Ecclesia enucleata: The temple opened: Or, A clear demonstration of the true gospel-church in its nature and consitution, according to the true doctrine and practice of Christ and his apostles. By I.C.

CHAP. VII. Of a Particular Church.

I come in the next place to shew what the word Church impor∣teth in all other Texts of the New Testament, were it is used, not yet mentioned, which is far the great∣er part.

And to make it evident, that no other Church is by them intended then such an one which is describ∣ed in the 19th Article of the Church of England, viz. A Church is a Congregation of Faithful Men, where the pure Word of God is Preached, and the Sacraments duly Admini∣stred, according to Gods holy Ordi∣nances;

which can have no other understanding, then that of a Par∣ticular Church. I need not descant upon it, it carryes so much plain∣ness and correspondency to the ge∣nuine sence of a Church in all pla∣ces of the Gospel, where a parti∣cular Church is intended, that there is no room for exception.

The first Text is, Mat. 18.17. Tell the Church, which is the parti∣cular Congregation of faithful men, &c. Its nonsence to suppose that a National or Provincial Church is here meant; that upon every offence between brother and brother, an address must be made to a Council, Synod, Arch∣bishop or Bishop; and where have we Counsels or Synods, or Pastors called Churches in any place of the New Testament? If any man pre∣••end to object that our Saviour here ••ntended the Church of the Jews; ••nd that to tell the Church, was to

tell the Sanhedrim: Let such an one give one instance, that the Sanhedrim is called the Church in Old or New Testament; I am sure not in the New: neither is it rational to suppose that our Saviour gave here Rules for the Oeconomy of the Jewish Church, which was so soon after to be dissolved as to its whole constitution, our Saviour ne∣ver intending the erection of a National Church more.

2. The next Texts are Acts 2.47. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved. This was without dispute a particular Congregation, for there was as yet but that one, which was that CXX which Christ left together at his Ascention. This was the Congre∣gation of the Faithful which was added to; which is the same Church that was spoken of, Acts 5.11. Fear fell upon all the Church, or Congrega∣tion

of the Faithful. The first mul∣tiplying of Churches, was occasi∣oned by Sauls Persecution, after the stoning of Stephen; scattering a great part of this Congregation, now grown too big for one: Acts 8.1, 3. There was a great Persecuti∣on against the Church which was at Jerusalem; against this Church in particular, Sauls Persecution was breathed, which he mentions after∣ward, 1 Cor. 15.9. Gal. 1.13. Phil. 3.6. after which he continues to breath out threatnings and slaugh∣ter, and assay's to pursue them to Damascus, and other places, Acts 9.1. near which place Christ stops his Career.

But notwitstanding this scatter∣ing, which God turn'd to the ad∣vantage of the Gospel, and encrease of Churches, by the Preaching of Philip and other scattered brethren, so that as chap. 8. and 11. ver. 19. and in ver. 21. The hand of the Lord

was with them, and a great number were added to the Lord: So that in Judea, the Churches of Samaria, and Galilee, were gathered, Acts 9.31. It appears also the Body of that Jeru∣salem-Church still remained, & ty∣dings coming to them of the mar∣vellous success of the Ministry of the scattered Disciples, they sent forth Barnabas, Acts 11.22: Then tyd∣ings of these things came to the ears of the Church which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas that he should go as far as Anti∣och, &c. ver. 25. from thence he departed to Tarsus to seek Saul, ver. 26. And when he had found him he brought him to Antioch, and it came to pass, that a whole year they Assem∣bled themselves with the Church, and taught much people, i. e. besides the Churches, this is the First Gospel-Church of the Gentiles we read of. Now that this was a Congre∣gation

of the Faithful, converted first by the Ministry of the Scat∣tered, it appears in that Barnabas first fell upon confirming work, v. 23. When he came and had seen the Grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all that with purpose ••f heart they would cleave unto the Lord; and by his further labours the Church was encreased, v. 24. and much people were added unto the Lord; though I will not deny, this expression may intend his first forming them into a Church, be∣fore the coming of Saul, after which we are assured it was a Formed Church separated from the rest of the people of Antioch, yea, from many that were frequent hearers of the Word, as appears verse 26.

After this a second Persecution ariseth against the Church of Jerusalem, Act. 12.1. Now about that time Herod the King stretch∣ed

forth his hands to vex certain of the Church, and killed James, and imprisoned Peter; for whom Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him; verse 5, 12. viz. Assembled in a private Meeting.

Chap 13.1. We have an Ac∣count of Certain Prophets in the Church of Antioch, a sort of extra∣ordinary Officers in the Primitive Churches, mentioned next after Apostles, Eph. 4.11. These were charged by the Holy Ghost to set apart Barnabas and Saul to the work whereunto he had called them, which being sent forth, they went their Progress to Seleucia, Cy∣prus, Salamis, Paphos, Perga in Pam∣philia, and from thence to Anti∣och in Pisidia, chap. 13. verse 14. there Paul preached in the Syna∣gogue with great acceptation of the Proselyte Gentiles, who assem∣bled to hear the next Sabbath from

all parts of the City; but the Jews contradicting and blaspheming, they declare the rejection of the Jews, and there turn to the Gentiles, ver. 46, 47. Being Persecuted from this Antioch they came to Iconium, to the great joy of the Disciples, verse 51, 52. Here they Preached with suc∣cess, chap. 14.1. but were opposed by the Unbelieving Jews, and Per∣secuted to Lystra & Derbe, verse 20. Cityes of Lycaonia: At Lystra cured the Cripple, and like to be wor∣shipped for Gods; but the Jews from Antioch and Iconium change the Scene, ver. 19. and Paul was stoned; but recovered, departed to Derbe, and after Preaching there, returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia, confirm∣ing the Disciples, verse 22, 23. ordaining Elders in e∣very Church. These Church∣es of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, were gathered at the A∣postles

first coming, and at their re∣turn to confirm them, they ordai∣ned Elders in them. These were not National Churches; Antioch was of the Region of Pisidia; nor was the whole limit of any of these places of the Church, but a few of each that were wrought upon by, and submitted to their Mini∣stry. From Pisidia, they came to the Province of Pamphilia, ver. 24. where they Preached at Perga, went to Attalia, and thence sailed to the first Antioch, where these two Apostles, so called ver. 14. were Ordained, and from whence they were sent to this Apostolick work of gathering Churches, and setling Elders in them; here they give the Church of Antioch an ac∣count of what God had done by them, in opening a door of faith unto the Gentiles, verse 27. and abode there a long time. During, their abode there, disturbance was

raised by some men that came from Judea, and taught the necessity of circumcision, chap. 15.1, 2, 3. where∣upon the Apostles and certain o∣thers were sent to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem about this que∣stion, and were brought on their way by the Church, verse 3. I suppose none can conjecture that here was any Church besides a Congrega∣tion of Faithful; no House-church, that could bring the Apostles on their way; no National or Provin∣cial Church; it's not to be suppo∣sed, that all the Province or City of Antioch accompanied them, but only those few that were gathered into a Church; and they not ta∣ken all in one Parish or Precinct of the City, but here and there, as it pleased God by his Grace to work. When they came, verse 4. to Je∣rusalem, they were received by the Church, Apostles and Elders, where the question was determined, verse

22. and return made (with the resolves of the Apostles and Church of Jerusalem) to Antioch, and staying some time there, confirmed the Disciples. But some days af∣ter Paul and Barnabas agreeing to depart to revisit the Cities where they Preached, they disagreed a∣bout taking John Mark, and so parted; Paul then took Silas, and went through Syria and Cilicia, Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus; places where they had been, verse 36, 37. confirming the Churches, v. 41. I shall proceed no further in these two Apostles travells; this being enough to shew what sort of Churches were first planted by them; and to shew where any mention is made of Church, and that's but in two places more in the Acts, Acts 18.22. After he had Landed at Cesarea, and went up and saluted the Church, he went

down to Antioch, and chap. 20.17. from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the Elders of the Church, and charged them, v. 28. Take heed therefore to your selves, and to all the Fl••ck, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his Blood.

Now what were these but such Congregations that accompany∣ed the Apostles, that was saluted by them; that they confirmed, and were purchased by Christs blood; is it sence to think they were Hou∣ses, or whole Nations, or Provin∣ces, or Cities? no they were those faithful ones, who being gathered into particular Congregations by the Mi∣nistry first of the Prophets, (i. e. the scattered Brethren from Jerusalem) were setled and con∣firmed by the Apostles, who Or∣dained Officers respectively a∣mong them.

I proceed in the next place to the Churches to whom the seve∣ral Epistles were wrote.

We read not the word Church in any part of the Epistles to the Romans, but in the 16th chapter, and there referring to other Churches, as verse 1. he speaks of Phebe a Deaconess of the Church at Cenchrea, and verse 4: mentions all the Churches of the Gentiles, verse 5. salutes the Church in Aquila's house, vers. 16. The Churches of Christ salute you. Though we have reason enough to believe that there was at this time a constituted Church at Rome, be∣cause first he writes to them as be∣loved of God, and called to be Saints, chap. 1. verse 7. Secondly, because he gives Rules to them for walking towards each other as those in Fel∣lowship, chap. 14. Thirdly, Phebe is recommended to them from the

Church at Cenchrea, which would not have been, had they not been a Church.

In the Epistle to the Corinthians, we have more mention made of the word Church then in any E∣pistle, importing a Particular Congregation; and we may be∣gin with that description the Apo∣stle gives of it, 1 Cor. 1.2. Ʋnto the Church of God which is at Co∣rinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, &c. he writes not to all the Inhabitants of Corinth, but to the Church, which he tells you what they are, sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints; which words are exegeti∣cal of Church; so he directs his second Epistle, 2 Cor. 1.1. Ʋnto the Church of God which is at Co∣rinth, with all the Saints which are in all Achaia: Corinth was a City of the Province of Achaia, and he writes

primarily to the Church at Corinth, and likewise to all the Saints which were in that Province, whether they were actually in Church Fel∣lowship or no. I shall briefly men∣tion all the other Texts where Church is taken plainly for such a Particular Congregation as is de∣scribed in the first Epistle, chap. 1.

1 Cor. 4.17. I have sent unto you Timotheus, — who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every Church; i. e. every particu∣lar Congregation.

1 Cor. 6.4. If then you have judgment of things appertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church; i. e. in the Church of the Corinths, of them its primarily intended, and as a rule for other particular Church∣es, where no such thing as Chri∣stian civil Magistrates was in those times. 1 Cor. 7.17. As the Lord

hath called every one, so let him walk and so ordain I in all the Churches, i. e. as a Rule for every particular member of each Church.

1 Cor. 11.16. If any man s••em∣eth to be contentious, we have no such Custom, nor the Churches of God.

Verse 18. When you come together in the Church, [i. e. the Assembly, not meant of the meeting place, as before noted; the same sence as in verse 22.]

Chap. 14.4. He that Prophesi∣eth Edifieth the Church, i. e. the Con∣gregation that heareth him.

And verse 5. his reason of prefer∣ing Prophecying is given, viz. That the Church may receive Edifying; therefore saith, verse 12. Seek that ye may excel, that the Church may receive Edifying; and verse 19. In the Church I had rather speak five words with my Ʋnderstanding that I might teach others. Verse 23. If the whole Church be come together in one place.

Verse 28. If there be no Interpreter, let him keep silence in the Church, &c.

Verse 33. God is not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace; as in all the Churches of the Saints. Verse 34. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches. Verse 35. For it is a shame for Women to speak in the Church.

Chap. 16.1. Concerning the Col∣lection for the Saints, as I have gi∣ven Order to the Churches [such as are in the Province] of Galatia, even so do ye. Where should Col∣lections be made, but in particular Congregations? Verse 19. The Churches of Asia, [i. e. of that Re∣gion] salute you; Aquila and Pre∣scilla salute you, and the Church in their House; it may be that fre∣quently assembled there, or that was for the most part belonging to their Family; there might be e∣nough for a competent Congrega∣tion in such times as those: that Church is mentioned more times.

2 Cor. 8.1. We do you to wit of the Grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia; the word is always used in the plural Number, when its applyed to Nations, Pro∣vinces [Macedonia was a Province] Regions, as of Galatia, Macedonia, Asia, Judea.

Verse 18, 19. We have sent with him the Brother whose praise is in the Gospel throughout all the Churches, verse 19. And not that only, but who were also chosen of the Churches to travel with us; the word is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and might be rendred ordained, as well as in other places.

Verse 23. They are Messengers of the Churches. Verse 24. Wherefore shew to them and before the Churches the proof of your Love. Chap. 11.8. I robbed other Churches to serve you.

2 Cor. 11.28. That which com∣eth upon me daily, the care of all the Churches, viz. as to his Apostolical Office.

2 Cor. 12, 13. What is it wherein you are inferiour to other Churches. It seems there's no superiority of one particlar Church above another, but are all co-ordinate.

The word is thrice used in the Epistle to the Gallatians, Chap. 2.1, 2. Paul an Apostle — and all the Brethren which are with me, unto the Churches of Galatia [a Province] Verse 13. You have heard of my Con∣versation, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it; i. e. the Church of Je∣rusalem, which was only extant when he began his Persecution; and for ought I know, while it lasted, for that was a principal oc∣casional cause of scattering the Je∣rusalem Church, in order to Propa∣gation; but he tells them of more Churches in the Province of Judea, after his Conversion. Verse 21, 22. Afterwards I came into the Regions

of Syria and Cilicia, and was un∣known by face unto the Churches of Judea, which were in Christ.

The Apostle directs the Epistle to the Eph••sians thus, To the Saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus; which terms have a synonymous accepta∣tion most times with a Church, and we have ground enough to be∣lieve there was an Established Church there when Paul wrote, he writing of such high mysteries concerning Christ and his Church; but we are fully assured of it after∣ward, when John wrote, Rev. 2.1. where he directs his Epistle to the Ephesian Church, as if to the Dutch, or French Church in En∣gland, or the Ephesian Congregati∣on at Ephesus; but in all places where Church is mentioned in this Epistle, he treats only of the Catho∣lick Church, as hath been shewed, being his design mostly to shew the

Beauty, Glory and Mystery of Christ Mystical, &c.

He directs his Epistle to Philip∣pi in the same manner, and mentions the word Church but twice; the first is where he speaks of his Zeal in Per∣secuting the Church, i. e. of Jeru∣salem, Philip. 3.6. and 4.15. where he saith, No Church communicated with me as to giving and receiving, but ye only: So that the Saints at Philippi were the Church.

The Epistle to Coloss, is directed to the Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ who are at Coloss, chap. i, 2. i. e. the Congregation of the faithful there where this Epistle was to be first read, and then in the Church of Laodicea, chap. 4.16. He menti∣ons also the Church in the House of Nymphas; every where else the word relates to the Catholick Church in this Epistle, as hath been shewed.

The Apostle directs his second Epistle to the Thessalonians, verse 1. To the Church of the Thes∣salonians, and such a Church as took their pattern from the Churches of God in Judea, 1 Thess. 2.14. and therefore he saith 2 Thess. 1.4. We our selves glory in the Churches of God for their Pati∣ence and Faith in all our Persecuti∣ons.

The Epistle to Timothy speaks of particular Churches, 1 Tim. 3.5. If a man know not how to rule his own House, how shall he take care of the Church of God, i. e. such a one as falls under a Pastoral care in a mans capacity of Government, as a Family doth; and 1 Tim. 5.16. Let not the Church be charged; that is, the particular Congregation, where Church charges arise, as the Con∣text shews.

In the Epistle to Philemon he speaks of the Church in his House,

i. e. that did usually assemble there, as indeed all the Church-Assem∣blies were in those times in private Houses, and this is the third Church in a private Family that is expresly mentioned by Paul; there was A∣quila's, Nymphas's and Philemon's.

The Epistle to the Hebrews hath the word Church but twice, the first is, chap. 2.12. I will declare thy Name unto my Brethren in the midst of the Church, I will sing Praise unto thee; a place taken out of the Psalms, where in the next and Primary Signification, the Psal∣mist, so far as he means himself, its to be understood of a parti∣cular Congregation, where God is praised; and so far as its Pro∣phetically applyed to Christ, its meant of the Catholick Church; in the fore-going verse, saying, He that sanctifieth and who they are sanctified, are all one: for which

sake he is not ashamed to call them bre∣thren, saying, &c.

And chap. 12.23. He speaks ex∣presly of the Catholick without dis∣pute.

The Apostle James speaks of the Elders of a particular Church ex∣presly, James 5.14.

So John's third Epistle, verse 6, 9, 10.

John in the Revelations makes mention of the Word in the singu∣lar and plural number, no less then nineteen or twenty times; and al∣ways to be understood of particu∣lar Churches. I will only name the Texts that the Reader may inspect at his Leisure. Revel. 1.4, 11, 20. Chap. 2.1, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 23, 29. Chap. 3.1, 6, 7, 13, 14, 22. Chap. 22.16.

I find the word Church used in the New Testament, about 85 times in this sence, viz. of a particular Congregation, and cannot by any

candid Reader be supposed to have any other meaning, nor with the least shew of reason, be understood of any Meeting-house, National, Provincial, Diocesan, or Parochial constitution, but only of a Congre∣gation of Saints by mutual consent ordinarily assembling together, for Attendance on Christ in all his Or∣dinances.

Notes

• Of the Church of Jerusalem:
• The Church of Antioch
• Churches of Lystra, Iconium, Antioch of Pisidia.
• Church of Caesarea.
• Miletus.
• Building of living stones.
• The Church of the Romans.
• The Church of Corinth.
• Church of Philippi.
• Church of Coloss.
• Church of Thessalonica.