdom of Christ 't will not be altogether unprofitable nor impertinent to take a view of the Churches of God that have from the beginning been in the World so far at least as any foot-steps of them remain in the sacred Scriptures the alone unerring guide in this matter First Then that God made Adam upright in his own likeness after his own Image and gave him a Law to walk by with promises of a higher state of Glory if he continued in his integrity figured forth by the Tree of Life in the midst of the Paradise of God and threatning of death in case of defection therefrom is evident Gen. 2.16 17. That in this state of Innocency Adam offered Sacrifices to God and that the skins wherewith he was afterward cloathed were the skins of the sacrificed Beasts as some affirm seems to be an un-scriptural foolish figment This is certain that upon mans disobedience a New-state of things was introduced 1. He that could converse with God as a friend now flies from him as an enemy Gen. 3.8 9 10. Nor 2. Can he any longer treat with God upon the terms of the first Covenant nor draw nigh to him as formerly immediately by himself in his original created Righteousness He had quickly by his disobedience forfeited all his primitive Glory Priviledges with which in the day of his Creation he was invested and brought miseries deaths of all kinds Temporal Spiritual Eternal both upon himself and all his Posterity that sprang from him by a natural generation So that in him All sinned and came short of the Glory of God Rom. 3.23 3. As an immediate discovery of Jehovahs displeasure against him for his rebellion he drives him out of Paradise and guards the Tree of Life with Cherubims and a Flaming Sword that he come not at or eat of the fruit of it Gen. 3.24 4. It was therefore necessary that another Foundation be laid for fallen-mans drawing nigh to God from whom he had thus dreadfully Apostatized which being provided in the eternal counsel of God and agreed upon in a Solemn-Covenant betwixt the Father and the Son is immediately of the inconceivable Grace of GOD revealed to Adam viz. the Seed of the Woman the Lord Jesus the only Way to the Father Gen. 3.15 Joh. 14.4 6. 5. That upon this Revelation of Jesus Christ mankind multiplying exceedingly by the Power of that word of God Gen. 1.28 there was a Church-state erected by the Authority and Command of God in Adams Family where solemn Worship was managed as Praying Preaching offering Sacrifices Gen. 4.3 4. And out of this Church were open notorious offenders Excommunicated So was Cain Gen. 4.12 14. By whose ejection the Church was kept pure till about the Age of Enosh 6. Much about that time degeneracy in Worship had so far prevailed that the Rigteous Seed saw a necessity of separating from the generality of the Worshippers of that day and gather themselves together as a distinct People for the solemn carrying on Divine service amongst themselves Gen. 4.26 The words are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which are variously rendred He began to invocate the Name of Lord so the Vulgar Latine and Syriac He hoped to invocate the Name of the Lord so the Seventy Then in his dayes the Sons of men ceased from calling upon the Name of the Lord so the Chaldee Then the Name of God began to be called upon so the Samaritan Arabick Translations renders it I know there are some who will have the words to poynt at a great degeneracy in Worship a sad lapse into Idolatry But that a defection in Worship cannot be intended is evident for there had been long before a great degeneracy a total Apostasie there-from in the Cainites but somewhat that men began to do which hitherto had not been attempted is intimated thereby which can be nothing else then that Segregation and aggregation in order to purity of Worship before intimated For men had before called on the Name of the Lord but there was never tell now so visible a separation from the rest of the World for the solemn management of Religious Worship amongst themselves And as they began now to
demonstrating the continuation of them 7. The Temple Tabernacle House Building of the Lord. Vpon what accounts they are so call'd An Objection Answer'd HAving already demonstrated what a particular Church of Christ is and that as such 't is one of the Gospel-institutions Commanded Erected by him i. e. 'T is the Will of Christ that all believers ordinarily should adjoyn themselves to some one or other such Church That which is Incumbent on us further to Evince is that such Churches or the Gospel-Church-State with the Institutions Ordinances Worship thereunto Affixed shall continue unto his next glorious Coming and Kingdom which we now Address our selves to the dispatch of Demonstration I. The Appellations given in Scripture to such a Church or Churches of Christ do evidently evince the Truth hereof First 'T is call'd the Kingdom of God Mar. 1.15 The Kingdom of God is at hand And Chap. 9.1 Till they have seen the Kingdom of God come with Power He seems to have respect to the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was poured down from on high on the Apostles who were then endued with Power from above according to the promise of Christ to them by which they went forth to preach the Gospel plant Churches c. Mar. 15.43 Who also waited for the Kingdom of God i. e. the Gospel-ministration Luke 7.28 He that is least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he See Chap. 10.9 and 23.51 Joh. 3 3 5 Act. 1.3 And speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God i. e. the Laws Institutions Rules Orders relating to the Churches See Ch. 8.12 and 19.8 9. disputing and perswading the things concerning The Kingdom of God But when divers spake evil of that way What way The way of Gospel-Ministrations or the worship of God in a Gospel-day which they spake evil of as Heretical After the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers Act. 24.14 Chap. 20 25 with 28. and 28.33 34. Upon what Accounts the Gospel-Church-State is call'd The Kingdom of God must a little be enquired into 'T is so call'd upon the Account 1. Of its Glory and Excellency Persons and things said to be of God are therefore so said to be As men of God Jud. 13.6 8. 1 Sam. 2.27 and 9.6 1 Chron. 23.14 Hill of God 1 Sam. 10.5 10. Psal 24.3 and 42.6 and 68.15 This ministration excels all that went before it for excellency and glory 2 Cor. 3.7 9 10. of which more anon 2. Of its Extract and Original There 's nothing of man in it 't is all of God given by the Father to Jesus Christ who came into the World to reveal and discover his Will touching that matter Joh. 1.14 3. Of Believers open visible subjection to owning acknowledging of God in their Obedience thereunto 4. Of Gods care of it protection over it engagement to continue support maintain uphold it to the end Whence it evidently follows 1. That there must be a continuance of this ministration of the Gospel the Gospel-Church-State with all the Laws Institutions Ordinances Orders thereto appertaining till it be suspended abrogated by Jehovah Who hath Power Authority over his Kingdom or can presume to disannul suspend any thing he hath therein Instituted but by such an Act he advanceth himself above God and so proclaims himself to be the Antichrist that was to come Denyes the Father and that supreme Authority from whence the original of the Gospel-ministration doth flow 2. The veracity faithfulness wisdom power of God are all engaged for the support and upholdment of this Ministration 'T is of him from him He 's oblig'd upon that foot of account to exert and put forth the perfections of his Nature for the upholdment of it What Devils beasts of Prey yea what inward lusts or corruptions in the Saints themselves shall be able to evert bring to nought that Kingdom he 's obliged to support and continue 3. That there must be a law produced from this High and Soveraign Lawgiver for the suspension perioding of this Ministration or it abides in force and will do so whether we be subject to it or not Our wills fancies humors imaginations any pretended Revelation will not justify any persons Non-conformity thereunto Let any Statute-law from Jehovah be produced for it's suspension dissolution and the Controversie is at an end Where hath God said My Kingdom shall continue only for a hundred two three or a thousand years and then period after which I 'll leave my Children to act as they please with respect to any Laws or Institutions relating to it If there be altum silentium a deep silence with respect to any such Laws it becomes and greatly concerns persons to take heed that they withdraw not themselves from oppose not his Soveraignty herein lest they be found fighters against God Besides 't is not inconsiderable that there are but two Kingdoms in the World 1. The Kingdom of God which as hath been shew'd as to visibility most eminently consists in Gospel-ministrations 2. The Kingdom of the Devil and Antichrist who receives his Seat Power and great Authority from the Dragon or Devil Rev. 13.2 and to one of these we must needs be visibly subject Two ways Satan takes for the support of the Antichristian Kingdom 1. The one is by establishing Laws forreign yea contrary to the Laws of Jehovah and compelling all to subject to them The other is 2. By casting a slight contempt upon the Laws of Divine appointment and whether the one way or the other he prevail upon poor souls he hath his end for Jehovah's Soveraign Authority is thereby trampled upon Objection If it be Objected that the legal Ministration is call'd The Kingdom of God and Christ tells the Jews nevertheless that it shall be taken from them and we know that an actual Period is put thereunto Mat. 21.43 so that the Church-state being call'd The Kingdom of God is no Argument to prove its continuance Answer The Answer is easie 1. It 's granted that the Mosaic Ministration is so call'd and that because it had it's Original from God who descending upon Mount Sinai by the Ministry of Angels gave forth the Law with the Statutes Judgments and Ordinances 2. It 's also granted that the Whole of that Ministration hath expired for above this One Thousand Six Hundred Years But 3. There were frequent intimations in the Scripture that it should so expire Deut. 18.15 18. Psal 40.6 Isa 65.17 Hag. 2.6 21. These present Heavens or Judaic Church-state with all the Institutions Ordinances thereto appertaining will I shake so as to remove totally abolish Mat. 24.2 The Temple to which the Judaic Solemn-Worship was affix'd shall be utterly destroyed so the whole of that service thereto appertaining cease Let but one the like instance of the purpose of God for the determination of the New-Testament-Ministration before the next glorious personal Appearance of Christ be produced and there 's an end of this Controversy 4.
as the Tents of Kedar Poor Mean Contemptible so are all the Ordinances Institutions appertaining to them The materials of which they are constituted for the most part are visibly base and contemptible the poor of the World But Christ is the builder of them a greater than Solomon and he builds them for himself an Ivory Palace for the great King and therefore they must needs be amiable lovely glorious comely as the curtaines of Solomon 2. That none can approach advance themselves against them without pouring out contempt upon advancing themselves against Jesus Christ 3. That he is obliged to protect defend them against all oppositions whatsoever He hath done will do so 4. That none hath power to pluck them down nor can they be dissolv'd but by his Authority For any to go about to do so is to assume a Power to themselves co-equal nay superior to Christ who built them II. As Christ is call'd the Builder of these Churches so he is said to be the Foundation of them They are built upon him as their noble glorious Foundation 1 Cor. 3.9 10 12. Ye are Gods Building according to the Grace of God which is given to me as a wise Master-Builder I have laid the Foundation other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ Ephes 2.19 20 22. 1 Pet. 2.4 5. Three things necessarily flow from hence 1. That Gospel-Churches are not built upon the Old Covenant as some talk except we will suppose Christ to be a part of that Covenant wherein yet there 's not the least notice of him to be found 2. That they are a firm unshaken building Christ himself being their Foundation they must be so 3. That none can dissolve them put a period to them but he who is their Substratum Foundation who as such supports upholds them and is obliged so to do III. He is also styled their Head Lord Ephes 4.15 May grow up into him in all things who is the Head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joyn'd together Col. 1.18 He is the Head of the Body the Church 2.19 And not holding the Head from which all the Body Two things must be considered 1. Upon what accounts Christ is said to be the Head of the Church 2. What influence this Headship of Christ hath into the confirmation of the truth pleaded for As touching the first 't is confes'd that he is not a natural head of the body the Church The Expression is Metaphorical Seven things are pointed forth by it 1. His Preference Dignity Excellency above them all 2. His Comliness Beauty The truth is all the comliness of the Body the Church is Christ 'T is eminently superlatively in Him it flows from him 3. He is the seat of all that Life Spirits the Church is made partakers of All 's in him in fulness 4. His Sympathy with them in all their sorrows distresses sufferings 5. Their guidance direction from Him He is their dux viae glorious conduct leader in the way they should go 6. His Dominion Ruledom Authority over them 7. Their Protection Safety in and under Him As touching the second particular Secondly The continuance abiding of Gospel-Churches is a necessary consequence from hence For Christ being their Head 1. Want's not love affection to them to support uphold them Nor 2. Doth he want power so to do All power is given to him in Heaven and in Earth He is for that end constituted Head over all things to the Church Eph. 1.21 22. that he might be able to defend preserve it 3. He is an everlasting Head therefore as such must have a body to rule govern by those Laws Institutions he hath given forth for their Ruledom wherein they are to testify their subjection to him Not to do so is to cast off his Regiment deny his Soveraignty Authority Nay 4. As such being put into Office deputed appointed by the Father as Head Lord King over them Psal 2.6 he is obliged to protect defend preserve them For him not to do so were a breach of that trust charge reposed in him given to him by the Father IV. Christ is the Husband Bridegroom of these Churches 2 Cor. 11.2 For I have espoused you the Church of God which is at Corinth chap. 1.1 to one Husband viz. the Lord Jesus that I may present you as a chast Virgin to Christ Mat. 25.1 5 6. Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven or Gospel-Church-state be likened unto ten Virgins which went forth to meet the Bridegroom While the Bridegroom tarried Behold the Bridegroom cometh And these Churches are call'd the Bride the Lambs Wife Rev. 19.7.21.9.22.17 Upon what account the Lord Jesus is said to be the Husband of the Church and She his Bride Wife must be considered He is so call'd upon the account 1. Of his entire cordial love and affection to her He dearly above all loves his Churches Psal 87.2 The Lord loveth the Gates of Sion Saints gathered together in Gospel-Fellowship solemnly worshipping him in a community more than all the Dwellings of Jacob. He therefore calls them his Love his Dove his Vndefiled Cant. 5.2 expressions demonstrative of his kindness to them They also are full of love endearment to him Cant. 1.7 1 Pet. 1.8 The truth whereof they evidence by keeping his Commandments John 14.21 23 24. viz. those Commandments he by the Spirit gave forth to them relating to the institutions worship of the Gospel Acts 1.2 2. His giving himself to them taking them for his own above all the People in the World God is said upon this foot of account to be the God of Israel Exod. 5.1 32.27 Num. 16.9 Jos 8.30 13.33 c. They his portion peculiar treasure Deut. 32.9 Exod. 19.5 Psal 135.4 To be married to them Jer. 3.14 Christ is said to have them Joh. 3.29 He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom They give themselves to him solemnly own avouch him to be their Husband in their visible subjection to his appointments Nor do or can any be said so to own him but with respect to such a subjection 2 Cor. 8.5 They first gave their own selves to the Lord and unto us by the will of God They are Christ's 1 Cor. 3.23 All are yours and ye are Christs Departure from forsaking his institutions is therefore called adultery fornication whoredom Jer. 3.8 Ezek. 23.37 Rev. 2.22 Ezek. 16.26 29. Rev. 9.21 17.2 4. 18.3 9. 19.2 Ezek. 16.17 Hos 1.2 Jer. 3.2 And the false Church is call'd the Whore Rev. 17.1 15 16. 19.2 because hereby they are unfaithful to Christ in this marriage-relation whereinto he hath taken them 3. His care watchfull eye over them He watcheth over them for good keeps them day and night with much more that might be added touching this matter Now can it be imagined that the Lord Jesus who hath taken a people unto himself in such a relation loves them with such a dear intense love gives himself
Revelation then made by him with respect to Institutions Worship is in every day to be attended to by the Saints A Church-state is then bottomed upon the Prophetick-office of Christ and to continue from the time of its erection by him to the consummation of all things II. As 't is bottomed upon the Prophetick-Office of Christ so 't is upon his Sacerdotal or Priestly The Apostle argues from the change of the Levitical priest-hood to the change of the whole of that Church-polity its Laws and Institutions Heb. 7.12 For the Priest-hood being changed there is made of necessity a change also of the Law If this be a cogent Argument it follows strongly on the contrary If there be no change of the priest-hood as the Melchizedekian Priest-hood or the priest-hood of Christ after the order of Melchizedeck abides for ever as the same Apostle tells us then there is no change of the Law or institutions appertaining thereunto That the whole of Gospel-institutions have a dependance upon the Priestly-Office of Christ is manifest 1. That the legal Ministration or Worship was affixt to had a dependance upon the Aaronick Priest-hood the Apostle plainly enough declares in the forecited place Heb. 7.12 Now if the Worship of that day had such dependance upon that Priesthood that it liv'd and dyed stood and fell with it the Gospel-ministration and Worship must have the same dependance upon the real Eternal Priesthood of CHRIST for that was Typick of this throughout 2. Christ by his Death or the Oblation of himself which was a principal part of his Priestly-Office vertually put a period to the Law of Commandments contain'd in Mosaick-Ordinances Eph. 2.15 And so by the removing of them made way for the erection of the Gospel-church-state with the Institutions appertaining thereunto This the Apostle fully declares v. 18 19 20 21 22. For through him as our High-Priest for as such he 's discoursing of him as is Evident from v. 13 14 15 16 we both viz. Jewes and Gentiles have an access in Gospel-institutions by one Spirit unto the Father Now therefore ye are no more Strangers and Forreinners but Fellow-citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God And are built upon the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone In whom all the building fitly joyn'd together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord. In whom you are builded together for an Habitation of God through the Spirit Nothing could be more Evident if written with the beams of the Sun than this that Gospel-churches call'd the Houshold the Building of GOD with all the Institutions of CHRIST through which they have access to God are bottom'd upon the Priestly-Office of Christ 'T is through him as our Priest that we have access in Worship to the Father and equally in and through him as such that we are of the houshold of God his Habitation Temple 3. All the fittings preparings of Souls as fit materials for this Spiritual-Temple Building and the management of the Ordinances thereof are bottom'd upon the Priestly-Office of Christ That men in their natural state are altogether unfit for such a building or work will be granted otherwise Arguments enough lie near at hand for it's confirmation Our Lord hath solemnly determin'd this Controversy if with any it be a Controversy Joh. 3.3 5. That persons fitness lies in the communication of the Spirit a divine principle of Life the participation of the grace of the Covenant that therein also lies their meetness ability for the work and service of this Temple will not be denied Now whence flowes all this but from the Oblation Intercession of Christ the two signal parts of his Priestly-Office Nay 4. The Saints comming to God with their Temple-Worship all of it hath its Foundation here were it not for the Priest-hood of Christ they must stand off at an eternal distance Jehovah would be a terror consuming fire to them This all know who have a sight of themselves in their lapsed corrupt depraved state and of the infinite purity and righteousness of God This the Apostle treats of Heb. 4.14 15 16. and 7.19 Yea 5. All the acceptance of their Persons and all their Temple-worship with the Father of Spirits is bottomed here Were not Christ our High-priest had he not as such made an Attonement Reconciliation for us did he not make Intercession as such for us both we and our most solemn performances would be loathed rejected by the Lord. 6. Their encouragement to come to God with boldness the great motive to abide in their Temple-Worship and not to forsake the Assembling themselves together to be diligent in the discharge of the duties they are obliged to perform to one another in their Church-relation is fixed here Heb. 10.20 21 22 23 24 25. Their rejection of Gospel-communion is accounted an undervaluing of the Priestly-Office of Christ v. 28 29. To which add 7. That the preservation of Gospel-churches Ordinances is a fruit of the Priestly-Office of Christ bottomed upon his Oblation Intercession Why are they not dispersed scattered Why have not their Adversaries ruin'd destroyed them Whence is it that they have liberty to tread the Lords Court and Worship before the footstool of his Throne in Peace yea whence is it That the Devil with all his power policy hath not been able to ruin destroy the Churches of Christ It 's Christ that died yea rather that is risen again who ever lives to make Intercession Rom. 8.34 so that in this matter hear's full measure of Demonstration pressed down running over that Gospel-Churches Institutions appertaining to them are bottomed upon the Priestly-Office of Christ If he continue our High-priest if there be any vertue in his death energie power in his Intercession they must continue also And when these fail we are content to sink perish Maluimus cum Christo perire quam cum Caesare regnare III. Gospel-churches Institutions are also bottomed upon the Kingly-Office of Christ whence their perennity perpetuity is Evident That Christ is a King hath his Subjects Laws by which he governs them cannot be denied That he hath yet doth exercised his Kingly-soveraignty over them will be granted if he do not do so he is not King his despotick authority is at an end Who are his Subjects Those that dwell in Sion his Church his Body his House his Kingdom which hath been demonstrated to be Saints embodied and worshipping him in a Gospel-church-state to these he is a Head Lord King What are the Laws he Rules them by gives forth for the tryal of their Faith Love Obedience They are Gospel-Ordinances of his own institution and appointment And as of old the people of the Jewes that Church of God when they rejected his Ordinances are said to reject him cast off his Soveraignty Ruledom So because of their pertinacious adherence to the Laws of Moses when Christ had perioded that Ministration had left the World and was gone to his