shall be remembred Surely the Worlds hard usage of his members shall not be forgotten shall not pass unpunished If at the great day the not feeding and cloathing of hungry and naked Saints will be punished with everlasting fire oh what a sin will it be found to take away their food and rayment from them if Christ will be so angry with those who visited not believers in Prison Mat. 25. 42 43. where shall they appear that were the Imprisoners of them The World should not be cruel to Christians since Christ will quickly appear to judge the World in Righteousness So much for the first Proposition That the Church of Christ is compared to a Body Proposit II. The second Proposition is this That this Body of Christ is imperfect in this World and therefore continually should be encreasing Hence it is that Christians are exhorted to grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. Pet. 3. 18. and not only to be stedfast and unmoveable but always to abound in the work of the Lord 1 Cor. 15. 58. In the handling of this Proposition I shall first shew in what respects the Church of Christ here on earth is imperfect Secondly In what sense the Church should be continually increasing Thirdly I shall produce several Reasons for this Increase of the Church Lastly I shall give you the Vses that may be made of it I begin with the first of these and shall shew in what respects the Church of Christ here on Earth is imperfect Two things are here to be considered First The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated Secondly Those Members which actually are of the Church are imperfect the very best of them as long as they remain in this World 1. The number of the Churches Members is not yet compleated There are more still to be called out of the World and brought home to Jesus All are not gathered which the Father has designed to give him Joh. 10. 16. And other sheep I have who are not of this Fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall he one Fold and one Shepherd 1. Many 't is to be hoped who have heard the Gospel shall be converted though as yet they are not Though they have hitherto resisted the Holy Ghost yet at last they shall yield unto his Call and striving When once the day of power and the time of love is come they shall be made willing to receive a Saviour to be the Lords and to serve the Lord though now never so great an obstinacy and unwillingness is discovered Psal 110. 3. 2. Many who are in the loyns both of Believers and Unbelievers shall in due time be born and born again The Church shall never quite discontinue it may indeed sometimes be less visible but it always has a Being God will have a Seed to serve him in every future Generation Psal 22. 30. 3. The Natural Branches are to be graffed in again to their own Olive-tree Rom. 11. 24. For if thou wer 't cut out of the Olive-tree which is wild by nature and wer 't graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive-tree how much more shall these that is the Israelites which be the natural branches be graffed into their own Olive-tree Blindness in part is happened to Israel but they are still beloved for their Fathers sake and at length the veil which is upon their Hearts shall be taken away and they shall look unto him whom their Fathers crucified and be saved by him For he is the Messiah the deliverer that is come out of Sion and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob Rom. 11. 26. Now when Israel shall be added to the Christian Church how will this Church be encreased it will be a very glorious augmentation like a Resurrection from the dead Rom. 11. 15. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the World what shall the receiving of them be but life from the dead 4. The Kingdoms of the world are to become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ Rev. 11. 15. I grant this is in part already the Gentiles have been preached to and have obeyed the Gospel Christ according to the Fathers Promise has had the Heathen given to him for his Inheritance and some of the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession but we may rationally conclude after the destruction of Antichrist and the utter overthrow of his power and usurpation that many more Kingdoms of the world will submit unto the Lord Jesus and his Church hereby will have a vast increase We find Rev. 18. Babylon destroyed the Kings of the earth and the Merchants that committed Fornication with her crying Alas alas and lamenting her sudden and utter downfall The Heavens and the holy Apostles and Prophets rejoycing over her because God had avenged them upon her And then it follows Rev. 19. 12. that upon the head of Christ were many Crowns which shews the subjection of many Kings to him and v. 6. there is a voice of a great multitude as the voice of many waters and as the voice of mighty thundrings as if all the World did joyn together in saying Alleluia for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth From all this it appears that the Church as yet is incompleat and that greater numbers of Converts are to be expected and how should the Promises of the Churches enlargement in the latter dayes be thought upon with joy and how earnestly should we pray that those Promises may be accomplished 2. Those Members which actually are of the Church are imperfect the very best of them as long as they remain in this World How plainly does the Wise man speak Eccl. 7. 20. There is not a just man upon Earth that doeth good and sinneth not There is many a just man upon earth and every just man his practice is to do good but there is not one that so does good as not to be chargeable with the least evil The Apostle James that is so much for joyning good works with faith yet acknowledges in many things we offend all Jam. 3. 2. And the Apostle Paul that great Saint and Preacher speaks thus of himself and surely he would not tell a lye through abundance of humility Phil. 3. 12 13. Not as though I had already attained either were already perfect but forgetting the things which are behind and reaeching forth to those things which are before I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God The imperfection of the Saints and Members of the Church on Earth will be evident in several respects 1. The Knowledge of the Saints is imperfect He that knew as much as any sayes We know in part and prophesy in part and now we see through a glass darkly 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. David who was wiser than his enemies who had more understanding than all his Teachers than the Ancients yet prays still
12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life They that by faith receive the Lord Jesus are purified are regenerated and shall live for ever but as many as through unbelief reject him remain dead in sin and doom'd to Hell Union with Christ is a most necessary a most happy union The Churches life from this has its beginning and continuance unto consummation 2. The Head has a mighty influence upon the Body There is a powerful influence from Christ upon his Church and what good it does is done by vertue of this influence He is said to be exalted far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Eph. 4. 10. Whatever grace and strength and comfort is communicated to believers it is really and all from Christ He fills Ordinances with efficacy mercies with sweetness afflictions with light and usefulness and Souls with greater degrees of Grace and Holiness out of that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 all-fulness it has pleased the Father should dwell in him Col. 1. 19. Our Lord tells his Disciples they must abide in him for separated from him they can do nothing Joh. 15. 5. No wonder the Apostle professes That Christ is all and in all Col. 3. 11. Though the Body the Church should be never so much increased a deficiency in the Head Christ need not be feared neither is it indeed possible for in him there is all the fulness of the Godhead And consequently his Rightousness and Grace must needs be sufficient for the whole 3. The Body has many Members and these members have different Offices The Church likewise has various members and their different stations relations callings diversify their work and duties and yet the doing of these duties is both comely and advantageous and the more every one does his own work the more all are benefited Rom. 12. 45. the Apostle tells us That 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 from thence infers that All should use the gifts they have received which are differing according to the grace and good pleasure of God the Giver It would be unreasonable for the Ear to attempt to speak like the Tongue or the Hand to see like the Eye The several members have their uses and work proper to them All are not Apostles all are not Prophets all are not Teachers all are not Governours 1 Cor. 12. 29. There are many indeed most in the Church that have need to be taught and governed and those that think themselves wise enough to instruct and govern themselves and so despise their spiritual Guides usually are the most ignorant and unruly and hugely need the help and conduct of others The members must abide in their place and calling Masters Servants Parents Children Husbands Wives Magistrates Subjects Pastors People doing their duties which the Scripture in their several stations and relations calls for 4. The Body is fitly joyned and thus fitly joyned is the Church of Christ The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies that there is a congruous order among the members of Christ Without Order an Army would be a Rout and not an Army a Kingdom would become a confused self-destroying multitude The Churches God is the God of Order and not of confusion 1 Cor. 14. 33. There is a rule for Order and Government and a subordination in the Church 't is not a body of levellers if there were a perfect parity all would affect to rule none would care to be ruled The reproof of two or three is more than the reproof of one the Churches admonition and censure is still with greater authority The flock is to submit themselves â—o their Pastors who are over them in the Lord. Heb. 13. 17. and both Pastors and people are to submit especially unto Christian Magistrates who are prophetically promised in the Old Testament that they should be Nursing Fathers to the Church under the New A right Order in Churches and Families will have a mighty influence to make believers stedfast against temptations both to Error and Wickedness The Apostle rejoyced in the Colossians chap. 2. 5. when he beheld their order and the stedfastness of of their faith in Christ 5. The Body is compact together so is the Church of Christ the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shews that the Church is firmly knit unto Christ the Head and the members one unto another The hypostatical Vnion between the Natures of Christ shall never be dissolved neither shall the mystical union between him and his members and if so then his true members must needs remain closely knit together There are ligaments joynts bands whereby the Body of Christ is held together The Spirit of Grace and Love unites the body to Christ and members to members The Ministers of Christ are subservient unto this union and ought to be preaching and commending love which is a grace of an uniting nature The Apostle had a concernedness for the Colossians which he expresses by a great conflict and that which he wisht so vehemently for was this that their hearts might be comforted beingknit together in love Col. 2. 1 2. Where is the member of the natural Body that grows weary of its fellowship and is willing to be cut off The Arms the Hands the Leggs the Feet are desirous to keep their places and and nature makes them abhor to be severed True grace makes the members of the Church to dislike separation As they believe so they very well like and are desirous of the communion of Saints A very black mark is set upon them who are of a contrary inclination 1 Joh. 2. 19. They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest they were not all of us 6. God hath set the Members in the body as it pleased him the different gifts and graces which are in the Church of Christ and the members of it are according to Gods will and pleasure He bestowes larger gifts upon some and less upon others and yet those that have less are not unuseful Some Saints receive greater measures of Grace others smaller but all have that grace which is true and which at last will end in glory Some members of the Church are higher others lower and yet they should not envy or despise one another for God has assigned their place unto both the higher may direct the lower the lower may serve the higher The eye cannot say to the hand I have no need of thee nor the head to the feet I Have no need of you and those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary 1 Cor. 12. 21 22. By the grace of God the members of Christ are what they are They have nothing but what they have received and the more
extraction and born of God himself All her true members are new Creatures they are beautified with the image of God and resemble him in Knowledge Righteousness and true Holiness As Sin is the greatest deformity so Holiness is the truest beauty 't is this which makes the Angels shine nay 't is the glory of God himself Exod. 15. 11. Who is like unto thee O Lord among the Gods who is like thee glorious in Holiness How certain is it that the Righteous man is more excellent than his Neighbour Now the Church is called the Generation of the Righteous The Church is likened to a Woman because the Woman excells the man in beauty but she is such a Woman as the like is not to be found Rev. 12. 1. She is cloathed with the Sun the Moon is under her feet and upon her head a Crown not of Gold and Diamonds but better a Crown of twelve Stars What can equal this Glory of the Church All flesh is grass and all the glory of man as the flower of the field which soon withers and fades away She is said to be cloathed with the Sun because justified by Christ the Sun of Righteousness the Moon is said to be under her feet because all changeable things are below her spiritualized and raised Affections the twelve Stars which are her Crown signifie the Doctrine of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb whereby she is inlightned and brought at length to that light which is everlasting 5. The Church is a Body of great strength for this Body is strong in the Lord and in the power of his might Sinners are without strength they cannot please God they cannot profit themselves but the Churches members are strengthened with might by the Spirit in their inward man so that they can do things beyond the power of Nature they can see the invisible God they can believe against hope they can overcome and deny themselves they can wrestle with the Almighty and as Princes prevail with him they can foil the Principalities and Powers of darkness they can fight the good fight of Faith and lay hold of eternal life and all these are mighty acts indeed too great to be performed by any that are Hypocrites and ungodly The Church is most opposed and yet is most victorious and will still abide in the world notwithstanding all the worlds rage like the Immortal Regiment among the Persians that never was destroyed till the Empire was destroyed for if any Souldier was killed another presently was listed in his room This bush of the Church is unconsumed in a flame nay it has been most green and flourishing when the flame has been fiercest God has strengthened and preserved her and her preservation may be look'd upon as one of the greatest Arguments and Miracles of a Providence 6. The Church is a Body to whom the whole world is beholding It should be the joy for it is the security of the whole earth How soon would the Tares be pluck'd up bound in bundles and cast into the fire if it were not for the Wheat which grows among them Mat. 13. 29. The Church is a Friend and wishes well to Mankind 't is her Prayer that Gods way may be known on earth and his saving health among all Nations that the Kingdoms of the World may become the Kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ And like a Mother she is in travel for the conversion and salvation of a greater multitude of Souls Why should the World be angry and recompense evil for good they should all be wise at length and desire to be incorporated into the Church and be resolved to go with her for they may be well assured that God is with her Zech. 8. 23. 7. The Church is a Body that will at length by many degrees be made more glorious than 't is at present Now 't is truly sanctified 't is highly dignified but it does not yet appear what it shall be 1 Joh. 3. 2. But when Christ the Head shall appear the second time without sin to salvation what a glorious Church will appear with him Col. 3. 4. Every member will shine as the Sun in the Fathers Kngdom Mat. 13. 43. And what a glorious spectacle will that be to behold all the Saints together in a company and every one of them shining forth as the Sun and the Son of God at the head of them all How with our cries and groans and serious diligence in preparing for it should we continually be hastning the coming of that day of God! Christs Body the Church has its defects and blemishes while it sojourns here below but at the last day all the spots will be off all the wrinkles smoothed and the end of Christs death will be fully attained Now the Apostle tells us He gave himself for his Church that he might sanctify and cleanse it and present it to himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing but that it should be holy and without blemish Eph. 5. 26 27. How gorgeously apparrel'd how richly adorned how amiable and lovely will the Lamb's Bride at last be when Satan shall be quite vanquisht Death swallowed up in Victory and sin shall cease to have a being when light shall be without any darkness joy without sorrow purity without the least mixture of defilement When Christ does put the Crown of Life upon his Churches Head then that Scripture will be fully verified Cant. 4. 7. Thou art all fair my Love there is no spot in thee I come now to the Application USE I. Let the Church and all the members of it consider their relation unto Christ their Head and doe that duty which such a relation calls for They are Christ's and not Mammons they are Christs and not their own they are his purchase his Spouse nay parts and pieces and Members of him which he has bought and united to himself 'T is highly against all reason that they should seek or please themselves in a sinful and self-destroying manner Their Duty towards Christ their Lord and Head is in several Particulars 1. The Members of Christ should love him in great sinoerity The Apostle wishes that the grace of God may be with all such sincere Lovers Eph. 6. 24. Dissembled and seeming Love is really none at all and in several respects worse than none Christs Love to his Church was most real How exceeding low was his humiliation that she might be advanced how great his Sufferings for her eternal Redemption The Apostle speaks as one amazed at the height and length and depth and breadth of this love of Christ which passes knowledge Eph. 3. 18 19. And if the Head be so full of love to all the Members certainly the Members will be in the worst sence unnatural if they return not love to their Head and Saviour they should prize him most highly counting all things but loss and dung that they may win him Phil. 3. 8. They should mourn
should be continually increasing 1. This increase is for the Fathers glory the more Saints there are God is honoured by the more and the more any are Saints he has still the more glory from them The stronger the members of Christ grow their Faith in God is firmer their fear more filial they love him more with their heart and Soul and strength they walk more humbly with him all which shews what right apprehensions they have of him and that they glorifie him as God believing his presence power mercy truth and righteousness That our Lord might perswade unto fruitfulness and increase he sayes Joh. 15. 8. Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit so shall ye be my Disciples 2. This increase of the Church is for the honour of Christ the Churches Head The largeness of a Dominion and the multitude of Subjects is the honour of a Prince The more sincere Christians there are the Kingdom of our Lord is the more enlarged and He himself is magnified the more The Redeemer is glorified when the Everlasting Gospel runs when his word which is the Scepter of his Kingdom is believed and obeyed when Souls by whole multitudes come flocking to him to be justified by his blood sanctified and healed by his grace and saved to the uttermost How was Christ honoured when after the ten first Persecutions the Roman Empire submitted to the Faith the Eagle gave way to the Cross and Constantine the Great threw down his Crown at the feet of the Lamb of God Then was that Scripture signally fulfilled though a further accomplishment is still to be expected Isa 55. 5. Behold thou shalt call a Nation that thou knowest not and Nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the Lord thy God and for the Holy One of Israel for he hath glorified thee 3. In this increase of the Church the operaetion of the Spirit is very illustrious He wrought the miracles for the confirmation of the Gospel and made it at first to be entertained in the world Wherever there is true Faith it is of his bestowing Those that are regenerated are said to be born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 6. The renewing of a Soul is of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 5. All spiritual gifts all true grace all solid comforts are from the Spirit The more therefore Light is spread the more largely gifts are distributed the more plentiful communication there is of grace the more peace and joy abounds the greater is the Spirits glory The Nicene Creed calls the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord and Giver of life Quot Membrae tot Miracula So many members as Christ has so many miracles there are of the Spirits working for he has raised them all to life who were once dead in sins and trespasses as well as others 4. This Increase is for the Churches advantage therefore it should be endeavoured 'T is matter of joy and praise to Saints to behold sinners converted and sanctified to see Prodigals coming to themselves and coming home to their Fathers House to see strangers and forreigners made fellow-Citizens with the Saints and of the Houshold of God Eph. 2. 19. And when these Saints perceive that more of light is imparted to themselves and that they are filled fuller with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ to the Glory and praise of God they must needs apprehend this to be for their profit if the truest riches may be called gains and Pearls of the greatest price be of any value 5. The World is benefited by the Churches increase Not a Soul gathered out of the World but something is secured of greater value than the World If a City were on fire and burning apace to the ground the more persons are saved the more Goods are secured the greater kindness is done to that City because these Persons these Goods escape the fury of the flames Sin is ruining the World apace but all that in time come out from the World and touch not the unclean thing and are incorporated into the Church of Christ are safe as in a Sanctuary shall be delivered from the common destruction and scape the vengeance of eternal fire in which all the wicked must burn for ever 6. The Angels themselves are concerned at the increase of the Church The Apostate Ones are confounded when by all their subtilty and strength they are not able to hinder the increase of Christs Government nay that they are so over-ruled that they are made to promote his Kingdom by those very means which were designed to overthrow it And the Elect Angels are affirmed to rejoyce at the Repentance and Conversion of a Sinner Luk. 15. 10. Likewise I say unto you there is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth And if they are so glad at the Conversion of one what an accession would it be to their joy to behold thousands and millions added to the Church of Christ 'T is pleasing to the Angels to behold peace on Earth and Gods good-will expressing it self in the Salvation of Men Luk. 2. 14. and upon this account they cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Glory be to God in the highest The Application follows USE 1. Of Reproof to them that hinder the Churches increase The furtherers of it I am sure are few the hinderers many therefore the more are concerned in the Reprehension 1. Enemies without endeavour with might and main to hinder the increase of the Body of Christ They hate the light and would fain hinder it from shining they are grieved that Jesus is preached are angry as well as grieved for they are unwilling his Subjects should become numerous The World upon this account raises Persecution and how many at such a time do fall away Mat. 13. 21. Cyprian laments the pressure of that Persecution which had so wofully wasted the Flock he was over and sayes that positi erant inter plangentium ruinas timentium reliqutas inter numerosam languentium stragem exiguam stantium paucitatem L. 4. Ep. 4. Many were ruined the rest feared the Church languished and few did stand against so furious an assault We have large Martyrologies but if all Apostates were registred how vast would be the Catalogues of them 'T is well Tribulation lasts but ten dayes a short time else the World might tread the Church under But the Worlds rage is without reason against the Church of Christ which will do no harm and desires to do the World the greatest kindness 2. Hypocrites within are to be reproved for they hinder the Churches increase fitly compared to Vipers which are said to eat the bowels in which they were bred Our Lords anger is very hot and his words sharp against Hypocrites Mat. 23. 13. For they shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men they refuse to go in themselves neither suffer they them that are entring to go in They profess high but when
is hid with Christ in God Col. 3. 3. USE III. Of Advice unto the Church of Christ and all her true Members 1. Let their imperfection keep them humble There is not a Soul without a stain nor a Grace without a mixture nor a Duty without a failing nor a Saint without some sin remaining All therefore nay the very best of all have reason to be low in their own eyes The more humble we are the more our hearts are suited to our present imperfect state and the more of Gods reviving Presence notwithstanding our imperfection will be vouchsafed For thus saith the High and Lofty One who inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble Spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Isa 57. 15. 2. Let the Churches Members hunger and thirst after a greater measure of righteousness Those that to do so are blessed for they shall be filled sayes he in whom all Fulness dwells Mat. 5. 6. This is an hunger truly sacred that never ends in starving but in satisfaction We should long more for the Waters of Life the Soul should thirst more vehemently for the living God desiring to behold his glory and to be changed more fully into his glorious Image Such kind of desires widen the Souls capacity and make it meet for a larger participation both of Grace and comfort 3. Let the Church believe and long for that enlargement and glory that is promised in the latter dayes but especially to be translated unto those Mansions above which her Head is gone to prepare for her Let her long that her Warfare may be well accomplished her course faithfully finished and the Crown of Life and Righteousness received And to this end let all her Members tear the Air and pierce the Heavens with their cryes Come Lord Jesus come quickly Rev. 22. 20. Thus of the Second Proposition That the Body of Christ is imperfect in this World and therefore continually should be encreasing Proposit III. The Third Proposition follows That the Body of Christ should diligently endeavour the edifying of it self Before the Apostle had used the Metaphor of a Body now he uses another Metaphor of an Edifice or Building The Church is to edify it self but the Power to do this is from God and her Lord who acts and strengthens her in this action lays a just claim to all the glory The Church is an Edifice or an House but a Spiritual one therefore called a Temple Eph. 2. 21 22. In whom that is Christ all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord In whom you also are builded together for an habitarion of God through the Spirit This Temple is holy for God hath set apart such as are godly for himself The Stones are lively for all Saints are quickened to live to God and act for him In this Temple Sacrifices are offered but they aâ—e spiritual Prayers Praises other Duties and the Heart of him that performs them And though these Sacrifices are never so spiritual yet they are not accepted upon their own account but they are acceptable unto God througâ— Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. In the further handling of this Proposition I shall First Shew upon what foundation the Church is to Edify it self Secondly To what end this Edification must be Lastly Make Application In the first place I am to shew upon what foundation the Church is to edify it self 1. The Knowledge of God is styled a Foundation 2 Tim. 2. 19. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this Seal The Lord knoweth them that are his God has from eternity foreknown and chosen his Church in Christ that she should be holy and without blame before him in love Eph. 1. 4. This is a Foundation laid before the Foundation of the World and will endure infinitely longer than the World shall The Churches Members should give all diligence to make their calling and Election sure for if they do these things they shall never fall but an abundant entrance shall be administred to them into the everlasting Kingdom 2 Pet. 1. 10 11. Now Election is made sure by hearkening to and obeying the call of the Gospel and departing from Iniquity 2. Christ the Rock is called a Foundation 1 Cor. 3. 11. Other Foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ. Though he was set at nought by the Jewish builders yet he is the head Stone of the Corner neither is there Salvation in any other The Churches Faith must be firmer in Christ her hope in him more and more abundant and she may build without fear for the Foundation will never fail the Superstructure 2. The Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets is also styled a Foundation Eph. 2. 20. Both were inspired by the Holy Ghost and the harmony and agreement between Apostles and Prophets between the Old Testament and the New makes the Foundation more sure The Church that she may edifie her self is to eye the Scripture then she will build according to the right rule Vnwritten Traditions that would impose upon her Faith what the Scripture has not revealed are to be rejected and that light within that would lead her away from the written Word is no more to be followed than a foolish Night-fire If she has Scripture for her Faith and Practice she has good ground for both and both may be justified before the Judge of all the World 4. Obedience and good Works are called a Foundation 1 Tim. 6. 19. Laying up in store for themselves a good Foundation against the time to come that they may lay hold on Eternal life This is done by doing good by being rich in good works Though good works are not meritorious for Eternal Life is the Gift of God yet they are necessary to evidence out Faith and that the Promises may be fulfilled Glory and Immortality is promised to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for it Rom. 2. 7. He builds firm that builds his house upon a Rock and he builds thus who hears the Words of Christ and does them But he that hears and does them not is a foolish man and builds his house upon the sand and when the rain descends and the winds blow and the floods come and beat upon his house it will fall and great will be the fall of it Mat. 7. 24 25 26 27. In the second place I am to tell you to what end this Edification of the Church must be 1. The Church must Edifie it self that it may grow Stronger The stronger her Faith is the more will she Glorifie that God in whom she believes Rom. 4. 20. 't is said of Abraham He staggered not at the Promise of God through Vnbelief but was strong in Faith giving glory to God The stronger her Love the more it will constrain her to labour in
her Lords work and cast out the fear of suffering for his sake for a strong love is stronger than Death and has a most vehement flame many waters cannot quench it neither can the floods drown it Cant. 8. 6 7. 2. The Church must Edifie it self that it may become Larger Prayer should be instant and constant and pains should be taken both by Pastors and People and Godliness should be both in Form and Power that so the Mountain of the House of the Lord may be established in the top of the Mountains and exalted above the Hills and all Nations may flow unto it Isa 2. 2. 3. The Church must Edifie it self that it may become more Beautiful and Glorious The great day of the Churches publick Marriage to the Lamb is approaching how careful should she be to cleanse and adorn her self that she may be found of him in Peace without spot and blameless 2 Pet. 3. 14. This Beauty and Glory which the Church is to endeavour after and to long and hope for you have described Rev. 21. 9 10. Come hither and I will shew thee the Bride the Lambs Wife And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high Mountain and shewed me that great City the holy Jerusalem descending out of Heaven from God having the Glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious even like a Jaspar-stone clear as Chrystal the walls were high the twelve Gates were all Pearls the Street of the City was pure Gold as it were transparent glass and I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it And the City had no need of the Sun neither of the Moon to shine in it for the glory of God did lighten it and the Lamb is the light thereof What is the glory of Solomons Kingdom or Temple or of the whole World if compared with the Beauty of the new Jerusalem which the most valuable things in nature as Gold and Jewels are used to set forth but fall exceeding short of what they signifie I shall now make a brief Application USE I. It is matter of great Lamentation that the Church at present is so far from Edifying of it self that 't is doing quite the contrary 't is about to be Felo de se to destroy and to pull it self down to the ground if the God of Wisdom Love and Peace do not hinder The Poet lookt upon it as truly lamentable that the Roman State was engaged in a Civil War where there could be no Triumph after Victory that Pompey and Caesar both brave both Roman Generals should fight so eagerly so bloodily one against the other but surely 't is one of the saddest sights in the World to see the Members of the Body of Christ at variance and biting and devouring and doing that to one another which the siercest Persecution was never able to effect Alas for Wo that the Church of Christ should be militant not only because of her fighting with Enemies but because of the Discord among her own Members Suis ipsa Ecclesia viribus ruit The Church employes her own force to her own ruine Pastours are set against Pastours Saints against Saints Sermons against Sermons nay Prayers against Prayers and Sion is become like a Babel of Confusion Quis talia fando Temperet à lachrymis Well may the Prophets words be here applyed Ezek. 19. 14. This is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation USE II. Of Advice Let the Churches Edification be minded Let all study and follow the things that make for Peace and things wherewith one may Edifie another Rom. 14. 19. 'T is not below the greatest of men to put their hands to this work of Building the House of God indeed it should strenuously be set about by All Magistrates Ministers People 1. The Churches Edification is to be minded by Magistrates Their Authority should be subservient to the Authority of Him by whom they Reign Prov. 8. 15. By me Kings Reign and Princes decree Justice The Laws of Kingdoms and States should alwayes promote and encourage the Progress of the Gospel Truth and Holiness do ever deserve the countenance of Authority but sin is worthy of a frown Those Princes who are most for the Churches welfare do most consult their own If Righteousness exalts a Nation and sin be the reproach and â—â—â—ine of any People Prov. 14. 34 then the more the Church is Edified the more firmly both Throne and Kingdom are established Hezekiah his Zeal for Religion was attended with a blessed Prosperity 2 Chron. 31. 21. In every work that he began in the Service of the house of God and in the Law and in the Commandments to seek his God he did it with all his Heart and he prospered 2. The Churches Edification is to be minded by Ministers 't is their office more peculiarly to be Labourers together with God in his Husbandry and Building 1 Cor. 3. 9. They should Pray Preach Live so as to Edifie Reputation and worldly advantage are poor things Edification Edification is most truly considerable and should sound in their Ears should be upon their Hearts and endeavoured with their utmost abilities They must be blameless as the Stewards of God and faithfully dispense food to Souls They must not be Self-willed not soon Angry not given to Wine no Strikers not given to filthy Lâ—cre but lovers of Hospitality lovers of good Men Sober Just Holy Temperate Tit. 1. 7 8. Then they are like to Build the House of God indeed 3. The People also should endeavour the Edification of the Church They should by a good example provoke one another to love and good works No corrupt Communication should proceed out of their Mouths but that which is good to the use of Edifying and which may administer Grace to the hearâ—rs Eph. 4 29. They are to please one another for Edification Rom. 15. 2. And in all Reproofs let Love and a desire to Edifie be apparent in the Reprover I conclude with a few Arguments to perswade all to Edifie the Church 1. The Church of Christ is hugely out of repair the breaches are great and there is much rubbish to be removed and where there is so much work to be done the Labourers should be the greater number and the more diligent 2. While you are building his Church the Lord himself will be with you and then no matter for opposition Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the World When Nehemiah was building Jerusalem he was derided he was opposed but he was not discouraged neither did the work cease and the Enemies were forced to an acknowledgment that God was with him 3. Your labour shall not be in vain either as to success or as to reward Some good you shall do who do desire it and God takes notice how much more you would do and will reward you accordingly The Lord is too good a Master
Love to unite Christians and to make them one since divisions strike at Christ himself and harden the World in its infidelity 5. Love enlarges the Heart and frees it from the bonds of selfishness and makes its desire others welfare as well as our own Love to our Neighbour breaths forth in servent wishes that it may be well with him both in Time and to Eternity We are in every respect to consider our Brethren and true love will make us long that every way they may be benefited that they may not want any needful fecular comfort and encouragement especially that they may be blessed with all Spiritual blessings And above all that they may attain Eternal Happiness and Salvation The Apostles love vents it self in a Prayer for the Corinthians temporal prosperity and increase 2. Cor. 9. 10. Now he that mimistereth seed to the Sower both Minister brend for your food and multiply your seed sown and increase the fruits of your Righteousness So St. John writing to his beloved Gaius wishes him health and prosperity 3 Joh. 2. Beloved I wish above all things that thou mayst prosper and be in health even as thy Soul prospereth But the Apostles wishes that Souls might be sanctified and saved were most vehement and most pathetically expressed Rom. 10. 1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved Phil. 1. 8. God is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ Gal. 4. 19. My little Children of whom I travel in birth again until Christ be formed in you Behold how the Apostle loved Souls I don't wonder that he wishes his love as a blessing to the Church 1 Cor. 16. 24. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus Amen 6. Love is the fulfilling of the Law the doing of which is so much for our Neighbours benefit Rom. 13. 8. He that loveth another hath fulfilled the Law As love to God includes the whole first table of the Law so love to our Neighbour includes the second with reason 't is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the fulfilling of the Law for it causes an affectionate and obediential respect unto every Commandment of the second table and there is not one of these precepts but 't is hugely for the good of Mankind 1. Love has a regard â—o the Honour and Authority of Others That honour which is due to Natural Parents love is ready to yield They that were instrumental in giving us our very Being and that nourished us with such tenderness and care when we were not ablâ— to shift for our selves may rightfully challenge obedience from us Upon a supposition that Parents are fallen into decay that piety that Children shew them in relieving them is called a Requiting them 1 Tim. 5. 4. so that Childrens disobedience as 't is unnatural so it has a great deal of ingratitude in it Love ascends higher than our Natural Parents and reaches the very Thrones where Kings and Princes are placed Kings are Patriae Patres Fathers of their Countrey all the inhabitants of a Kingdom are the Children of the King and as a Common Father their very hearts should love and reverence him It was not a Court complement or a strain of Rhetorick but an expression of religious Loyalty when the Prophet call'd the Anointed of the Lord the breath of the peoples nostrils Lam. 4. 20. and signifies how dear his life should be unto them all Love will cause tribute and custom to be willingly paid fear and honour to be rendred Rom. 13. 7. Christian Princes according as it was prophetically promised Isa 49. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 are Ecclesiae Nutritij the Churches Nursing Fathers The Church of Christ in this world is not arrived to such matâ—uity but it stands in need of nursing the Magistrates care is needful and his Authority is a good fence unto the Christian faith And if the Doctrine of the Gospel has a legal establishment how should this endear the Supream Magistrate unto all inferiours Where Christian love reigns in the hearts of Subjects there Christian Kings will reign with greater security Love and rightly informed Conscience wherever found will do more than Rods and Axes though these are also necessary to support and defend the Civil Government 2. Love has a regard to the Lives of Others The guilt of blood is great the cry of blood is loud Murther how does it wound the Murtherers Conscience and defile the very land which receives the blood of him that is murthered Love utterly abhorrs cruelty and slaughter It considers the meekness and gentleness of Christ When James and John would by miraculous fire have consumed a Samaritan village that would not receive their Lord He rebukes them and sayes ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of for the Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives but to save them Luk. 9. 55 56. Love is so far from thirsting after blood that it will not allow of malice in the heart nay rash and causelefs anger it dislikes for that will make a man in danger of the judgment Mat. 5. 22. Were but love every where revived it would put an end to the Iron one and cause the Golden age to return Swords would be beaten into Plough-shares and Spears into Prâ—ning-Hooks and Nations would not learn Warr any more 3. Love will not violate others chastity Lust is strongly inclined to such a violation but the grace of love is of an holy and clean nature and abhorrs all obsceneness It is so far from consenting to defile anothers body that it will not allow the heart where 't is by a filthy thought or desire to be defiled for our Lord sayes Whosoever looketh on a Woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart Mat. 5. 28. Love looks upon the bodies of Christians as Members of Christ as temples of the Spirit now the Members of Christ are not to be polluted the temples of the Spirit are not to be profaned How little of true love is there in this lustful Age in this adulterous generation An affection that is indeed Christian is rarely to be found but a reprobate and brutish concupiscence is very rise both in City and Countrey though hereby both are ripening apace for vengeance Jer. 5. 7 8 9. They assembled themselves by troops in the harlots houses they were as fed Horses in the morning every one neighed after his Neighbours Wife Shall I not visit for these things saith the Lord and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nature as this 4. Love will not steal away the substance of another It abhors to be injurious to any it is for following that which is altogether just It is ready to distribute willing to communicate to the poor according to that charge 1 Tim. 6. 18. and the poorer any are it is so much the more communicative Love is liberal for he that