his_o death_n and_o cite_v heb._n ix_o 12._o to_o that_o purpose_n which_o i_o be_o sure_a no_n socinian_n can_v own_v the_o proper_a notion_n of_o a_o advocate_n or_o intercessor_n be_v one_o who_o offer_v up_o our_o prayer_n and_o petition_n and_o procure_v a_o answer_n which_o be_v represent_v by_o the_o high_a priest_n offer_v incense_n in_o the_o holy_a of_o holies_n which_o signify_v the_o prayer_n of_o the_o congregation_n and_o therefore_o we_o find_v that_o while_n the_o priest_n offer_v incense_n in_o the_o holy_a place_n the_o people_n use_v to_o pray_v without_o that_o their_o prayer_n may_v ascend_v together_o with_o the_o incense_n luke_n i_o 10._o so_o that_o christ_n intercession_n be_v found_v on_o the_o virtue_n of_o his_o sacrifice_n but_o it_o be_v not_o the_o representation_n of_o his_o meritorius_fw-la sacrifice_n as_o mr._n ferguson_n imagine_v but_o the_o recommendation_n of_o our_o prayer_n and_o person_n to_o god_n by_o virtue_n of_o his_o meritorious_a sacrifice_n and_o therefore_o the_o intercession_n of_o christ_n be_v describe_v by_o his_o be_v able_a to_o save_v all_o those_o to_o the_o uttermost_a who_o come_v unto_o god_n by_o he_o heb._n seven_o 25._o and_o since_o we_o have_v such_o a_o high_a priest_n who_o intercede_v for_o we_o and_o be_v sensible_a of_o our_o infirmity_n we_o be_v exhort_v to_o come_v bold_o to_o the_o throne_n of_o grace_n that_o we_o may_v obtain_v mercy_n and_o find_v grace_n to_o help_v in_o time_n of_o need_n heb._n four_o 16._o the_o death_n of_o christ_n upon_o the_o cross_n be_v a_o sacrifice_n for_o sin_n be_v a_o act_n of_o his_o aaronical_a priesthood_n to_o make_v atonement_n for_o sin_n by_o the_o sacrifice_n of_o himself_o but_o when_o he_o ascend_v into_o heaven_n and_o have_v present_v his_o blood_n in_o the_o holy_a place_n he_o be_v no_o long_o than_o a_o priest_n after_o the_o order_n of_o aaron_n but_o after_o the_o order_n of_o melchisedeck_v as_o the_o apostle_n prove_v at_o large_a in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o hebrew_n his_o work_n be_v not_o to_o offer_v himself_o any_o more_o in_o sacrifice_n for_o he_o have_v by_o one_o offering_n for_o ever_o perfect_v they_o who_o be_v sanctify_v but_o his_o office_n be_v to_o bless_v the_o people_n in_o god_n name_n as_o melchisedeck_v bless_v abraham_n god_n have_v send_v his_o son_n to_o bless_v we_o in_o turn_v of_o we_o from_o our_o iniquity_n he_o have_v exalt_v he_o to_o be_v a_o prince_n and_o a_o saviour_n to_o give_v repentance_n unto_o israel_n and_o remission_n of_o sin_n so_o that_o now_o in_o virtue_n of_o his_o death_n and_o sacrifice_n christ_n do_v not_o intercede_v like_o some_o mean_a advocate_n by_o prayer_n and_o entreaty_n have_v all_o power_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o earth_n commit_v to_o he_o but_o do_v by_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o he_o receive_v from_o god_n as_o the_o purchase_n and_o reward_n of_o his_o death_n and_o suffering_n bestow_v all_o those_o blessing_n on_o we_o which_o we_o want_v and_o pray_v for_o in_o his_o name_n for_o this_o reason_n i_o assert_v that_o christ_n intercession_n be_v the_o power_n of_o a_o regal_a priest_n to_o expiate_v and_o forgive_v sin_n not_o to_o make_v atonement_n for_o they_o which_o he_o do_v by_o his_o death_n and_o sacrifice_n as_o mr._n ferguson_n will_v pervert_v my_o word_n but_o to_o apply_v this_o expiation_n and_o atonement_n to_o we_o in_o the_o actual_a forgiveness_n of_o our_o sin_n and_o this_o be_v so_o plain_a and_o evident_a a_o truth_n that_o mr._n ferguson_n himself_o can_v deny_v it_o though_o he_o quarrel_n with_o i_o for_o assert_v it_o be_v willing_a it_o seem_v to_o find_v fault_n if_o he_o know_v how_o his_o word_n be_v these_o indeed_o his_o intercession_n as_o upon_o the_o one_o 391._o hand_n it_o be_v found_v on_o his_o oblation_n and_o sacrifice_n be_v nothing_o but_o the_o representation_n of_o his_o meritorious_a passion_n and_o a_o continuation_n of_o his_o sacerdotal_a function_n which_o as_o i_o observe_v before_o be_v a_o mistake_a notion_n of_o christ_n intercession_n as_o confound_v his_o sacrifice_n with_o his_o intercession_n which_o be_v indeed_o found_v on_o his_o sacrifice_n and_o receive_v all_o its_o virtue_n and_o efficacy_n from_o it_o but_o yet_o be_v of_o a_o distinct_a nature_n and_o consideration_n so_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n it_o have_v its_o effect_n towards_o we_o by_o virtue_n of_o the_o interposition_n of_o some_o act_n of_o his_o kingly_a office_n for_o these_o office_n be_v all_o vest_v in_o the_o same_o person_n and_o have_v all_o the_o same_o general_a end_n and_o belong_v all_o to_o the_o work_n of_o mediation_n it_o can_v otherwise_o be_v but_o that_o their_o act_n must_v have_v a_o mutual_a respect_n to_o each_o other_o but_o yet_o the_o priestly_a office_n to_o which_o intercession_n appertain_v be_v formal_o distinct_a from_o his_o kingly_a in_o which_o word_n he_o acknowledge_v that_o christ_n intercession_n as_o it_o respect_v we_o and_o consist_v in_o bestow_v those_o blessing_n on_o we_o which_o we_o want_v and_o which_o he_o have_v purchase_v be_v a_o act_n of_o kingly_a power_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v as_o much_o as_o i_o assert_v or_o ever_o intend_v to_o assert_v and_o as_o for_o what_o he_o add_v that_o still_o his_o priestly_a office_n be_v formal_o distinguish_v from_o his_o kingly_a i_o ready_o grant_v it_o so_o far_o as_o it_o respect_v his_o sacrifice_n and_o expiation_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o his_o aaronical_a priesthood_n but_o as_o it_o respect_v his_o intercession_n which_o be_v a_o act_n of_o his_o melchisedechian_a priesthood_n his_o kingly_a and_o priestly_a office_n be_v so_o close_o unite_v that_o he_o be_v rather_o to_o be_v consider_v as_o a_o regal_a priest_n than_o as_o either_o priest_n or_o king_n because_o it_o be_v the_o exercise_n of_o that_o power_n and_o authority_n which_o be_v found_v on_o his_o sacrifice_n and_o by_o this_o time_n i_o hope_v every_o ordinary_a reader_n will_v see_v what_o a_o vain_a and_o malicious_a attempt_n it_o be_v for_o this_o author_n to_o endeavour_v to_o represent_v i_o as_o a_o socinian_n of_o which_o candour_n and_o ingenuity_n i_o shall_v give_v several_a other_o instance_n hereafter_o and_o that_o he_o may_v have_v spare_v his_o pain_n in_o prove_v that_o the_o kingly_a and_o priestly_a office_n in_o christ_n be_v distinct_a and_o that_o christ_n be_v not_o a_o metaphorical_a but_o a_o proper_a priest_n but_o to_o return_v to_o our_o looking-glass-maker_n he_o quarrel_v still_o that_o i_o say_v that_o christ_n preach_v the_o gospel_n be_v the_o exercise_n of_o his_o regal_a power_n in_o publish_v his_o law_n our_o author_n can_v understand_v that_o to_o enact_v law_n be_v a_o exercise_n of_o a_o regal_a power_n but_o not_o to_o publish_v they_o which_o will_v make_v every_o inferior_a herald_n a_o king_n this_o be_v a_o very_a wise_a objection_n which_o show_v his_o skill_n in_o law_n and_o government_n it_o be_v not_o indeed_o necessary_a for_o a_o king_n to_o publish_v his_o law_n in_o his_o own_o person_n this_o be_v a_o peculiar_a condescension_n of_o our_o saviour_n to_o come_v in_o person_n to_o we_o to_o publish_v his_o law_n but_o yet_o the_o publication_n of_o law_n must_v be_v make_v by_o the_o same_o authority_n which_o enact_v they_o for_o publication_n be_v of_o the_o very_a essence_n of_o a_o law_n and_o by_o wise_a man_n than_o our_o author_n put_v into_o the_o definition_n of_o it_o and_o therefore_o be_v the_o proper_a exercise_n of_o regal_a power_n i_o doubt_v my_o reader_n will_v be_v quite_o tire_v with_o my_o take_a notice_n of_o such_o impertinent_a cavil_n and_o therefore_o i_o shall_v add_v but_o one_o or_o two_o more_o which_o be_v very_o remarkable_a and_o dismiss_v our_o author_n for_o the_o present_a i_o commend_v the_o wisdom_n and_o honesty_n of_o our_o church_n for_o teach_v her_o child_n a_o religion_n without_o art_n or_o subtilty_n our_o author_n disprove_v this_o by_o show_v that_o no_o child_n can_v 31._o understand_v the_o church-catechism_n without_o great_a art_n and_o subtlety_n he_o can_v understand_v what_o it_o be_v to_o be_v a_o member_n of_o christ_n without_o understand_v the_o various_a signification_n of_o the_o name_n christ_n and_o whether_o he_o must_v be_v make_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o the_o person_n of_o christ_n and_o then_o he_o must_v know_v what_o this_o church_n be_v which_o require_v great_a subtlety_n etc._n etc._n now_o by_o the_o same_o argument_n i_o can_v prove_v that_o a_o child_n can_v understand_v the_o easy_a thing_n in_o nature_n without_o unridle_v all_o the_o mystery_n of_o philosophy_n as_o for_o instance_n at_o this_o rate_n a_o child_n can_v understand_v what_o bread_n be_v unless_o he_o first_o understand_v what_o matter_n be_v and_o then_o he_o
this_o that_o i_o deny_v &c_n the_o supernatural_a assistance_n of_o grace_n from_o christ_n to_o make_v man_n holy_a and_o therefore_o that_o holiness_n and_o obedience_n which_o alone_o i_o make_v necessary_a to_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n be_v not_o true_a gospel-holiness_n as_o not_o be_v owe_v to_o a_o infuse_a principle_n derive_v from_o jesus_n by_o the_o effectual_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n and_o that_o it_o be_v impossible_a for_o any_o person_n though_o complete_o and_o perfect_o unite_v to_o christ_n to_o attain_v true_a holiness_n for_o the_o future_a because_o christ_n be_v not_o consider_v as_o a_o quicken_a head_n and_o a_o vital_a root_n of_o influence_n to_o we_o now_o though_o i_o suppose_v mr._n ferguson_n and_o i_o shall_v hardly_o agree_v about_o the_o manner_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n work_v in_o we_o which_o he_o affirm_v to_o be_v by_o a_o real_a and_o physical_a operation_n yet_o i_o never_o deny_v but_o have_v express_o own_v the_o divine_a influence_n of_o grace_n from_o christ_n as_o will_v appear_v plain_o before_o i_o conclude_v this_o chapter_n but_o suppose_v for_o once_o that_o i_o have_v deny_v this_o and_o have_v affirm_v that_o man_n may_v be_v holy_a without_o it_o will_v it_o hence_o follow_v that_o i_o reject_v the_o necessity_n of_o holiness_n or_o make_v it_o impossible_a to_o mankind_n because_o though_o false_o i_o shall_v assert_v that_o man_n be_v and_o may_v be_v holy_a without_o such_o supernatural_a strength_n and_o power_n yes_o for_o this_o be_v not_o a_o gospel-holiness_n which_o be_v whole_o owe_v to_o the_o divine_a grace_n but_o do_v the_o efficient_a cause_n then_o constitute_v the_o nature_n of_o thing_n suppose_v two_o man_n one_o immediate_o create_v by_o god_n another_o beget_v in_o the_o ordinary_a course_n of_o nature_n but_o both_o perfect_o alike_o as_o to_o all_o the_o essential_o of_o humane_a nature_n do_v this_o make_v such_o a_o difference_n between_o they_o that_o one_o must_v not_o be_v call_v a_o man_n as_o well_o as_o the_o other_o because_o one_o be_v create_v and_o the_o other_o beget_v thus_o in_o the_o same_o manner_n suppose_v one_o man_n immediate_o create_v by_o god_n perfect_o righteous_a and_o holy_a as_o adam_n be_v another_o who_o be_v renew_v and_o sanctify_v by_o infuse_a principle_n of_o grace_n and_o by_o the_o physical_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o a_o three_o who_o by_o diligence_n and_o industry_n by_o reason_n and_o discourse_n and_o the_o wise_a improvement_n of_o his_o natural_a faculty_n have_v arrive_v to_o the_o same_o temper_n of_o mind_n to_o the_o same_o principle_n and_o habit_n of_o action_n which_o be_v immediate_o create_v in_o the_o first_o and_o physical_o infuse_v into_o the_o second_o if_o there_o be_v such_o a_o man_n as_o this_o i_o will_v willing_o understand_v why_o he_o shall_v not_o be_v account_v as_o true_o and_o proper_o holy_a as_o either_o of_o the_o former_a by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o he_o be_v as_o true_a a_o man_n who_o be_v beget_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o nature_n as_o adam_n be_v who_o be_v immediate_o create_v or_o as_o christ_n be_v who_o be_v form_v in_o the_o virgin_n womb_n by_o the_o overshadow_a of_o the_o holy_a ghost_n the_o original_a holiness_n of_o god_n be_v the_o pattern_n of_o all_o holiness_n and_o the_o holiness_n of_o creature_n consist_v in_o a_o conformity_n to_o the_o divine_a image_n not_o in_o be_v produce_v by_o a_o divine_a power_n the_o sanctify_a operation_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n be_v necessary_a to_o the_o be_v not_o to_o the_o nature_n of_o holiness_n can_v that_o which_o we_o call_v holiness_n be_v produce_v by_o the_o strength_n of_o natural_a reason_n and_o our_o natural_a faculty_n it_o will_v be_v nevertheless_o holiness_n for_o that_o and_o therefore_o unless_o mr._n ferguson_n can_v prove_v that_o that_o holiness_n which_o i_o make_v essential_a to_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n be_v defective_a in_o something_o which_o constitute_v the_o nature_n of_o holiness_n though_o he_o can_v prove_v that_o i_o attribute_v holiness_n to_o the_o strength_n and_o power_n of_o nature_n he_o will_v only_o make_v himself_o ridiculous_a by_o charge_v my_o notion_n with_o destroy_v the_o necessity_n of_o gospel-holiness_n but_o this_o whole_a charge_n be_v the_o effect_n only_o of_o a_o weak_a and_o contemptible_a revenge_n because_o i_o have_v charge_v they_o and_o make_v good_a my_o charge_n with_o place_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n before_o holiness_n of_o life_n what_o defence_n can_v mr._n ferguson_n make_v against_o this_o true_o none_o at_o all_o but_o according_a to_o his_o old_a way_n he_o deny_v it_o without_o attempt_v to_o answer_v any_o thing_n which_o i_o allege_v in_o the_o proof_n of_o it_o and_o yet_o which_o argue_v he_o to_o be_v a_o man_n of_o much_o 4._o great_a courage_n than_o wit_n at_o the_o very_a same_o time_n he_o deny_v and_o own_v it_o or_o which_o come_v much_o to_o one_o profess_v that_o it_o be_v very_o indifferent_a to_o he_o whether_o it_o be_v so_o or_o not_o he_o tell_v we_o all_o that_o we_o plead_v 441._o for_o be_v this_o that_o as_o previous_o to_o our_o union_n with_o christ_n we_o be_v pollute_v and_o unholy_a so_o by_o that_o very_a act_n whereby_o he_o unite_v we_o to_o himself_o he_o infuse_v those_o principle_n into_o we_o whereby_o our_o nature_n be_v cleanse_v and_o we_o come_v to_o be_v denominate_v holy_a and_o pure_a here_o he_o express_o acknowledge_v that_o before_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n we_o be_v pollute_v and_o unholy_a and_o therefore_o we_o must_v be_v unite_v to_o he_o while_o we_o be_v unholy_a for_o every_o minute_n before_o our_o union_n be_v previous_a to_o it_o well_o but_o then_o by_o the_o same_o act_n that_o he_o assume_v we_o into_o union_n with_o himself_o he_o transform_v our_o nature_n suppose_v that_o yet_o we_o be_v unholy_a till_o we_o be_v unite_v for_o we_o be_v make_v holy_a by_o virtue_n of_o our_o union_n and_o our_o author_n tell_v we_o that_o it_o be_v a_o needless_a enquiry_n whether_o our_o renovation_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n precede_v our_o union_n with_o christ_n or_o whether_o our_o union_n go_v before_o our_o renovation_n see_v in_o order_n of_o time_n they_o be_v not_o only_o inseparable_a but_o that_o which_o be_v the_o new_a creature_n the_o seed_n of_o god_n and_o divine_a nature_n in_o we_o be_v the_o very_a bond_n of_o our_o cohaesion_n say_v you_o so_o sir_n be_v this_o a_o needless_a enquiry_n then_o it_o seem_v it_o be_v indifferent_a whether_o we_o be_v consider_v as_o unite_v to_o christ_n before_o or_o after_o we_o be_v holy_a and_o why_o then_o shall_v he_o pretend_v so_o much_o to_o abhor_v the_o thought_n of_o our_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n while_o we_o be_v unholy_a and_o yet_o how_o this_o agree_v with_o make_v the_o new_a creature_n the_o bond_n of_o cohaesion_n i_o can_v understand_v since_o in_o order_n of_o nature_n we_o can_v have_v no_o notion_n of_o any_o union_n before_o or_o without_o its_o bond_n but_o to_o consider_v this_o a_o little_a whether_o it_o be_v so_o indifferent_a to_o place_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n before_o or_o after_o our_o renovation_n for_o i_o never_o charge_v they_o with_o say_v that_o those_o who_o be_v in_o christ_n may_v continue_v unholy_a because_o they_o as_o well_o as_o the_o antinomian_o do_v affirm_v that_o holiness_n be_v a_o necessary_a and_o physical_a effect_n of_o our_o union_n to_o christ_n though_o their_o principle_n overthrow_v the_o necessary_a obligation_n to_o it_o whoever_o be_v consider_v as_o unite_v to_o christ_n must_v be_v consider_v in_o a_o state_n of_o favour_n and_o acceptation_n with_o god_n as_o clothe_v with_o the_o perfect_a righteousness_n of_o christ_n as_o pardon_v through_o his_o blood_n and_o so_o a_o actual_a heir_n to_o eternal_a life_n and_o glory_n now_o if_o a_o man_n may_v be_v consider_v as_o pardon_v and_o justify_v and_o a_o heir_n of_o glory_n in_o order_n of_o nature_n before_o he_o be_v holy_a before_o he_o repent_v of_o his_o sin_n or_o love_v god_n or_o so_o much_o as_o resolve_n and_o purpose_n to_o obey_v he_o this_o i_o be_o sure_a overthrow_v the_o whole_a christian_a religion_n which_o denounce_v the_o wrath_n of_o god_n against_o every_o man_n who_o be_v wicked_a to_o the_o very_a last_o minute_n wherein_o he_o may_v be_v consider_v as_o wicked_a and_o promise_n pardon_v and_o eternal_a life_n only_o to_o those_o who_o actual_o repent_v and_o love_n god_n if_o we_o may_v be_v consider_v in_o order_n of_o nature_n as_o unite_v to_o christ_n before_o we_o be_v holy_a then_o there_o be_v nothing_o in_o sin_n contrary_a to_o the_o nature_n of_o our_o union_n and_o then_o we_o may_v as_o well_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n in_o order_n
in_o the_o first_o person_n i_o and_o in_o i_o he_o can_v mean_v this_o of_o his_o own_o person_n but_o of_o his_o church_n doctrine_n and_o religion_n according_a as_o the_o circumstance_n of_o the_o place_n require_v the_o plain_a meaning_n of_o it_o be_v this_o that_o we_o must_v not_o consider_v the_o person_n of_o christ_n as_o abstract_v from_o his_o be_v the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n and_o the_o great_a prophet_n and_o teacher_n of_o it_o as_o these_o man_n do_v as_o will_v appear_v more_o in_o what_o follow_v second_o i_o observe_v that_o we_o be_v unite_v to_o christ_n and_o to_o the_o church_n by_o the_o very_a same_o act_n as_o it_o must_v necessary_o be_v if_o the_o union_n be_v the_o same_o faith_n in_o christ_n and_o such_o a_o public_a profession_n of_o it_o as_o he_o require_v unite_v we_o to_o christ_n and_o incorporate_v we_o into_o the_o christian_a church_n that_o be_v make_v we_o member_n of_o christ_n body_n which_o be_v our_o union_n to_o he_o we_o be_v not_o first_o unite_v to_o christ_n by_o faith_n and_o then_o unite_v to_o the_o church_n by_o our_o subsequent_a choice_n and_o consent_n by_o explicit_a contract_n as_o some_o imagine_v without_o any_o reason_n or_o precedent_n of_o the_o apostolic_a age_n but_o that_o faith_n which_o unite_v we_o to_o christ_n incorporate_v we_o into_o his_o church_n make_v we_o member_n of_o his_o body_n wherein_o our_o union_n consist_v and_o that_o oblige_v we_o as_o we_o will_v own_v our_o christianity_n to_o a_o visible_a communion_n with_o the_o church_n where_o it_o may_v be_v have_v three_o to_o make_v this_o yet_o more_o clear_a we_o must_v consider_v what_o be_v mean_v by_o the_o church_n in_o this_o question_n now_o the_o general_a notion_n of_o a_o church_n be_v a_o religious_a society_n found_v on_o the_o belief_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o a_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n and_o unite_v to_o he_o as_o their_o head_n who_o rule_v and_o govern_v they_o either_o immediate_o by_o himself_o or_o by_o the_o mediation_n of_o church-officer_n authorize_v by_o he_o for_o that_o purpose_n that_o christ_n design_v not_o only_o to_o reform_v and_o save_v some_o particular_a man_n but_o to_o erect_v a_o church_n and_o to_o unite_v all_o his_o disciple_n to_o himself_o in_o one_o body_n be_v so_o very_o evident_a that_o be_v not_o man_n act_v by_o faction_n and_o interest_n it_o can_v admit_v no_o serious_a dispute_n all_o the_o metaphor_n which_o describe_v our_o union_n to_o christ_n do_v primary_o refer_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o i_o observe_v before_o christ_n be_v the_o head_n and_o the_o church_n his_o body_n and_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o there_o be_v but_o one_o body_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o saviour_n of_o the_o body_n and_o that_o he_o have_v redeem_v his_o church_n with_o his_o own_o blood_n the_o jewish_a church_n be_v typical_a of_o the_o christian_a and_o they_o be_v all_o of_o one_o family_n the_o carnal_a seed_n and_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n and_o be_v all_o unite_a by_o the_o same_o law_n and_o religious_a ceremony_n and_o there_o be_v no_o way_n for_o a_o alien_a to_o partake_v of_o the_o privilege_n of_o that_o holy_a people_n but_o by_o be_v incorporate_v into_o the_o body_n of_o israel_n who_o be_v the_o heir_n of_o the_o promise_n by_o baptism_n and_o circumcision_n now_o as_o the_o jew_n be_v the_o carnal_a posterity_n of_o abraham_n so_o the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o christian_n be_v his_o spiritual_a seed_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o the_o child_n of_o abraham_n by_o faith_n gal._n 3._o 26_o 29._o i._n e._n we_o be_v admit_v into_o abraham_n family_n and_o make_v heir_n according_a to_o promise_n when_o god_n cast_v off_o the_o jewish_a church_n he_o do_v not_o leave_v himself_o without_o a_o church_n in_o the_o world_n but_o as_o some_o of_o those_o branch_n be_v break_v off_o so_o the_o christian_n who_o before_o their_o conversion_n be_v many_o of_o they_o pagan_a idolater_n a_o wild_a olive_n tree_n be_v graff_v in_o among_o they_o and_o with_o they_o partake_v of_o the_o root_n and_o fatness_n of_o the_o olive_n tree_n rom._n 11._o 27._o so_o that_o christ_n do_v not_o come_v to_o dissolve_v but_o to_o reform_v the_o church_n he_o own_v no_o relation_n to_o particular_a man_n as_o scatter_a individual_n but_o as_o incorporate_v into_o his_o church_n now_o the_o internal_a union_n of_o the_o church_n to_o christ_n consist_v in_o a_o sincere_a and_o lively_a faith_n and_o a_o voluntary_a subjection_n to_o his_o authority_n the_o external_n ligament_n of_o it_o be_v a_o external_n and_o visible_a profession_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o solemn_a vow_n of_o obedience_n which_o be_v regular_o according_a to_o our_o saviour_n institution_n perform_v in_o baptism_n and_o external_a and_o visible_a communion_n and_o the_o external_a ministry_n of_o grace_n to_o which_o our_o saviour_n have_v ordinary_o annex_v the_o internal_a operation_n of_o his_o spirit_n as_o will_v appear_v more_o hereafter_o now_o though_o internal_a union_n by_o a_o sincere_a and_o hearty_a faith_n and_o a_o subjection_n of_o ourselves_o to_o the_o law_n and_o government_n of_o christ_n will_v unite_v we_o to_o his_o invisible_a church_n where_o there_o be_v no_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n and_o live_v in_o a_o regular_a communion_n and_o fellowship_n with_o each_o other_o yet_o where_o there_o be_v we_o can_v be_v unite_v to_o christ_n body_n without_o a_o visible_a incorporation_n into_o his_o church_n for_o the_o visible_a and_o invisible_a church_n of_o christ_n be_v but_o one_o body_n and_o to_o renounce_v the_o communion_n of_o the_o visible_a church_n where_o it_o may_v be_v have_v without_o any_o injury_n to_o our_o internal_a union_n that_o be_v without_o be_v force_v to_o renounce_v any_o article_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n or_o to_o violate_v any_o of_o the_o christian_a law_n be_v in_o effect_n to_o renounce_v christianity_n for_o christ_n have_v appoint_v no_o other_o ordinary_a method_n of_o our_o union_n to_o his_o body_n but_o those_o ordinary_a and_o regular_a way_n of_o incorporation_n into_o his_o church_n and_o though_o he_o will_v dispense_v with_o ordinary_a way_n in_o extraordinary_a case_n yet_o we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o think_v he_o will_v ordinary_o do_v so_o which_o will_v be_v to_o dissolve_v his_o visible_a church_n or_o to_o make_v external_n communion_n the_o most_o arbitrary_a and_o precarious_a thing_n in_o the_o world_n a_o secret_a faith_n in_o christ_n and_o acknowledgement_n of_o his_o authority_n do_v not_o ordinary_o unite_v we_o to_o his_o body_n but_o be_v only_o a_o necessary_a qualification_n and_o disposition_n to_o such_o a_o union_n but_o in_o order_n to_o a_o actual_a union_n there_o be_v require_v such_o a_o public_a profession_n of_o our_o faith_n and_o solemn_a vow_n of_o obedience_n perform_v with_o such_o initial_a rite_n as_o our_o saviour_n have_v appoint_v as_o do_v actual_o incorporate_v we_o into_o the_o christian_a church_n as_o make_v we_o member_n of_o the_o universal_a church_n visible_a or_o invisible_a and_o more_o immediate_o unite_v we_o to_o the_o particular_a church_n wherein_o we_o live_v just_a as_o it_o be_v in_o our_o admission_n into_o any_o relation_n or_o society_n there_o be_v require_v a_o antecedaneous_a consent_n to_o qualify_v we_o for_o it_o but_o this_o alone_a do_v not_o unite_v to_o such_o a_o society_n without_o such_o particular_a ceremony_n or_o public_a oath_n and_o engagement_n as_o by_o the_o law_n of_o that_o society_n be_v require_v to_o our_o actual_a admission_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o ancient_a church_n the_o clinici_fw-la who_o delay_v their_o baptism_n till_o they_o be_v under_o the_o apprehension_n of_o death_n though_o all_o their_o life_n they_o profess_v the_o faith_n of_o christ_n yet_o refuse_v by_o this_o holy_a rite_n to_o be_v actual_o incorporate_v into_o the_o church_n they_o be_v look_v on_o at_o best_a as_o a_o very_a imperfect_a sort_n of_o christian_n of_o who_o state_n there_o be_v just_a reason_n for_o doubt_n and_o jealousy_n four_o we_o may_v observe_v some_o difference_n in_o the_o manner_n of_o our_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n according_a to_o the_o different_a state_n and_o dispensation_n of_o it_o we_o may_v consider_v the_o church_n in_o its_o idea_n and_o embryo_n before_o there_o be_v any_o visible_a society_n of_o christian_n and_o in_o this_o case_n though_o the_o first_o believer_n can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o any_o society_n of_o christian_n yet_o he_o may_v be_v say_v to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n for_o then_o the_o church_n signify_v christ_n who_o be_v the_o head_n and_o such_o a_o platform_n and_o idea_n of_o a_o society_n which_o be_v to_o be_v set_v up_o in_o the_o world_n