§. XIV.
How the Old Covenant-worship doth differ from the New.Moreover, in this we know, that we are Partakers of the New Covenant’s Dispensation, and Disciples of Christ indeed, sharing with him in that spiritual Worship, which is performed in the Spirit and in Truth; because as he was, so are we in this World. For the Old Covenant-worship had an outward Glory, Temple and Ceremonies, and was full of outward Splendor and Majesty, having an outward Tabernacle and Altar, beautified with Gold, Silver, and precious Stones; and their Sacrifices were confined to a particular Place, even the outward Mount Sion; and those that prayed, were to pray with their Faces towards that outward Temple: And therefore all this was to be protected by an outward Arm. Nor could the Jews peaceably have enjoyed it, but when they were secured from the Violence of their outward Enemies: And therefore when at any Time their Enemies prevailed over them, their Glory was darkened, and their Sacrifices stopt; and the Face of their Worship marred: Hence they complain, lament, and bewail the Destroying of the Temple, as a Loss irreparable. The New Covenant-worship is inward.But Jesus Christ, the Author and Institutor of the New Covenant-worship, testifies, that God is neither to be worshiped in this nor that Place, but in the Spirit and in Truth: [106]And forasmuch as his Kingdom is not of this World, neither doth his Worship consist in it, or need either the Wisdom, Glory, Riches or Splendor of this World to beautify or adorn it; nor yet the outward Power or Arm of Flesh to maintain, uphold, or protect it; but it is and may be performed by those that are spiritually-minded, notwithstanding all the Opposition, Violence, and Malice of Men; because being purely spiritual, it is out of the Reach of natural Men to interrupt or obstruct it. Even as Jesus Christ, the Author thereof, did enjoy and possess his spiritual Kingdom, while oppressed, persecuted, and rejected of Men; and as, in despite of the Malice and Rage of the Devil, [107]he spoiled Principalities and Powers, triumphing over them, and through Death destroyed him that had the Power of Death, that is, the Devil; so also all his Followers both can and do worship him, not only without the Arm of Flesh to protect them, but even when oppressed. For their Worship being spiritual, is by the Power of the Spirit defended and maintained; Carnal Worships cannot stand without the Arm of Flesh.but such Worships as are carnal, and consist in carnal and outward Ceremonies and Observations, need a carnal and outward Arm to protect and defend them, else they cannot stand and subsist. And therefore it appears, that the several Worships of our Opposers, both Papists and Protestants, are of this Kind, and not the true spiritual and New Covenant-worship of Christ; because, as hath been observed, they cannot stand without the Protection or Countenance of the outward Magistrate, neither can be performed, if there be the least Opposition: For they are not in the Patience of Jesus, to serve and worship him with Sufferings, Ignominies, Calumnies, and Reproaches. And from hence have sprung all those Wars, Fightings, and Bloodshed among Christians, while each by the Arm of Flesh endeavoured to defend and protect their own Way and Worship: And from this also sprung up that monstrous Opinion of Persecution; of which we shall speak more at length hereafter.
[106] John 18. 36.
[107] Col. 2. 15.