as usually it doth amongst Divines it we doe but distinguish between admission into the Ch. reall and formall between the substance of the thing and the ceremonie or formalitie thereof The substance and reall admission indeed usually goes before Bap◠For infants of parents within the Church are born within the Church and so really within it before they be haptized And beleevers of age making open profession of their faith and repentance are ipso facto made members of the visible church by their visible profession But the formall admission of both in the solemne performance of it is both acted and sealed at once in Baptisme which is as it were a Christians formall matriculation or inrollment amongst the members of the visible Church It this be not so then let them tell me what and when is the formall admission of infants into the visible Church or are they never formally admitted untill they come to age Baptisme Ans to 32. q. 12. Nor cohabitation Discourse of Cov. p. 14 20. Nor voluntary and usuall frequenting the same place of worship subjecting a mans selfe to the same officers and lawes of government nor joyning himselfe in all holy fellowship both publike and private with the same societie Discourse of Cov. p. 21. Nor the law of the land made by the Magistrates authoritie with our own implicite consent in Parliament appointing that all Professours of Religion that sit down within such and such precincts shall be of such a Societie or Church Apol. p. 14. Nor all these together without the Church covenant which only is sufficient to doe it Ans to 32. q. p. 24. Discourse of Cov. p. 5 14 18-21 24 25. Apol. p. 19 24. 3. This covenant they hold to be distinct from the y Were the question only of the Covenant of Grace to be either entred into or renewed again and again at the constitution or restitution of Churches the matter were soon at an end that would be easily granted to be necessary yea essentiall And such only were all the Scripture Covenants which are usually cited by them to prove their Church covenant But that will not serve their turn 2. Or were it of a covenant between the officers and their people I conceive there would be no strife this being tacitely implyed in their mutuall choice each of other You shall be our pastour c. and we will be your people Provided 1. it be not obtruded as essentiall or absolutely necessary to have it expresse 2. that it be understood with a salvo jure not onely to that particular church and members nor only to that particular officer but also to all other Churches who have a common interest each in other for the good of all most of all to God himselfe 3. Yea if it were of a covenant between the church and her members and each member with another of remaining together as a fixed society till death without extraordinary impediment as a thing in it selfe arbitrary and occisionall only upon some particular reasons calling for it I speake what I thinke This also would not be denyed 4. Or which is all that can with any colour of reason be defined if it were of an ecclesiasticall constitution only binding the members to the Discipline and Covernment of such a church during mens convenient abode with it as a thing expedient only for the better being and better governing of the church I say an Ecclesiasticall constitution consonant to generall Rules of Scripture though not precisely commanded therein And which may therefore be intended temitted or altered pro re natâ according to the generall Rules of Scripture at the Churches discretion Such as are the covenants or promises required of the members of the Dutch and French Churcher There would not have been many adversaries But when an expresse vocall covenant is held forth and with all eagernesse pressed on us and on all churches as a Divine Ordinance particularly commanded in Scripture absolutely necessary essentiall and constitutive to a true church without which there is no true church but all societies are whores and concubines and without which there is no right unto nor orderly participation of any Church dutie or ordinance And this so obligatory that it is piaculum to remove from that societie with which one is in covenant without their generall consent sought at least as after is shewed And not only so but also letters are sent over with strong lines to disswade our people from living any longer in the way they have done out of Church order because out of church covenant Sermons are likewise preached bookes printed and private discourses made and in all these arguments artificially used and possionately and perswasively urged yea the Scriptures themselves forced to speake for their Church covenant as a Divine Ordinance c. I say when it is thus held forth and urged on us no marvell if it be not entertained without much agitation yea if it meet with much opposition and that amongst the godly and learned both persons and Churches Covenant of Grace so as that many which are within the Covenant of Grace i.e. effectually yea and visibly called too are not within the Church Covenant and so not within the visible Church as Job Melchizedek c. of whom before And again many are within the Church covenant and so within the visible Church that are not within the Covenant of Grace as hypocrites in the Church Apol. p. 5 6 14 Discourse of Cov. p. 3.16 4. Yet sometimes they tell us it is not distinct altogether or in substance but in some respects onely as a part from the whole this being a branch of that Discourse of Cov. p. 3 7 8 12 26 28. Apol. p. 8 31 43. A voluntary profession of z If this Church covenant be but the covenant of Grace then surely we have it and renew it daily in Baptisme at the Lords Table on our solemn Fasts c. why call they then so eagerly for that we have as if we wanted it 2. If it be but the Covenant of Grace what absolute necessity can there be of repeating and renewing it expressely and reciprocally at every admission of a new member subjection thereunto Apol. p. 22 24. Discourse of Cov. p. 18. especially to that part thereof which concernes Church a If it be a covenant of Church duties only and to this society only what needs a repetition of the whole covenant of Grace at least as essentiall to this covenant and to Church constitution and to Church membership more then to a marriage covenant or any other holy covenant It may be done at a wedding true but to make it essentiall to it would marre many a lawfull marriage Nor can it be judged essentiall that the particulars of the covenant of Grace so farre as they concerne church duties should be and that so oft repeated If two parties intending to marry each other should doe it in this generall forme only or
1.13 by reason of some bonds by which they are united togethert And our brethren themselves do sometimes acknowledge an universall visible Church though usually they deny it as Apol. p. 16. 21. 37. 40. yea and officers too of that Catholique Church viz. Apostles and Evangelists which therefore whiles they remained baptized persons into that Church wheresoever they met with them without any respect to a congregationall Church as themselves acknowledge Nationall and Provinciall Churches much more an universall visible Church in any sense Ans to 9. Pos p. 62. 63. 66. Apol. p. 7. 23. R. M. to E. B. p. 2. Rob. justif p. 217. 3. Also they deny all f Yet sometimes themselves are forced to use Cōmissioners or Messengers to represent the whole body absent As at the constitution of any new church as after followes So in their private examinations of members to be admitted As after too Especially in their late Synod at Cambridge in N. E. And alwayes that part of the Church which is present includes others that are absent by representation and the males the women representative Churches whether the officers of one particular Congregation representing that Church in the judicature within it selfe or the Commissioners of severall Churches meeting together in a compound Presbyterie or Synod representing all those Churches by whom they are sent Rob. justif 162. 4. This particular visible Church they define to this effect It is a mysticall body whereof Christ is the head the members are Saints called out of the world and united together into g Here is intimated the number how many they may not be viz. not above one Congregation nothing said of the number how few But methinks regard should have been had of the one as well as the other left a gap be opened to cut and mangle the Churches of God into such small shreds as will not onely occasion numberlesse differences amongst themselves but also render them odious and contemptible to all men Which we see frequently fals out amongst the Brownists that follow the same church-courses as these our brethren do 2. Neither is here any mention of the church-officers as any part of this definition But how can this be a compleat organicall body fitted for exercise of all functions of the body where there are not some to be tongues and eyes as well as others to be hands and feet thereto i. e. some to rule as well as others to be ruled one Congregation by an holy Covenant to worship the Lord and edifie one another in all his holy ordinances Cott. cat p. 1. Answ to 32. q. p. 13. CHAP. III. Of the matter of a true visible Church what is required thereunto and how the same may be known 1. THe matter of a true visible Church is either infants or persons of age and understanding 2. In persons of age they require first that they be all reall h All the members of the visible Church should be Saints holy c. but there is an externall and federall holinesse 1 Cor. 7. and I reall internall holinesse That is absolutely necessary to Church estate this not what shall become of our intants else we shall exclude them as Anabaptists doe unlesse we fly to that shift which Rob. just if p 309. doth that all infants within the Church are truly converted and so as fit materials for a Church as the best elder people are 2. Reall and internall holinesse is doubtlesse required of all Church-members viz. in foro interno and unto acceptation with God but not in foro externo and unto admission into the Church 3. There is a double ought to be Saints or obligation to reall holinesse one morall vi praecepti because God hath commanded all his people to be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1. another Physicall as absolutely necessary to the meere being of the Church and without which it were a false Church no Church In the former sense all are bound to be holy not in this latter R. For if it were so essentiall then either that all should be so holy or that some of them onely Not that all for then that would overthrow the truth not only of all the Churches in the world besides but also of their own too into which not only their reason but also their experience hath taught them that both hypocrites and hereticks may wind in themselves Nor that some of them onely For there is no more reason for some to be bound to be holy then for all Besides at the execting of some Church Suppose the first 7. or 8. that combine in Church-covenant should all prove hypocrites as t is not impossible but not as yet discovered whether is this a true visible Church or no And if another though a true beleever joyne himselfe to them is he a member of a true visible Church or no How shall he know his standing in that Church to be lawfull or how can he in faith continue in their fellowship partake with them in ordinances and submit to their censures or joyn with them in censuring of others seeing by this rule they being none of them true Saints but all hypocrites that their Church wanted true matter and so was uncapable of the true forme of a Church and therefore proves a false church and all their church acts and his with them are so many nullities usurpations prevarications 4. If none but reall Saints may be admitted then none but such may be retained will they then excommunicate all persons out of their church that live without scandall yet are not cenvincingly gracious Saints sincere beleevers not onely having common gifts but also saving graces that they be not common but choice Christians Ans to 32. q. p. 8. 9. Discourse of Cov. p. 4. Ans to 9. Pos p. 69. 70. Apol. p. 2. 6. 21. 43. Cott. cat p. 1. 4. R. M. to E. B. p. 5. 9. So Rob. just p. 11. 38. 41. 47. 48. 61. 91. 254. Yea convincingly such T. G. to J. G. Meek and humble spirits for feare they should abuse their Church-power E. O. to W. R. Voide of insincere ends in seeking of Church-Communion Discourse of Cov. p. 4. If any others should attempt to be admitted the Church were bound upon discovery to repell them Apol. p. 2. 3. 4. 5. 24. 33. 43. R. M. to E. B. p. 5. The reason of which is rendred lest they take an harlot into the bosome of Christ in stead of a chaste Spouse If any such be admitted they are not true but false matter of the visible Church 3. That the Church may consist of none but reall Saints so farre as in them lies they hold the Church is bound to make i Admit it were necessary ad esse ecclesiae that all the members should be really holy yet still the question might be by what rule wee should estimate that their holinesse whether by the rule of a large charitie which beleeveth and hopeth all things judging
fit untill they be o It s an hard taske to satisfie all commers touching these things questioning and objecting what they please and harder for a man to be stayed perhaps for some differences about Church Discipline or suppose some objection be made against his life it must here be presently and openly declared and scanned before all the countrey This is little wisedome lesse charitie satisfied if it may be Ibid. 9. If in the end the said Messengers be not satisfied then they or so many of them as concerning whom they are not satisfied either in point of knowledge or grace are forbidden to enter into Church estate and so remaine still as before out of the pale of the Church Ibid. 10. If at length they be fully satisfied and all doubts cleared then the said persons proceed to enter into Church-covenant which being written one of them reads and all of them subscribe it and so they are become a true p If so much time and so many encumstances be needful to joyn 7. or 8. together into one church how much time would be requisite to joyn 3000. together But our brethren will acknowledge the Apostles went a shorter way to work Discourse of Cov. p. 29 30. the reason whereof they render because the Church was not then subject to so many hypocrites which is more then any man knowes when Christ saith Many are called few chosen Many seeke but few sinde Besides this course is used by our brethren not to ordinary Christians only but to the most godly and best approved I beleeve therefore it was rather because the Holy Ghost had given them no such direction nor was this manner of church constitution then hatcht constituted visible Church as they say Ibid. 11. Which being done the said Messengers of the other Churches give them the right hand of fellowship and owne them for a sister Church And so returning backe doe make report to the Churches that sent them of all things done and declare to them that they are to account of them as of a true Church of Christ Ibid. CHAP. VI. Of Church-power or the power of the Keyes the first subject in whom it resides and the exercise of it in generall 1. THey hold that every such companie as aforesaid though never so small consisting of private persons only i.e. such as are in no church-office and perhaps all illiterate too yet is rightly and immediately intituled to all the priviledges of the visible Church of Christ and invested with all Ecclesiasticall q Who would not long to be soon churched in this way seeing thereby immediately they might be indued with so vast a power This is a sweet morsell no marvell if peoples teeth water for it But where or when did God so grant all this power over to the people that yet he excepted the Sacraments and them only out of the charter surely either he gave them all or none The necessitie of which consequence some Brownists perceiving therefore of late here in London have claimed and contended for them also The word and Sacraments in our Saviours commission are knit together Goe preach and baptise and both settled upon the Ministerie But our brethren have here divided them and made preaching common to the people And though our brethren intend not so yet in event possibly this may nourish in the vulgar some fragment of poperie as if the Sacraments were more excellent then the preaching of the Word they being reserved as peculiar to the Ministers this common to others with them power from Christ as the first and proper receptacle thereof have the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven committed to them and may now forthwith administer and partake of all church-ordinances except onely Sacraments execute all Church-censures and transact all their owne businesses within themselves Ans to 32. q. p. 10. 41 44 48 49 50. Cott. cat p. 10. R. M. to W. R. R. M. to E. B. p. 4. ‑ J. W. ans to 10. quest See Rob. justif p. 106 107 112 121 122 125 126 127 138 190 113 167 184 198 331. Sions royall prerog Preface Barr. discov p. 39. 2. The particular sorts of which Church businesses are these 1. Admission of more members into their Societie 2. Authoritative admonition of members offending 3. Binding and excommunicating of such as having offended prove incorrigible 4. Loosing and authoritative forgiving such as upon admonition and excommunication do repent re-accepting them into the communion of the Church again 5. r How weake good people are and insufficient without their guides assistance to examine Ministers abilities to judge of Doctrines and other matters touching persons and things needfull to the exercise of Church-government he that please may see in our brethrens late Apologeticall narration p. 24 28. Besides the experience of the Bostoners in N. E. who generally would have chosen Mr Wheel-right the notorious Familist to have been co-teacher with Mr C. there had not some few withstood it as I. P. told W. R. Making i.e. examining electing and with imposition of hands ordaining their Pastours and all other their officers 6. Unmaking i.e. degrading and deposing them again when they see cause so to do 7. Preaching i.e. expounding and applying the word with all authoritie to the severall uses of their members 8. And generally whatsoever else may concerne the edification and spirituall good of that societie save onely the administration of the seales And all this before they have any officers or if they have any yet without reference to them as officers at all 9. And when they have Ministers then they have Sacraments too Ans to 32. q. p. 10 15 41 42 44 45 48 49 50 68. Cott. cat p. 10 11 12. Dis-course of Cov. p. 23. Ans to 9. Pos p. 62 70 76 77. J. W. ans to 10. quest R. M. to E. B. p. 4. ‑ R. M. to W. R. Apol. p. 24. Rob. justif p. 9 111. 3. All which things they claime to themselves power to doe without any ſ When officers are not yet setled in any Church or being once setled do fail through casualtie it is agreed upon on all hands that some extraordinary course is to be taken Let it therfore be considered whether it be not more proper and neerer to the ordinary rule to call in the assistance of the officers of some neighbouring churches by vertue of that communion of Churches which themselves acknowledge to supply the wan of their owne officers in examination ordination and deposition of Ministers c. rather then to use meere private persons i.e. non-officers of the same Church authoritative concurrence or assistance of any other Churches or their officers which they hold unlawfull in others to offer and in themselves to accept or admit Ans to 32. q. p. 41. R. M. to E. B. p. 10. Rob. justif p. 335 339. 4. Therefore they ordinarily convene together before they have any officers and hold publike Ecclesiasticall meetings and