Gospel-conversation

Secondly, Such as would conform the Government of the Church merely to worldly Government; that because worldly men may by their prudence order things as they please in Common-wealths, so as shall be most suitable to them: therefore they falsely think, that the Kingdom of Christ must be so too; that it must be suited to every Country: whereas the truth is, there is but one way of the Government of Christ in all the world. The great Argument of the Prelates was, Indeed say they, in some places there may be another Government, where there is an Aristocracy in the Civil Government; but where there is Monarchy, there must be a Bishop. Now certainly that's not the way of Christ, to suit himself in his Government, to ⟨p. 288⟩the Government of the world. But the Government that was in the primitive times, must be still.

Secondly, Such as would conform the Government of the Church meerly to worldly Government; that because worldly men may by their prudence order things as they please in Common-wealths, so as shall be most sutable to them: therefore they falsly think, that the Kingdom of Christ must be so too; that it must be suted to every Country: whereas the truth is, there is but one way of the Government of Christ in all the world. The great Argument of the Prelates was, Indeed say they, in some places there may be another Government, where there is an Aristocracy in the Civil Government; but where there is Monarchy, there must be a Bishop. Now certainly that's not the way of Christ, to sute himself in his Government, to ⟨p. 288⟩the Government of the world. But the Government that was in the primitive times, must be still.

Thirdly, Such kind of men as think that the success of the Gospel, and the Ordinances do depend upon worldly things; as now, upon outward pomp: except there be some outward pomp go along with the Gospel; As now, Great preferments of those that are the Preachers of the Gospel, they think the Gospel will be contemned else, and except the Ordinances be carried on in an outward pomp: They conceive that all will be despised: except there be Magnificent Temples built and beautified, and except brave Gold and Silver Chalices, the Sacrament would be despised; and except they have their Altars, and Rails about them: with all their heathenish vanities, Christ is not worshipped. But this is to look upon the Kingdom of Christ as the Kingdoms of the world; but Oh no! the kingdom of Christ prevails where there is but little of the world with it. I remember I have read of one Boniface a Martyr, that being asked, whether it were lawful to give the Wine in the Sacrament, in a wooden Chalice; saith he, There was a time (indeed) when the Church had wooden Chalices, and golden Priests; but now, the Church hath golden Chalices, and wooden Priests. No question, in the primitive times, they had very mean things in the Lords Supper, and all things were carried in a very low way to a worldly eye; but (saith he) though their Chalices were wooden, the Priests were golden: and so the Gospel did prevail. Oh! it's the spiritualness of things that makes the kingdom of Christ to prevail; many think that the Gospel cannot prevail, except it hath abundance of gingles of mens wit, and tongues, and such kind of school-boy-vanities as these are, but the Gospel never prevails by such things; but that which the world calls foolishness, that is made the power of God, and the wisdom of God to Salvation: They have carnal hearts that think that the outward pomp, and glory of the world should be such a furtherance to the Gospel, as if it should not thrive without it.