A guide to church-fellowship and order according to the gospel-institution wherein these following particulars are distinctly handled, I. The necessity of believers to joyn themselves in church-order, II. The subject matter of the church, III. The continuation of a church-state, and of the administration of evangelical ordinances of worship, briefly vindicated, IV. What sort of churches the disciples of Christ may and ought to joyn themselves unto as unto entire communion / by ... John Owen ...

CHAP. II. The Subject Matter of the Church. (Book 2)

THE Church may be considered eith••r as unto his Essence, Constitution and Being; or as unto its Power and Order, when it is Organized. As unto its Essence and Being, its constituent parts are its Matter and Form. These we must enquire into.

By the Matter of the Church, we un∣derstand the persons whereof the Church doth consist, with their Qualifications: And by its Form, the reason, cause and way of that kind of Relation among them, which gives them the Being of a Church, and the••ewithal an Interest in all that be∣longs unto a Church, either privilege, or pow••r, as such.

Our first Enquiry being concerning what sort of Persons our Lord Jesus Christ requireth and admitteth to be the visible Subjects of his Kingdom, we are to be re∣gulated in our Determination by respect unto his Honour, Glory, and the Holiness

of his Rule. To reckon such persons to be Subject•• of Christ, Members of his Body, such as he requires and owns, (for others are not so) who would not be tolerated, at least not approved, in a well governed Kingdom or Commonwealth of the World,* 1.1 is highly di∣shonourable unto him. But it is so come to pass, that let Men be never so notoriously and fl••gitiously wicked, until they become p••sts of the earth, yet are they esteemed to belong to the Church of Christ. And not only so, but it is thought little less than Schism to forbid them the Communi∣on of the Church in all its sacred Privi∣leges. Howbeit, the Scripture doth in general represent the Kingdom or Church of Christ, to consist of persons called Saints, separated from the World, with man•• other things of alike nature, as we shall see immediately. And if the Honour of Christ were of such weight with us as it ought to be, if we understood aright the nature and e••ds of his King∣dom, and that the peculiar Glory of it, above all the Kingdoms in the World, consists in the Holiness of its Subject••, such an Holiness as the world in its wisdom

knoweth not, we would duly consider whom we avow to belong thereunto. Those who know ought of these things, will not profess that persons openly pro∣phane, vicious, sensual, wicked and ig∣norant, are approved and owned of Christ as the Subjects of his Kingdom,* 1.2 or that it is his will that we should receive them into the Com∣munion of the Church But an old opi∣nion of the unlawfulness of separation from a Church, on the account of the mixture of wicked men in it, is made a scare-crow to frighten men from attempt∣ing the Reformation of the greatest Evils, and a covert for the composing Churches of such members only.

Some things therefore are to be premi∣sed unto what shall be offered unto the right stating of this Enquiry: As,

1. THAT if there be no more requi∣red of any as unto Personal Qualifications in a visible uncontroulable profession, to constitute them Subjects of Christs Kingdom,* 1.3 and Members of his Church, but what is required by the most righte∣ous and severe Laws of men to constitute a good Subject or Citizen, the distinction between his visible Kingdom and the

Kingdoms of the World, as unto the principal causes of it, is utterly lost. No•• all negative Qualifications, as that Men are not Oppressors, Drunkards, Re∣vilers, Swearers, Adulterers, &c. are re∣quired hereunto. But yet it is so fallen out, that generally more is required to constitute such a Citizen as shall represent the righteous Laws he liveth under, than to constitute a Member of the Church of Christ.

2. THAT whereas Re∣generation is expresly re∣quired in the Gospel,* 1.4 to give a Right and Privilege unto an entrance into the Church or Kingdom of Christ, whereby that King∣dom of his is distinguished from all other Kingdoms in and of the World, unto an Inte••est wherein never any such thing was required; it must of necessity be something better, more excellent and sub∣lime than any thing the Laws and Polities of men pretend unto or prescribe. Wherefore it cannot consist in any out∣ward Rites, easie to be observed by the worst and vilest of men, besides the Scrip∣ture gives us a description of it, in oppositi∣on unto its consisting in any such Rite, 1 Pet. 3.21. And many things re∣quired unto good Citizens, are far bet∣ter

than the meer observation of such a Rite.

Of this Regeneration bap∣tism is the Symbol, the Sign,* 1.5 Expression and Representa∣tion. Wherefore unto those who are in a due manner partakers of it, it giveth all the external Rights and Privileges which belong unto them that are Regenerate, until they come unto such Seasons, wherein the personal performance of those Duties whereon the continuation of the estate of visible Regeneration doth depend, is required of them. Herein if they fail, they lose all privilege and be∣nefit by their Baptism.

So speaks the Apostle in the case of Circumcision under the Law, Rom. 2.25. For Circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the Law; but if thou be a breaker of the Law, thy Circumcision is made uncir∣cumcision. It is so in the case of baptism. Verily it profiteth, if a man stand unto the Terms of the Covenant which is tendered therein between God and his Soul; for it will give him Right unto all the outward Privileges of a Regenerate State; but if he do not, as in the sight of God his baptism is no baptism,* 1.6 as unto the real Communication of Grace

and acceptance with him so in the sight of the Church,* 1.7 it is no baptism, as unto a participation of the external Rights and Privileges of a Regenerate state.

4. GOD alone is judge concerning this Regeneration,* 1.8 as unto its internal, real prin∣ciple and state in the Souls of men whereon the participation of all the spi∣ritual advantages of the Covenant of Grace doth depend: The Church is judge of its evidences and fruits in their exter∣nal Demonstration, as unto a participation of the outward Privileges of a Regenerate state,* 1.9 and no farther. And we shall here∣on briefly declare what belongs unto the forming of a right judgment herein, and who are to be esteemed fit Members of any Gospel Church State, or have a right so to be.

1. SUCH as from whom we are obliged to with-draw or with-hold Communion,* 1.10 can be no part of the matter con∣stituent of a Church, or are not meer Members for the first constitution of it. But such are all Habitual Sinners;

those who having prevalent habits and Inclinations unto Sins of any kind un∣mortified, do walk according unto them. Such are prophane Swearers, Drunkards, Fornicators, Covetous, Oppressors, and the like, who shall not inherit the Kingdom of God. 1 Cor. 6.9, 10.11. Phil. 3.18 19. 2 Thess. 3.6. 2 Tim. 3.5. as a man living and dying in any known Sin, that is habitually, without Repentance cannot be saved; so a man known to live in Sin, cannot regularly be received into any Church. To compose Churches of Habitual Sinners, and that either as unto Sins of Commission, or Sins of Omission, is not to erect Temples to Christ, but Chapels unto the Devil.

2. SUCH as being in the fellowship of the Church, are to be admonished of any scandalous Sin, which if they repent not of,* 1.11 they are to be cast out of the Church, are not meer Members for the Original Constitution of a Church. This is the state of them who abide Obstinate in any known Sin,* 1.12 whereby they have given Offence unto others, without a professed Repentance thereof, although they have not lived in it habitually.

3. THEY are to be such as visibly an∣swer the Description given of Gospel Churches in the Scripture, so as the Ti∣tles assigned therein unto the Members of such Churches, may on good grounds be appropriated unto them. To com∣p•••••• Churches of such Persons as do not visibly answer the character given of what they were of old, and what they were always to be by virtue of the Law of Christ o•• Gospel-contitution, is not Church Edification, but Destruction. And those who look on the things spoken of all Church Members of old, as that they were Saints by calling, lively stones in the house of God, justified and sanctified, se∣parate from the World, &c. as those which were in them, and did indeed belong unto them, but even deride the necessi∣ty of the same things in present Church Members, or the Application of them unto those who are so▪ are themselves no small part of that woful Degeneracy which Christian Religion is fallen under. Let it then be considered what is spoken of the Church of the Jews in their Dedication unto God, as unto their Typical H••lines••, with the Application of it unto Christi∣an Churches in real Holiness, 1 Pet. 2.5.9. with the Description given of them constantly in the Scripture, as Faithful,

Holy, Believing, as the House of God, as his Temple wherein he dwells by his Spirit, as the Body of Christ united and comp••cted by the communication of the Spirit unto them; as also what is said concerning their ways, walkings and du∣ties; and it will be uncontrolably evident of what sort our Church Members ought to be; nor are those of any other sort able to discharge the Duties which are incumbent on all Church-members, nor to use the Privileges they are intrusted withal. Wherefore, I say, ••o suppose Churches regularly to consist of such per∣sons for the greater part of them, as no way answer the Description given of Church-members in their Original Institution, nor cap••ble to discharge the Duties prescri∣bed unto them, but giving evidence of Habits and Actions inconsistent there∣withal, is not only to disturb all Church Order, but utterly to overthrow the Ends and Being of Churches, Nor is there any thing ••ore scandalous unto Christian Re∣ligio••, than what Bellarmine affirms to be the judgment of the Papists in opposi∣tion unto all others; namely, that no in∣ternal Vertue or Grace is required unto the Constitution of a Church in its Members. Lib. 3. d•• Eccles. cap 2.

4. THEY must be such as do make an open profession of the subjection of their Souls and Consciences unto the Authority of Christ in the Gospel,* 1.13 and their rea∣diness to yield Obedience un∣to all his Commands. This I suppose will not be de∣nied; for not only doth the Scripture make this Profession necessary unto the participation of any benefit or privi∣lege of the Gospel; but the nature of the things themselves requires indispensably that so it should be. For nothing can be more unreasonable than, that men should be taken into the privileges attending Obedience unto the Laws and Commands of Christ, without avowing or professing that Obedience. Wherefore, our Enquiry is only what is required unto such a Pro∣fession, as may render men meet to be Members of a Church, and give them a Right thereunto. For to suppose such a confession of Christian Religion to be compliant with the Gospel, which is made by many who openly live in Sin▪ being disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate, is to renounce the Gospel it self, Christ is not the High Priest of

such a Profession. I shall therefore de∣clare briefly what is necessary unto this Profession, that all may know what it is which is required unto the entrance of any into our Churches, wherein our Practice hath been sufficiently traduced.

1. THERE is required unto it a compe∣tent knowledge of Doctrines and Mystery of the Gospel, especially concerning the Person and Offices of Christ. The Confessi∣on hereof, was the ground whereon he granted the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, or all Church Power unto Believers, Matth, 16.17, 18, 19. The first Instru∣ction which he gave unto his Apostles, was, That they should teach men by the preaching of the Gospel, in the know∣ledge of the Truth revealed by him. The knowledge required in the Members of the Judaical Church, that they might be translated into the Christian, was princi∣pally, if not solely, that of his Person, and the acknowledgment of him to be the true Messiah, the Son of God. For as on their unbelief thereof their Eternal ruine did depend, as he told them, if you believe not that I am he, you shall die in your sins; so the confession of him was sufficient on their part unto their Ad∣mission into the Gospel Church State. And the Reasons of it are apparent.

With others, an Instruction in all the Mysteries of Religion, especially in those that are fundamental, is necessary unto the Profession we enquire after. So Ju∣stin Martyr tells us what pains they took in those Primitive Times, to instruct those in the Mysteries of Religion, who upon a general Conviction of its Truth, were willing to adhere unto the Professi∣on of it. And what was their Judgment herein, is sufficiently known, from the keeping a multitude in the state of Ca∣tecumens, before they would admit them into the Fellowship of the Church. They are not therefore to be blamed, they do but discharge their Duty, who refuse to receive into Church Communion such as are ignorant of the fundamental Doctrines and Mysteries of the Gospel; or if they have learned any thing of them from a form of words, yet really understand no∣thing of them. The promiscuous driving of all sorts of persons who have been baptized in their Infancy, unto a parti∣cipation of all Church privileges, is a profanation of the holy Institutions of Christ. This knowledge therefore be∣longing unto profession is it self to be professed.

2. THERE is required unto it a pro∣fessed subjection of Soul and Conscience unto

the Authority of Christ in the Church, Matth. 28.18, 19, 20. 2 Cor. 8.5. This in general is performed by all that are Baptized when they are Adult, as being by their own actual consent baptized in the Name of Christ. And it is required of all them who are baptized in their Infancy, when they are able with Faith and Understanding to profess their con∣sent un••o, and abiding in that Covenant whereinto they were initiated.

3. An Instruction in, and consent unto the Doctrine of Self-denial and bearing of the Cross,* 1.14 in a particular manner: For this is made indi∣spensably necessary by our Saviour himself, unto all that will be his Disci∣ples. And it hath been a great disad∣vantage unto the Glory of Christian Reli∣gion, that men have not been more and better instructed therein. It is common∣ly thought, that who ever will, may be a Christian at an easie rate, it will cost him nothing. But the Gospel gives us another account of these things. For it not only warns us, that Reproaches, Hatred, Sufferings of all sorts, oft-times to Death it self, are the common lot of

all its Professors, who will live godly in Christ Jesus; but also requires, that at our initiation into the Profession of it, we consider aright the dread of them all, and engage cheerfully to undergo them. Hence, in the Primitive Times, whilst all sorts of miseries were continu∣ally, presented unto them who embraced the Christian Religion, their willing en∣gagement to undergo them, who were converted, was a firm evidence of the sincerity of their Faith, as it ought to be unto us also in times of Difficulty and Persecution. Some may suppose that the Faith and Confession of this Doctrine of Self-denial and readiness for the Cross, is of use only in time of Persecution, and so doth not belong unto them who have continually the countenance and favour of publick Authority. I say, it is, at least as they judge, well for them; with others it is not so, whose outward state makes the publick avowing of this Duty indispensably necessary unto them: And I may add it as my own thoughts, (though they are not my own alone) That not∣withstanding all the Countenance that is given unto any Church by the publick Magistracy, yet whilst we are in this World, those who will faithfully dis∣charge their Duty, as Ministers of the

Gospel especially, shall have need to be prepared for sufferings. To escape suf∣ferings, and enjoy worldly advantages by sinful compliances, or bearing with men in their Sins, is no Gospel Direction.

4, Conviction and Confession of Sin, with the way of deliverance by Jesus Christ, is that answer of a good Conscience, that is re∣quired in the Baptism of them that are Adult. 1 Pet. 3.

5. Unto this Profession is required the constant perfor∣mance of all known Duties of Religion,* 1.15 both of Piety in the publick and private Worship of God, as also of Charity with respect unto others. Shew me thy Faith by thy Works.

6. A careful Abstinence from all known Sins, giving scandal or offence, either unto the World, or unto the Church of God. And the Gospel re∣quires,* 1.16 that this Confessi∣on be made (with the Mouth Confession is made unto Salvation) against (1.) Fear, (2.) Shame, (3.) The Course of the World, (4.) The Opposition of all Enemies what∣ever.

Hence it appears, that there are none excluded from an Entrance into the Church State, but such as are either,

(1.) grosly Ignorant, or, (2.) Persecutors, or reproachers of those that are good, or of the ways of God wherein they walk; or, (3.) Idolaters; or, (4.) Men scandalous in their Lives in the Commissi∣on of Sins, or Omission of Duties, thro' vitious Habits or Inclinations; or, (5.) such as would partake of Gospel Privi∣leges and Ordinances, yet openly avow that they will not submit unto the Law and Commands of Christ in the Gospel, concerning whom, and the like, the Scripture Rule is peremptory; From such turn away.

And herein we are remote from ex∣ceeding the example and care of the Primitive Churches. Yea, there are but few, if any, that arrive unto it. Their endeavour was to Preach unto all they could, and rejoiced in the multitudes that came to hear the Word. But if any did essay to join themselves unto the Church, their diligence in their Exami∣nation and Instruction, their severe En∣quiries into their Conversation, their disposing of them for a long time into a state of Expectation for their Trial, be∣fore their Admittance, were remarkable. And some of the Ancients complain, that their promiscuous Admittance of all sorts of persons that would profess the

Christian Religion, into Church Member∣ship, which took place af••erwards, ruined all the Beauty, Order and Discipline of the Church.

The things ascribed unto those who are to be esteemed the proper Subject Matter of a Visible Church, are such as in the judgment of Charity entitles them unto all the Appellations of Saints, Called, Sancti∣fied, that is Visibly and by P••ofession, which are given unto the Members of all the Churches in the New Testament, and which must be answered in those who are admit∣ted into that Priledge, if we do not wholly neglect our only Patterns. By these things, although they should any of them, not be real living Members of the Mystical Body of Christ, unto whom he is an Head of spi∣ritual and vital influance; yet are they meer Members of that Body of Christ un∣to which he is an Head of Rule and Gove••n∣ment; as also meer to be estee••ed Su••jects of his Kingdom. And none are excluded but such, as concerning whom Rules are given, either to withdraw from them, or to cast them ••ut of Church Society, or are expresly excluded by God himself from any share in the Prieiledges of his Co∣venant, Psal. 50.16, 17. But unto the Wick∣ed God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my Statutes, or that thou shouldest take my

Covenant in thy Mouth? Seeing thou hatest in∣struction, and castest my w••rds behind thee.

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• I. The Subject Matter of the Church.
• II. Formal Cause of a particular Church.
• III. Of the Polity unto, or Discipline of the Church in General.
• IV. The Officers of the Church.
• V. The Duty of Pastors of Churches.
• VI. The Office of Teachers in the Church.
• VII. Of the Rule of the Church, or of Ruling Elders.
• VIII. The Nature of the Polity or Rule, with the Duty of Elders.
• IX. Of Deacons.
• X. Excommunication.
• XI. Of the Communion of Churches.

Sold at the Bible in Newgate-street, by William Marshal.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 15.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Psal. 24.3, 4. Psal. 93.5. 2 Cor. 8.23. Ephes. 5.27.
• * 1.2

  2 Tim. 3.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
• * 1.3

  Ezek. 22.26.
• * 1.4

  Joh. 3.3. Tit. 3.3, 4, 5.
• * 1.5

  Joh. 3.5. Act. 2.38. 1 Pet. 3.21.
• * 1.6

  Phil. 3.18, 19.
• * 1.7

  Tit. 1.15, 16.
• * 1.8

  Act. 15.••8. Rev. 2.23.
• * 1.9

  Act. 8.13.
• * 1.10

  1 Cor. 6.9, 10, 11. Phil. 3.18, 19. 2 Thes. 3, 6. 2 Tim. 3.5. Rom. 9, 6, 7. Tit. 1.16.
• * 1.11

  Mat. 18.16, 17, 18.
• * 1.12

  1 Cor. 5.11.
• * 1.13

  Rom. 10.10. 2 Cor. 8.5. Chap. 9.13. Matth. 10.32, 33. Luke 9.16. 2 Tim. 2.12. Rom. 15.9. Joh. 12.42. 1 Joh. 4.2, 3, 15.
• * 1.14

  Matth. 10.37, 38, 39. Mar. 8.34.38. Luk. 9.23. Phil. 3.18. Act. 4.10, 11, 20. Act. 24.14.
• * 1.15

  Matth. 28.19, 20.
• * 1.16

  1 Cor. 10.32. Phil. 1.10.