J. Church

“ But we are looking to a glorious period, when truth in its native simplicity, shall fly with the rapidity of lightning, and illuminate the World; when Anti-christ, in the East and West, shall fall, to rise no more—when p. 14Zion’s Watchmen shall see, eye to eye—when Jews and Gentiles form one fold—when peace and holiness shall be universal—when kings shall be nursing fathers to the Church, and the whole earth serve the Lord! ”

“ VII. I believe, that all Mankind are conceived and born in sin, Children of disobedience, enemies to God, violators of his commands, averse to good, prone to evil, Children of wrath, obnoxious to the justice of God, and the condemnation of his law: and I believe, that no Creature can help or deliver himself, out of that wretched state into which he has fallen. ”

“ It must be allowed that the ever blessed God, for the purposes of glorifying his grace, hath chosen a number of persons in Christ—that he gave them to Christ—that the Redeemer accepted them, and delighted in them as his Bride—and though he foreknew their fall in Adam, yet he covenanted with the Father to be their Surety, Righteousness, and Mediator—to 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 ”

“ He that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall be destroyed without a remedy. Let us consider one another.
12.—We hope, through grace, to walk in all holiness of life, to the glory of the Gospel, the edification of the Church, and conviction to them that are without—looking unto Jesus, depending on his unmerited favour, rejoicing in his Person and Work, and lodging for the happy time, when we shall join the Church triumphant in heaven.—Let your light so shine. ”

“ This Church is variously set forth in Scripture, which is worthy our attention, with its present and future glory. Permit me to remark, that many persons suppose a Church to be nothing but a large building: this is not called a Church in Scripture—it does not mean the Place but the People—the professors of the Gospel, whether called effectually or not, yet walking together in the Ordinances, and appearing to serve the same Master, the whole body is called a Church. There is no pure or perfect Church this side Heaven ”

“ This was the case of the Church in the West; while, about this time, Mahomet the Arab, took his rise in the East, and propogated his delusion there. Thus the Beast rose about 606, or 666; and now, in another sense, the Church entered into her Wilderness state, the outer Court being given to the Gentiles, to be trodden under foot for forty-two months, or 1260 years. Sad indeed the consequence of the rise of the Man of Sin. For many years worse Persecutions than under the Pagans took place, but God did not leave the World without a Witness for himself. ”

“ They were cast to wild beasts, beheaded, crucified, burnt, drowned, torn to pieces between trees, roasted by gentle fires, and some, having holes made in the body, had melted lead poured into their bowels. In Egypt alone, an hundred and forty thousand were cut off by violent deaths, and seven hundred thousand by banishment and hard labour. ”

“ Charity suffereth long, and is kind. If any man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
9.—We agree to sympathize with each other in the calamities and trials that may befall us—either affliction of body, unjust reproach, real falls, family afflictions, or temptation and soul troubles. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who suffer adversity. If one member suffers all the members suffer with it. Bear ye one anothers burdens. Ye ought to support the weak. ”

“ XIII. I believe, that in the new testament Church of Christ, there are two Sacraments: Baptism, and the Supper of the Lord. I believe, Baptism to be an outward and visible sign; first, of the sufferings, death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ; secondly, of an inward and spiritual operation of the Holy Ghost, upon the hearts of believers; and is a grand emblem of a death unto sin, and a new birth unto p. 19righteousness; for being by nature the children of wrath, we are by regeneration, manifested to be children of grace. ”

“ XVIII. I believe, that the felicity of the Saints will be eternal; and I as firmly believe, such will be the eternity of misery; unless, the never-dying worm dies, and this unquenchable fire goes out; which will not, cannot be ”

“ Wherefore comfort one another, and edify one another, as also ye do.
8.—We will endeavour to bear with each others infirmities, weakness, and failings, in meekness, patience, and pity—render them what assistance we can, by prayer, advice, and kindness; not approving their errors, but recommending them to the Lord, and forgiving every offence done against us, when we believe such an offender is sorry, and will acknowledge his sin. Be ye kind to one to another—tender hearted. If thy brother repent forgive him. We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. ”

“ 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 Fathers—for, he that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God—Ye are taught of God to love one another—he that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten. ”

“ They are spiritual men, understanding spiritual things; men of holiness, whose lives and conversation are becoming the Gospel—baptized into Christ, invisibly, by the Spirit, and outwardly by Water, if God is pleased to shew them that it is right, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. These p. 8are the Persons who have a right to chuse their Ministers, their Officers, and to use all the Ordinances and Privileges granted to the Church by our glorious Lord and Master, Christ, who is the king, head, and saviour of his Elect. ”

“ Thus we see the Bush long burning, and not consumed, because the Angel of the Covenant was in it—and this is he that was with the Church in the Wilderness.
p. 12The Christians now enjoyed a great calm under the reign of Constantine and Theodosius; but Satan always took an opportunity to ruin the Church by Heresies when he could not by Persecution. Arianism, and many other errors were propogated, which occasioned dreadful troubles to the Church. Julian the Apostate, endeavored once more to extirpate Christianity, but was killed in a Persecution he raised, before he had reigned two years. ”