The Nature of a Gospel Church

The Nature of a Gospel Church - A Confession of Evangelical Principles; and the Members' Covenant. Intended for the Use of the Church of Christ.

To the congregational Churches of Jesus Christ, particularly that one over which the Holy Ghost hath made me an Overseer: Grace be to you all. Amen.I thought it necessary to write to you on some Subjects which are very interesting, and to give you in sundry articles, the particulars of the Faith we profess, as believers in our most adorable Redeemer; with a few agreements which claim the conformity of all those who have given themselves up to the Lord, to walk in all well pleasing to him. I haw endeavored to keep close to the sacred pages, which are the grand standard of Faith and Practice, and as many as walk according this rule, peace be on them, and on the whole Israel of God. p. 4The first Subject I wish my brethren well instructed in is the Church of God. It must be allowed that the ever blessed God, for the purposes of glorifying his grace, hath chosen a number of persons in Christthat he gave them to Christthat the Redeemer accepted them, and delighted in them as his Brideand though he foreknew their fall in Adam, yet he covenanted with the Father to be their Surety, Righteousness, and Mediatorto deliver them from the hands of their enemies by his precious sacrifice, and in due time to call them by his holy Spirit, to the knowledge of himself; to preserve them in himself till called, and maintain them in the wilderness of this world till their glorification. All these things being planned before all worlds, in due time the Redeemer came, according to his engagement, and paid down his life for their Justification and Pardonin consequence of which, Justice being satisfied, the Law honoured, Sinners redeemed, and the Holy Spirit, with all its blessing secured, the Church of God is called, one member after another, and will be so till the whole body is complete: hence the Apostle says, Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might save it with the washing of water, by the Wordthe glorious Gospel of the blessed God is the means made use of, to bring poor sinners to the knowledge of Jesustruth having an entrance into the heart, influences all the powers, enlightens the understanding, subdues and reconciles the will, p. 5sways the affections, captivates the thoughts, and quickens the conscience. Thus the entrance of Gods word giveth light, and God shines into the heart, sooner or later, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the Person of Jesus. This is attended with love to God, as seen in Jesuslove to the Redeemer, in his Person, Work, and Officeslove to the Holy Spirit, who has done so much for the soul, and stands engaged to do much more. This love is led forth to ministers who are sent of God, especially to those whose ministry is most blessed to us, of whatever denomination they may be. This same principle of love is led forth to those who bear the image of Christ, who are divinely taught, whether they are Children, young Men, or Fathersfor, he that loveth is born of God, and knoweth GodYe are taught of God to love one anotherhe that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten. This fire within catcheth itself wherever it isin anotherthus there is a unity of heart; this unity of heart is attended with a willingness to know, and do the will of God; to worship him according to his declared will, as laid down in the New Testamentto assemble together for Prayer, reading the Word of God, and hearing it faithfully preached by those whom God hath sent. It is to submit to all his Ordinances, Baptism, as we are led to see it right, and the Lords Supper, with the rest of the Lords people; and a walking in holy obedience to the revealed will of p. 6God. This appears to be the Church of God, which he purchased with his blood; that he always protects, and will maintain as long as the world lasts. This is called his invisible Church (not to himself) but to the work, they being attended with others in the same profession, though not the same possession; and making this profession public in their non-conformity to the world, in being called from among them as well as redeemed from among them; in consequence of these things they are called the visible Church of Christ, which has been called Catholic, or general Church. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 58014
Author: Church, J. (John)
Release Date: Oct 3, 2018
Format: eBook
Language: English