TRUTH VINDICATED From the false Accusations of those of the Independent Society, &c.
1. THat the Church of England is a true Church of Christ, for the cleering of this I will shew: First, the divers acceptations of the word Church. 2. In what sence the Church of England is said to bee a true Church of Christ. 3. I will lay downe arguments grounded upon the word of God, whereby it doth appeare, that the Church of England is a true Church of Christ.
For the first, the word Church is put, first, for all those that shall be saved, Heb. 12.23. To the generall assembly and Church of the first born that are written in heaven, Colos. 1.18 And he is the head of the body the Church.
Secondly, it is put for the faithfull of a family: we reade of the Church in Priscillaes and Aquilaes house, Rom. 16.5. 1 Cor. 16.19. [Page 7]of the Church in Nymphas house, Colos 4.15. And of the Church in Philemons house, Philemon verse 2.
Thirdly, it is put for the houses or places where the faithfull do meete together to preach the word of God, and to administer the Sacraments, as appeares if you compare, 1 Cor. 11.18 verse with the 20 verse. In the 18 verse he saith, when ye come together in the Church: and in the 20. verse when ye come together in one place.
Fourthly, it is put for the professors of Christ, scattered, throughout severall Regions. Acts 8.13. Acts. 12.1. The Apostle Peter writing to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, in the 1 Peter 1.1. he calleth them in the second Chapter of that Epistle, and the 5 verse, lively stones, built up to a spirituall house; (that is a Church of God.)
Fiftly, it is put for every congregation gathered together to worship God. 1 Cor. 14.23. If therefore the whole Church be come together into some place. 1 Cor. 4.17. As I teach every where in every Church.
Sixtly, it is put for the representative Church, that is those who have the government of the Church in their hands, and are to provide for the order, peace, and discipline of it: Mat. 18.17. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it to the Church; (that is to the Ministers or Governors of the Church, who have power to cast him out as a heathen man, and a publican:) not every particular member of the Church: as appeares by the Apostle 2 Cor. 2.6. sufficient to such a man, is this punishment (or censure) which was inflicted by many, he would not have restrained it to many if it had been done by all.
Seventhly and lastly, by Church in Scripture is understood a Kingdome or Nation, Province, County or City, enjoying the word, and ordinances of God, and professing faith in God. Such a Church was the Church of the Jewes, to whom were committed [Page 8]the Oracles of God, Rom. 3.2. And from whom should proceed the word by which God worketh salvation, Isay 2.3. By which word they were distinguished from all other Nations in the World, Psal. 147.19.20. and became the peculier people of God, Deut. 7.6. And thus the Kingdome of Israel, became the Kingdome of God, or Church of God. Our Saviour Christ speaking of the rejection of the Iewes from being his people, and Church, over whom he raigned by his Word and Spirit, saith, Mat. 21.43. the Kingdome of God shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation bringing forth the fruits thereof; intimating, that whatsoever Nation received, and believed the word of God, did become the Church, and people of God, as the Nation of the Jewes was, before they were rejected. The Prophet Isay prophesying of the conversion of the Gentiles, saith, Isay 55.5. behold thou shall call a Nation thou knewest not, and Nations that knew not thee, shall run unto thee: by which it appeareth that whole Nations shall become the Church and people of God; according to that promise, Isay 52.15. he shall sprinkle many Nations. And thus ye have the divers acceptations of the word Church.
2. I come now in the second place, to shew in what sense the Church of England is said to be a true Church of God: And that is according to the last acceptation of the word Church; which is when a Nation joyne themselves to the Lord, by receiving professing, believing, and practising the word of God to salvation, by which God becomes their God, dwelling in the midst of them, and they become his people, Psal. 33.12. according to that in Zach. 2.11. and many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of them: which was practised, Jerem. 50.5 Come let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetuall. Covenant, that shall not be forgotten. And it was most exactly performed in this Nation, Deut. 26.17.18. by our late Nationall Covenant made with God. We read of a Covenant between God [Page 9]and his people, consisting of mutuall conditions; on the peoples part, the conditions are faith, whereby they embrace him, and rely upon him as their God; and obedience to his commands as their Lawmaker and Governour, verse 17. and on Gods part, the conditions are to take them for his people, which imployeth both his protection of them, and provision for them, both for this life, and the next: in this 18 verse the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his people: and in the 9 verse of the next Chapter; this day thou art become the people of the Lord. Not, that they were not Gods Church and people before, for we find it expressed they were so: Deut, 7.6.7. Deut. 14.2. But hereby it is yet further confirmed to them, they were Gods Church and people. And thus, and in this sence, the Church of England is a true Church of God: And this leads me to
The third thing propounded, to lay downe arguments grounded upon the word of God, by which it cleerly appeares that the Church of England is a true Church of God. Our Saviour Christ, when he would prove to the woman of Samaria, that the Church of the Jewes, was the true Church of God, he doth it thus, Iohn 4.22. Ye worship ye know not what, we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jewes. Whence I infer this first argument.
1. That Church in which salvation is obtained, and God is worshipped according to the knowledge of his will revealed in his word, is the true Church of God; but in the Church of England, salvation is obtained, and God is worshipped, according to his will revealed in his word: Therefore the Church of England is the true Church of God. A second argument may be made which is necessarily implied in the text; thus
2. Salvation is not ordinarily obtained out of the true Church of God; but salvation is ordinarily obtained (by the preaching of the word) in the Church of England: therfore the Church of England is the true Church of God. An other argument may be grounded [Page 10]upon that by which the Apostle proves the Ephesians to be the true Church or houshold of God, Ephe. 2.19.20.21. now therefore yee are no more strangers and foraigners, but fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the houshold of God, and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles, and Prophets, Jesus Christ himselfe being the corner stone &c. whence I frame this argument.
3. They that build upon the Apostles and Prophets making Christ the corner stone, are no strangers but fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of the (Church or) houshold of God; but the Church of England is sound in Doctrine, building upon the Apostles and Prophets, making Christ Jesus the corner stone: Therefore it is the true Church of God.
A fourth argument may be gathered, from that text: 1 Tim. 3.15. But if I tary long, that thou maist know how thou oughtest to behave thy selfe in the house of God, which is the Church of the living God, the piller and ground of truth, by which text it appears, that truth is the signe whereby the Church of God is knowne: and from whence I thus reason.
4. Every Church that (as on a piller) hold forth the truth of God, is the house of God, the Church of the living God: But the Church of England, doe hold forth, the word of truth, Iohn 17.17. which is the Gospel of Christ that bringeth salvation. Rom. 1.16. Therefore the Church of England is the true Church of God. I take these arguments for granted, and therefore I doe not prove all these things to be found in the Church of England; because they are so cleerly manifest, that I thinke none will deny them; but if any should, I desire to know it, and I doubt not, but to satisfie them therein. There is one objection made by them that deny the Church of England to be a true Church; which I desire to answer: It is this; the true Church of Christ, consist of none but visible Saints; but the Church of England is a mixt company of ignorant, wicked, and prophane persons; Therefore they are not the true Church of God.
To which I answer, That the true Church of Christ ought to consist of none but visible Saints for the well being thereof, is a truth; But that a Church ceases to be a true Church, because they are not all visible Saints, but some are ignorant wicked and prophane persons, this is false. The Church of Corinth was a true Church, yet some of them were ignorant, and had not the knowledge of God, 1 Cor. 15.34. some denyed the Resurrection, 1 Cor. 15.12. some were wicked and prophane, for they were drunke when they came to the Sacrament, 1 Cor. 11.21. Therefore not all visible Saints, yet a true Church. In the Church of Galatia some erred in the great point of justification, against which errour Saint Paul opposed his Epistle written to them, and yet they were a true Church. In the Church in Pergamos, some held the doctrine of Balam and of the Nicholaitans, teaching to eate things sacrificed to Idols, and to commit fornication, Rev. 2.14. surely therefore not all visible Saints, and yet a true Church of God. In the Church there are vessels of wood and earth, as well as of gold and silver, 2 Tim. 2.20. And thus it appeares, that notwithstanding there are ignorant, wicked and prophane persons in the Church of England, yet it is the true Church of God. And so I come to the second proposition.
2. That it is a sin to seperate from the true Church.
We ought not to depart from a Church in which God dwels and abides, lest we be found departers from God: But God walketh in the midst of his Church, Revel. 2.1. yea, he desireth to dwell there, Psal. 132.13, 14. and he promiseth to walke amongst them, Levit. 26.12. therefore it cannot but be a sin to seperate and walke from them. Our Saviour Christ did not seperate from the Church of the Jews, (although it was exceedingly corrupted, in worship, doctrine and discipline, they saying well but doing, ill yet) [Page 12]he was circumcised, Luke 2.21. and baptised in it, Luke 3.21. holding communion with it. In the Apologeticall Narration, pag. 6. they professe before God and all the world, that multitudes of the Assemblies and parochiall Congregations of the Church of England are the true Church and body of Christ, and the Ministery thereof a true Ministery: And when the Churches of England were the most either actually overspread with desilements, or in the greatest danger thereof, they then both did, and would hold a communion with them, as the Churches of Christ. If this was their judgement then, certainely, now that wee are cleansed from those defilements, and a further Reformation is dayly intended and endeavoured; they cannot but acknowledge it to be a great sin to seperate from our parochiall Churches, renouncing them as false Churches, and utterly denying to hold communion with them. I shall not need further to cleere this: All acknowledge it to be a sin to seperate from the true Church; They in the Apologeticall Narration do acknowledge our parochiall Churches, to bee the true Churches, and body of Christ. Therefore I proceed to the third thing propounded.
3. That the Independent Society (in the City of Norwich) is no true Church of Christ.
I shall do it by these following arguments: the first is this, They that seperate from the true Church of Christ, are Schismaticks; And a company of Schismaticks, being joyned in society together, make a society of Schismaticks, but not a true Church of Christ: But the Independent Society, doe seperate from the Church of England, which (as hath beene proved) is the true Church of Christ: Therefore the Independent Society is no true Church of Christ. The Major proposition is cleered to mee by that text in 1 Iohn 2.19. where it appeares, that they that seperate from the [Page 13]Church, cannot be members of the Church. Doctor Ames in his fourth book of Conscience, pag. 141. In his answer to this question, Whether or no Schismaticks are members of the true Church? saith, If an obstinate seperation be made from all true Churches, or from any one for, a case common to all, then such Schismaticks (although it may be retaining the faith, they continue members of the Church Catholike) they cannot be esteemed as visible members of the Church. And for the Minor proposition, themselves cannot deny but they were converted in the Church of England: And it is a strange Paradox to me, that they should be converted in a false Church, and so made fit members for a true Church. Certainely, that Church in which they had their spirituall fathers to beget them to God, that Church is their spirituall Mother. The Apostle saith, the Church of Corinth, had ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers, 1 Cor. 4.15. but (blessed be God) in the Church of England, there are, and have beene many spirituall fathers, who through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ, have and doe daily beget many to Christ; and they are the Ministers of God by whom wee beleeve, 1 Cor. 3.5. And yet these Ministers are slighted (if not despised) and counted no Ministers of God: And the Church in which they were converted and brought home to God, is rejected and counted no Church of God: and can such a Society be the true Church of Christ? surely no.
A second and third argument to prove them to be no Church, I gather from their owne tenents: In describing of a true Church, they did affirme (at a meeting for dispute) that it was absolutely necessary for the being of a Church, that there should be forme as well as matter, and they said forme was a Church Covenant, without which a Church did cease to be a true Church: But I my selfe have seene members received into their Society without a Covenant: (which one of the chiefe of them told me, was to shew they [Page 14]did not absolutely require it) Therefore according to their owne rule, they did then cease to be a true Church.
Againe, some of them have affirmed that the forme of a Church is government or Church discipline (which I take to be the forme of a true Church rather then the other) but if so, then their Society cannot be a true Church, For they have never a Church Officer, therefore cannot execute Church discipline: It is the Elders of the Church, that are to rule the Church, 1 Tim. 5.17. Heb. 13.17. But that Society have never an Elder, nor other Church Officers; therefore they want forme or government; and therefore according to their owne argument they are no Church.
Fourthly, how can that be a true Church, that take in members when in their esteeme they are good, when they have no power to cast them out, though they should prove never so bad? certainely, in such a Church as this, all things cannot be done decently and in order, 1 Cor. 14.40. but for want of power to punish the disordered, nothing but confusion will (in time) bee found in such a Church: And certainly, God is not the Author of such a Church, in which there is nothing but confusion, and no meanes to prevent it. Gods Church is his building, 1 Cor. 3.9. his house, 2 Tim. 2.20. 1 Tim. 3.15. 1 Pet. 4.17. Fiftly framed, Ephes. 2.21. and formed by himselfe for himselfe, Esay 43.21. hee having appointed in it Stewards, 1 Cor. 4.1. Luke 12.42. and all other Officers for the well ordering of it. But a Society gathered together, without Rulers over them, to see peace and order continued amongst them, will in a short time be a Babell for confusion, Gen. 11.9. but cannot be the true Church of Christ: For, God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints, 1. Cor. 14.33. And thus you see that the Independent Society in the City of Norwich, is no Church. I come now to the fourth and last thing propounded.
[Page 15] 4. To lay downe divers reasons and arguments to perswade men not useperate from the Church of England, and joyne to the Independent society shewing the unlawfullnesse of so doing.
First, because it is a direct violation of our oath made with our hands lift up to the most high God, in our solemne League and Covenant. In the first Article thereof, we covenanted to endeavour, to bring the Churches of God in the three Kingdomes to the neerest conjunction, and vniformity in Religion, confession of faith, forme of Church government, directory for worship and catechizing: And in the second Article, we covenanted to endeavour the extirpation of Schisme &c. lest we be partakers in other mens sins; but how doe those take this Covenant, with a true intent to performe it, (as is expressed in the latter part of the Covenant,) who deny the Churches of the three Kingdoms to be true Churches, and set up a new Church (as they call it) against, and contrary to the government established, (or about to be established) in the Churches of the three Kingdoms? Is this to endeavour the uniformity of Church government, and the extirpation of Schisme, that the Lord may be one, and his name one in the three Kingdoms? Or is it not a retarding of the worke of Reformation, and the setling of Church government? And the spreading of herisies, schismes, factions, and divisions amongst us. We are commanded to keepe our vowes. (Deut. 23.21. Ecle. 5.4. And Covenant breakers are reckoned amongst those that are given up to a reprobate minde. (Rom. 1.13.) And God hath threatned the sword, to avenge the quarrell of his Covenant, Levit. 26.25. therefore it is a greivous sin to breake Covenant: And whether or no the Independents, keepe, or breake their Covenant, let the world judge.
2. Secondly, to joyne in fellowship with the Independent society [Page 16]doth hinder men from walking with God in such a way wherein they may most honour him, in the use of all his Ordinances, & in performing of all those mutuall duties, that God requires of his children one towards another. For first they deprive themselves of the cheife ministeriall Ordinances of God, as the preaching of the word of God, and the administration of the Sacraments: For as they looke upon the Church of England, as no Church, so also upon our Ministers, as no Ministers: And therefore they prefer their owne private meetings, before our publique preaching: And amongst themselves they have no Church Officer to performe any of these ministeriall acts: And therefore they cannot honour God in the use of those Ordinances, as they might have done, if they had continued in that Church of God, in which they did injoy them. Secondly, they cannot honour God in the performing of all those mutuall duties, that God requires of his children one towards another; for seperating from the Church of England as a false Church, they looke upon all the members of it, as without the pale of the Church, (and they cannot otherwise doe while they are of that judgement.) And because they are so, they thus reason, as for those with whom we have entred into Covenant and are members of our Church, we are bound to, but for others they are without, and what have we to doe with those that are without, say they? Whereas we know it is Christs command that all the faithfull should love one another, Iohn 13.34. and they ought also to have fellowship one with another, 1 Iohn 13. and by love to serve one another, Gal. 5.13. and to let brotherly love continue, Heb. 13.1. constantly provoking one another to love and to good workes, Heb 10.24. exhorting and instructing the ignorant, Heb. 3.13. Dan. 11.33. incouraging and strengthning the weake, 1 Thes. 5.14. Iob 4.3.4. but all these duties are neglected, by them that seperate, and walke at a distance from other Christians, whereby they rob them of that spirituall good, that charity [Page 17]requires (and formerly they have done to others;) and deprive themselves also, of that edification, they might receive (and have formerly received) by their communion with them: therefore it is a sin to joyne with such a society, as thus hinder men from performing of their dutie.
3. Thirdly, by seperating from the Church of England and joyning to the Independent society: Divine precepts are violated: For we are commanded that all thingss should be done in charity, 1 Cor. 16.14. & it is a sin not to walke charitably, Rom. 14.15. but what charity is it to renounce a whole Church without a ground? It is true Gods people are commanded to seperate from Heathens and Idolaters, 2 Cor. 6.17. Isa. 52.11. to depart out of Babilon, Revel. 18.4. but not out of Sion: Not forsaking the assemblings of Gods Church and people. Heb. 10.25. Therefore they that seperate must account the Church of England as Babylon, they must reckon them amongst the Heathens and Idolaters, or else they cannot justifie their seperation from them. And if they so Judge, where is their charity? Againe saith the Apostle, Rom. 16.17. now I beseech you brethren marke them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoyd them: And we are commanded not to meddle (or mix our selves) with those that are given to change, Prov. 24.21. And well may such receive that checke, that the Prophet Jeremie giveth, Jer. 2.36. why gaddest thou about so much to change thy way: But how doe those performe these precepts that cause divisions and seperations, and gad about so much to change their way?
Fourthly, it is denounced as a judgement of God to be seperated from the Congregation of Gods Church and people. Ezra 10.8. But the Independent societie make themselves the executioners of this judgement upon themselves; for God casts [Page 18]them not out, neither doth the Church cast them out, but themselves seperate themselves from the Church and people of God: & what greater evill, then under pretence of joyning to the Church of God, to depart from the Church, in the midst whereof God abides, Ps. 46.5. Is it not to depart from God?
Fifthly, by seperating from the true Church of God, the unity of Christs mysticall body is (in a manner) destroyed: for all the faithfull are of one houshold, Gal 6.10. children of one and the same father, Rom. 8.14. Ephes. 4.6. and mother, Gal. 4.26. hauing all one elder brother, Heb. 2.11. and are all begotten by the same spirituall seed, 1 Peter. 1.23. and are all nourished by the same milke, 1 Peter 2.2. and are all heires of the same kingdome, Iames 2.5. Mat. 25.34. all souldiers under the same Captaine, 2 Tim. 2.3. all having the same enemies, Ephes. 6.12. Therefore it cannot but be a great sin for them to seperate and divide.
Sixtly, they that seperate cause divisions, and discover themselves to bee carnall in so doing, saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 3.3. for ye are yet carnall, for whereas there is amongst you envying and strife, and divisions, (or factions) are yee not carnall, and walke as men? (as carnall and wicked men) Iude ver. 19. These be they that seperate themselves, sensuall, having not the Spirit, (or as some reade the words, These are makers of Sects) &c.) and in the verse before, they are called mockers. Wee finde that haters of Gods people seperated Gods people from their company, Luke 6.22. but wee finde not Gods people rejecting of, and seperating themselves from the company of the Church and people of God: yet so do the Independents.
Seventhly and lastly, they that seperate from the Church of England, to joyne to the Independent Society; they are meerely deceived of their ends in their joyning; for first, they thinke [Page 19]they joyne themselves to a true Church, but they doe not. Secondly, they thinke they shall be bettered by their joyning with them, but they are not. First, in their joyning with them, they are so farre from joyning to a true Church, as thereby they cast themselves out of a true Church, and are made members of no Church: And (if I mistake not) they that excommunicate a whole Church of God, and themselves out of it, by renouncing it, are in a worse condition then those that are excommunicated and cast out by the Church; for casting out by the Church is for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may bee saved, 1 Cor. 5.5. And although the Church account of such a one as a Heathen and a Publican, Mat. 18.17. yet he that is so rejected, doth not reject the Church, and count them as Heathens and Publicans: But they that thus reject the Church of England, do account of them as Heathens and Publicans, that is to say, such a company as it is not fit to hold communion with as the Church of God. Now let who will judge, who is in the worst condition, either he that is rejected by the Church as a remedy against sinne, or he that is not rejected by the Church, yet make it his sin to despise and reject the whole Church? And how a company of such despisers and rejecters of the Church of God, should make a Church of God, I know not. Secondly, they that joyne themselves to that most strange Independent Society, are exceedingly deceived, in thinking they shall be bettered by so doing. I know the benefit, by meeting, for prayer and conference, is that which is much aymed at by some that are joyned with them, and others that have desired to bee joyned with them (for that end) but are not. I confesse the meetings of christians, for prayer and conference, are duties I much prise and approve of, and have found much benefit by them, but it was when there was more sincerity, humility, [Page 20]and familiarity amongst christians, then is generally now to bee found: Of late it is come to passe (through the pollicy of Satan, and the pride and deceitfulnesse of mens hearts) that under pretence of meeting for the performing of these duties, mens fancies are vented, and all the errours amongst us, are dayly spread and increased; and how can it otherwise be, when these duties are performed by those whose judgements are corrupted? When christian society was maintained in humility and the feare of God, with all that feared God, then God did approve of their meeting, Mal. 3.16. and they found the fruit of it: But since pride and singularity have made a seperation, (so as not all that feare God are admitted into their Society, but onely such as are of their judgement, and will walke with them in their way) God hath not approved of their Society; for God is no (such) respecter of persons, Rom. 3.11. Acts 10.34.35. neither would he have christian conference hindered for any such ends. Gal. 2.6. And while it is so hindered, how can God be glorified, or themselves bettered thereby? Doth not experience prove, they are the worse, since they have entred into the Independent society? Doe they not neglect publique ordinances? Are not (many of them) remisse in family duties? Are not Gods Ministers neglected (if not despised?) Are not former Freinds slighted and rejected? At least, is not their love to them abated? Doe they not misconstrue every mans words and actions, that are not in their affections? who have been more ready then they to receive and spread abrode (if not to raise) false reports of others, that have not complied with them? Have any credited and divulged, the scandalous reports that have been raised of our Brethren the Scots, more then they? Doe not their very speech bewray, that they would be glad, if there were sufficient matter of charge against them, to occasion falling [Page 21]with violence upon them? Have they not high thoughts of themselves? Doe each of them in lowlinesse of mind esteeme others better then themselves? Phil. 2.3. Doe they abate in sin, and increase in grace? But can sin abate where love decaies, Mat. 24.12. or grace grow, where pride increases? James. 4.6. Surely no. Can a man sin against God and prosper? Job 9.4. It is true they that love the Church shall prosper, Psal. 122, 6. but can any cast off the Church and prosper? While a man is in a way of sinning against God, I cannot but question his thriving in grace. I confesse I have heard much boasting of their thriving in the Independent society, but I have not seene it. I find not growing Thyatira boasting of their growth, Rev. 2.18.19. but I find decaying Laodicea, vaine gloriously boasting of their riches and increase, but it was their ignorance made them thinke so, for they were wretched, miserable, poore, blind and naked, notwithstanding their boasting, Rev. 3.14.17. To conclude, if to joyne with the Independent society, be a violation of the Covenant: a hindering men from performing their duties to others: a violating of divine precepts: a bringing a judgement of God upon themselves: a breaking the unity of Christs mysticall body: a discovering themselves to be carnall, a seperating themselves from the true Church, and making themselves to be no members of any Church of God: and a meere deluding themselves: All which hath been proved it is: Therefore it cannot but be a sin, and folly to joyne to that society. Consider what hath been said, and the Lord give you understanding in all things.