The marrow of Christianity

SECTION VIII. The matter of the Church, what?

THE Church of Christ may be consi∣dered either as more generall or more particular. 1. More general, and then it includes the whole body of the Saints in the spirit, this of some is called the invisible Church, but to speake in the Scripture-Language, it may be rather called the general or universal Church, the whole body of Saints in the Spirit, called the mysticall body of Christ, be∣cause of their spiritual union with and in Christ their head: This Church or as∣sembly (for so the Greek Ecclesia pro∣perly signifieth) we shall read of Heb. 12.22.23. ye are com•• to Mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Ierusalem, and to an innumera∣ble company of Angels, and to the gene∣rall assembly or Church of the first borne, and written in heaven, and to the spirits of just men made p••rfect; this is the Church that shall be made one in glory; he generall assembly of Saints, the spi∣its of just men, and it is that might be

desired at present, that Saints Commu∣nion might flow more from their union in the spirit, and not altogether from the union in the letter: this is the glorious Church of Christ; and the knowledge of it in the spirit, will cause Saints to own each other more in the spirit. 2. The Church of Christ may be considered more particular, or a particular body, or company of Saints in the visible pro∣fession of the Gospel, walking in the in∣joyment of Ordinances; taking particu∣lar care of each other, and building up each other in the faith: & of this Church we shall reade, frequent in the new Te∣stament; and this Church is likewise called the body of Christ, 1 Cor. 12.27. and it is not to be questioned, but that this practise is very commendable a∣mongst Saints: and the knowledge of God in the Spirit, and of Saints in the Spirit, will not breake or lessen the fel∣lowship of particular Churches; but in∣crease it, and make it to be more spiritu∣all: for, questionles that which tends to the breach of communion and fellowships a∣mongst Saints, is not of God, for God is love, & they who dwell in God, dwell in

••ove: it is that will increase love, and this is the more excellent way, and that which in conclusion will swallow up all differences: yet one thing is much to be desired, that is, that there might be a generall union amongst the Saints; that those who are spirituall might not be di∣vided in spiritual Communion, because of some litterall differences about the use of ordinances and the like. Oh that the Lord would helpe us to beare with each other in such things! why cannot Saints in matters of difference beare with each other according to the Apostles rule? seeing he that observeth a day, observeth it to the Lord; and he that observeth not a day, observeth it not to the Lord, and both give God thankes.

Obj. But our difference is in matters of Ordinances for the most part which God commands, and hath given them to us as priviledges;

Answ. True, yet they are such com∣mands and priviledges as God hath given to his Servants to leade them up to him∣selfe in the Spirit: and what if some in∣joy God gloriously in the Spirit with∣out these, and we finde them spiritual,

and walking answerable to the spirit of Christ: why should my conscience judge another mans Liberty? and why should not we hold Communion with such in the Spirit, and in the letter too, in those things wherein there is a union? but the truth is there is too-too much err∣ing at present upon both hands; the one judging it too carnal for any Saints to walke in the use of ordinances, which is not a truth at present; the other judging it inconsistent with the Gospel, and the state of a Christian to live without the practise and use of Ordinances; a third sort there are that would submit to Or∣dinances, but want Administrators, and this is more carnal than ether of the for∣mer, because they expect that to be in a creature which is onely in God; but here should be a learning and forbearing, where the spirit of Christ is.

A fourth sort there are who put Ordi∣nances upon those not capable of them without any word at all in the letters and this is the most carnal work of all, and savours much of the earth, and of an old Testament-spirit, from whence usu∣ally, the ground is brought, and it were

much to be desired that the Lord would be pleased to enlighten their eyes, that they might have more spirituall appre∣hension of the Gospel, and the end of Gospel-Ordinances: yet it should be the wisdome of those taught from a∣bove, to own any thing of God where∣ever they finde it: and although, it is true, there cannot be a Communion with and in things never of God prescribed; yet the spirit of lov•• should so temper ••u•• spirits, as that we should not bite and devoure each other; but, let as many as are spiri∣tual, though differing in some circum∣stantial things in the letter, yet own each other in ••he spiri••, impu••ing those diffe∣rences to the flesh: a••d this union in the spirit, the knowledge of it, will in con∣clusion bring all the Saints into one spi∣ritual way, Esa. 35.9. And so they shall worship God in the Spirit with one heart, Z••ph. 3. and so pu an end to di∣visions, and dividing principles which flow meerly from the flesh.