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church_n body_n head_n mystical_a 7,900 5 10.7556 5 true
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A53701 A guide to church-fellowship and order according to the gospel-institution wherein these following particulars are distinctly handled, I. The necessity of believers to joyn themselves in church-order, II. The subject matter of the church, III. The continuation of a church-state, and of the administration of evangelical ordinances of worship, briefly vindicated, IV. What sort of churches the disciples of Christ may and ought to joyn themselves unto as unto entire communion / by ... John Owen ... Owen, John, 1616-1683. 1692 (1692) Wing O760; ESTC R38177 32,962 84

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to_o be_v blame_v they_o do_v but_o discharge_v their_o duty_n who_o refuse_v to_o receive_v into_o church_n communion_n such_o as_o be_v ignorant_a of_o the_o fundamental_a doctrine_n and_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n or_o if_o they_o have_v learn_v any_o thing_n of_o they_o from_o a_o form_n of_o word_n yet_o real_o understand_v nothing_o of_o they_o the_o promiscuous_a drive_v of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n who_o have_v be_v baptize_v in_o their_o infancy_n unto_o a_o participation_n of_o all_o church_n privilege_n be_v a_o profanation_n of_o the_o holy_a institution_n of_o christ._n this_o knowledge_n therefore_o belong_v unto_o profession_n be_v itself_o to_o be_v profess_v 2._o there_o be_v require_v unto_o it_o a_o profess_a subjection_n of_o soul_n and_o conscience_n unto_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o church_n matth._n 28.18_o 19_o 20._o 2_o cor._n 8.5_o this_o in_o general_n be_v perform_v by_o all_o that_o be_v baptise_a when_o they_o be_v adult_n as_o be_v by_o their_o own_o actual_a consent_n baptize_v in_o the_o name_n of_o christ._n and_o it_o be_v require_v of_o all_o they_o who_o be_v baptize_v in_o their_o infancy_n when_o they_o be_v able_a with_o faith_n and_o understanding_n to_o profess_v their_o consent_n un●o_o and_o abide_v in_o that_o covenant_n whereinto_o they_o be_v initiate_v 3._o a_o instruction_n in_o and_o consent_n unto_o the_o doctrine_n of_o self-denial_n and_o bear_n of_o the_o cross_n 24.14_o in_o a_o particular_a manner_n for_o this_o be_v make_v indispensable_o necessary_a by_o our_o saviour_n himself_o unto_o all_o that_o will_v be_v his_o disciple_n and_o it_o have_v be_v a_o great_a disadvantage_n unto_o the_o glory_n of_o christian_a religion_n that_o man_n have_v not_o be_v more_o and_o better_o instruct_v therein_o it_o be_v common_o think_v that_o who_o ever_o will_v may_v be_v a_o christian_a at_o a_o easy_a rate_n it_o will_v cost_v he_o nothing_o but_o the_o gospel_n give_v we_o another_o account_n of_o these_o thing_n for_o it_o not_o only_o warn_v we_o that_o reproach_n hatred_n suffering_n of_o all_o sort_n ofttimes_o to_o death_n itself_o be_v the_o common_a lot_n of_o all_o its_o professor_n who_o will_v live_v godly_a in_o christ_n jesus_n but_o also_o require_v that_o at_o our_o initiation_n into_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o we_o consider_v aright_o the_o dread_n of_o they_o all_o and_o engage_v cheerful_o to_o undergo_v they_o hence_o in_o the_o primitive_a time_n whilst_o all_o sort_n of_o misery_n be_v continual_o present_v unto_o they_o who_o embrace_v the_o christian_a religion_n their_o willing_a engagement_n to_o undergo_v they_o who_o be_v convert_v be_v a_o firm_a evidence_n of_o the_o sincerity_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o it_o ought_v to_o be_v unto_o we_o also_o in_o time_n of_o difficulty_n and_o persecution_n some_o may_v suppose_v that_o the_o faith_n and_o confession_n of_o this_o doctrine_n of_o self-denial_n and_o readiness_n for_o the_o cross_n be_v of_o use_n only_o in_o time_n of_o persecution_n and_o so_o do_v not_o belong_v unto_o they_o who_o have_v continual_o the_o countenance_n and_o favour_n of_o public_a authority_n i_o say_v it_o be_v at_o least_o as_o they_o judge_v well_o for_o they_o with_o other_o it_o be_v not_o so_o who_o outward_a state_n make_v the_o public_a avow_v of_o this_o duty_n indispensable_o necessary_a unto_o they_o and_o i_o may_v add_v it_o as_o my_o own_o thought_n though_o they_o be_v not_o my_o own_o alone_a that_o notwithstanding_o all_o the_o countenance_n that_o be_v give_v unto_o any_o church_n by_o the_o public_a magistracy_n yet_o whilst_o we_o be_v in_o this_o world_n those_o who_o will_v faithful_o discharge_v their_o duty_n as_o minister_n of_o the_o gospel_n especial_o shall_v have_v need_n to_o be_v prepare_v for_o suffering_n to_o escape_v suffering_n and_o enjoy_v worldly_a advantage_n by_o sinful_a compliance_n or_o bear_v with_o man_n in_o their_o sin_n be_v no_o gospel_n direction_n 4_o conviction_n and_o confession_n of_o sin_n with_o the_o way_n of_o deliverance_n by_o jesus_n christ_n be_v that_o answer_n of_o a_o good_a conscience_n that_o be_v require_v in_o the_o baptism_n of_o they_o that_o be_v adult_n 1_o pet._n 3._o 5._o unto_o this_o profession_n be_v require_v the_o constant_a performance_n of_o all_o know_a duty_n of_o religion_n 20._o both_o of_o piety_n in_o the_o public_a and_o private_a worship_n of_o god_n as_o also_o of_o charity_n with_o respect_n unto_o other_o show_v i_o thy_o faith_n by_o thy_o work_n 6._o a_o careful_a abstinence_n from_o all_o know_a sin_n giving_z scandal_n or_o offence_n either_o unto_o the_o world_n or_o unto_o the_o church_n of_o god_n and_o the_o gospel_n require_v 1.10_o that_o this_o confession_n be_v make_v with_o the_o mouth_n confession_n be_v make_v unto_o salvation_n against_o 1._o fear_v 2._o shame_n 3._o the_o course_n of_o the_o world_n 4._o the_o opposition_n of_o all_o enemy_n whatever_o hence_o it_o appear_v that_o there_o be_v none_o exclude_v from_o a_o entrance_n into_o the_o church_n state_n but_o such_o as_o be_v either_o 1._o gross_o ignorant_a or_o 2._o persecutor_n or_o reproacher_n of_o those_o that_o be_v good_a or_o of_o the_o way_n of_o god_n wherein_o they_o walk_v or_o 3._o idolater_n or_o 4._o man_n scandalous_a in_o their_o life_n in_o the_o commission_n of_o sin_n or_o omission_n of_o duty_n through_o vicious_a habit_n or_o inclination_n or_o 5._o such_o as_o will_v partake_v of_o gospel_n privilege_n and_o ordinance_n yet_o open_o avow_v that_o they_o will_v not_o submit_v unto_o the_o law_n and_o command_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n concern_v who_o and_o the_o like_a the_o scripture_n rule_n be_v peremptory_a from_o such_o turn_n away_o and_o herein_o we_o be_v remote_a from_o exceed_v the_o example_n and_o care_n of_o the_o primitive_a church_n yea_o there_o be_v but_o few_o if_o any_o that_o arrive_v unto_o it_o their_o endeavour_n be_v to_o preach_v unto_o all_o they_o can_v and_o rejoice_v in_o the_o multitude_n that_o come_v to_o hear_v the_o word_n but_o if_o any_o do_v essay_n to_o join_v themselves_o unto_o the_o church_n their_o diligence_n in_o their_o examination_n and_o instruction_n their_o severe_a inquiry_n into_o their_o conversation_n their_o dispose_n of_o they_o for_o a_o long_a time_n into_o a_o state_n of_o expectation_n for_o their_o trial_n before_o their_o admittance_n be_v remarkable_a and_o some_o of_o the_o ancient_n complain_v that_o their_o promiscuous_a admittance_n of_o all_o sort_n of_o person_n that_o will_v profess_v the_o christian_a religion_n into_o church_n membership_n which_o take_v place_n afterwards_o ruin_v all_o the_o beauty_n order_n and_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n the_o thing_n ascribe_v unto_o those_o who_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v the_o proper_a subject_a matter_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n be_v such_o as_o in_o the_o judgement_n of_o charity_n entitle_v they_o unto_o all_o the_o appellation_n of_o saint_n called_n sanctify_a that_o be_v visible_o and_o by_o profession_n which_o be_v give_v unto_o the_o member_n of_o all_o the_o church_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n and_o which_o must_v be_v answer_v in_o those_o who_o be_v admit_v into_o that_o priledge_n if_o we_o do_v not_o whole_o neglect_v our_o only_a pattern_n by_o these_o thing_n although_o they_o shall_v any_o of_o they_o not_o be_v real_a live_a member_n of_o the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n unto_o who_o he_o be_v a_o head_n of_o spiritual_a and_o vital_a influance_n yet_o be_v they_o mere_a member_n of_o that_o body_n of_o christ_n unto_o which_o he_o be_v a_o head_n of_o rule_n and_o government_n as_o also_o mere_a to_o be_v estee●ed_v subject_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o none_o be_v exclude_v but_o such_o as_o concern_v who_o rule_n be_v give_v either_o to_o withdraw_v from_o they_o or_o to_o cast_v they_o ●ut_v of_o church_n society_n or_o be_v express_o exclude_v by_o god_n himself_o from_o any_o share_n in_o the_o prieiledge_n of_o his_o covenant_n psal._n 50.16_o 17._o but_o unto_o the_o wicked_a god_n say_v what_o have_v thou_o to_o do_v to_o declare_v my_o statute_n or_o that_o thou_o shall_v take_v my_o covenant_n in_o thy_o mouth_n see_v thou_o hate_v instruction_n and_o cast_v my_o w●rds_n behind_o thou_o advertisement_n of_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o church_n you_o may_v be_v satisfy_v far_o in_o a_o book_n late_o publish_v entitle_v t●e_v true_a nature_n of_o a_o gospel_n church_n and_o its_o government_n ●y_a the_o same_o author_n wherein_o those_o follow_a particular_n be_v distinct_o handle_v i._o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o church_n ii_o formal_a cause_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n iii_o of_o the_o polity_n unto_o or_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n iv._o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n v._o the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n of_o church_n vi_o the_o
can_v be_v obtain_v wherefore_o a_o ministry_n enable_v by_o spiritual_a gift_n and_o engage_v by_o sense_n of_o duty_n to_o labour_v constant_o in_o the_o use_n of_o all_o mean_v appoint_v by_o christ_n for_o the_o edification_n of_o the_o church_n or_o increase_v of_o his_o mystical_a body_n be_v require_v in_o such_o a_o church_n as_o a_o believer_n may_v conscientious_o join_v himself_o unto_o and_o where_o it_o be_v otherwise_o let_v man_n cry_v out_o schism_n and_o faction_n whilst_o they_o please_v jesus_n christ_n will_v acquit_v his_o disciple_n in_o the_o exercise_n of_o their_o liberty_n and_o accept_v they_o in_o the_o discharge_v of_o their_o duty_n if_o it_o be_v say_v that_o if_o all_o man_n be_v thus_o allow_v to_o judge_v of_o what_o be_v best_a for_o their_o own_o edification_n and_o to_o act_v according_a unto_o the_o judgement_n which_o they_o make_v they_o will_v be_v continual_o pa●ting_v from_o on_o church_n unto_o another_o until_o all_o thing_n be_v fill_v with_o disturbance_n and_o confusion_n i_o say_v 1._o that_o the_o contrary_a assertion_n namely_o that_o man_n be_v not_o allow_v to_o judge_v what_o be_v mere_a and_o best_a for_o their_o own_o edification_n or_o not_o to_o act_v according_a to_o the_o judgement_n they_o make_v herein_o may_v possible_o keep_v ●p_v some_o church_n but_o be_v the_o ready_a way_n to_o destroy_v all_o religion_n 2._o that_o many_o of_o those_o by_o who_o this_o liberty_n be_v deny_v unto_o profess_v christians_n yet_o do_v indeed_o take_v it_o for_o grant_v that_o they_o have_v such_o a_o liberty_n and_o that_o it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o make_v use_n of_o it_o for_o what_o be_v all_o the_o contest_v between_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n and_o the_o church_n of_o england_n so_o far_o as_o christian_n that_o be_v not_o churchman_n be_v concern_v in_o they_o be_v it_o ●ot_n in_o whether_o of_o these_o church_n edification_n may_v be_v best_a obtain_v if_o this_o be_v not_o the_o ball_n between_o we_o i_o know_v not_o what_o be_v now_o herein_o do_v all_o the_o writer_n and_o preacher_n of_o both_o party_n give_v their_o reason_n and_o argument_n unto_o the_o people_n w●y_a edification_n be_v better_a to_o be_v have_v in_o the_o one_o church_n than_o in_o the_o other_o and_o do_v they_o not_o require_v of_o they_o to_o form_v a_o judgement_n upon_o those_o reason_n and_o argument_n and_o to_o act_v according_o if_o they_o do_v not_o they_o do_v but_o make_v a_o fourish_n and_o act_v a_o part_n like_o player_n on_o a_o stage_n without_o any_o determinate_a design_n 3._o all_o christian_n actual_o do_v so_o they_o do_v judge_n for_o themselves_o unless_o they_o be_v brutish_a they_o do_v act_n according_a unto_o that_o judgement_n unless_o they_o be_v harden_v in_o sin_n and_o therefore_o who_o do_v not_o so_o be_v not_o to_o be_v esteem_v disciple_n of_o christ._n to_o suppose_v that_o in_o all_o thing_n of_o spiritual_a and_o eternal_a concernment_n that_o man_n be_v not_o determine_v and_o act_v every_o one_o by_o his_o own_o judgement_n be_v a_o imagination_n of_o man_n who_o think_v but_o little_a of_o what_o they_o be_v or_o do_v or_o say_v or_o write_v even_o those_o who_o shut_v their_o eye_n against_o the_o light_n and_o follow_v in_o the_o h●rd_a resolve_v not_o to_o inquire_v into_o any_o of_o these_o thing_n do_v it_o because_o they_o judge_v it_o be_v best_o for_o they_o so_o to_o do_v 4._o it_o be_v common_o acknowledge_v by_o protestant_n that_o private_a christian_n have_v a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n in_o thing_n of_o religion_n the_o term_n be_v invent_v to_o grant_v they_o some_o liberty_n of_o judgement_n in_o opposition_n unto_o the_o blind_a obedience_n require_v by_o the_o church_n of_o rome_n but_o withal_o to_o put_v a_o restraint_n upon_o it_o and_o a_o distinction_n of_o some_o superior_a judgement_n it_o may_v be_v in_o the_o church_n or_o o●hers_n but_o if_o by_o discretion_n they_o mean_v the_o best_a of_o man_n understanding_n knowledge_n wisdom_n and_o prudence_n in_o and_o about_o the_o thing_n wherein_o it_o be_v exercise_v i_o shall_v be_v glad_a to_o be_v inform_v what_o other_o judgement_n than_o this_o of_o discretion_n in_o and_o ●bout_o the_o thing_n of_o religion_n this_o or_o that_o or_o any_o church_n in_o the_o world_n can_v have_v or_o exercise_v but_o to_o allow_v man_n a_o judgement_n of_o discretion_n and_o not_o to_o grant_v it_o their_o duty_n to_o act_v accond_v unto_o that_o judgement_n be_v to_o oblige_v they_o to_o be_v fool_n and_o to_o act_v not_o discreet_o at_o least_o not_o according_a unto_o their_o own_o discretion_n 5._o the_o same_o be_v to_o be_v speak_v of_o gospel_n discipline_n without_o which_o neither_o can_v the_o duty_n of_o church_n society_n be_v observe_v nor_o the_o end_n of_o they_o attain_v the_o neglect_n the_o loss_n the_o abuse_n hereof_o be_v that_o which_o have_v ruin_v the_o glory_n of_o christian_a religion_n in_o the_o world_n and_o bring_v the_o whole_a 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that_o ought_v to_o be_v in_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o principal_a evidence_n and_o fruit_n of_o love_n without_o dissimulation_n be_v also_o lose_v hereby_o most_o man_n be_v rather_o ready_a to_o say_v in_o the_o spirit_n and_o word_n of_o cain_n be_o i_o my_o brother_n keeper_n than_o to_o attend_v unto_o the_o command_n of_o the_o apostle_n exhort_v one_o another_o daily_a lest_o any_o be_v harden_v through_o the_o deceitfulness_n of_o sin_n or_o comply_v with_o the_o command_n of_o our_o saviour_n if_o thy_o brother_n offend_v thou_o tell_v he_o of_o it_o between_o he_o and_o thou_o by_o this_o mean_n likewise_o be_v the_o purity_n of_o communion_n lose_v and_o those_o receive_v principal_a member_n of_o church_n who_o by_o all_o the_o rule_n of_o primitive_a discipline_n aught_o to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o they_o wherefore_o this_o also_o be_v to_o be_v consider_v in_o the_o choice_n we_o be_v to_o make_v of_o what_o church_n we_o will_v join_v ourselves_o unto_o as_o unto_o constant_a complete_a communion_n and_o in_o who_o communion_n we_o will_v abide_v for_o these_o thing_n be_v matter_n of_o choice_n and_o consist_v in_o voluntary_a free_a act_n of_o obedience_n with_o those_o unto_o who_o they_o be_v not_o so_o who_o will_v on_o the_o one_o hand_n have_v they_o to_o be_v thing_n that_o man_n may_v be_v compel_v unto_o and_o aught_o so_o to_o be_v or_o on_o the_o other_o that_o follow_v no_o other_o guidance_n in_o they_o but_o outward_a circumstance_n fr●m_v the_o time_n and_o place_n where_o they_o be_v bear_v and_o inhabit_v i_o will_v have_v no_o contest_v it_o follow_v from_o hence_o also_o that_o where_o there_o be_v many_o church_n wherein_o these_o thing_n be_v find_v whereon_o we_o may_v lawful_o and_o aught_o in_o duty_n to_o join_v with_o some_o of_o they_o in_o particular_a every_o one_o be_v oblige_v to_o join_v himself_o unto_o such_o a_o church_n as_o who_o principle_n and_o practice_n be_v most_o suit_v unto_o his_o edification_n advertisement_n for_o your_o further_a carry_v on_o of_o this_o work_n there_o be_v another_o book_n doctor_n owen_n live_v to_o finish_v and_o leave_v it_o as_o his_o last_o legacy_n to_o the_o church_n entitle_v the_o true_a nature_n of_o a_o gospel_n church_n and_o its_o government_n wherein_o these_o follow_a particular_n be_v distinct_o handle_v i._n the_o subject_a matter_n of_o the_o church_n ii_o formal_a cause_n of_o a_o particular_a church_n iii_o of_o the_o polity_n rule_n or_o discipline_n of_o the_o church_n in_o general_n iv._o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n v._o the_o duty_n of_o pastor_n of_o church_n vi_o the_o office_n of_o teacher_n in_o the_o church_n vii_o of_o the_o rule_n of_o the_o church_n or_o of_o rule_v elder_n viii_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o polity_n or_o rule_n with_o the_o duty_n
judge_v of_o its_o evidence_n and_o fruit_n in_o their_o external_a demonstration_n as_o unto_o a_o participation_n of_o the_o outward_a privilege_n of_o a_o regenerate_v state_n 8.13_o and_o no_o far_o and_o we_o shall_v hereon_o brief_o declare_v what_o belong_v unto_o the_o form_n of_o a_o right_a judgement_n herein_o and_o who_o be_v to_o be_v esteem_v fit_a member_n of_o any_o gospel_n church_n state_n or_o have_v a_o right_a so_o to_o be_v 1._o such_o as_o from_o who_o we_o be_v oblige_v to_o withdraw_v or_o withhold_v communion_n 1.16_o can_v be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o matter_n constituent_v of_o a_o church_n or_o be_v not_o mere_a member_n for_o the_o first_o constitution_n of_o it_o but_o such_o be_v all_o habitual_a sinner_n those_o who_o have_v prevalent_a habit_n and_o inclination_n unto_o sin_n of_o any_o kind_n unmortified_a do_v walk_v according_a unto_o they_o such_o be_v profane_a swearer_n drunkard_n fornicator_n covetous_a oppressor_n and_o the_o like_a who_o shall_v not_o inherit_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n 1_o cor._n 6.9_o 10.11_o phil._n 3.18_o 19_o 2_o thess._n 3.6_o 2_o tim._n 3.5_o as_o a_o man_n live_v and_o die_v in_o any_o know_a sin_n that_o be_v habitual_o without_o repentance_n can_v be_v save_v so_o a_o man_n know_v to_o live_v in_o sin_n can_v regular_o be_v receive_v into_o any_o church_n to_o compose_v church_n of_o habitual_a sinner_n and_o that_o either_o as_o unto_o sin_n of_o commission_n or_o sin_n of_o omission_n be_v not_o to_o erect_v temple_n to_o christ_n but_o chapel_n unto_o the_o devil_n 2._o such_o as_o be_v in_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v admonish_v of_o any_o scandalous_a sin_n which_o if_o they_o repent_v not_o of_o 18._o they_o be_v to_o be_v cast_v out_o of_o the_o church_n be_v not_o mere_a member_n for_o the_o original_a constitution_n of_o a_o church_n this_o be_v the_o state_n of_o they_o who_o abide_v obstinate_a in_o any_o know_a sin_n 5.11_o whereby_o they_o have_v give_v offence_n unto_o other_o without_o a_o profess_a repentance_n thereof_o although_o they_o have_v not_o live_v in_o it_o habitual_o 3._o they_o be_v to_o be_v such_o as_o visible_o answer_v the_o description_n give_v of_o gospel_n church_n in_o the_o scripture_n so_o as_o the_o title_n assign_v therein_o unto_o the_o member_n of_o such_o church_n may_v on_o good_a ground_n be_v appropriate_v unto_o they_o to_o comp●●●_n church_n of_o such_o person_n as_o do_v not_o visible_o answer_v the_o character_n give_v of_o what_o they_o be_v of_o old_a and_o what_o they_o be_v always_o to_o be_v by_o virtue_n of_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n o●_n gospel-contitution_a be_v not_o church_n edification_n but_o destruction_n and_o those_o who_o look_v on_o the_o thing_n speak_v of_o all_o church_n member_n of_o old_a as_o that_o they_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n lively_a stone_n in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n justify_v and_o sanctify_v separate_a from_o the_o world_n etc._n etc._n as_o those_o which_o be_v in_o they_o and_o do_v indeed_o belong_v unto_o they_o but_o even_o deride_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o same_o thing_n in_o present_a church_n member_n or_o the_o application_n of_o they_o unto_o those_o who_o be_v so_o be_v themselves_o no_o small_a part_n of_o that_o woeful_a degeneracy_n which_o christian_n religion_n be_v fall_v under_o let_v it_o then_o be_v consider_v what_o be_v speak_v of_o the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n in_o their_o dedication_n unto_o god_n as_o unto_o their_o typical_a holiness_n with_o the_o application_n of_o it_o unto_o christian_a church_n in_o real_a holiness_n 1_o pet._n 2.5.9_o with_o the_o description_n give_v of_o they_o constant_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o faithful_a holy_a believe_v as_o the_o house_n of_o god_n as_o his_o temple_n wherein_o he_o dwell_v by_o his_o spirit_n as_o the_o body_n of_o christ_n unite_v and_o compact_v by_o the_o communication_n of_o the_o spirit_n unto_o they_o as_o also_o what_o be_v say_v concern_v their_o way_n walking_n and_o duty_n and_o it_o will_v be_v uncontrolable_o evident_a of_o what_o sort_n our_o church_n member_n ought_v to_o be_v nor_o be_v those_o of_o any_o other_o sort_n able_a to_o discharge_v the_o duty_n which_o be_v incumbent_a on_o all_o church-member_n nor_o to_o use_v the_o privilege_n they_o be_v entrust_v withal_o wherefore_o i_o say_v ●o_o suppose_v church_n regular_o to_o consist_v of_o such_o person_n for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o as_o no_o way_n answer_v the_o description_n give_v of_o church-member_n in_o their_o original_a institution_n nor_o capable_a to_o discharge_v the_o duty_n prescribe_v unto_o they_o but_o give_v evidence_n of_o habit_n and_o action_n inconsistent_a therewithal_o be_v not_o only_o to_o disturb_v all_o church_n order_n but_o utter_o to_o overthrow_v the_o end_n and_o be_v of_o church_n nor_o be_v there_o any_o thing_n ●ore_o scandalous_a unto_o christian_a religion_n than_o what_o bellarmine_n affirm_v to_o be_v the_o judgement_n of_o the_o papist_n in_o opposition_n unto_o all_o other_o namely_o that_o no_o internal_a virtue_n or_o grace_n be_v require_v unto_o the_o constitution_n of_o a_o church_n in_o its_o member_n lib._n 3._o d●_n eccles._n cap_n 2._o 4._o they_o must_v be_v such_o as_o do_v make_v a_o open_a profession_n of_o the_o subjection_n of_o their_o soul_n and_o conscience_n unto_o the_o authority_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o gospel_n 15._o and_o their_o readiness_n to_o yield_v obedience_n unto_o all_o his_o command_n this_o i_o suppose_v will_v not_o be_v deny_v for_o not_o only_o do_v the_o scripture_n make_v this_o profession_n necessary_a unto_o the_o participation_n of_o any_o benefit_n or_o privilege_n of_o the_o gospel_n but_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o thing_n themselves_o require_v indispensable_o that_o so_o it_o shall_v be_v for_o nothing_o can_v be_v more_o unreasonable_a than_o that_o man_n shall_v be_v take_v into_o the_o privilege_n attend_v obedience_n unto_o the_o law_n and_o command_n of_o christ_n without_o avow_v or_o profess_v that_o obedience_n wherefore_o our_o enquiry_n be_v only_o what_o be_v require_v unto_o such_o a_o profession_n as_o may_v render_v man_n meet_v to_o be_v member_n of_o a_o church_n and_o give_v they_o a_o right_a thereunto_o for_o to_o suppose_v such_o a_o confession_n of_o christian_a religion_n to_o be_v compliant_a with_o the_o gospel_n which_o be_v make_v by_o many_o who_o open_o live_v in_o sin_n being_n disobedient_a and_o unto_o every_o good_a work_n reprobate_a be_v to_o renounce_v the_o gospel_n itself_o christ_n be_v not_o the_o high_a priest_n of_o such_o a_o profession_n i_o shall_v therefore_o declare_v brief_o what_o be_v necessary_a unto_o this_o profession_n that_o all_o may_v know_v what_o it_o be_v which_o be_v require_v unto_o the_o entrance_n of_o any_o into_o our_o church_n wherein_o our_o practice_n have_v be_v sufficient_o traduce_v 1._o there_o be_v require_v unto_o it_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n of_o doctrine_n and_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n especial_o concern_v the_o person_n and_o office_n of_o christ._n the_o confession_n hereof_o be_v the_o ground_n whereon_o he_o grant_v the_o key_n of_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n or_o all_o church_n power_n unto_o believer_n matth_n 16.17_o 18_o 19_o the_o first_o instruction_n which_o he_o give_v unto_o his_o apostle_n be_v that_o they_o shall_v teach_v man_n by_o the_o preach_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n reveal_v by_o he_o the_o knowledge_n require_v in_o the_o member_n of_o the_o judaical_a church_n that_o they_o may_v be_v translate_v into_o the_o christian_a be_v principal_o if_o not_o sole_o that_o of_o his_o person_n and_o the_o acknowledgement_n of_o he_o to_o be_v the_o true_a messiah_n the_o son_n of_o god_n for_o as_o on_o their_o unbelief_n thereof_o their_o eternal_a ruin_n do_v depend_v as_o he_o tell_v they_o if_o you_o believe_v not_o that_o i_o be_o he_o you_o shall_v die_v in_o your_o sin_n so_o the_o confession_n of_o he_o be_v sufficient_a on_o their_o part_n unto_o their_o admission_n into_o the_o gospel_n church_n state_n and_o the_o reason_n of_o it_o be_v apparent_a with_o other_o a_o instruction_n in_o all_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n especial_o in_o those_o that_o be_v fundamental_a be_v necessary_a unto_o the_o profession_n we_o inquire_v after_o so_o justin_n martyr_n tell_v we_o what_o pain_n they_o take_v in_o those_o primitive_a time_n to_o instruct_v those_o in_o the_o mystery_n of_o religion_n who_o upon_o a_o general_a conviction_n of_o its_o truth_n be_v willing_a to_o adhere_v unto_o the_o profession_n of_o it_o and_o what_o be_v their_o judgement_n herein_o be_v sufficient_o know_v from_o the_o keep_n a_o multitude_n in_o the_o state_n of_o catecuman_n before_o they_o will_v admit_v they_o into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n they_o be_v not_o therefore_o