SECT. VIII. The matter of the Church, what?
THE Church of Christ may be considered either as more generall, or more particu∣lar. 1. More generall, and then it includes the whole body of the Saints in the spirit: This of some is called the invisible Church; but to speake in the Scripture-language, it may be rather called the generall or universal Church, the whol body of Saints in the spirit, called the mystical body of Christ, because of their spiri∣tuall union with, and in Christ their head: This Church or assembly (for so the Greek Ecclesia properly signifieth) we shall read of Heb. 12.22, 23. Ye are come to Mount-Sion, & unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, & to the genearal Assembly or Church of the first born, and written in heaven, and to the spirits Page 64of just men made perfect; this is the Church that shall be made one in glory; the generall assembly of Saints, the spirits of just men, and it is that might be desired at present, that Saints Communion might flow more from their union in the spirit, and not altogether from the union in the letter: this is the glorious Church of Christ; and the knowledge of it in the spirit wil cause Saints to own each other more in the spirit. 2. The Church of Christ may be consi∣dered more particular, or a particular body, or company of Saints in the visible profession of the Gospell, walking in the injoyment of Or∣dinances; taking particular care of each other, and building up each other in the faith, and of this Church we shall read, freqent in the new Testament; and this Church is likewise called the body of Christ 1 Cor. 12 27. and it is not to be questioned, but that this practise is very commendable amongst Saints: and the know∣ledge of God in the Spirit, and of Saints in the Spirit, will not breake or lessen the fellowship of particular Churches, but increase it, and make it to be more spirituall: for, questionles that which tends to the breach of communion and fellowship amongst Saints, is not God, for God is love: and they who dwell in God dwell in love: it is that will increase love, and this is the more excellent way, & that which in Page 65conclusion wil swallow up all differences: yet one thing is much to be desired, that is, that there might be a generall union amogst the Saints that those who are spirituall might not be divided in the spirituall Communion, be∣cause of some literall differences about the use of ordinances, and the like, Oh that the Lord would help us to beare with each other in such things! why cannot Saints in the matters of difference beare with each other according to the Apostles rule? seeing he that observeth a day, observeth it to the Lord; and he that observeth not a day, observeth it not to the Lord, and both give God thankes.
Obj. But our difference is in matters of Or∣dinances for the most part which God commands, and hath given them to us as pri∣viledges;
Answ. True, yet they are such commands and priviledges as God hath given to His ser∣vants to lead them up to himselfe in the spiri: and what if some injoy God gloriously in the Spirit without these, and we find them spiri∣tuall, and walking answerable to the spirit of Christ: why should my conscience judge another mans Liberty? and why should not we hold communion with such in the spirit and in the letter too, in those things wherein there is a union? but the truth is, there is too Page 66too much erring at present upon both hands; the one judging it too carnall for any Saints to walk in the use of Ordinances, which is not a truth at present; the other judging it incon∣sistent with the Gospel, and the state of a Christian to live without the practice and use of ordinances; a third sort there are that would submit to Ordinances, but want Administra∣tors; and this is more carnall then either of the former, because they expect that to bee in a creature which is only in God; but here should be a bearing and forbearing where the Spirit of Christ is.
A fourth sort there are who put Ordinances upon those not capable of them without any word at all in the letters, and this the most carnall work of all, and savours much of the earth, and of an Old Testament-spirit, from whence usually the ground is brought: and it were much to be desired that the Lord would be pleased to enlighten their eyes, that they might have more spiritual apprehension of the Gospel, and the end of Gospel-Ordinances; yet it should be the wisdome of the those taught from above, to own any thing of God where∣ever they find it: and although it is true, there cannot be a Communion with, and in thing a never of God prescribed; yet the spirit of love should so temper our spirits, as that we should Page 67not bite & devour on eachother; but, that as many as are spiritual, though differing in some circumstantiall things in the letter, yet owne each other in the Spirit, imputing those diffe∣rences to the flesh; and this union in the spi∣rit, the knowledg of it, will in conclusion bring all the Saints into one spirituall way, Isa. 35.9. And so they shall worship God in the Spirit with one heart, Zeph. 3. and so put an which flow meerly from the flesh.
