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 ...

SECT. I.

AS the time for the Publick Worship of Christian Men, ought to be fixed, and known: there is the like Reason, that some convenient places be publickly known also; otherwise the Christi∣an Religion must needs be kept in obscurity. Howbeit there is a great difference between the Jewish and Christian Churches in this case. The Jews being tyed to one certain place, to wit the City and Temple of Jerusalem, for performance of a great part of their Publick Services, Deut. 16. 16. Three times in a year shall all thy Males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose: In the Feast of unlevened Bread; and in the feast of Weeks; and in the Feast of Tabernacles. Deut. 12. 13, 14. Take heed to thy self that thou offer not thy burnt Offering in every place that thou seest, but in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, in one of thy Tribes, there shalt thou offer thy burnt-Offerings, and there shalt thou do all that I command thee. And unto this place the Tribes went up to worship the Lord, as unto a most Holy place.

But this Ceremonial sanctity or distinction of place, is wholly taken away by the coming of the Lord Jesus, all places being so far sanctified for the performance of all Gospel-Worship, as that his Peo∣ple may as acceptably serve him therein, as the Jews when appearing in the Temple at Jerusalem, Matt. 18. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them. 1 Tim. 2. 8.

I will therefore that Men Pray every where, lifting up holy hands without wrath or doubting. Which gracious liberty was foreshown by the Pro∣phet, Mal. 1. 11. For from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place Incense shall be offered to my Name, and a pure Offering: for my Name shall be great among the Heathen, saith the Lord of Hosts.

Hence it was no doubt, that the Christians for some Ages after Christ, did not build any Oratories, nor consecrate any Places for their publick Devotions; * 1.1 at which that Enemie of Christ Celsus, took oc∣casion to bespatter the Christians in the time of Origen. For though it may be very expedient to have publick Oratories, when the num∣ber of Disciples do require it; yet it's every way as lawful to hold such holy Assemblies in our proper Mansions or dwelling-Houses: after the example of the Apostles, who taught both publickly and from house to house, Act. 20. 20. And daily in the Temple, (so long as they could be permitted) and in every House they ceased not to Teach and Preach Jesus Christ. As also in the Fields, Mountains, and by the Sea∣side, as well as in the Synagogues, or places where Prayer was wont to be made, Act. 16. 13. Matth. 5. 1. &c. Yea, we read of a Church in the house of a certain Christian, Rom. 16. 5. (to wit, the Assembly which used to meet at his House.) * 1.2 For saith Diodat, there were divers small Assemblies of Believers in one and the self same City. 1 Cor. 16. 19. Colos. 4. 15. So that it is not only lawful for Christians to meet in such small companies, and in their dwelling-houses, but such Assemblies are expresly allowed the Title of a Church, by the holy Apostle: which may serve to take off that great contempt which is sometimes cast upon the Baptized Churches, for such their innocent meeting or Church-Assemblies.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Celsus.
• * 1.2

  Diodat.