The temple opening. A particular church considered as a temple of the Lord. In a sermon preached on a a [sic] day, when such a church was gathered, and a pastor ordained. : Now published by that church, as a continual monitor of their duty, and for the more extensive benefit of others, who would be confirmed in the right wayes of the Lord. : [Three lines of quotations]

The temple opening. A particular church considered as a temple of the Lord. In a sermon preached on a a [sic] day, when such a church was gathered, and a pastor ordained. : Now published by that church, as a continual monitor of their duty, and for the more extensive benefit of others, who would be confirmed in the right wayes of the Lord. : [Three lines of quotations]

Table of contents

Title page

THE TEMPLE Opening. 10 d. 7 m. 1707. At Braintry.

APPLICATION.

A Copy of the COVENANT, WITH which the CHURCH was Gathered. Inserted, as a Perpetual MONITOR of the Flock, to be Stedfast in the Covenant. And, In Perpetuam rei Memoriam.

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The Temple Opening. A Particular CHURCH Considered as a TEMPLE OF THE LORD. In a SERMON Preached on a a Day, when such a CHURCH was Gathered, and a PASTOR to it Ordained.

Now Published by that Church, as a continual Monitor of their Duty, and for the more Extensive Benefit of others, who would be Confirmed in the Right wayes of the Lord.

Ezek. xli i. He brought me to the TEMPLE.

Adhuc habet Ecclesia quo Crescat; donec illud impleatur, Dominabitur á Mari usque ad Mare. Aug. Sup. Matth.

Boston: Printed by B. Green, for S. Phillips 1709

THE TEMPLE Opening.
10 d. 7 m. 1707. At Braintry.

[Page]

Ephesians II.22.

In whom you also are Built together—

THE Greatest, the Noblest Work, that ever is done among the Children of Men, is this Day to be done in this Assembly. The very Angels of Heaven, fly to the Windows of Heaven, that they may be the Glad Spectators of Such a WORK done among the Children of Men upon Earth. It is, To Erect a TEMPLE of God. And what? An American Wilderness be the Place, where the Glorious LORD shall See Temples Erected for Him! O Sovereign GRACE! O Wonderful [Page] GRACE! It is even so, Lord, because it Pleases thee!

Indeed, the Whole CHURCH of GOD, collectively taken, is a TEMPLE, which our Magnificent Solomon is Building for Him. The Building is not yet Finished. The Period which answers to the Seventh Year, wherein the Temple of Solomon was finished, is not yet arrived. When it is arrived, the Acclamations [and Solomons too among the rest!] will be such as no Age ever yet heard: they will be Astonishments, beyond all that were ever yet seen in the World. In the mean time, we are told; All the Building fitly framed together, groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord. The Temple is Growing, in the Conversion of Sinners unto GOD; and the Addition to the Church daily of those that shall be Saved. When a Sinner is Converted, a New Stone is brought and laid in the Building of the Temple. The Temple grows bigger and higher, as often as any Sinner is Converted. God fetches in Matter for His Church, from all Corners of the World. He will go on doing so, till all the Elect are Effectually Called. The Top-stone of the Church will not be laid, until the Last of the Elect be called home to God, that ever shall be so. What a Shout will be given upon that Stroke, It is Finished! It is Finished! Until this be done, this is the Reason why we are so earnest with our Hearers, to Repent of Sin, and Return to [Page] God, and Believe on Christ, and Lay Hold on Eternal Life. The Ministers of the Gospel are Workmen about the Temple. Their only Work in the World should be, to build the Temple of GOD. For this we are in continual Agony. Oh▪ That this Consideration might prevail with our Hearers, to become Seriously Religious. ‘Children; At the Moment that you do indeed Resolve to become Seriously Religious, the Temple of GOD, receives a desireable Growth by your Accession unto it. You will contribute unto the Growth of the Temple, in the Day that you turn unto God. Oh! Happy Souls, that are Stones in the Temple of the Lord! Oh! Glorious Happiness, to be a Part of such a Temple! GOD will own you for His, in the Day when He makes up His Jewels.’

But there is another Observation, unto which we are now to be invited. As the Ʋniversal Church is the Temple of GOD, So Every Particular Church is to be a Temple.

There were Three Things of High Account, among the Ancient People of GOD; The City of Jerusalem; The Family of David; And, the Temple of the LORD. In the CHURCH of our Lord JESUS CHRIST, there is a bright Constellation of all those Glories meeting together. That CHURCH, which is the Body of them, that Love the Lord, and Hate Evil, and hope for Blessedness in the Heavenly World. Our [Page] Apostle assures us, That this Church, is, The City of God; and▪ The Family of God; and, The Temple of God. And, Oh! who would not give himself up unto the Conduct of a Glorious CHRIST, that he may be brought into a Church of so great a Character!

Now, the Apostle having said, That the Ʋniversal Church is the Temple of God, presently sayes to the Church of Ephesus; You also are builded together. The Particular Church of Ephesus; the Congregational Church, was also a Temple.

I may then, without any Obstruction in the way, pass on to this Doctrine and Admonition of the Lord.

Every Particular CHURCH of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, is to be together Built in the Glorious LORD, as a TEMPLE of GOD.

A Particular Church, is, A Society of Christians▪ combining for the Worship of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, in the ways that He has Instituted. Or, as our Catechised Children can tell us; 'Tis a Congregation of Saints joyned together in the Bond of the Covenant, to Worship the Lord, and Edify One another, in all His Holy Ordinances. I make no Scruple, to call it, A Congregational Church. For it is unquestionable, That a Congregational Church is an Instituted Church. If a Church of another [Page] Form, should pretend unto Institution, still 'tis the Congregational Church, that has the First claim, and a Plain claim it has, unto it. The Churches mention'd in the New Testament, were every One of them, evidently Congregational. And the most Judicious, Laborious and Impartial Searches into Christian Antiquity, do declare, That they can't find any other Churches, in the First Ages of Christianity, but what were Congregational. This Truth will most certainly gain, as Ignorance, and Prejudice, and Passion, in the Treating of such matters, does abate in the World. Concerning such a Particular Church, we are now to receive divers Propositions.

1. Unto what may a CHURCH of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, be likened? Unto what, so well as unto an House, unto which our Lord JESUS CHRIST Himself has likened it. You shall find this comparison asserted; 1. Tim. 3.15. The House of God, which is the Church of the Living God. In many Articles [...] the Comparison be carried on; we will with Delight and Profit, Reflect upon several of them.

Has not an House, a Builder? A Church has One. And 'tis the Lord Himself, that is the Builder of it. We read, Heb. 3.4. Every House is built by Some Man; but he that built all things (here) is God.

Has not an House, an Owner? A Church has [Page] One. And it is the Lord JESUS CHRIST Himself that is the Owner of it. We read, Heb 3 6 Christ is a Son over His own House, whose House we are.

Is there not Skill required unto the Building of an House? An Architect should be an Artist. It is no little Skill, that is requisite unto the producing of a Church, the Ordering of it, and the Managing of it. It calls for the greatest Skill in the World. We read, 1 Cor. 3.10▪ A Wise Master-builder, must be concerned.

Does an House consist of Good and Choice Materials? A Church must not consist of what is Rotten; But of Saints, that are Styled Cedars; and, Comparable to find Gold. Nothing but what is Good and Choice, is to be Admitted here; Except we would make a Vile Cottage of it. We read, Eph. 1.1. They must be, Saints, and Faithful in Christ Jesus.

Must the Materials of an House be well Prepared, that they may be laid into it? They that are laid in the Church, must be fetch'd out of the Rude Heap of Mankind▪ and form'd and hew'd and Squar'd and Shap'd for a Place among them that are Sanctified. A Work of Effectual Calling, and Regeneration, and Sanctification, is to pass upon them, to prepare them for it. We read, 1. Pet. 2.5. As lively Stones, (not such Lifeless Things, as the Temple of old, was composed of,) ye are built up, a Spiritual House; an Holy Priest-hood. [Probably Peter [Page] now had in his Eye the words, which our Saviour had formerly Spoken unto him, Matth. 16 18.]

Must the Materials of an House, be well Joyned unto One another? It will never be an House, if they be not so. The Form of it, arises from the Conjunction of the Materials. In the Church there is a Conjunction of those, of whom it is made up. Their Conjunction is by a Covenant of God. In some sort or other, they do Resolve and Engage together to Serve the Lord. We read; Psal. 122 3. It is compact together.

What is the End of an House? 'Tis to Dwell in; 'Tis a Dwelling-place. A Church is the Lords Dwelling-place. 'Tis an Habitation of God. We read, Rev 2 1▪ He walks there.

Finally; In an House there are various Vessels and Ʋtinsels And in a Church there are so too. We read, 2 Tim 2 20. In a great House, there are not only Vessels of Gold and of Silver, but also of Wood▪ and of Earth; and some to Honour, some to Dishonour. Godly and Sincere Persons in a Church, these are Vessels of Honour▪ Golden Vessels ▪ or, The Plate of the House. Wicked Persons, and the men of this World, are Vessels of Earth. Such as Dishonour God by Sin are Vessels of Dishonour God Save us from coming under such a Denomination▪

But, if a Church be an House ▪ I Suppose it will put us in mind. That Church Work is [Page] Building-Work. I do not wonder then, that Church-Work does go on with Difficulty; Or, that it goes on with Deliberation; Or, that it is Expensive to carry it on. To Build such an House, must needs be an Hard Work, a Slow Work, and a Costly One.

II. But what kind of an House, is a Church of the Lord JESUS CHRIST? It is an House that may be called, A Temple. Do but say, Who's House it is, and you presently determine it, A Temple. It is an House of GOD. Hence we read; 2 Cor. 6 16. Ye are the Temple of the Living GOD.

In affirming a Church to be a TEMPLE, there are Two very Important Things affirm'd concerning a Church.

First▪ It is to be Remembred, That a Church, is like a Temple, Dedicated and Consecrated unto the Special Service of GOD. What is a Temple? 'Tis an House Dedicated unto the Worship of GOD. What is a CHURCH? 'Tis a Company of Men, who have Dedicated themselves unto the Worship of GOD. GOD & the Lord JESUS CHRIST, is Worshipped in the Church. The very Design upon which a Church is Erected, is, That the Lord might be Worshipped there. A CHURCH is, as we read, 1 Cor. 1 2. To call upon the Name of JESƲS CHRIST▪ our Lord. The Lord JESUS CHRIST affords unto men in His Church, peculiar Opportunities [Page] of Communion with Himself. A Church is gathered upon this Intention; That Men may therein Enjoy a Special Communion with GOD, and the Lord JESUS CHRIST. The Language, the Pretence, the very Motto of a Church ▪ is that; 1 Joh. 1.3. Truly our Fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. In a Church, the Children of Men present their Offerings unto GOD; and in a Church, GOD Visits the Children of Men, with Communications of Light and Life and Grace unto them. A Temple is made for this Purpose; That there may be upon Earth, in the Devotions of Men, Some Conformity to what is doing in Heaven; And that here may be a fit Receptacle, to take in Such Communications from Heaven, as God will favour Men upon Earth withal. This, This is the very purpose of a Church, 'Tis made, that Heaven and Earth may therein come sweetly together; 'Tis made, that God and Man may therein Converse with one another.

Secondly. It is to be Remembred, That a Church is to take its measures, in many Things, from the Temple, which the Lord had of old, in the Land of Israel. There was a Tabernacle, which Moses built for the Special Service of GOD, according to a Pattern which God had shown him, of what is Existing, and Managed, in the Heavenly World There was a Second Edition of the Tabernacle in an Illustrious [Page] Temple, built by Solomon, for the Special Service of GOD, according to the Further Directions, which the Visions of God, had given unto his Father David; who had a clearer view than Moses had, of particularly, the Throne of Glory, in the Third Heaven, or that Apartment of the Heavenly World, which was answered, by, The Holy of Holies, in the Temple. The Dying Servant of God, left that charge; 1 Chron. 22.19. Now set your Heart and your Soul, to Seek the Lord your God; Arise therefore, and Build ye the Sanctuary of the Lord. This Temple of GOD, is now laid in Ashes. GOD has fulfill'd unto the Jews, His Threatning; Your House shall be Left unto you Desolate. The Jews are making that bitter complaint; Our Holy and our Beauteous House, where our Fathers Praised thee, is burnt up with Fire. But the Temple was built on a Spot of Land, bought of a Gentile! GOD has many a Temple now in the Land of the Gentiles. Every CHURCH of the Lord JESUS CHRIST, is now to be a Temple of GOD. It is remarkable, That all the Furniture of the Temple, Seen by John, in the Heavenly World, is introduced, as Living. The very Lamps, are Spirits; The very Horns of the Altar have a Voice; The Throne it self Speaks. A Church is more like the Temple in the Heavenly World, than any Inanimate Composition that has been called a Temple. 'Tis Living, every part of it. But that it may have the more of a Temple in it, what was in [Page] the Temple of old, must be Imitated and Spiritualized in the Church of the LORD. A Church is to consider, what was to be Seen, and what was to be Done, in the Temple; and to take its Measures accordingly. I fore-see▪ That I must anon Resume this Admonition.

But if a Church be a Temple, Methinks All that are in the Church are hence Admonished. Holiness becomes this House for ever!

It becomes them, to take up this Resolution. ‘Well; I am in an Holy Place: I am where the Holy God is present, with Singular Discoveries of Himself. Oh! Let me be very Holy. In such an Holy Place, Let me do nothing Offensive unto the Lord, who is greatly to be feared in the Assembly of the Holy Ones, and to be had in Reverence of all them that are about Him.’

III. But what Regard should the Parts of a Church have to one another? They should ly well Together, that they may be a Temple of GOD. A Church of the Lord JESUS CHRIST must have this property, Built together. It cannot pretend unto the Consistency of a TEMPLE, if it be not so.

First. By a Church-Covenant, the several Parts of a Church are to be Brought and Laid well Together. While men ly Scattered one from another, and are not come [Page] Voluntarily together, and are not come into a Voluntary Relation unto each other, they cannot be a Church of the Lord JESUS CHRIST. And how can they do this, but by a Mutual Confaederation? The Formation of a Church, is by a Church-Covenant, wherein men bind themselves to Walk together, according to the Order of the Gospel. 'Tis a Sacred Corporation. Every Corporation is made so by a Covenant. It must be by a Covenant, that men are Incorporated into an Evangelical Church-State before the Lord. Tho' the Hazard of having the Word misconstrued among Malignant Enemies, might make the Apostles forbear using the Word, Covenant, yet we find the Thing in the Apostolical Writings. We read; Act. 5.13. about, Joyning to the Church. The Original Word, carries this in it; A Cleaving together; which implies, Their Mutual Promises to Keep together: A Joyning in that Covenant or Agreement, in which that Church Associated for the Worship of the Lord. The Word is the same that is used for the Marriage-Covenant. A Church is a Spouse of Christ; It is by a Covenant that they approach unto Him. Brethren, This is the Day of your Espousal unto the Lord. Where men do not Implicitly at least, Agree and Engage, together, to Worship the Lord JESUS CHRIST according to His Laws, 'tis almost on all hands Agreed, they neither are, nor can be, A Church. [Page] All Reasonable men, will grant as much as this comes to. An Implicit Covenant is necessary to the very Being of a Church. And indeed, the Essence of a Church is preserved, where there is but an Implicit Agreement of a Company of Believers, declared by their constant Practice, in coming Together for the Publick Worship of God, and Subjection to His Ordinances. But then, an Explicit Covenant is Expedient, is Profitable, is Desireable; Yea, 'Tis a Duty. Our GOD must be Served with Our Best. We must not Put off the Lord with a Defective Thing, when we have a Better. And we are certain, That an Explicit Covenant is better than an Implicit. The Officers of the Church, are chosen by the Church, and come in with the Consent of the Church. As there must be a Covenant between the Church and its Officers; thus there must be a Covenant in the Church, to Qualify, to Distinguish, to Enable them, that they may Chuse their Officers. Accordingly, Ecclesiastical and Unquestionable History Reports to us, A Covenant, which the Primitive Christians had among them. Tertullian thus describes a Church, Corpus Sumus, de Spei Faedere, as Incorporated with a Covenant. Pliny relates, That Some Renegado Christians being Examined by him, Confessed, They had a Covenant among them. Justin Martyr Speaks of Three Things, then demanded of all that were Admitted into the Church; A [Page] New Birth; A Sound Faith; and, A Promise to walk in Obedience to the Gospel. Zepper tells us, of many Reformed Churches in these Later Ages Reviving this Discipline of the Primitive; That they who were Admitted unto the Lords-Supper in them, Solemnly Entred into a Covenant, That by the Grace of God they would Order their Lives according to His Word, and Submit unto the Discipline of His Church. Parker sayes; Admittitur, non Sine Solenni Pactione, cum Deo, et cum Ecclesiâ.

By the Church-Covenant, is meant, The Covenant of Grace applied unto those Duties of the Covenant, which a Church of the Lord is to Observe, that the Order of the Gospel may be maintained in it. There are Particular Duties, which the Members (the Pastors and Brethren) of Particular Churches, owe to one another. They that will not Seriously, and Solemnly Acknowledge their Obligations to the Duties, are but poorly Qualified to be Acknowledged as Members of the Churches. Now the Church-Covenant in our Churches, is nothing else, but that Acknowledgment.

Some Disaffected and Ʋnacquainted Persons, may decry the Covenant by which our Churches are formed, as a Singularity. But even in this Day of Deviation from the Primitive Discipline, the Lord ever now and then raises up, some Testimony for it. I will at this time only Recite the Words, of Mr. Ostervaldt, [Page] a late Outlandish Writer on, The causes of the present corruption of Christians.

‘The Order which I mean, is this, First, That when Persons desire to be Admitted unto the Sacrament, they should be Instructed for Some Weeks before, and that the same time, they should be informed of the Sacredness and Importance of the Action, and of the Promise they are to make, that so they may prepare for it betimes. In the next place, that they should be Examined, and that they should Publickly render an Account of their Faith. This Examination, being over, that they should be required, to Renew and Confirm in a Publick and Solemn manner, their Baptismal Vow, to Renounce the Devil and his Works, the World and the Pomp of it, the Flesh and its Lusts; and to Promise, that they will Live and Dy in the Christian Faith. And then, that they should be Admitted, to the Communion, by Benediction and Prayers.’

[He Proceeds.] ‘The Order I propose, will be thought a Novelty, by none but such as do not know what was anciently Practised, and who call Innovations, every thing which does not agree with the Custom of their Country, or their Church. Besides, this Establishment being altogether Suitable unto the Nature of the Christian Religion, it ought not to be Rejected. I Offer this with the greater Confidence, because an Order [Page] like this, has been Settled of late, in some Churches, and is there observed with Extraordinary Success.’ [Thus my Author.]

Briefly, The Covenant for the Duties of the Church-State, is the Cement of a Church. The Stones of a Temple are to be well Cemented and Ʋnited unto one another, by an Holy Covenant.

Secondly. The Several Parts of the Church must Keep well together, in attending to the Duties of the Church-Covenant, which are now Expected from them. A Temple must Hold well together, in the Discharge of the Duties, whereto the Church-Covenant has obliged them that are in it. The Temple falls to Pieces, when the Church-Members may have it said of them; Psal. 78 37. They are not Stedfast in His Covenant.

Church-Members, You have given your selves unto the Church whereto you do belong; Engaging, That in the Fellowship thereof you will attend upon the Ordinances of the Glorious Gospel, while your Opportunities to be thereby Edified in your most Holy Faith shall be continued. There is much that you have now to Do Together, in waiting on the Lord, that So you may be Built Together as a Temple of the Lord

There are Duties, which the ELDERS of the Church, are to do towards the Brethren. Oh! That our Glorious LORD would help [Page] us to Study and Practise our Duties! Oh! That we may Spend our Time, in Praying for our Flocks, in Treating with our Flocks, in a continual Travail for their Salvation! Oh! That we might Watch for the Souls of our People, as they that must give an Account; and be Prudent and Faithful Stewards of the Heavenly Mysteries unto them! Will you, Brethren, Ask for us those Mercies of God?

I readily acknowledge, Very many, very awful are the Duties of the Elders. But will my doing so, obtain for me the Liberty now to say, That the Duties between the Elders and the People are Mutual? If the People would allow this Concession, they might be convinced presently of several Miscarriages, which We can hardly take the Liberty to mention; Only by considering, Should the Elders neglect the Church, as much as the Brethren of the Church often cast off the Elders, doubtless, there would be loud complaints concerning it.

But between the Elders and the Brethren, Methinks, I see the DEACONS, in a Seat of Eminency, demanding, — And what shall we do? Sirs, You must be Men of Gravity, of a Grave and Solid, and Comely Behaviour. You must be Sincere men, Temperate men, Bountiful men; and Hold the Mystery of Faith in a pure Conscience. You must with much application Study the Temporal[Page]Interest, both of the Elders and of the Brethren. You must see as far as you can, that none Suffer by want. You must use all Discretion as well as Fidelity, for Augmenting as well as Dispensing, the Churches Treasury. You must have one Vertue more, which is perhaps too little considered; that is, Much Boldness in the Faith. The meaning is, That you must Speak Plainly, Freely, Boldly, on the behalf of Christ, and His Church, to Such as you find Strait-handed People, not contributing according to their Ability. You must not be Asham'd nor Afraid, but with much Boldness tell your Neighbours, when they are Defective in doing their Part, for the Support of Christianity.

I will now go on to say; There are Duties which the BRETHREN of the Church, owe both to the Elders, and to one another. When Things Ly well together in the Temple, the Brethren become well disposed both towards the Elders, and towards the Brethren. We will describe their Disposition. Oh! That while we are uttering the Description, the Spirit of Grace may so fall upon You, Our Brethren, as to bring you into it!

The Disposition of the Brethren towards the Elders, is thus to be Expressed.

I would highly Esteem the Men, to whose Conduct I am committed by the Order of GOD, while they shall by their Seriousness and Holiness, and Usefulness, deserve my Esteem.

[Page] I would observe and follow their Example, in all those Good Things, wherein the Grace of Christ has made them Exemplary.

I would make my daily and fervent Prayers to GOD for them, that He would pour out His Blessings on them, and make them rich Blessings to His People.

I would conscientiously Endeavour to Support them, and Liberally Communicate in all Good Things, unto them, that while I am Spiritually Enrich'd by them, they may not Sink in Temporal Poverty.

I would Comfort them in their Adversities, Defend them from their Adversaries, Vindicate their Innocency from unjust Reproaches.

I would in an Orderly, Suitable, and Obedient manner Attend upon them, when I am call'd upon.

The Disposition of the Brethren towards One another is thus to be Expressed.

I would carry the Flock before the Lord▪ in my constant Supplications, and constantly Pray for the Peace of the Society.

I would Study and pursue the welfare of the Society, on all accounts, as I may have Opportunity; and Studiously Maintain its Purity, its Ʋnity, and all the Priviledges which the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased for it.

I would Stand by the Society, when ever any Storms of Affliction may arise upon it; [Page] and not abandon it, because it is Afflicted and tossed with Tempest.

I would faithfully Give, and Thankfully Take, Admonitions, as in the Society, there may be Occasion.

I would help to carry on all the Affayrs of the Kingdom of God, in the Society according to my Ability; In Supplying or Discharging of Offices; in Upholding of Discipline; Or, what ever must be done, that Religion may be honourably carried on.

I would Mark and Shun those that cause Divisions in the Society, and much be afraid of being my self the cause of Divisions.

I would have a Brotherly Sympathy with the whole Society, as being my self also in the Body, and Sympathize with every particular Member that may be in any particular Sorrow.

Oh! what a Lovely Temple Built together should we see in this Place, if here might be a Church thus disposed!

IV. But a Temple Built thus together, what must it be Built upon? It must be Built upon our Lord JESUS CHRIST. In Him a Church is to be Built together.

Excellent Things are implied in this.

First. In Him! — Every Church-Member should be In Him; Every Church-Member should have an Ʋnion with the Lord JESUS [Page] CHRIST. Who are they, that are fit for for Church-Fellowship? we read, Eph. 1.1. The Saints, and Faithful in Christ Jesus. Before we come to be in a Church, we should be in the Lord Jesus Christ. They that are not in the Lord JESUS CHRIST, and that are not New Creatures, and that are not Holy Ones Partakers of the Heavenly Calling; are not Sound Members of the Church. Our First work must be to make sure of this, That we be in the Lord JESUS CHRIST, by Accepting of Him, as He is Offered unto us. Then we may come to be in the church, and welcome. And the Grand care of every One, that is in the Church, it should run upon this; Am I in the Lord Jesus Christ, or no? It is not being in the Church, that will deliver a man from the Wrath of God. No; 'Tis being in the Lord JESUS CHRIST. Our main care must be that; Phil. 3 9. Oh! That I may be found in Him!

Secondly. In Him! — 'Tis a Respect unto Him, that must hold us together. Church-Members must be United in Respect unto the Lord JESUS CHRIST. This, This must be the Ʋniting Principle among us. All Church-Members must hold together in making the Lord JESUS CHRIST their Foundation. 'Tis no Temple of GOD, which is not Ʋnited upon that Foundation. We read, Col. 2.19. Holding the Head, is necessary. A Church falls, if the Members thereof, do [Page] not concur, in their Apprehensions of the Lord JESUS CHRIST; in their Inclinations to the Lord JESUS CHRIST. The Ʋniting Principle of a Church must be This; All the Members of it, must believe, That JESUS is CHRIST, and that CHRIST is GOD; and, That the Things Reveled and Reported in the Gospel, are Faithful Sayings. And all the Members of it, must Prize CHRIST, as the Pearl of Great Price, and Love CHRIST, as the Altogether Lovely One, & Serve CHRIST as their only Lord, and prefer a Portion in CHRIST above any Worldly Portion. This is One of the admirable Instances of our GODS Gathering together all things in CHRIST. The Members of the Church are Gathered together; and it is their Belief of CHRIST, and their Homage to CHRIST, by which they are Gathered and Ʋnited.

Thirdly. In Him! — 'Tis on the account of Him, that we are to take up a Kindness for one another. All Church-Members must be Kind unto One another, because of the Lord JESUS CHRIST. There is, 2 Pet. 1.7. A Brotherly-Kindness, that must Sweeten the whole carriage of Church-Members towards One another. Now this Brotherly-Kindness, wherein we are to Love as Brethren, what must it be Built upon? It must be Built upon the Command of the Lord JESUS CHRIST. Because the Lord JESUS CHRIST, has given us this Command, Love One another, Therefore [Page] we should forbear Injuring or Provoking one another; Therefore we should Please each other to Edification; Therefore we should be Serviceable to each other, and be ready to do each other all the Good that ever we can. Again; It must be Built upon the Image of the Lord JESUS CHRIST. We may See something of the Image of the Lord JESUS CHRIST in One another; Therefore, and so far, we should have a Value for One another; Therefore we should bear One anothers Burdens, and make as light as we can of the Infirmities wherewith any render themselves Burdensome unto us; Therefore we should close with one another, and come together cheerfully and heartily.

Thus we shall render our selves, A Temple of God, built up together in our Lord Iesus Christ.

APPLICATION.

We are this Day concerned with a People, which we now see growing into such a TEMPLE. The most agreeable thing that we can do, is to let this dear People of the Lord, Hear what we do on their behalf make our Wishes to the Lord. O CHURCH of the Living GOD: We will now utter our Wishes for you. And they shall be all Summed up, in this comprehensive One; The LORD make you a TEMPLE for Himself; God grant, [Page] That you may be a Temple Built up together in the Lord Iesus Christ. Oh! That all that Look upon this Church, might have cause to Cry out with Joy; A TEMPLE, A Temple of the Lord Jesus Christ! A Glorious Temple of God! An House of GOD, and a Gate of Heaven!

I must have my WISHES, more particularly yet, and more pathetically adapted for you. I will fly away to the Temple of Solomon, where we were a few Minutes ago. There I will take a few Turns. I will fetch my WISHES from Some things, whereof I shall take notice there.

I take notice; The Temple was built upon Mount Morijah. I Wish, That you, O Church of the LORD, may be built upon the Rock of Ages. The Truths which concern a Glorious CHRIST, that Rock of Ages, are faithfully Set before you in, The Confession of Faith, received among you. May you be well Founded on those Truths, and may a Blast from GOD, befall all Attempts ever to remove you from them.

But, I also Wish, you may never have any but Men, that for their Peaceableness, may Merit the Name of Solomon, to be your Builders.

I take notice; The Temple was built of Stones well Squared, of Trees well Hewed. I Wish, That the SPIRIT of GOD, by His Renewing Operations upon your Minds, may make you all to be Such.

[Page]When you are Such, then Call to your Minds, the Condition of the Ʋnregenerates left behind you, in the same Quarry, and the same Desart, from whence you were taken. And Pitty them, Oh! Pitty them!

I take notice; The Temple had a very Beautiful Aspect. I Wish, That the Beauty of your Conversations may be such as to commend Religion; Such as to set off your Profession.

May your Charity, the most obvious and visible part of your Behaviour, be like the Beautiful Porch of the Temple. But the Porch, and the Holy of Holies, were of the same Dimensions. I Wish, your Charity and your Holiness, may be Parallel in their Dimensions.

But, Oh! That there were more Compassion shown to them, that are lying in the Porch! Our Children are lying in the Porch: There they ly, Begging Alms.

I take notice; There was an Outer Court in the Temple, and an Inner Court. I Wish, That you may be, not meerly Worshippers in the Outer Court; not content with outward Shows and Signs of the Fear of God: But that you may also be Worshippers in the Inner Court; Acquainted with Inward, Sincere, Hearty, and Experimental Piety.

I take notice, of a Table with Loaves upon it, in the Temple. I Wish, That you may have CHRIST, as the Bread of Life, and more than Half a loaf of it, every Sabbath set before you.

[Page]I take notice of Lavers in the Temple. I Wish, That you may all be Washed in the Lavers of the Word, and the Grace, and the Blood of your Glorious LORD. Oh! For clean Hands, and Pure Hearts, in this Holy Place!

But shall I show you the way to arrive at Excellent Holiness! We read of, A Sea of Glass mingled with Fire. The Great Laver in the Temple, was called, A Sea; A Sea, of Glass, that is, of Brass. It was Mingled with Fire. It stood not far from the Altar. The Fire on the Altar caused a bright Reflection in the Water; The Water look'd as if mingled with Fire. Verily, The Thoughts of a crucified JESUS, may be much mingled, in all your Endeavours after Holiness; you will find in them the most Purifying Vertue that can be imagined.

I take notice of Altars in the Temple. I Wish, That you may act a Lively Faith on a Glorious CHRIST, as making Satisfaction for us, at the Brasen Altar, as making Intercession for us, at the Golden Altar. Yea, may you present your selves as also Sacrifices unto GOD. May your Devotions be continually the Sacrifices wherewith God shall be well-pleased. May your Prayers and your Alms, go up as a Memorial before the Lord!

There were Pillars in the Temple. I Wish, Your Elders may be such. God help them, the God of Patience, & of (what will follow!) Comfort, help them to Bear a great deal!

I take notice, of Golden Candlesticks in the [Page] Temple. I Wish, That you may be well Illuminated, as the Lesser Lamps, the Sons of Light, were from the Principal One I Wish, Others may receive Illumination from you. But, Oh! Let the Golden Snuffers be well used in your Impartial Discipline.

If any Ʋnclean and Profane Persons, go to Press into the Temple; I Wish, They may be kept out. I Wish, this House of God, may never be a Den of Thieves; or, as Chrysostom calls a Church full of Scandalous Members, A Stable for Camels and Asses.

And will you Try, O Church of the most High! Try to get a Look into the Holy of Holies. Oh! Look into Heaven, as much as you can, as far as you can, as oft as you can. The Vail is Rent, at the Death of your Glorious LORD. Now they that Stand in the Holy Place, may look into the Holy of Holies. Oh! Be a People of an Heavenly Temper; Seek the Things that are Above; and, Have your Conversation in Heaven. Be much in such Meditations as these; ‘My Glorious Lord JESUS CHRIST, the High Priest, is gone into the Holy of Holies; There He Sits down at the Right Hand of GOD. By vertue of His Blood I shall enter into that Heaven after Him. There, There is the Ark of GOD; There is the Mercy Seat; the CHRIST, in those Exhibitions, for the sake whereof God is Merciful to me. There to be, is by far the best of all.’

Methinks, I am loath to leave the Temple! [Page] But something of a more particular Importance, than all of this, must be Spoken unto the People, who are this Day becoming a a Temple for the LORD.

Brethren; 'Tis a very Great Glory, which is this Day put upon you, by this Glorious ONE. But, as you must beware, of being Haughty, because you now Stand in the Lords Holy Mountain, so your Standing there, should make you very Cautious, very Watchful, that your whole Behavour may Adorn the Doctrine of God your Saviour. You have the Eyes of the most Holy LORD upon you; Eyes that strike and pierce like Lightning; Pure Eyes, that will not look upon Iniquity. The People of God, and all your Neighbours, have their Eyes upon you. Oh! how much ought this to be your Prayer; Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain Path, because of my Observers! It is greatly to be Desired, greatly to be Advised, That you Endeavour greatly to approve your selves the Children of God, without Rebuke, in the midst of those, who may be ready enough to censure you. That you may keep close to the Faith and Order of the Gospel, and the Right ways of the Lord, wherein these Churches have hitherto flourished: That you may be much in Supplications to the LORD, & often Set apart Whole Days for Extraordinary Supplications, that the Work of God may be happily carried on among you. In a Word, That you may all be true Citizens of Zion!

[Page]And, Oh! That your Minister, may be a Man Diligent in his Business, because he Stands before the King of Kings: A Man that shall make it his whole Business, to Know Christ, & Preach Christ, & Serve Christ, and Win Souls unto Him, and feed you with Christ, which is the Food of Angels: A Man that shall maintain an Holy, Humble, Trembling, & Prayerful Walk with God, and render it your Safety to Follow Him, as a Follower of the Lord: A Man that where-ever he comes, will be always at Work for GOD, and for YOU; Do Good continually; Be always full of Contrivances to Do Good; Never be Well, but when Employ'd in some Good Work, and Study to be a Workman that need not be ashamed.

May this CHURCH of the Lord, be such a TEMPLE, and so accommodated; Then shall we say, 'Tis Good to be here.

I will not break off, till I have Illustrated that Saying, with quoting Two passages.

One Passage must be from our Incomparable Goodwin, who having described, the Grand Intention of a Congregational Church, coming together, ‘To Worship the Lord, and Edify One another in all His Holy Ordinances;’ adds, ‘'Tis an Honourable Assembly, wherein CHRIST is the Head! And they meet, not for the Good of the Common wealth directly; tho' that be honourable, yet it is nothing to the Salvation of Souls, and the Edifying of One another in the Fear of God. How therefore [Page] should all matters be carried? There should nothing appear but the Presence of Christ; the Love of Christ, and the Power of His Grace: And then, they are the most honourable Meetings in the World!’

Another Passage must be, from our celebrated Shepard; who in a Manuscript, which I have in my hands, relates the Gathering of the Church at Cambridge, quickly after his coming into New England, and the condition of his own Vertuous Consort at that time very near her Death, of a Consumption. The Relation has these words in it. ‘It pleased the Lord to joyn us into Church-fellowship. After the Day was ended, we came to her Chamber, She being unable to come unto us. And because we feared, her End was not far off, we did solemnly ask her, If she was desirous to be a Member with us. Which she Expressing▪ and so Entring into Covenant with us, we thereupon all took her by the hand, and received her as become One with us▪ having had full Trial & Experience of her Faith & Life before. At this Time, and by this means, the Lord did not only show us the worth of this Ordinance, but gave us a Seal of His Accepting of us, and of His Presence with us that Day. For the Lord hereby fill'd her Heart, with such unspeakable Joy and Assurance of Gods Love, that She said to us, She had now Enough; and we were afraid, her Feeble Body, would have at that time fallen, under the [Page] weight of her Joy. Thus She told me; Tho' in my Judgment▪ I saw that the Lord had Loved me, yet in my Affection I fear'd, that there might be some flaw in my Heart, Some Sin in my Soul, which might Separate between me & my God, at the Last, which I neither Saw, nor Others could discern: But now, by this Ordinance, the Lord hath Satisfied & driven away my Fears. I look on my Entrance into the Church of Christ here, as a Resemblance & Fore-runner, of my Entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven among the Saints there. And tho' I know, that Hypocrites are, & may be received into the Bosom of the Church, yet I am willing the Lord should try me, & mend me, and by this Means, He hath Sealed it unto me, that I am not One of them. And thus, a Fortnight almost before her Death, unto her Departure, in the midst of most bitter Afflictions & anguishes, her Peace continued.’

I return to the Temple. May this Church, be such a Temple; Then, as there were Cherubims on the Walls of the Temple, the very Angels of GOD, will take Pleasure, to Behold you, to Befriend you.

Yea, Then, The Glorious LORD Himself, will afford a most gracious Presence of His unto You. And, Lord, If thou wilt be here, we shall not Dye; nor shall the Souls of our Children Dye!

The Name of this Church will be, Iehovah Shammah, THE LORD IS THERE.

A Copy of the COVENANT, WITH which the CHURCH was Gathered.
Inserted, as a Perpetual MONITOR of the Flock, to be Stedfast in the Covenant. And, In Perpetuam rei Memoriam.

[Page]

WE whose Names are hereunto Subscribed, apprehending our selves Called of GOD to Joyn together in Church Communion: (acknowledging our Unworthiness of Such a Priviledge, & our Inability to keep Covenant with GOD, or to perform any Spiritual Duty, unless Christ shall enable us there-unto:) In Humble Dependance on Free Grace for Divine Assistance & Acceptance; We Do in the Name of CHRIST JESUS our LORD, freely Covenant & Bind [Page] our Selves Solemnly, in the Presence of GOD Himself; His Holy Angels, and all His Servants here present, To Serve the GOD whose Name Alone is JEHOVAH, FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST, the Only True and Living GOD, Cleaving to Him as our Chief Good; and unto our LORD JESUS CHRIST, as our only Saviour, Prophet, Priest, & King of our Souls, in a Way of Gospel Obedience: Avouching the LORD to be our GOD, and the GOD of our Children, whom we Give unto Him; counting it as an High Favour, that the LORD will accept of us and our Children with us to be His People. We do also Give our Selves One unto Another in the LORD, Covenanting to Walk together as a Church of CHRIST in all the Ways of His Worship, according to the Holy Rules of His Word; Promising in Brotherly Love faithfully to Watch over one anothers Souls, and to Submit our Selves to the Discipline & [Page] Power of CHRIST in His Church; and duely to attend the Seals & Censures, or what ever Ordinances CHRIST has Commanded to be Observed by His People, so far as the LORD by His Word & Spirit has or shall Reveal unto us, to be our Duty: Beseeching the LORD to Own us for His People, & to Delight to Dwell in the midst of us.

And that we may Keep our Covenants with GOD, We Desire to Deny our Selves, & to Depend wholly on the Free Mercy of GOD, & upon the Merits of JESUS CHRIST; and wherein we shall fail, to Wait on Him for Pardon through His Name, Beseeching the LORD to Own us as a CHURCH OF CHRIST, and to Delight to Abide in the midst of us.

FINIS.

Information about this book

Title statement

The temple opening. A particular church considered as a temple of the Lord. In a sermon preached on a a [sic] day, when such a church was gathered, and a pastor ordained. : Now published by that church, as a continual monitor of their duty, and for the more extensive benefit of others, who would be confirmed in the right wayes of the Lord. : [Three lines of quotations]

Mather, Cotton, 1663-1728.

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI :

Date

2007-10.

ID [DLPS]

N01181

ID [TCP]

N01181

ID [STC]

Evans 1408

ID [NOTIS]

APX2969

ID [IMAGE-SET]

1408

ID [EVANS-CITATION]

99019723

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 1408.

Notes

(Evans-TCP ; no. N01181)

Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 1408)

Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 1408)

Source

— The temple opening. A particular church considered as a temple of the Lord. In a sermon preached on a a [sic] day, when such a church was gathered, and a pastor ordained. : Now published by that church, as a continual monitor of their duty, and for the more extensive benefit of others, who would be confirmed in the right wayes of the Lord. : [Three lines of quotations], Mather, Cotton, 1663-1728..

Extent

[2], 34 p. ; 15 cm. (12mo)

Printed by B. Green, for S. Phillips,. Boston: :: 1709.. (Delivered 1707 at the dedication of the South Parish, Braintree, and the settling of its pastor, Hugh Adams. Cf. Diary of Cotton Mather, Sept., 1707.) ("A copy of the Covenant, with which the church was gathered."--p. 32-34.)

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