Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

THat Christians should glorifie God, by maintaining constant and publick Assemblies, to hold forth the Word of Life, and to de∣monstrate their fellowship one with another, is so manifest from the example of the first Churches, as we need not speak much here to

evince it, Act. 2. 41. For they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship, and in breaking of Bread and in Prayers; And Ch. 1. 14. These all continued with one accord in Prayer and Supplication, with the women and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his Brethren — the num∣ber of names together was about an hundred and twenty. And God bore witness of his approbation of their thus wayting upon him, by send∣ing the Holy Spirit upon them, and bestowing great grace upon them, and making their work exceeding prosperous to his Glory in the con∣version of three thousand at that time. And at another time it is said when they had prayed the place was shaken where they were Assembled toge∣ther, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness, Act. 4. 31. This was one great end for which the Gospel was preached and written, even that we might have fel∣lowship with the Saints, whose fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. This is that good and pleasant thing spo∣ken of by David, Psal. 133. 1. Even for Brethren to dwell together in Unity, and is compared to that sacred Oyntment which was poured upon the head of Aaron, and went down upon his Beard, and to the skirts of his Garments. Paul gives thanks to God, for the fellowship of the Christi∣ans at Philippi from the first day till the time he wrote to them, Phil. 1. 5. and exhorts them to stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving to∣gether for the faith of the Gospel. And exhorts the Hebrew Church not to forsake the Assembling of themselves together, but to exhort one another daily. The Corinthian Church had their Assemblies, which were also free for all comers, 1 Cor. 14. 23, 24. So had the Churches to whom S. James wrote his Epistle, whether such as were poor or rich, there was no exemption but free access for all men, Jam. 2. 2.

Our blessed Saviour did not only gather the people together, with great frequency, to preach the Gospel to them, Mat. 5, &c. But after he was risen from the dead, did sundry times present himself in the Assembly of his Disciples, John 20. 19, 26. saluting them there on this wise, peace be unto you; and as he hath promised his presence wheresoever two or three are met together in his name, for the perpetual encouragement of his Disciples, or followers, to attend the Assemblies of his Churches, so when he left this World, he first Assembled with his Disciples, Act. 1. 4. giving them directions how to wait for the blessing which he would shortly send them, even the holy Spirit, by which they should be enabled to give testimony of him, to the utter∣most parts of the earth, and so was parted from them; Whence we fairly gather these things, viz. That Christian Assemblies, whether for publick preaching of the Gospel to the multitude, or for the more particular edification of the Church, are both grounded upon the Doctrine and practise of Christ himself, and therfore may in no wise be neglected by his Church, nor contradicted or opposed by men; such Assemblies being the most sacred conventions upon the earth, of greatest Authority, and concerned in the most important affairs, even the things concerning the Kingdom of God. And upon this ground it was that Tertullian did Apologize for the Christian Assem∣blies

in his time, against those Magistrates that endeavoured to sup∣press them, * 1.1 saying. When wise and good people do assemble themselves together we must not call that a Faction or Sect but rather a Court.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tertull. Apo. c. 29.