This image, like tliat of Nebuchadnezzar, was once set up in this
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nation, with a law, that whoever would not bow down to it, and wor- ship it, should be cast into the fiery furnace. God gi'ant it to be so no more ! But if it should, there is no preservation against the in- fluence of force and fifes, but a real experience of an efficacious com- munication of Christ unto our souls in this holy ordinance, admi- nistered according to hist appointment. This, therefore, is that we ought with all diligence to endeavour; and this, not only as the only way and means of our edification in this ordinance, by an exercise in grace, the streng-thening of our faith and present consolation, but as the effectual means of our preservation in the profession of the truth, and our deliverance from the snares of our adversaries. For whereas it is undeniable that this peculiar institution, distinct from all others, doth intend and design a distinct communication and exhi- bition of Christ ; if it be pressed on us that these must be done by transuhstantiation and oral manducation thereon, and can be no otherwise, nothing but an experience of the power and efficacy of the mystical communion with Christ in this ordinance, before described, will preserve us from being ensnared by their pretences. There is not, therefore, on all accounts of grace and truth, any one thing of more concernment unto believers, than the due exercise of spiritual light and faith unto a satisfactory experience of a peculiar participa- tion of Christ in this holy institution,
II. The same is fallen out amongst them with reference unto the church, and all the principal concerns of it; — having lost or renounced the. things which belong unto its primitive constitution, they have erected a deformed image in their stead ; as I shall manifest in some instances.
Sect. lY. It is an unquestionable principle of truth, that the Church of Christ is in itself a body, — such a body as hath a head, whereon it depends, and without which it would immediately be dis- solved.
A body without a head is but a carcase, or part of a carcase ; and this head must be always present with it. A head distant from the body, — separated from it, not united unto it by such ways and means as are proper unto their nature, — is of no use. See Eph. iv. 15, 16; Col. ii. 19.
But there is a double notion of a head, as there is of a body also; for they both of them are either natural or political. There is a natural body, and there is dt. political body; and, in each sense, it must have a head of the same kind. A natural body must have a head of vital influence, and a political body must have a head of ride and government. The chui'ch is called a body, — compeired to it, — is a body in both senses, or in both parts of the comparison ; and in both must have a head. As it is a spiritually living body, compared to
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the natural, it must have a head of vital influence, without which it cannot subsist; and as it is an orderly society for the common ends of its institution, compared unto a pohtical body, it must have a head of rule and government, without which neither its being nor its use can be preserved. But these are only distinct considerations of the church, which is every way one and the same. It is not two bodies; for then it must have two heads: but it is one body, under two dis- tinct considerations, Avhich di\4de not its essence, but declare its dif- ferent respects unto its head.
And in general, all who are called Christians are thus far agi'eed, — nothing is of the church, nothing belongs unto it, which is not dependent on, which is not united to, the head. That which holds the head is the true church ; that which doth not so, is no church at all. Herein we agree with our adversaries; namely, that all the privileges of the church, all the right and title of men thereunto, depend wholly on their due relation to the head of it, according to the distinct considerations of it. Be that head who or what it will, that which is not united unto the head, which depends not on it, which is separated from it, belongs not to the church. This head of the church is Christ Jesus alone; for the church is but one, although, on various considerations, it be likened unto two sorts of bodies. The catholic church is considered either as believing, or as professing; but the l)elieving church is not one, and the professing another. If you suppose another catliolic church besides this one, whoso will may be the head of it, we are not concerned therein; but unto this church Christ is the only head. He only answers all the jiroperties and ends of such a head to the church. This the Scriptiu'e doth so positively and frequently affirm, without the least intimation, either directly or by consequence, of any other head, that it is wonderful how the ima- gination of it should befall the minds of any, who thought it not meet at the same time to cast away their Bibles.