BOOK VII.
OF THE COVENANT SOCIETY, FOR ERECTING OF WHICH, AND TO WHICH, THE COVENANT IS DISPENSED.
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CHAPTER 1
Of the Nature, Formation, and Fellowship of the Christian Church.
Having elsewhere exhibited a representation of the typical church of the Old Testament, and its ordinances, our present hints shall immediately respect the New Testament church. The Greek word ecclesia, which we render church, denotes any assembly met about business, whether lawful or unlawful, Acts 19:32-39. But, when it respects the objects of the new covenant, it denotes, 1. The whole body of the elect considered in their relation to Christ, those on earth being called the militant, and those in heaven the triumphant church, Eph 1:22; Eph 5:25; Matt 16:18; Heb 12:23. 2. All those men and women in this world who profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him, and their children, 1 Tim 3:15; Eph 4:11-12; 1 Cor 12:12-13,28. 3. Some particular assemblies of the worshippers of God in Christ united together in special fellowship for their own mutual edification, and subjected to their respective governors, Acts 8:1; Acts 15:41; Acts 20:17; Rev 1:11,20; Rev 2:1,7-8,11-12,17-18,29; Rev 3:1,6-7,13-14,22; 2 Cor 1:1; Gal 1:13,22; 1 Thess 1:1. 4. A particular congregation of persons professing faith in Christ, love to him, and regard to his ordinances as distinguished from their spiritual governors, Acts 14:23. 5. A particular assembly of the professed followers of Christ that ordinarily meet in one place for the dispensation of gospel ordinances, their rulers being among them, Acts 9:31; Acts 15:41; 2 Cor 8:1; Gal 1:2,22; Titus 1:5; 1 Cor 14:34; Acts 20:7; Col 4:15; Rom 16:5; Philem 2. 6. A meeting of church rulers constituted in Christ's name, for ordering of the affairs under their charge, which is often called a church representative, Matt 18:17; Acts 15:3; Acts 18:22; Acts 21:20.
The church being founded upon revelation alone, ought to be wholly regulated by the measuring reed, and the line of God's word, Eph 2:20; Ezek 43:11-12; Heb 8:5; Rev 11:1; Rev 21; Ezek 40-48.—The visible church on earth is a society of believing and holy persons, whom God, by the gospel, has called from among mankind, to fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ, 1 Cor 12:12; Acts 2:41,47; Heb 3:1,6; 1 Cor 1:9; 1 Cor 12:6-28; Eph 2:19-22; Col 1:13; 1 Pet 2:5,9.—This society is, 1. Holy, Heb 3:1; John 3:3,5; Eph 2:21; Ezek 43:12; 1 Pet 2:9. 2. Spiritual, formed by the Holy Ghost,—through, and for, ordinances and services of a spiritual nature,—and of men made spiritual,—blessed with spiritual blessings,—living on spiritual provision, and built up a spiritual house for God, Eph 2:22; 2 Cor 10:3-5; John 6:63; 1 Cor 2:15; 1 Cor 10:3; Eph 1:3; John 6:27-57; Rev 2:17; 1 Pet 2:5. 3. Independent of all human wisdom and authority, Isa 33:22; Matt 23:8-10; Ps 2:6; Heb 3:1. 4. Orderly, 1 Cor 12; 1 Cor 14. 5. Visible, Matt 7:16,20; Matt 18:15-17.
Real saintship is not the distinguishing criterion of the members of this visible church on earth. None, indeed, without it, can honestly offer themselves to church-fellowship. But, for the mere want of it, they cannot be refused admission. 1. God alone can judge men's heart. Deceivers can counterfeit saintship, and often believers doubt of, or deny their real grace, 1 Sam 16:7; Rev 2:23. 2. God himself admitted many whose hearts were unsanctified, as members of the Jewish church, Deut 29:3-4,13; John 6:70. 3. John Baptist and the Apostles, in order to baptism, required no more than outward appearances of faith and repentance, Matt 3:5,7; Acts 2:38; Acts 5:1-10; Acts 8:13-23. 4. Many that were admitted members in the churches of Judea, Corinth, Philippi, Laodicea, Sardis, etc. were unregenerated, Acts 5:1-10; Acts 8:13-23; 1 Cor 5; 1 Cor 11; 1 Cor 15; Phil 3:18-19; Rev 3:5,15-17. 5. Christ compares the gospel church to a floor, on which corn and chaff are mingled together;—to a net, in which good and bad fishes are inclosed;—to a field, in which tares grow up with the wheat, Matt 3:12; Matt 13:24,47.
But in order to their being received into church-fellowship, it is necessary that men profess their faith in Christ and obedience to him, and be apparently holy. 1. They must manifest no prevailing inclination to any kind of wickedness, 1 Cor 6:9-11; 1 Cor 5:11; 2 Tim 3:2-5. 2. They must have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and manifest a readiness to receive Christian reproof from neighbours or church rulers, Matt 18:15-17; Lev 19:17; Prov 29:1.
3. Having received the knowledge of the truths of God revealed in his word, they must profess to esteem and love them, Eph 1:1; Acts 8:12; James 2:14-26. 4. In consistency with the habitual tenor of their practice, they must make an open and judicious profession of the subjection of their conscience to the authority of Christ in the gospel, and of their readiness to yield obedience to all his institutions, Ps 15; Ps 24:3-5; Isa 33:15-16; Heb 3:1; Titus 2:11-13; Rom 10:9-10; 2 Tim 2:19.
The end of such persons uniting in church-fellowship ought to be, 1. The maintaining and exhibiting a system of sound principles, 2 Tim 1:13; 2 Tim 3:14; 1 Tim 6:3-4; Rom 6:17; 1 Cor 8:5-6; Eph 4:21; Col 2:2; Rev 2:13-15,20; Rev 3:2-3,10,15-16; Gal 1:6; Prov 23:23; Heb 2:1. 2. The maintaining the ordinances of gospel-worship in their purity and simplicity, Deut 12:31-32; Rom 15:6. 3. The impartial exercise of church-government and discipline, Heb 12:15; Heb 10:24-25; Gal 6:1; 2 Tim 2:24-26; 2 Tim 4:2; Titus 3:10; 1 Cor 5; 1 Tim 5:20-22; James 3:17; James 2:1-10; Rev 2. 4. The maintaining and promoting holiness in all manner of conversation, Phil 1:27; Phil 2:15-16; 2 Pet 3:11; Mic 6:8; 2 Cor 7:1,10-11; Titus 2:10-14; Titus 3:8,14; Phil 4:8.
The embracement or profession of nothing but what is really divine truth, and tends to promote peace and holiness, and order, ought ever to be made a term of admission to church-fellowship, 2 Cor 13:8; 1 Cor 13:6; 1 Cor 14:32,40; 1 John 2:23; 2 John 9; Rom 14:19; Heb 12:12-14; Ps 93:5; Ezek 43:10,12.—The forming church-connections upon this ground consists in mutual, judicious, and candid covenanting, express or implicit, with or without an oath, to make a joint profession of the faith of the gospel, 1 Tim 6:3-4; Jude 3,20; Phil 1:27; Col 2:2; and to walk together, each in his station, in the order of the gospel, as becomes saints, Rom 15:5-7; Eph 2:12-22; Eph 4:1; 2 Cor 8:5; Phil 1:27; Col 1:10-11. This plainly appears, 1. From the inspired representations of the Church, as a body, Rom 12:4-5; an house, Eph 2:19-22; a city, Heb 12:22; a kingdom, Col 1:13; a nation, 1 Pet 2:9. 2. An entering into church fellowship is called a joining to the Lord, and being added to the church, 1 Cor 6:17; Acts 2:47; Acts 5:3,14; and continuance in it is called a standing fast in one spirit, and striving together, Phil 1:27. 3. This connection is represented as a marriage, Isa 56:4; Isa 62:5. 4. None are subjects of church government, unless they be within her communion, 1 Cor 5:12; 2 Cor 6:14-16; Matt 11:29. 5. Such covenanting is requisite to found that intimate fellowship which subsists in the church, Eph 4:1-6. 6. The general use of Creeds and Confessions of faith, in
all the Christian churches for 1700 years past, is a strong, though subordinate argument in its favour.
The union and communion of the Christian church is of great importance.—True believers being, by the inviolable bonds of the Spirit and faith, connected with Christ as their head, and with their fellow-saints as one with him, there can be no schism in, or separation from his invisible church, or mystical body, 1 Cor 12:25-27; Eph 5:30; 1 John 3:14.—The members of the catholic visible church on earth, which comprehends all those in the world who profess the true religion, and their children, are united in their acknowledgment of Christ as their one Head,—profession of the same fundamental truths,—and practice of the same principal holy duties, 1 Cor 1:2; Eph 4:3-6; Luke 9:49-50.—Members of particular churches are united by a joint profession of adherence to the same faith and order of the gospel, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, Acts 2:41; Eph 4:6; Acts 4:32; Rom 15:5-7.
Christian fellowship consists in church-members' conjunction in faith and practice, and joint walking in all the ordinances of God's worship and service, for their mutual comfort and welfare in every thing pertaining to vital, powerful, and sincere religion.—In order to maintain this Christian fellowship, I. Personal holiness and devotion, attended with purity and uprightness of conversation, must be carefully studied, Titus 2:10-14; Titus 3:8,14; 2 Cor 1:12; Acts 24:16; 1 Tim 4:8; 1 Tim 6:11-12; 2 Tim 2:22; Phil 4:8. II. As families regularly managed are a representation of churches,—religion, with respect to instruction, worship, discipline, order, and edifying example, ought to be carefully promoted in them. 1. The light of nature represents family religion as a just debt due to God,—and as the chief end of the erection of families, and of great advantage to all in them: And hence the heathens had their household gods. 2. God has expressly commanded such diligence in family religion, Col 4:2; 1 Pet 3:7; Eph 6:18. 3. It is recommended by the approved example of many saints, Gen 18:18-19; Job 1:5; Josh 24:15; 2 Sam 6:20; Rom 16:5; 1 Cor 16:19; Col 4:15; Acts 10:2. 4. Many are the advantages which attend it, and the evils which follow the neglect of it, Ps 30; Ps 101; Jer 10:25.—It is therefore mournful, that by their regular constitution of families through marriages not in the Lord, Deut 7:3; 2 Cor 6:14; 1 Cor 7:39; by the neglect or frequent omission of family religion at the first erection of families,—by sinful bashfulness in the heads of them,—by their want of zeal for God,—or by their immoderate inclination to company, or hurry of worldly business,—family worship, and its proper attendants, are so much neglected. III. Christians ought to join in private societies for prayer and spiritual conference.
1. The relations of saints to one another require this, Eph 2:19; Phil 2:25; Rev 6:11; Gal 6:16; Rom 8:17; Matt 23:8,10; 1 Cor 12:12; Rom 12:5. 2. God is much pleased with such social meetings, Mal 3:16-17. 3. The Scripture much recommends them, Eccles 4:9-12; Gal 6:2; Matt 8:19-20; Col 3:16; Heb 3:13; Heb 10:24-25. 4. In Scripture there are approved examples of such meetings, Ps 55:13-14; Song 1:7-8; Dan 2:17-18; Esther 4:16; John 20:19,26; Acts 16:13. 5. Such social meetings are of great use, if rightly managed,—for promoting the knowledge of divine truths, Col 3:16; Ps 111:2;—and Christian sympathy, Gal 6:2; Rom 12:15;—for mutual encouragement and confirmation of one another in the way of holiness, Heb 10:24-25; Esther 4:15-16; Heb 3:13;—for mutual communication of one another's gifts and experiences, 1 Pet 4:10-11; Ps 66:16;—for promoting mutual watchfulness over, and admonishing one another, 1 Thess 5:14; Heb 3:13;—for invigorating their mutual prayers and praises, Matt 18:19-20;—for recommending religion to others, Matt 5:16; Phil 2:15-16;—for anticipating the delightful fellowship of the saints in heaven, Heb 12:22;—and for shaming the wicked from their social meetings for carnal conversation, drunkenness, idle diversion, etc.
The duties of church fellowship are, 1. Earnest study to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Eph 4:3; Phil 2:2-3; Phil 3:15-16. 2. Bearing one another's burdens, Gal 6:1-2. 3. Earnest and constant endeavouring to prevent all occasion of stumbling; 1 Cor 10:32-33; 1 Cor 11:1; Rom 14:13; 1 Pet 3:15-16; John 3:21; Phil 2:15-16; James 2:18; James 5:16; Matt 18:15-17; Lev 19:17. 4. Stedfast continuance in the faith and worship of the gospel with one another, Acts 2:42; Phil 1:27; Phil 4:1; 1 Cor 11:2; Heb 10:25; Song 1:8; Prov 8:34; Prov 9:5. 5. Strict and conscientious fulfilment of relative duties, which mightily tends to promote order in the church, 1 Cor 7:24,39; 1 Pet 3:7; 1 Tim 5:1-3; Eph 5:22,25; Eph 6:1-9; 2 Sam 23:3; Rom 13:1-7; Heb 13:7,16-17; 1 Tim 5:17; Acts 6:1-3; Rom 12:6-16; Phil 2:3-4.—These duties are inculcated upon us, 1. By the light of nature rightly understood. 2. By the word of God, Eph 4:1-6; Ps 122; Ps 133; Song 1:7-9; Phil 1:27; Heb 10:25. 3. Instead of being needless, selfish, or hurtful, as some pretend, such fellowship prevents much mischief, and produces much good. 1. It encourages particular Christians boldly to profess and practise their religion. 2. Hereby multitudes are instructed at once, and devotion is excited and prayers rendered more prevalent. 3. Every one being a pattern, guide, monitor, and
reprover to another, apostacy and sinful stumbling are much prevented. 4. Christians thus mutually connected and acquainted, can better assist one another in duty. 5. It fits us for the heavenly fellowship of angels and saints. 6. Hereby we much glorify Christ, and God in him, as our God, John 17:11,21,23.
It is chiefly with respect to the union and communion of Christians in particular churches, that schism in the church, or separation from it, takes place. Schism is properly an uncharitableness and alienation of affection among church members, who, in the main, continue in church fellowship with one another, 1 Cor 1:10,12; 1 Cor 11:18; 1 Cor 12:15. Or, it consists in church members carrying on their religious disputes with sinful eagerness and want of Christian affection to one another, 2 Cor 12:20. It proceeds from pride, self-love, jealousy, hatred, evil speaking, etc. James 4:1. It ought to be prevented by self-denial, taking up our cross and exact following Christ, Matt 16:24; Phil 2:1-5; 2 Cor 13:11; Rom 14:19; Rom 15:5-7; Rom 16:17-18; Acts 4:32; Eph 4:31-32; Eph 5:1-2; Matt 18:21; Mark 11:25-26; Rom 14:13; Rom 15:12; 1 Cor 13:4-7; Gal 6:1-2; Rom 6:3-5; 2 Tim 2:16-17,22-24; Titus 3:9; 1 John 4:1.
There can be no separation from the Catholic church without abandoning the fundamental principles and practices of true religion, and so becoming no Christian at all. But separation from a particular church is a schism in the Catholic church, and is sinful, when members separate from the communion of a church, the prevailing part of which appear candidly to endeavour conformity to that system of faith and practice which Christ has, by his word, fixed as a standard of church fellowship, Jude 19. 2. When the prevailing part of a church make any addition to, or alteration of the scriptural system of faith, worship, discipline, or government, an essential condition of fellowship with them: In this case, the prevailing party are the real separatists, and they who are obliged to withdraw from their communion rather than sin, are the true adherents to the church, cleaving to her constitutional laws, and only forbearing fellowship with offending brethren in public and sealing ordinances, in so far as is consistent with an adherence unto the laws of Christ.
As an individual person, obstinate in notorious wickedness, ought to be cast out from church fellowship: So it is only when the prevailing part of a church become obstinate in notorious apostacy from attained reformation in doctrine, worship, discipline, or government, that a separation from a particular church can be lawful. The churches of Corinth,
Galatia, Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Laodicea, etc. which were tainted with several corruptions, not having become obstinate therein, the Lord enjoins no separation from them, 1 Cor 1; 1 Cor 3; 1 Cor 5; 1 Cor 8; 1 Cor 10-11; 1 Cor 14-15; Gal 1:6; Gal 3:1; Gal 4:11; Gal 5:7; Rev 2-3.—This obstinacy is manifested in a continued disregard of the faith, obedience, and fellowship of the gospel, which had been formerly embraced; and in an incorrigible refusing reproof dutifully offered, which is often attended with severity of edicts, or censures against the modest but faithful remonstrants.—Or, separation from a particular church becomes necessary when we cannot continue in her public fellowship without complying with something sinful as it is circumstantiated, or omitting some necessary duty.—In such a case, the sin of separation is only chargeable upon them that have occasioned the withdrawment, except in so far as the withdrawers mismanage the manner of their conduct.
Schism, properly so called, and separation on insufficient grounds, or forcing others from church fellowship, by making any term of it in any respect sinful, is an horrible scandal and crime. 1. Jesus Christ died, intercedes, and bestows his Spirit and grace, in order to promote the unity and peace of his church, Eph 1:10; Eph 2:15-16; Col 1:20; John 14:16-17,27; John 17:21,23; Jer 32:39-40; Ezek 11:19; Ezek 37:15-27. 2. God much commands and urges the promoting peace and unity in his church, Rom 12:9-10,16,18; Rom 15:1-6; Rom 14; Rom 16:17-18; 1 Cor 1:10; 2 Cor 13:11; Eph 4:2-6,23,31-32; Eph 5:1-2,30; Phil 1:27; Phil 2:1-5; Phil 4:2; Col 2:2; Col 3:12-15; 1 Thess 5:13-14; Ps 122; Ps 133; Zech 8:19. 3. Schism and sinful separation spring from base lusts, and are very dishonouring to God and hurtful to men, Prov 13:10; Prov 15:1; Prov 10:12 James 4:1; James 3:15-16; 1 Cor 3:1-4; Mark 3:24; Rom 15:1-2; Rom 14:19; Jude 19; Isa 65:5; Isa 66:5.
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