the_o christian_a church_n matth._n 18.17_o 4._o we_o be_v refer_v in_o some_o case_n to_o those_o institution_n god_n send_v we_o to_o the_o law_n for_o light_n direct_v we_o to_o do_v as_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o about_o woman_n not_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14.34_o so_o about_o the_o maintenance_n of_o minister_n gal._n 6.6_o 1_o cor._n 9.13,14_o 3._o new_a testament_n institution_n there_o be_v some_o institution_n appoint_v by_o christ_n under_o the_o gospel_n these_o be_v few_o principal_o what_o officer_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o the_o first_o day_n sabbath_n 1._o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o temporal_a and_o perpetual_a institution_n some_o institution_n be_v only_o for_o a_o time_n as_o the_o office_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o the_o anoint_v of_o the_o sick_a with_o oil_n jam._n 5.14_o there_o be_v other_o that_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o be_v baptism_n matth._n 20._o the_o lord_n supper_n 1_o cor._n 11.26_o these_o ordinance_n will_v not_o be_v remove_v as_o jewish_a ceremony_n heb._n 13.28_o 2._o distinguish_v between_o approve_a practice_n and_o institution_n there_o be_v many_o practice_n and_o institution_n there_o be_v many_o practice_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n that_o be_v approve_v yet_o not_o bind_v to_o we_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n have_v seven_o deacon_n act_n 6.5_o they_o do_v baptise_v in_o private_a house_n act._n 10.33_o christ_n send_v out_o his_o disciple_n two_o and_o two_o luk._n 10.1_o this_o do_v not_o show_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v institution_n that_o be_v meet_v to_o be_v do_v in_o one_o case_n that_o be_v not_o meet_v to_o be_v do_v in_o another_o one_o or_o two_o example_n show_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o practice_n but_o do_v not_o make_v it_o a_o bind_a rule_n chap._n ii_o the_o nature_n of_o institute_v church_n explain_v the_o word_n church_n be_v use_v equivocal_o there_o be_v three_o sense_n especial_o wherein_o it_o be_v use_v in_o the_o scripture_n first_o it_o be_v take_v for_o those_o that_o be_v spiritual_o unite_v unto_o christ_n the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n eph._n 5.27_o that_o he_o may_v present_v it_o to_o himself_o a_o glorious_a church_n second_o for_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o do_v profess_v the_o true_a faith_n for_o they_o that_o be_v visible_a christian_n 1_o cor._n 15.9_o i_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o god_n three_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o institute_v church_n this_o church_n be_v invest_v by_o christ_n with_o spiritual_a power_n and_o be_v thus_o define_v a_o church_n be_v a_o society_n of_o saint_n join_v together_o according_a to_o the_o appointment_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o constant_a carry_v on_o of_o his_o public_a worship_n a_o church_n be_v a_o society_n a_o single_a person_n be_v not_o a_o church_n a_o church_n be_v a_o collection_n or_o congregative_a body_n consist_v of_o many_o member_n 1_o cor._n 12.27_o you_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o member_n in_o particular_n hence_o it_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o flock_n and_o other_o câ—…ective_a body_n it_o be_v a_o society_n of_o saint_n the_o member_n of_o a_o church_n be_v saint_n by_o calling_n 1_o cor._n 11.12_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n to_o they_o which_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n 1_o cor._n 14.33_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o society_n of_o saint_n psal_n 79.12,11_o psal_n 1._o none_o be_v to_o be_v member_n of_o institute_v church_n but_o those_o that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n particular_a church_n be_v but_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n therefore_o must_v be_v holy_a therefore_o society_n of_o papist_n be_v abusive_o call_v church_n a_o church_n do_v join_v together_o for_o the_o public_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n a_o family_n join_v together_o for_o the_o private_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v not_o a_o church_n we_o read_v of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o aquila_n rom._n 16.5_o and_o in_o the_o house_n of_o nymphas_n col._n 4.15_o because_o there_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v attend_v the_o church_n do_v join_v for_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o public_a worship_n as_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n the_o administration_n of_o sacrament_n and_o dispense_n of_o censure_n in_o a_o public_a way_n a_o church_n do_v join_v together_o for_o the_o constant_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n for_o a_o church_n be_v a_o body_n corporate_a which_o may_v continue_v from_o generation_n to_o generation_n it_o be_v not_o any_o occasional_a meeting_n together_o that_o give_v be_v to_o a_o church_n a_o church_n be_v a_o stand_a society_n not_o depend_v on_o any_o occasional_a meeting_n therefore_o a_o congregation_n that_o meet_v together_o on_o a_o lecture_n day_n from_o several_a town_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v be_v not_o a_o church_n neither_o have_v any_o ecclesiastical_a power_n yea_o a_o synod_n that_o meet_v now_o and_o then_o occasional_o though_o it_o may_v be_v call_v a_o representative_a church_n be_v not_o a_o church_n proper_o the_o member_n thereof_o be_v choose_v for_o a_o particular_a occasion_n a_o church_n do_v join_v together_o according_a to_o christ_n appointment_n christ_n have_v give_v a_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o join_v together_o and_o if_o man_n join_v in_o worship_v with_o a_o church_n irregular_o that_o do_v not_o make_v they_o to_o be_v member_n of_o that_o church_n if_o a_o man_n that_o live_v in_o one_o town_n where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n do_v join_v constant_o in_o worship_v with_o another_o church_n that_o do_v not_o make_v he_o a_o member_n of_o that_o church_n quest_n who_o be_v visible_a saint_n answ_n this_o question_n have_v be_v matter_n of_o great_a debate_n and_o a_o occasion_n of_o great_a contention_n in_o the_o church_n we_o may_v not_o count_v those_o only_a to_o be_v saint_n who_o after_o the_o strict_a examination_n give_v considerable_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v saint_n we_o have_v no_o such_o rule_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o admit_v member_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v not_o countenance_v any_o such_o opinion_n neither_o be_v we_o to_o make_v baptise_a person_n and_o visible_a saint_n to_o be_v the_o same_o for_o person_n must_v be_v visible_a saint_n before_o they_o be_v baptise_a and_o some_o that_o be_v baptise_a may_v cease_v to_o be_v visible_a saint_n neither_o be_v they_o only_o visible_a saint_n that_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n join_v with_o a_o holy_a conversation_n some_o man_n may_v behave_v themselves_o so_o as_o to_o deserve_v a_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n and_o yet_o be_v visible_a saint_n visible_a saintship_n and_o real_a saintship_n may_v consist_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o iniquity_n in_o the_o conversation_n for_o a_o time_n visible_a saint_n be_v such_o as_o make_v a_o serious_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n together_o with_o those_o that_o do_v descend_v from_o they_o till_o reject_v of_o god_n 1._o such_o as_o do_v make_v a_o serious_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v visible_a saint_n we_o find_v the_o apostle_n do_v real_o accept_v of_o such_o not_o wait_v to_o see_v what_o their_o conversation_n will_v be_v act._n 16,14,15_o so_o do_v john_n luk._n 7.29,30_o such_o be_v to_o be_v accept_v without_o delay_n 2._o their_o infant_n seed_n be_v likewise_o visible_a saint_n god_n give_v that_o testimony_n for_o they_o 1_o cor._n 7.14_o 3._o such_o also_o as_o descend_v from_o they_o from_o generation_n to_o generation_n until_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o god_n be_v visible_a saint_n for_o they_o that_o be_v visible_a saint_n do_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o till_o god_n have_v cast_v they_o off_o so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n if_o they_o shall_v carry_v it_o wicked_o or_o if_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o heresy_n yet_o they_o be_v visible_a saint_n till_o god_n have_v reject_v they_o and_o there_o be_v two_o way_n whereby_o god_n may_v show_v his_o rejection_n of_o they_o one_o be_v when_o they_o do_v depart_v from_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o heathen_a or_o antichristian_a society_n the_o other_o be_v when_o the_o people_n that_o they_o belong_v unto_o and_o they_o with_o they_o be_v unchurch_v by_o god_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n as_o a_o civil_a society_n do_v consist_v of_o one_o town_n or_o more_o town_n so_o a_o institute_v church_n
be_v either_o congregational_a or_o that_o which_o consist_v of_o divers_a congregation_n a_o congregational_a church_n be_v a_o church_n that_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o god_n to_o assemble_v together_o in_o one_o place_n in_o a_o constant_a way_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o public_a worship_n a_o congregational_a church_n be_v a_o church_n consist_v of_o one_o congregation_n such_o we_o read_v of_o act._n 20.7_o 1_o cor._n 14.23_o the_o form_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n be_v that_o they_o be_v bind_v by_o the_o appointment_n of_o god_n to_o assemble_v in_o one_o place_n in_o a_o constant_a way_n for_o the_o celebration_n of_o his_o public_a worship_n some_o have_v think_v that_o the_o form_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n be_v a_o church_n covenant_n explicit_a or_o implicit_a wherein_o they_o bound_v themselves_o to_o walk_v together_o according_a to_o the_o order_n of_o the_o gospel_n it_o be_v think_v that_o the_o child_n of_o israel_n covenant_v with_o god_n be_v a_o foundation_n for_o this_o whereas_o that_o covenant_n of_o they_o be_v no_o other_o than_o what_o all_o christian_n do_v make_v when_o they_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o faith_n and_o obedience_n we_o never_o read_v of_o any_o partiâ—…lar_a covenant_n make_v in_o the_o synagogue_n which_o answer_v to_o our_o congregation_n whereby_o the_o member_n of_o one_o synagogue_n be_v bind_v one_o to_o another_o it_o be_v plead_v that_o nothing_o else_o can_v bind_v aâ—…e_a people_n one_o to_o another_o but_o a_o ecclesiastical_a covenant_n but_o there_o 〈◊〉_d somewhat_o else_o that_o bind_v a_o free_a people_n in_o the_o same_o town_n to_o mutual_a subjection_n to_o the_o government_n of_o the_o town_n and_o though_o christian_n be_v a_o free_a people_n yet_o they_o have_v not_o a_o licentious_a liberty_n but_o be_v bind_v by_o god_n and_o likewise_o by_o their_o own_o profession_n to_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o gospel_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o necessity_n of_o such_o a_o bond_n to_o distinguish_v one_o church_n from_o another_o and_o to_o avoid_v confusion_n of_o church_n we_o read_v of_o no_o such_o particular_a covenant_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n we_o have_v no_o precept_n for_o it_o we_o have_v no_o precedent_n for_o it_o we_o read_v of_o many_o congregational_a church_n but_o there_o be_v no_o syllable_n in_o the_o word_n of_o god_n intimate_v any_o such_o thing_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o need_n of_o it_o the_o member_n of_o a_o congregation_n be_v bind_v to_o carry_v on_o the_o worship_n together_o this_o be_v god_n appointment_n that_o his_o people_n that_o live_v together_o shall_v carry_v on_o his_o worship_n together_o the_o christian_n at_o corinth_n be_v the_o church_n of_o corinth_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o the_o christian_n at_o ephesus_n be_v the_o church_n of_o ephesus_n order_n call_v for_o it_o that_o where_o man_n live_v there_o they_o join_v together_o to_o carry_v on_o the_o work_n of_o christ_n if_o a_o christian_a live_v in_o a_o town_n where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n he_o be_v immediate_o bind_v to_o join_v with_o that_o church_n and_o that_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o he_o to_o govern_v he_o and_o give_v he_o christian_a privilege_n there_o be_v some_o case_n wherein_o there_o be_v need_n of_o humane_a prudence_n in_o determine_v how_o many_o church_n shall_v be_v in_o some_o town_n some_o town_n arise_v to_o be_v numerous_a so_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a they_o shall_v be_v join_v in_o several_a society_n and_o some_o be_v so_o small_a and_o lie_v so_o near_o together_o that_o it_o be_v fit_a that_o two_o or_o more_o shall_v make_v one_o church_n in_o such_o case_n god_n have_v appoint_v that_o the_o bound_n of_o church_n be_v set_v either_o by_o general_n agreement_n or_o by_o order_n from_o authority_n but_o there_o be_v no_o occasion_n that_o every_o member_n shall_v covenant_n particular_o with_o the_o church_n grant_v this_o particular_a covenant_n to_o be_v the_o form_n of_o a_o church_n and_o then_o a_o christian_a may_v continue_v a_o considerable_a time_n without_o any_o relation_n to_o a_o particular_a church_n though_o he_o live_v where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n and_o then_o a_o man_n may_v be_v a_o member_n of_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n for_o seven_o year_n together_o and_o live_v all_o that_o while_n in_o communion_n with_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n a_o covenant_n which_o he_o live_v in_o the_o continual_a breach_n of_o make_v a_o member_n at_o corinth_n and_o according_a to_o some_o give_v he_o a_o right_a to_o all_o ordinance_n grant_v this_o particular_a covenant_n and_o we_o shall_v be_v to_o seek_v what_o church_n many_o child_n do_v belong_v to_o the_o father_n be_v in_o covenant_n with_o one_o church_n the_o mother_n with_o another_o the_o child_n be_v baptise_a in_o a_o three_o and_o life_n in_o a_o four_o this_o doctrine_n of_o the_o particular_a covenant_n which_o be_v whole_o unscriptural_a be_v the_o â—…on_n that_o many_o among_o we_o be_v shut_v out_o of_o the_o church_n to_o who_o church_n privilege_n do_v belong_v chap._n iu._n of_o the_o privilege_n of_o congregational_a church_n the_o great_a privilege_n of_o congregational_a church_n be_v to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n they_o have_v a_o liberty_n give_v to_o they_o by_o god_n to_o choose_v suitable_a person_n to_o office_n they_o be_v limit_v to_o person_n fit_o qualify_v but_o the_o privilege_n of_o choose_v they_o do_v belong_v unto_o the_o church_n it_o be_v very_o probable_a that_o the_o synagognes_n of_o the_o yews_n have_v liberty_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o minister_n if_o they_o be_v confine_v to_o the_o tribe_n of_o levi_n yet_o out_o of_o the_o levite_n they_o choose_v for_o themselves_o however_o thus_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o christian_a church_n the_o apostle_n order_v the_o church_n of_o jerusalem_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o deacon_n act._n 6.3,4_o they_o do_v not_o take_v upon_o they_o to_o prescribe_v who_o the_o person_n shall_v be_v and_o impose_v deacon_n on_o they_o but_o refer_v the_o matter_n to_o their_o own_o choice_n and_o the_o people_n nominate_v two_o out_o of_o which_o god_n choose_v one_o to_o be_v a_o apostle_n act._n 1.23_o beside_o it_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o all_o free_a society_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n such_o country_n as_o be_v conquer_v dont_fw-fr choose_v their_o own_o ruler_n nor_o such_o country_n where_o the_o government_n be_v hereditary_a but_o such_o as_o be_v free_a neither_o under_o the_o power_n of_o conqueroe_n nor_o the_o bond_n of_o a_o covenant_n do_v choose_v their_o own_o officer_n either_o mediate_o or_o immediate_o all_o the_o power_n that_o man_n have_v over_o a_o free_a people_n be_v by_o their_o own_o consent_n direct_o or_o indirect_o except_v such_o case_n wherein_o god_n be_v please_v to_o â—…oint_v ruler_n or_o some_o who_o shall_v appoint_v ruler_n over_o they_o god_n appoint_v aaron_n and_o his_o posterity_n to_o the_o office_n of_o the_o priesthood_n in_o israel_n but_o god_n have_v not_o appoint_v any_o officer_n in_o church_n now_o neither_o have_v he_o appoint_v any_o that_o shall_v impose_v officer_n over_o they_o but_o have_v leave_v they_o to_o their_o free_a choice_n yea_o where_o a_o church_n have_v teach_v or_o rule_v elder_n or_o both_o there_o be_v no_o necessity_n that_o they_o shall_v consent_v to_o the_o choice_n if_o they_o do_v not_o consent_v yet_o if_o there_o be_v the_o consent_n of_o the_o major_a part_n the_o choice_n be_v vallid_a the_o officer_n ought_v to_o submit_v thereto_o unless_o they_o have_v some_o weighty_a objection_n the_o act_n of_o the_o major_a part_n be_v the_o act_n of_o the_o community_n that_o which_o be_v the_o privilege_n of_o the_o community_n must_v not_o be_v wrest_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n it_o be_v beyond_o the_o power_n of_o the_o officer_n to_o disannul_v their_o act._n and_o as_o the_o church_n have_v power_n to_o choose_v their_o own_o officer_n so_o in_o case_n of_o need_n they_o have_v power_n to_o choose_v those_o that_o shall_v supply_v the_o want_n of_o officer_n for_o a_o time_n the_o church_n be_v entrust_v with_o sufficient_a power_n in_o order_n to_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o god_n work_n therefore_o in_o case_n of_o the_o vacancy_n of_o a_o pastor_n they_o may_v choose_v one_o to_o preach_v to_o they_o for_o a_o time_n in_o case_n they_o have_v no_o elder_n they_o may_v choose_v a_o moderator_n in_o case_n they_o have_v no_o deacon_n they_o may_v choose_v one_o to_o do_v the_o deacon_n work_v yea_o in_o case_n there_o be_v need_n they_o may_v choose_v some_o other_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n to_o administer_v the_o seal_n of_o the_o covenant_n or_o perform_v some_o act_n of_o government_n upon_o a_o particular_a occasion_n by_o the_o same_o reason_n that_o a_o church_n may_v choose_v its_o own_o officer_n it_o may_v also_o