Of the Church.
THere is one General Church visible, held forth in the New Testament.] 1 Cor. 12. 12, 13, 28. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body being many, are one body: so also is Christ. v. 13. For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. v. 28. And God hath set some in the Church: First Apostles, Secondarily Prophets, Thirdly Teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings▪ helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Together with the rest of the Chapter.
The Ministry, O••acles and Ordinances of the New Testament, are given by Jesus Christ to the General Church visible, for the gathering and perfecting of it in this life, until his second coming.] 1 Cor. 12. 28. See before. Eph. 4. 4, 5. v. 4. There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. v. 5. One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism,—Compared with ver. 10. 11, 12, 13, 15, 16. v. 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things. v. 11. And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. v. 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. v. 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the know∣ledg of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. v. 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. v. 16. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together, and compacted by that which every joynt sup∣plieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love.
Particular visible Churches, Members of the General Church, are also held forth in the New Te∣stament.] Gal 1. 21, 12. v. 21. Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. v. 22. And was unknown by face unto the Churches of Judea, which were in Christ. Rev. 1. 4, 20. John to the seven Churches in Asis, Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from the seven spirits which are before his throne. v. 20. The mistery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the Angels of the seven Churches. Rev. 2. 1. Unto the Angel of the Church of Ephesus, write, These things saith he that hold∣eth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
Particular Churches in the primitive times were made up of visible Saints. viz. Of such as being of age, professed faith in Christ, and obedience unto Christ, according the Rule of Faith and Life taught by Christ and his Apostles; and of their children. Acts 2. 38, 41, 47. v. 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy Ghost. v 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. v. 47. Praising God, and having favour with all the people; and the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved.—Com∣pared with Acts 5. 14. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. 1 Cor. 1. 2. Unto ••he Church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.—Compared with 2 Cor. 9 13. Whiles by the experiment of this ministration, they glorifie God for your professed subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men. Acts 2. 39 For the promise is unto you and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 1 Cor. 7. 14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean, but now are they holy. Rom. 11. 16. For if the first-fruit be holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root be holy, so are the branches. Mar. 10. 14. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the Kingdome of God.—Compared with Mat. 19. 13, 14▪ v. 13. Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hand on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them. v. 14. But Iesus said suffer little children, and forbid them not t•• come unto me; for of such is the Kingdome of heaven. Luk. 18. 15, 16. v▪ 15. And they brought unto him also infants▪ that he would touch them; but when his disciples saw it, they re∣buked them. v. 16. But ••esus called them unto him, and said, suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the Kingdome of God.