Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

is necessary to salvation, and it is in the Church of the elect only. The visible and external government is that which is executed by man, and consisteth of external discipline, and visible ceremonies, practised in that Church, and over that Church, that containeth in it both good and evil, which is usually called the visible Church of Christ.' (Edit. 1574, p. 80.) Bishop Pearson, commenting on Eph. v. 25-27, directs us how within the great complex body of the universal Church to find that Church to which absolute holiness doth belong.' (Exposition of the Creed, edit. 1683, p. 344.)

"This distinction is, with peculiar clearness and precision, expressed by Lord Bacon in his well known confession of faith. The same twofold character of the Church is to be found in the confession of Augsburg, in the writings of Melancthon, and in nearly all the public and private writings of that period.

"We have inserted these quotations with a view of inviting our readers to the diligent examination of the originals, for we are convinced that the simple and scriptural manner in which those reverend fathers treated the subject of the Church, is much less liable to misconstruction and error than that which so many now adopt. It is the only one which connects the genuine nature of ecclesiastical polity with the spiritual character of the true Church of Christ, and is the best calculated to preserve a just medium between the unauthorized latitudinarianism of one party, and the unbending rigidity of the other."

Extract from Bishop Griswold on the subject of this note.

To the above extracts from writers of the Church of England might be added others from American authors. One only will be given, and that from the pen of a bishop whose sentiments are entitled to the highest respect, as among the most sound, judicious, and pious which have ever been submitted to the Church in this country. We refer to the Right Rev. A. V. Griswold, from one of whose sermons an extract will be found below. It forms a part of the "Walk about Zion," by the Rev. John A. Clark, and is quoted from page 191 of that valuable and interesting work. It is accompanied by a note from Bishop Hopkins expressive of the same views as are quoted above from other writers of the same Church, and a reference to similar sentiments in Archbishop Secker's works, vol. iv. p. 327, which will be found at pp. 119. 121, of the Lectures on the Cate. chism, by this author. See also "The Walk about Zion," p. 348, &c.

Bishop Griswold says:-"The visible Church includes those, who, in the sight of man, or to human appearance, submit to God's government: who receive the sacraments, and observe those religious rites which the gospel requires. The mystical Church includes them only, who are truly, in heart and life, what God requires of those who would be saved in Christ; who have 'repentance towards God, and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ.' This is sometimes called the invisible Church; because men cannot see the hearts of each other, we do not know who nor how many are possessed of those inward graces, which are neces. sary to our being justified and saved. But 'the Lord knoweth who are his; whose names, in the language of his word, are written in the book of life; or, in the language of our Church, are truly members incor porate, in the mystical body of his Son, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, and are heirs through hope of his everlasting kingdom.' Our Lord speaks of this mystical body, or invisible Church, where he says, 'the kingdom of God is within you: it 'cometh not with observation. Our union with the visible Church is sacramental: that with the. mystical Church is experimental."

ON THE CREED

$8. ON THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.

WHAT is the next article in the Creed?

"The Communion of Saints."

Who are saints?

Christians are generally described by that name in the New Testament.

How much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. Acts ix. 13.

He came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. Acts ix. 32.

And when he had called the saints and widows, &c. Acts ix. 41. The Church of Christ is a collection of holy persons, or saints. Not that every individual composing it is truly holy in heart and conduct; for we know there are many hypocrites and wicked persons in the visible Church: but having been all admitted into it by baptism, they are in a certain sense such, as were the people of Israel, on being admitted into the Jewish Church by circumcision. On which account they are all called saints in the New Testa

ment.

How are the true saints distinguished from other people?

They are set apart for God's use, and are separated from all that is unclean and unholy, not only outwardly but inwardly; they not only profess the gospel, but are sanctified thereby.

They are persons who are ransomed by the blood of Christ, who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, whose heart is with God, and who are living for heaven.

Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. Exod. xix. 6.

Nazarites separated themselves unto the Lord. Num. vi. 2.

The censers were holy, because they were dedicated to God. Num. xvi. 3. 5. 7. 9. 38.

Thou didst separate Israel to be thine inheritance. 1 Kings viii. 53.

The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. Ps. iv. 3. Separated unto the gospel of God. Rom. i. 1.

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, &c. Rom. xii. 1.

Ye are not your own: for ye are bought with a price. 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.

Come out-and be ye separate. 2 Cor. vi. 17.

Ye are chosen generation, &c., a peculiar people. 1 Pet. ii. 9.

When are they thus set apart?

In baptism. The holiest saints were once like othe men; but those who by Divine grace fulfil the promise made for them in this sacrament, viz. repentance and faith, are not only admitted by it into the Church, and outwardly numbered with God's people; but are also sanctified in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and inwardly washed from the pollution of sin.

Sanctified in Christ Jesus;-called to be saints. 1 Cor. i. 2. Such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor. vi. 11.

Have the saints any patterns set before them for their imitation?

Yes:-the spotless purity of God himself is the example they are to follow. They are required to be conformed to the divine nature and will, and to practise universal holi

ness.

Be ye holy, for I am holy. Lev. xi. 45; xx. 7. 1 Pet. i. 15, 16. Leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps. 1Pet.

ii. 21.

They cannot indeed attain to the perfection of God.
There is none holy as the Lord. 1 Sam. ii. 2.

There is none good but one, that is God. Matt. xix. 17.

But they are constantly to be making advances towards it, as members of that glorious body, of which Christ, who knew no sin, is the head. There are different degrees of holiness, but all true saints have some portion of it, sincerely love it in others, and earnestly long for, and strive after, its increase in themselves. So genuine gold, though it may admit of different degrees of polish, is all of one essential substance.

The temple of God is holy. 1 Cor. iii. 17.

Who hath called us with a holy calling. 2 Tim. i. 9.

Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling. Heb. iii. 1. What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? 2 Pet. iii. 11.

This holiness is manifested by a love of spiritual things, and an aversion to those which are not so. Those who possess it in any degree will love God, his word, and his ordinances. They will honour his day, and reverence his ministers; and it will be their delight to frequent his house and to associate with his people. They will long for the enjoyment of Christ, and account it their highest

privilege to be permitted to hold communion with their Heavenly Father in prayer. On the other hand, they will hate sin, in heart and life, come out from the world, and devote themselves to God.

Who makes them holy?

God-from whom alone proceedeth every good and perfect gift.

Christ Jesus-who of God is made unto us sanctification. 1 Cor. i. 30.

Through sanctification of the Spirit. 2 Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. How is holiness kept alive in the heart?

By watchfulness and prayer: these are the means which God has appointed to receive and to retain his Holy Spirit.

Why is it necessary they should be holy?

Because God, with whom they hold communion, is holy. There can be no agreement between persons of totally opposite habits and inclinations. Sin separates between us and God.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Amos iii. 3. What concord hath Christ with Belial? 2 Cor. vi. 15.

With whom do saints hold communion or fellowship? 1. With the Father.

Our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John i. 3.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. 1 John iii. 1. Exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Pet. i. 4.

We (the Father and the Son) will come unto him and make our abode with him. John xiv. 23.

2. With the Son.

Because I live, ye shall live also. John xiv. 19.

I am the true vine-abide in me, and I in you. John xv. 1. 4. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they also may be one in us, &c. John xvii. 20. 23.

Called unto the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord 1 Cor. i. 9.

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 1 Cor. xii. 27.

He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son, 2 John 9.

Christ has taken upon him our nature and infirmities, and borne our sins and curse.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same. Heb. ii. 14.

The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isa. liii. 6. In return we partake of his nature, and the purchase of his blood.

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. John i. 16.

By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body. 1 Cor. xii. 13. Ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal. iii. 28.

In whom ye also are builded together, for an habitation of God, through the Spirit. Eph. ii. 22.

(i.) We are partakers of his nature.

That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature. 2 Pet. i. 4.

(ii.) Of his Spirit.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? for the temple of God is holy, which temple are ye. 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17.

(iii.) Of his sufferings.

That I may know the fellowship of his sufferings. Phil. iii. 10. (iv.) Of his glory.

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him. 2 Tim. ii. 12.

3. With the Holy Ghost.

The Spirit shall teach you all things, and shall bring all things to your remembrance. John xiv. 26.

The communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. 2 Cor. xiii.

14.

If there be any fellowship of the Spirit. Phil. ii. 1.

We are sanctified by the Spirit; communion with the Father and the Son is wrought by the Spirit; and hereby we become the sons of God, having received the Spirit of adoption.

As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God, &c. Rom. viii. 14, 15.

Ye are the temple of God-the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. 1 Cor. iii. 16.

All communion with God now is through the medium of the written word. In time past, God spake to prophets and holy men in visions, but he has long ceased to employ this mode of communication.

Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one. Ps. lxxxix. 19. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. Heb. i. 1, 2.

We have communion with God when we determine to forsake sin, when we exercise unshaken hope in Christ, and when we endure affliction in an humble, patient, and quiet spirit. This intercourse is carried on in devout aspi rations, and is evidenced by the word of God becoming more and more precious.

« EdellinenJatka »