A Church

 A Church to be rightly constituted must be scriptural. It must be formed and fashioned after the pattern of the true temple — founded not on the authority of man — not on the traditions of the elders — not on the opinions of the fathers — not on the decrees of princes or of popes — not on the acts and statutes of the realm, but on prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. It follows from the very nature, institute, and objects of a Christian Church. Its nature — that is spiritual. Its institute — that is Divine. Its ends — glory to God in the advancement of the immortal interests of man. It must be the Bible — the Bible only — the Bible wholly, which must form the basis of our Church and of our creed. Laying our hand upon this volume, and recognising in it a revelation of the mind of God, we must say, "This is the law of the house. Behold, this is the law of the house." That point proved, we press the obvious inference, that in Scripture we must find the warrant, and from Scripture we must plead the rule. The rites and institutes of men, however wise, expedient, or politic, will not suffice. In vain shall we teach for doctrines the commandments of men — in vain appeal to the traditions of the elders, if we cannot appeal to the "law and to the prophets." In vain shall we assert the authority of the fathers, if we cannot allege the "oracles of God."

I. THE OUTER ORDER OF THE SANCTUARY. The solemnity, reverence, decorum, requisite in everything connected with the service of the temple. Our comings to, attendance on, and goings from the house of God — even these may not be overlooked. Among the lesser sanctities, if I may use the term, they have their place and their importance, assisting, as they do, to solemnise the mind, and give to our assemblies the air and the behaviour of "meetings of the saints." The Church on earth should be as though it were the miniature of that which is in heaven; and men, on coming in and looking round, struck with the sacred aspect of the scene, should be constrained to say, "Surely God is in this place. This is none other than the house of God. It is the gate of heaven."

II. THE ORDINANCES OF THE HOUSE. By these, you will understand the appointments of the Lord the King, relative to the rites and ceremonies of our religious worship. They are of two kinds, viewed in reference to the common or the Christian world. Common they are in reference to the first; sealing they are in reference to the second. Under the former, we enumerate praise, prayer, the reading of the Word, the preaching of the Word; under the latter, we enumerate the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Looking to the record, it is enacted and ordained, that "the people praise Him — that all the people praise Him — kings of the earth, and all people — princes of the earth, and all judges — young men and maidens, old men and children — that they praise the Lord." And, finding it thus written in the law, we must enter His gates with "praise," His temple with thanksgiving, and mingle all grateful and all earthly honours with the nobler strains which swell the sanctuary above. Again, looking to the record, we find it written, "Ask, and ye shall receive, seek, and ye shall find." "I will that men pray everywhere." "O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come" And acting on the letter of the law, we must around the altar of the sanctuary bow the knee of our hearts unto the God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and, from this our house of prayer, send up in concert with the saints, each Sabbath day, the voice of supplication in sweet memorial before the throne of God. And thus, on reading in the law, I find it written to the same effect of all the other ordinances. Of one and all of them, it may be said that they are enacted and ordained, and ought in consequence to be acknowledged, honoured, and obeyed.

III. THE LAWS OF CHRIST'S HOUSE. These are His statutes and decrees in reference to the rule and government thereof. They may be considered either in regard to Christ, His royalties and rights as King, or to ourselves, our powers and privilege as freemen of the Lord. And first of all, it is enacted and ordained, that Christ shall be the King and Head of His own house. I look into the law and find it written, "The government shall be upon His shoulders." It is His, and His alone, to order, institute, ordain — to give the law, in short, respecting everything connected with the doctrine, discipline, worship, government of His own Church. Again, it is enacted and ordained in reference to ourselves, that every man is answerable to Christ for his religious belief. I look into the record, and I find it ruled, "Call no one master upon earth. One is your Master, even Christ." I look again, and find it written, "Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good." "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." I look again, "So, then, everyone shall give account of himself to God." On the force of these authorities, I am clear to say, this is a law of the house, that every man think for himself, judge for himself, decide for himself, in matters of religious belief. Let there be perfect liberty, fullest freedom, influence, or interference — none beyond the influence of reason, righteousness, and truth.

(H. M. Brown.)