The churches glory, or, The becoming ornament being a seasonable word, tending to the provoking, encouraging, and perfecting of holiness in believers ... : whereunto is added, A glasse for the unconverted ... as also, several articles of faith briefly laid down for the further establishment and confirming of the faithful / by Josias Bonham, sen. of Byfield in Northamptonshire.

CHAP. I. Wherein the words are Opened and Ex∣plicated.

SEveral things are in these words very considerable for our Christian Edi∣fication: First, by way of Division. Secondly, by way of Explication. Thirdly, by way of Doctrine. Fourthly, by way of Application.

First, By way of Division.

First, we have in the words a subject bearing the Denomination of an House: Secondly, the person to whom the right of Propriety doth belong. And that is the Lord: Thine House O Lord. Thirdly, we have the Ornaments of the house, which do most Adorn the same to make it comely and delightful unto the Lord. And that is Holiness: Holiness becometh thine House, O Lord. Fourthly, we have here set forth unto us the duration of this Ornament Holiness, how long its comeli∣ness is acceptable in the sight of God; and that is here said to be for Ever; Holines•• becometh Thine House O Lord for Ever.

Secondly, By way of Explication.

We have several particulars very con∣siderable. First, who this Lord is tha•• claimeth propriety in this house; Second¦ly, what the House is and how considered Thirdly, what Holiness is: And Fourthly how far the term Ever doth Extend.

Of these particulars Briefly. And First who this Lord is that claimeth proprie•••• in this House.

Now among the multitude of Scriptur•• Testimonies which do unfold this Quest••¦on,

that of Jeremiah is very full and clear; where the Lord, by the Prophet, doth dis∣cover himself in these words; But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God, and an everlasting King, at whose wrath the Earth shall tremble, and the Nations shall not be able to abide his Indignation, Jer. 10.10.

To this may be added, Hebrews 3.4. the Words whereof are these; For every House is builded by some Man, but he that built all things is God, who is a Spirit, or spiritual Essence, pure†, perfect, e∣ternal†, incomprehensible, having his Being of and from himself, and giving Be∣ing to all Creatures, of which he is the supream Governour, Orderer, and Dispo∣ser, by his Omnipotency, Providentiality, Omnipresency, and Omnisciency, according to his Infinite Wisdom and Divine Will, Ephes. 1.11. Thus much to the first parti∣cular; Who it is that claimeth Proprie∣ty in the House.

The Second Question concerns the House it self, under what Consideration it may be taken.

The term House doth signifie a Dwel∣ling-place, a place of Abode, Habitation, or of Rest.

Now it is not to be conceived, that any

one particular place can comprehend an Incomprehensible and Infinite God.

Do not I fill Heaven and Earth, saith the Lord, Jerem. 23.24. If I ascend up into Heaven, thou art there, saith the Psalmist: If I make my Bed in Hell, behold thou art there: If I take the wings of the Morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea, even there shall thy Hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me, Psal. 139.7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 12.

So that God dwells in Heaven by his glorious essential Presence, in Hell by his Wrath and just Judgments, in the World by his common Mercies, and in his Saints by his Spirit, whereby they are regene∣rated, sanctified, assisted, and assured o•• his Favour, in the use of all his Ordinan∣ces. And under this last Consideration, i•• my ensuing Discourse, I shall consider th•• House of God: That a Believing people in whom the Covenant of Grace is confir∣med by the in-dwellings of the Spirit o•• Grace in its Operations and powerful In∣fluences, whereby they are drawn forth to walk with the Lord Christ, in the Faith and Practice of his Truth, according to his Revealed Will contained in his Word; such a People upon a Scripture-account may be called the Lords-House.

The Apostle Peter writing to the Saints scattered abroad, considering them as Peo∣ple in Covenant with Christ, and Parta∣kers of the Spirit unto Sanctification and Obedience, putteth them under this Deno∣mination; Ye also as lively Stones, saith he, are built up a spiritual House, an holy Priest∣hood, to offer up spiritual Sacrifice accepta∣ble to God by Jesus Christ: So Hebr. 3.6. Christ as a Son over his own House, whose House are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the Hope firm into the end. The Believing Ephesians likewise be∣ing in Christ by Faith, and Christ in them by his Spirit operating and working them up to Sanctification and Obedience, and sealing the Promises unto them. The A∣postle considering their near Relation un∣to God, which they were hereby brought ••nto, hath these Expressions concerning them:

Now therefore, saith he, ye are no more Strangers and Forreigners, but Fellow-Citi∣zens with the Saints, and of the Houshold ••f God; and are built upon the Foundation ••f the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ ••imself being the chief Corner Stone; in whom all the Building fitly framed together ••roweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord, ••n whom ye also are builded together for an

Habitation of God through the Spirit. Thus Gods People are his Habitation: as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my People, 2 Cor. 6.16. The Prophet Isaiah doth bear testimony to this truth, Isai. 66.1, 2. Thus saith the Lord, The Heaven is my Throne, & the Earth is my Footstool: where is the House that ye build unto me? saith the Lord: and where is the place of my Rest? for all those things hath my hand made, and all those things have been saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite Spirit, and trembleth at my Word. Two things briefly we may note in these words: First, the Question propounded; Where is the House that ye build unto me? saith the Lord: and where is the place of m•• Rest. Secondly, the Lords Answer to hi•• own Question: But to this man will I look even to him that is poor and of a contrit•• Spirit and trembleth at my Word. Now how will the Lord look to this man? sure¦ly to make his abode with him, to tak•• up his residence and dwelling with him and in him by his Spirit of Grace, quick¦ning, reviving, comforting and replenish¦ing the Soul with assurances of his Favou•• in Christ; endowing them with suc••

Gifts and Qualifications of Grace, where∣by they are enabled to offer up spiritu∣al Sacrifices of Prayers and Praises ac∣ceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

I dwell in the high and holy place, saith the Lord, with him also that is of a con∣trite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Judas, one of Christs Disci¦ples (but not Iscariot) putting forth this Question to his Lord: Lord, faith he, how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self unto us and not unto the World? Je∣sus answered and said unto him: If any man love me he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. Now how will the Father and the Son come to such a Soul to take up their abode? surely. by that illuminating and quickning spirit of Truth proceeding from the Father and the Son, enlightening the Understanding, informing the Judg∣ment, rectifying the Will, subduing Corruption, and quickning to act in ho∣ly Duties, assuring and confirming the Soul in the Favour of the Father and the Son unto eternal Life, according to that Promise of God held forth by Ezekiel 11.19, 20. I will give them one heart, and

I will put a new Spirit within them, and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: whence note by the way, that the Spirit is here said to be a new Spirit, not because it is any new erected thing in it self, for it was of old from eternity: but first, because by its powerful influences and operations it doth take up its residence in that Creature that was formerly desti∣tute thereof; and so it is new to the Creature. And secondly, because it doth erect a new Work in the Creature; so as to alter and change the Inclinations and Dispositions of the Heart, by de∣stroying the Carnality, Earthliness and Rebelliousness thereof towards the things of God: which is signified by the stony Heart, and making it tender and pliable to yield a cheerful conformity to the Will of God, which is signified by the Heart of Flesh. This great Promise, as to the end of it, is further expressed in these words: That they may walk in my Sta∣tutes, and keep mine Ordinances, and do them; and they shall be my People and I will be their God.

To the same effect are the Words of the Apostle Paul, Rom. 8.11, 12, 13. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus

from the Dead, dwell in you; He that raised up Christ from the Dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you: Therefore Brethren, we are Debtors not to the Flesh, to live after the Flesh; for if ye live after the Flesh, ye shall dye: But if ye, through the Spirit, do mortifie the deeds of the body, ye shall live: Hereby saith John, We know that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. The Apostle Paul giving Instructi∣ons to Timothy, concerning the qualifica∣tions of Church-Officers, maketh this ap∣plication to Timothy; These things Write I unto thee, that thou mayest know how to be∣have thy self in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the Pillar and ground of the Truth, 1 Tim. 3.15. So that, first, Gods people are called the house of God, as they have the in-dwel∣ings of God by his Spirit, in its Influences, Operations, and Laws, residing in their hearts: Secondly, They are called the Church of God, as they are a company, or Congregation of people imbodied toge∣ther by the Ligaments and Nerves of Gods word, and walk together in the ob∣servation of all his Laws and Ordinances, according to his Will. Thirdly, such a peo∣ple or Congregation are called the Pillar

and ground of the truth, as they perform the office of a Pillar in upholding and pro∣pagating truths interest before the men of the world, by doctrine and practice an∣swerable thereunto, as the Apostle to the Ephesians teacheth; To the intent, saith he, that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God, Eph. 3.10. So that Gods people within the Evangelical Covenant of Grace, believing on Christ, and conforming to Christ in his holy Laws, Orders, and Ordinances, according to the Gospel-dispensation and improving the same to the obtaining Victory, or overcoming of their own, Corruptions, and inordinate affections to self and the World in its Vanities, and live to God in holy Sanctity by the in∣dwellings of God by his Spirit in the heart: Such a people are by the Spirits demon∣stration, called the House of God, the Church of God, and the Temple of God, 1 Cor. 3.16, 17. And such as overcome, Christ makes Pillars in the same, Rev. 3.12. In which Temple God doth dwell by his Spirit; as the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 6.19, 20. What? know you not that your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God; and ye are not

your own, for ye are bought with a price, therefore glorifie God in your Body, and in your Spirit, which is Gods, chap. 3. ver. 16, 17. Know you not, saith the Apostle, that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spi∣rit of God dwelleth in you; if any man defile the Temple of God, him will God destroy; for, the Temple of God is holy, which Tem∣ple ye are. The Temple which Solomon built, was called the Lords house, upon four Considerations:

First, He made choyce of that house a∣bove all other, for an house of Sacrifice.

Secondly, He Sanctifieth that house to himself for that purpose.

Thirdly, He placed there his name, that his eyes, and his heart might be there per∣petually.

Fourthly, He promised such acceptati∣on of the Worship there performed ac∣cording to that dispensation, that his eyes should be open, and his ears attentive to the Prayers there made, ver. 15. and for a clear Testimony thereof, he filled the house with his glory, ver. 2. In all these Considerations, Gods faithful people may be accounted his house:

For first, God hath chosen them, and builds them up a Spiritual House, 1 Pet. 2.5. A habitation for God, through the

Spirit, Eph. 2.22. to the use of spiritu∣al Service, and the offering up the Sacri∣fice of Praise and Thanksgiving to his name.

Secondly, He sanctifieth them, and fitteth them thereunto, 1 Cor. 6.11. Eph. 5.26.

Thirdly, His eyes and his heart are up∣on them, beholding with delight their Sa∣crifices and Services performed in Faith and Love.

Fourthly, He so accepts of their wor∣ship performed in Spirit and Truth, that his ears are open to their Prayers; and for their consolation and assurance, he fills them with Joy unspeakable, and full of glo∣ry, 1 Pet. 1.8. Whence note by the way, that when a peoples Sacrifice of Prayer, and Praise, and other obedience, doth arise from an in-dwelling of the Spirit of Faith and Sanctifying grace, and is offered up∣on the Altar, Jesus Christ, in the golden Censer of his merits; this doubtless is highly accepted of God, in what place so∣ever it be performed according to the words of Christ; Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the mid'st of them, Math. 18.20. The Conclusion drawn from these considerati∣ons is this, That although God doth dwell

in Heaven by his divine Essence and all-glorious presence, and so Heaven may properly be called his house and dwelling-place; yet God dwelleth also spiritually in, and among his people, who may be called his house or dwelling-place, where he doth Record his Name, and where he doth give his Blessings of Grace, and Mer∣cy, as the Apostles in their Epistles to the Churches do declare, and the Author to the Hebrews doth testifie in these words; But Christ, as a Son over his own House, whose House are we, if we hold fast the Con∣fidence and the Rejoycing of the hope firm un∣to the end. Thus much in Answer to the second Question.

The third particular we have to consi∣der by way of Explication, is, the Furni∣ture or comly Ornaments of this House, and these are here comprehended under the term Holiness; Holiness becometh thine House O Lord: Holiness is an Ornament which doth adorn and beautifie both the inside and outside of a Christian, or Christi∣an Society; it is curiously wrought in the inward man by the In-dwellings of Gods holy Word and Spirit in the influences and operations thereof; and it branches forth it self in those visible actions and practices that are agreeable to Gods Will.

This Ornament comprehendeth within its circumference, the great work of Transformation, somtimes called Reno∣vation, or new Creation, according to the Apostles exhortation. And be not con∣formed to this World, but be ye Transformed by the Renewing of your minde, that ye may prove what is that good, that acceptable and perfect Will of God, Rom. 12.2. And saith the same Apostle, Eph. 4.23, 24. Be ye Renewed in the Spirit of your minde; and that ye put on the New Man, which after God, is Created in Righteousness and true Holiness: When the minde is transform∣ed from Carnality to stand in the things of God, it may then be said to be Holy: The will also may be said to be Holy when it is transformed from that stubbornness and Rebelliousness, which by corrupted Nature it standeth in against the will of God, and is become submissive and obe∣dient to the will of God, so as freely to observe it in all his Commands, and free∣ly to submit unto his Will in all his dispen∣sations; saying, The Will of the Lord be done.

So likewise the affections, when they are transformed from Earthly objects to Heavenly objects; when the Meditations, Desires, Love, and Delights, are all

seated in God, and in the things of God; this may be accounted holiness in the in∣ward man; holiness in the outward man doth arise from this inward work as from the root, and brancheth forth it self in word and action; as that holy man David saith of himself, That his mouth should shew forth the praise of God, Psal. 34.1. and his tongue should talk of his Righteousness all the day, Psal. 71.24. It was the Prayer of Paul, that holy Servant of God, in the behalf of the believing Romans, That with one mind, and one mouth they might glorifie God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. 15.6. The minde and the mouth should go together in those things where the glory of God, and the edifica∣tion of the Church is concerned; yea, all the members of the body, as David saith, I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy Testimony; I made hast, and de∣layed not to keep thy Commandements, Psal. 119.59.

It is not enough for a man only to with∣draw his affections from Carnal objects, but he must have also his eye fixed upon the Lord, and his Truth, with the Pro∣fessors thereof; as David saith, Psal. 101.6. Mine eyes shall be upon the Faithful of the Land, that they may dwell with me;

Neither is it enough for a man to have his hand shut from doing any action of vio∣lence or oppression, but he must have it open also in doing works of Mercy and Charity, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the Oppressed go free, Esa. 58.6. to be ready to Distribute, and willing to Communicate to such as are in Want, Tim. 6.18. So that when all the faculties of the inward man, and members of the outward man act in their places according to the will of God, by vertue of his sancti∣fying and quickening Spirit that gives mo∣tion thereunto: When a man is set free from sin, and become the Servant of God, he hath his fruit unto holiness, and the end will be Everlasting Life, Rom. 6.22. So that holiness is the perfection of purity in Nature, Word, and Works; the which perfection is only found in God; but in reference to man, holiness consisteth in pardon of sin, and in transformation of Nature, by the renewing of the mind, from corrupted Nature to a renewed or new-begotten Nature which is wrought by the operations of the holy-Spirit, in such thoughts, words, and actions as arise from that original: And thus much by way of Explication concerning the term Holiness.

The fourth particular concerns the du∣ration of this Ornament which is ex∣pressed in the Text by the term Ever: Holiness becometh thine House O Lord for Ever. The term Ever, doth here signifie Time without limitation or end, and so it is taken somtimes in Scripture: We have the Lords Kingly Office in respect of the du∣ration of it, set forth by this term Ever; The Lord sitteth King for Ever, Psal. 29.10. So the Apostle Paul, setting forth to the Thessalonians the second coming of Christ, and the happy Estate of the Faith∣ful at that day, when the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we, saith he, which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them, to meet the Lord in the aire, and so shall we ever be with the Lord; wherefore comfort one another with these words, Thes. 4. whence I apprehend the the term Ever to signifie Time, without limitation or end, which is also called E∣ternity, or Life Eternal, Math. 25.46. And so having considered the words by way of Explication, I shall proceed to the Doctrine and Application.

Notes

• J h. 4.24.
• †

  Hebr. 1.13.
• Psal. 18.30
• †

  Deut. 32.4.
• Deut. 33.27.
• Jer. 13.23, 24. Heb. 4 13 See Psal. 22.28. Rev. 19.6. Ps. 65.9. Ro. 13.1.
• 1 Pet. 2.5
• Eph 2 1 20, 21, 22
• Is 57.15.
• Joh. ••4.23.
• Gods Work in the S••ul by his in •••• dwelling there.
• 1 John 4.13.
• 2 Chron. 7.12. verse 16.
• verse 16.