A consideration of certaine controversies at this time agitated in the kingdome of England, concerning the government of the church of God. / Written at the command and appointment of the Walachrian classis, by Guilielmus Apollonii, minister of the Word of God at Middleburgh. And sent from the Walachrian churches, to declare the sense and consent of their churches, to the Synod at London. Octob. 16. 1644. Stilo novo. Translated out of Latine accorning to the printed copy.

CHAP. I. Of the Qualification of Church-members.

Question.

WHether there be none to be admit∣ted into the Communion of the externall visible Church, but who is indued with the reall internall holinesse of Regeneration, and with justifying faith in Christ: or, who upon strict examination doth manifest such evident signes of true faith, and reall internall holinesse, as may convince the consciences of the Church to which he joyneth himselfe, of his sincere faith, repentance and communion in Christ:

and that if any Congregation admit others, in whom there is not evident proofe of these signes, they admit impure and false Church∣members?

Answer.

THe Reformed Churches distinguish be∣tween the Mysticall invisible Church of Christ; which is the Company of Beleevers called, who have communion with Christ, to which are made all the Promises of heavenly good things in Christ, to which no hypocrites can belong, which hath the power of Christs Spirit inwardly working: and the externall vi∣sible Church of Christ; which is the company of those who professe the true faith, for the ex∣ercise of Church-Communion and Fellowship amongst themselves, to which hypocrites may belong. For any one to be a true member of the invisible Church, we require, according to the Word of God, true justifying faith, repen∣tance, and spirituall Communion with Christ. The admission of members into this Church is Gods work, who by effectuall saving Voca∣tion doth ingraft men into the mysticall body of Christ. But the admission of members of the Church visible is committed to the care of the Overseers and Pastors of the Church; who by the Word of God may admit none other to the compleat externall communion of the

Church visible, and ought to admit all such, who by externall federall holinesse are separated from the world, are instructed in the know∣ledge of God and of the true Religion, professe the name of Christ, and walking without of∣fence in their outward conversation, are ac∣counted in the judgement of Charity as true Beleevers, and upon examination of the El∣dership concerning these things, are received into brotherly and Ecclesiasticall Commu∣nion.

We grant therefore in this question. 1. That any one be in foro Dei, at Gods tribunall, a true member of the Church invisible, there is requi∣red in him, that he be indued with reall inter∣nall holinesse of regeneration, and justifying faith in Christ.

2. That it is mans duty who will duly for Salvation joyne himselfe to the Church, that he truly beleeve in Christ, and being indued with reall holinesse, worship God aright in all his wayes.

But we affirme, that to the externall and vi∣sible Church, the Pastors are to admit those who professe the true Religion and faith of Christ, lead their lives without scandall, or be∣ing fallen into scandals doe by repentance wash them away in foro Ecclesiae, at the Churches Tribunall, submit themselves to Discipline, publikely frequent all exercises of divine wor∣ship,

and desire Church Communion with us: although they doe not manifest such evident signes of Regeneration, which may convince the Consciences of the Church of their true faith in Christ.

Our opinion is proved by these arguments.

1. From the admission of members into the Primitive Church in the Apostles time, when all who made profession of Faith, according to the Word of God, and desired Ecclesiasticall Communion, living without manifest scandals, or having given scandals, did by repentance, in foro Ecclesiae, amend them, were by them ad∣mitted into the Communion of the Church vi∣sible: see for instance Act. 2. 41, 42, 45. Act. 8. 13. Act. 4. 34, 37. in so much as even hypo∣crites had entrance into the Church (notwith∣standing that the Apostles were indued with an extraordinary spirit of discerning) as appea∣reth in the Examples of Ananias, Judas, Simon Magus, Hymeneus, Philetus.

2. From the admission of members into the Church of the old Testament; where those were admitted into the externall Church, and the visible communion thereof, who being adorned with federall holinesse did professe the true God of Israel: as appeares by the admissi∣on of the whole people into that Church, Deut. 29. 4, &c. Josh 24. 23, &c.

3. From the description of the Church visi∣ble,

the nature whereof is described in the Word of God, that it is as a Barne wherein the chaffe is gathered together with the Wheat; the House of God, in which are vessels both of gold and of wood; a Net, wherein are caught fishes good and bad, Matth. 3. 12. and 13. 47. 2 Tim. 2. 20, 21. so that to the admission of any to be a member of the Church visible, the Pa∣stors can require no more in foro ecclesiastico, as a necessary requisite, then what may also be found in hypocrites.

4. Frō the state and condition of the Chur∣ches of God in the time of the Apostles, who acknowledged for true Churches of Christ, those visible societies, amongst whom there were hypocrites, carnall men, schismaticks, and others not indued with reall holinesse of Re∣generation and justifying faith: to whom not∣withstanding the Apostles wrote their Epistles as members of the Church visible. See to this purpose the condition of the seven Churches in Asia, Rev. 2. & 3. Chap. The condition of the Churches of Corinth and Galatia, 1 Cor. 1. 11, 12. and 3. 3. and 6. 1, 2▪ 3. and 11. 17, 18. Gal. 1. 6. and 3. 1, 2, 3, 4. and 5. 7, 8, 9, &c.

Thus have our Divines determined this con∣troversie. Calvin. Instit. lib. 4. cap. 1. sect. 7. But oft-times (saith he) by the name of the Church the Scriptures intend the whole multitude of men throughout the world, who professe to worship one

God and Christ, are initiated by Baptisme into his faith, testifie by their partaking the Lords Supper a unity in the true Religion and Charity, consent to the Word of God, and for the preaching thereof maintain a Ministery instituted by Christ. But in this multitude are many mingled who are hypo∣crites, and have nothing of Christ but the name and shew, &c. which in respect of men is called a Church, and we commanded to maintaine the communion of it. And, sect. 8. he shewes, that it is the Prerogative of God alone to know who are unfeined Saints, and true members of the Church. Yet (saith he) because he fore saw that it was some∣what requisite that we should know who are to be accounted for his childr••n, herein he applyeth him∣selfe to our capacity. And, because a certainty of faith is not herein requisite, he hath in stead thereof appointed the judgement of Charity: in which judgement we acknowledge for members of the Church, those who in the confession of faith, and example of their life, and participation of the Sa∣craments, professe the same God and Christ with us. Hence Ames affirmes it to be false, that the Reformed Churches require inward graces, to the admitting of any into the Church, as to the visible state thereof: Antibellarm. tom. 2. iib. 2. cap. 1. not. 5. And not. 3. of the same chapter, he affir∣meth out of Augustine, that there is in the Church the inward soule, to wit, the gifts of grace; and the body, or outward profession, whence it comes

to passe, that some are both of the soule and the bo∣dy of the Church, others of the body only and not the soule. Which, saith he, is expressed by Alexan∣der Alensis in other words, when he saith, That evill men are of the unity of the Church, but not of the unity of the body of the Church; not of the body of the Church according to the true nature of a body, or in reference to the union of the body my∣sticall. Which distinction he proveth out of 1 Joh. 2. 19. Rom. 2. 28. a Jew openly, and a Jew in secret. So Trelcatius the elder, in his common places, loco 15. puts the differences between the members of the visible and of the invisible Church, in a lively faith, purity of life, certainty of Election and Salvation, and Perseverance in faith; which are found in the members of the Church invisible in sincerity and truth; but in the members of the Church visible only in the judgement of Charity, oft-times not in truth, because of a vocation and profession externall, but oft hypocriticall. So almost all the eminent Reformed Divines affirme the matter of the Church visible to be men outwardly called professing the faith of Christ; for they define it to be, a company of men, who by an outward cal∣ling, or the preaching of the Word and participation of the Sacraments, are called to the exercise of the Worship of God, and Ecclesiasticall Fellow∣ship amongst themselves. See both the Trelca∣tii in their common places, loco de Ecclesia. The Professours of Leyden, disp. 40. thes. 33. Hence

also have our Belgick Churches in our Nationall and Provinciall Synods ordeined, that he be admitted to the Lords Supper, who hath first made profession of his faith, submitted himselfe to the Discipline of the Church, and brought testimony of unblameable life. See the Synods at Dort, Anno 1574. art. 70. and Anno 1578. art. 64. at Middleburgh, Anno 1581. art. 43. at the Hage, Anno 1586. art. 54. at Middleburgh, Anno 1591. art. 51. at Dort, Anno 1619. art. 61.

We reject therefore these ensuing opinions, I. Of those who affirme the externall and particular visible Church to be the proper sub∣ject to which belongeth the Covenant of Grace, all the Promises of God, the Properties, and Priviledges which Christ the Mediatour hath purchased for his Church. The reasons of our deniall are:

1. Because that Church for which these pri∣viledges are purchased, is perpetuall which ne∣ver falleth away: for this infallible Promise is made to it from God, Jer. 31. 36. Matt. 16. 18. But now no particular visible Church is secu∣red from falling away, as our Orthodox Di∣vines demonstrate against the Papists: it is not for it, therefore, that these Priviledges are pur∣chased by Christ the Mediatour.

2. Those Churches, for which all these pro∣mised Priviledges are procured, are called out of the world, by the word and Spirit of God, to

faith and holinesse, and have sincere and inward Communion and fellowship with Christ and all true beleevers: whence frequently in Scrip∣tures they are called the Spouse and Beloved of Christ, Cant. 4. 7. Eph. 5. 27. The Holy Sion, and heavenly Jerusalem: and the Israel of God, Isai. 52. 1. Gal. 4. 26. and 6. 16. so likewise, The Church which Christ hath purified for himselfe, to present her to himselfe glorious not having spot or wrinckle, Eph. 5. 27. The Body of Christ fitly joyned together and compacted by that which eve∣ry joynt supplyeth, Eph. 4. 16. It's called Christs people whom he saveth from their sins, Joh. 10. 16. Matt. 1. 21. Gods house, and a holy Priesthood, 1 Pet. 2. 5. The Temple of God, in which the Spirit of God doth dwell, 1 Cor. 3. 16. The Lambs wife, Apoc. 21. 4. All which, and such like, doe not agree to an externall visible particular Church, as such, Rom. 9. 6. but onely to the Church invisible, which Christ had redeemed with his bloud, Acts 20. 28.

3. The Priviledges promised and procured for the Church of God (amongst many others) are these, That God puts his Law, and his Feare into the minds of the members of it, Jer. 31. 33. That they are all taught of God, and know him. Joh. 6. 42. That they are redeemed by the bloud of Christ, Act. 20. 28. Eph. 5. 27. But these agree not to an externall and visible particular Church: Therefore that externall visible par∣ticular

Church is not the proper subject of the Covenant of grace, or of these Priviledges which by Christ our Mediatour are procured for the Church.

Whereunto the Reformed Divines assent, See (amongst others) the Professours of Leyden, in their Synopsis Theologiae, disput. 40. Thes. 29, 30, 31. And Ames himselfe against Bellarm. tom. 2. lib. 2. cap. 1. not. 10. where he affirmes that those glorious things which are spoken in Scripture of the Church of Christ, that it is re∣deemed by Christ, the Body of Christ, the Spouse of Christ, quickned, acted, and guided by the Holy Spirit, partaketh of all spirituall blessings, so that the gates of hell shall never prevaile against it; doth properly and fully agree not to the whole multitude of those that professe the Christian faith, but to those only that are true beleevers: or, they agree to the Church militant according to i••s essentiall na∣ture peculiar to true beleevers; not according to its externall manner of existence, in which are in∣cluded both godly and reprobates.

II. We reject the opinion of those, who think that in the Church none are to be admitted as members into the externall fellowship of the Church, but such as have been by a strict exa∣mination first tried by other beleevers, or the Elders of the Church, in the exercises of Piety, the duties of Prayer, holy conferences, and spi∣rituall Communion, and have manifested to

them evident signes of Regeneration: and have afterwards, before the whole body of the Church, publikely professed a sincere confessi∣on of faith; and have either by a continued speech, or by questions and answers, made ma∣nifest by evident signes the saving grace of God in them, whereby they are translated from the kingdome of darknesse to the Kingdome of God; and such a spirit that in a Church Cove∣nant sincerely, faithfully, and godlily in the presence of God and the whole Church, they both can and will walk in the wayes of God. For we reade not that in the Apostolicall Church this manner of admitting Church members was in use. Those three thousand, Act. 2. were not in this manner added to the Church of Christ: but men were upon such a confession joyned to the Church of Christ, as whereby hypocrites and persons not converted might have entrance into the Church: and that under the inspection of the Apostles, who were indued with extraordinary gifts of the Spirit.

Whence also in our Reformed Churches of the Netherlands, members of Churches are ad∣mitted by a confession of the true Faith and Religion, a solemne Protestation to submit themselves to the Discipline of the Church, a testimony of an unblameable and inoffensive life. As also Ames himselfe affirmeth, that men

are duly admitted into the Church by a confession of Faith, and promise of obedience. Medull. lib. 1. cap. 32. thes. 17. And in some more numerous Churches in the Netherlands it is the custome and practise, for the Churches greater prudence in admitting members, that those who desire admission into Church-communion, before their solemne profession of faith, are for some weekes severall times privately exercised, and instructed if they be not sufficiently exercised; and this instruction is by the Ministers in the Visitation of their severall precincts, and is also publikely offered to all, when notice is given of celebrating the Lords Supper. The Ministers inquire likewise of the integrity of life and conversation of those who expect communion with us: Afterwards they use to undergoe an examination before the consistory in their con∣sistoriall meeting, or before the delegates of the Consistorie; which is performed by the Minister through all the points of Catechisme; And last of all having been thus tryed, they do in publike before the body of the Church by a bare affirmation give answer to these generall Positions, Whether or no they acknowledge the Doctrine of our Churches to be the Orthodox faith and the way of Salvation? Whether or no they promise, by the grace of God, to persist till death in the Profession of this Doctrine? Whether or no they promise to live holily and as becommeth this

Doctrine? Whether or no they submit themselves to the Discipline of the Church? In this manner are those who desire admission, admitted to our Church Communion. This custome though laudable, is not indeed contrary, but yet is be∣side the order of our Churches; and is not in use in all our Churches: which therefore we do not urge as absolutely necessary, but make use of it, for the greater Ecclesiasticall prudence in so grave and serious a matter. In the meane time we esteeme that order establi∣shed in our Ecclesiasticall constitutions to be sufficient for the due admitting of members in∣to Church Communion, according to the word of God.