That which tends to the glory of a church is the foundation on which it
is built, which is Jesus Christ. Now this is a blessed and glorious foundation.
I. In respect of God the Father, who laid this foundation in his eternal
purpose, counsel, and decree; Behold I lay in Sion etc. and this is as the
result of his infinite wisdom, love, and mercy to his elect.
II. In respect had unto Christ himself, who is this sure foundation. He
is a suitable foundation.
1. In respect to the glory of God in all his attributes.
2. In respect to our God; he answering all our wants, who are united to
him, or built upon him.
3. In respect to preciousness of Christ, as a foundation; a stone; a precious
stone.
4. In respect to durableness of it i.e. a tried stone; a sure foundation.
Brethren, a foundation house must of necessity be laid; no house can be
built without a good foundation, that will stand firm and unmovable; it
is the strongest part of the building, and it beareth all the weight of
the whole superstructure: so doth Jesus Christ.
III. The beauty and glory of a true church, consists in the true and regular,
or right constitution of it; nothing being wanting that is essential to
it, upon this account.
IV. It consisteth in the excellency, glory and suitableness of the materials
'tis built with, answering to the foundation, all precious stones, lively
stones; all regenerated persons.
V. In that all the stones be well hewed and squared; all made fit for the
building, before laid in. Were it thus, there would not be so great a noise
of the hammer and ax, in church discipline, as indeed there is. It was not
thus in the type, I mean Solomon's temple.
VI. It's beauty and glory consisteth in that all the stones being not only
united by the Spirit, to Christ the foundation, but also to one another
in sincere love and affection. In whom all the building, fitly framed together,
groweth up unto an holy temple in the Lord.
VII. It consisteth in the holiness and purity of the lives and conversations
of all the members: Be ye holy, for I am holy. Holiness becomes the house
of God, forever.
VIII. It consisteth in that sweet union and concord that ought to be in
the church; all like the horses in Pharaoh's chariot, drawing together:
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. By this
shall all men know ye are my disciples, if you love one another.
IX. In having the divine presence with them: or when the Glory of God fills
his temple.
X. In keeping out all unsanctified, or unclean persons, or if they get in,
to purge them out by a strict and holy discipline, or else it will soon
lose it's beauty.
XI. In that zeal and equality that should be shewed in all to keep up the
honour, peace, and comfort of the church, and the ministry thereof.
XII. In the administration of right discipline; to see no neglect nor delaying
of justice, through carelessness, or partiality:
(1.) No ways partaking of other men's sins; which may be done by conniving
at it;
(2.) By lessening or extenuating of it
(3.) By countenancing, or any ways encouraging any in sin.
(4.) By not restoring a brother, that confesses his sin when overtaken.
(5.) Not bringing a just charge against an offender, nor rebuking him; and
yet have communion with him.
1st. Not to wrest judgment, out of its true and right channel: Nor to inflict
a greater censure than the Law of Christ requires on any.
2dly. Time to acquit, and discharge a penitent person.
3ly. Not to do anything out of prejudice, but in love, and bowels of affection;
and to do all in Christ's name, or by his authority.
XIII. In sympathizeing with the afflicted, succouring the tempted, and relieving
the poor and distressed: rejoicing with them that rejoice, and mourning
with them that mourn.
XIV. To speak evil of no man; not only speaking no evil of their brethren,
but of no man, to his hurt or injury, detracting from his worth and honour:
See Sirach, whether it be to friend or foe, talk not of other men's lives;
and if thou canst, without offense, reveal them not. We must not discourse
his faults, unless in a Gospel-way; and that too, to amend the person, and
not out of passion, or prejudice to expose him, but out of love to his soul.
Yet we may speak of the evils of others,
(1.) When called to do it, in a legal or Gospel-way; and it is a sin then
to conceal his crime.
(2.) Or when it is to prevent another, who is in danger to be infected by
his company, or ill example.
(3.) Or in our own just defense and vindication. Moreover, consider the
evil of reproaching of others. First as to the causes why some do it.
1. One cause is from want of love: Nay from malice; and hatred.
A. From the baseness, ill natured, and cruelty of the accusers disposition.
B. 'Tis occasioned from that itch, of talking and meddling in the affairs
of other men.
C. Or perhaps to raise their own esteem and honour, some degrade their brother;
which is abominable.
2. Consider it is theft, or robbery; nay 'tis worse than to rob a man of
his goods, because thou takest away that which thou canst restore again.
3. Moreover consider, that such who reproach others, lay themselves open
thereby to reproach.
4. Moreover know, he that receives or harkens to the scandal, is as guilty
as the accuser; he is like a person that receives stolen goods, and so is
as bad as the thief. This being one of the grand and notorious evils of
these days, I speak the more to it. If you abominate this evil, and avoid
it, you will shine in grace and virtue the more clearly. Alas, in our days,
some that would be thought to be great professors stick not to vilify Christ's
ministers, even some of the best of men; and are so full of malice, they
care not what wrong they do to their brethren, nor to the truth itself,
or interest of God, and so expose themselves to a lasting shame, and their
spirit, and practice to an abhorrence; they are like cursed Ham who discovered
his father's nakedness; these persons violate all laws, both human and divine.
3ly. When they bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ:
And that you may do this, consider where is that church in which there are
no burdens to be born.
[Motives thus to do.]
1. Consider what a burden Jesus Christ hath born for thee.
2. What a burden thou has to bear of thine own.
3. Mayst not thou in some things be a burden to thy brethren?
4. Wouldst thou not have others bear thy burden?
5. May not God cause thee to bear a more heavy burden; because thou canst
not bear thy brother's?
6. 'Tis a fulfilling the law of love, nay the Law of Christ.
XV. The glory and beauty of a congregation, is more manifest, when the authority
of the church, and the dignity of the pastoral office is maintained. How
great is the evil of the gainsaying of Corah? The Apostle speaks of some
that are selfwilled, presumptuous, who are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
God has put a glory and high dignity upon the church and in it's authority
and power; Whom ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven.
Moreover, the pastoral office, is an office of dignity; they are called
rulers, angels, fathers: For any therefore to cast contempt on the church,
or pastor, is a great evil and a reproach to Christ, and tends to disorder
and confusion.
Lastly, when holiness, righteousness, charity, humility, and all true piety
is pressed upon the consciences of every member, and appears in the minister:
also that all strive to excel therein, with their uttermost care and diligences.