The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…

To enforce this Doctrine upon us, consider some of the chief and notable Titles or Relations the people of God have, and see, if rightly considered, they would not work like fire to consume all our dross. As

To enforce this Doctrine upon us, consider some of the chief and notable Titles or Relations the people of God have, and see, if rightly considered, they would not work like fire to consume all our drosse. As

First, The very word Ecclesia, Church: This is given to all the spiritual Societies and Assemblies that we read of in the Scripture▪ converted to the true Faith. Thus the Church of Corinth, the Churches in Asia. Now how great a matter is this very word Church? For a people to be a Church, the word signifieth as much as a company of people called out of the ignorance, idolatry, and profaneness of the world, to worship and serve God in his way, and to obey his Laws. So that when men come to be of this body, they are to renounce all their former profaneness and wickedness, and live a life conformable to the Word, which is the Churches Charter, and by which it walketh. Thus all our Congregations should be men called out of the ignorance and profaneness of the world, to live according to Gods Rule. But where are the persons or the Societies that do this? Are not many of our Assemblies in the world and of the world still, in respect of conversation? There will be scandals and offences in the Churches of God too often; but woe be to such, who by their profaneness, idolatry, and wickedness, give so many scandals as to make us accounted a Babylon, a Sodom, or as the world. Indeed, they who do thus charge us, go beyond their line: for we have a true Church, and a true Ministry, and true Ordinances; only the lives of men are generally so corrupt and wicked, so ignorant and beastly, that they are spots in our Assemblies, and a grievous reproach to that holy Profession which we have taken upon us. So then, if we would have our Congregations and persons freed from all these defilements, remember what the word Church is; a company called out of the world. And as for ignorant and profane men, the orders of Christ are to endeavour their reformation, but if they continue obstinate, then they are to be cast out. As the Clouds that are exhaled from the earth, which though terrestrial in nature, yet follow the motions of the Heavens; so though in our original we be of the world, and are dust and ashes, yet by this heavenly call, we are wholly to live a heavenly conversation. Is it for Stars to be like the dung of the earth? Is it for a Church to be a profane, ignorant, and worldly people? Oh, this very title should raise up your hearts! Are we not a Church, persons called out of wickedness?