Two discourses concerning the Holy Spirit, and His work the one, Of the Spirit…

§ 2. THE Lord Jesus Christ hath faithfully promised to be present with his Church unto the end of the World. It is his Temple and his Tabernacle, wherein he will dwell and walk continually. And this presence of Christ is that which makes the Church to be what it is, a Congregation Essentially distinct from all other Societies and Assemblies of Men. Let Men be formed into what Order you please, according unto any outward Rules and Measures that are either given in the Scripture, or found out by themselves, let them derive Power and Authority by what Claim soever they shall think fit, yet if Christ be not present with them, they are no Church, nor can all the Powers under Heaven make them so to be. And where any Church loseth the especial presence of Christ, it ceaseth so to be. It is, I suppose, confessed with and among whom Christ is thus present, or it may be easily proved. See his Promises to this purpose, Mat. 18. 20. Revel. 21. 3. And those Churches do exceedingly mistake their Interest who are solicitous about other things, but make little Enquiry after the Evidences of the presence of Christ among them. Some walk as if they supposed they had him sure enough, as it were immured in their Walls, whilst they keep up the Name of a Church, and an outward Order that pleaseth and advantageth themselves. But outward Order be it what it will, is so far from being the only Evidence of ⟨p. 243⟩the presence of Christ in a Church, that where it is alone, or when it is principally required, it is none at all. And therefore whereas Preaching of the Word, and the right Administration of the Sacraments are assigned as the Notes of a true Church, if the outward Acts and Order of them only be regarded, there is nothing of Evidence unto this purpose in them.

§ 2. THE Lord Jesus Christ hath faithfully promised to be present with his Church unto the end of the World. It is his Temple and his Tabernacle, wherein he will dwell and walk continually. And this presence of Christ is that which makes the Church to be what it is, a Congregation Essentially distinct from all other Societies and Assemblies of Men. Let Men be formed into what Order you please, according unto any outward Rules and Measures that are either given in the Scripture, or found out by themselves, let them derive Power and Authority by what Claim soever they shall think fit, yet if Christ be not present with them, they are no Church, nor can all the Powers under Heaven make them so to be. And where any Church loseth the especial presence of Christ, it ceaseth so to be. It is, I suppose, confessed with and among whom Christ is thus present, or it may be easily proved. See his Promises to this purpose,