b Heb. 11.5.7 8. which by many are esteemed to have bin so many distinct Churches and accordingly distinguish particular Churches into Oeconomick or Family and Congregational But others think that tho God appointed to those Patriarchs a solemn Family-Worship yet that a Church was not instituted till Abraham's time when the first Foundation of an Instituted Church was laid in the Covenant that God made with and Sealed to Abraham and his Seed c Gen. 12.2 17.1 2 for before this Covenant tho God was Worshipped in Families there seems not to have bin any Churches made up of divers Families and therefore not Congregational nor any church-Church-Covenant or Seals thereof Hence he is said to have received the Sign of Circumcision the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith which he had being uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all that believe both circumcised and uncircumcised d Ro. 4.11 i. e. of Believers whose church-Church-Covenant was Sealed by an Instituted Seal appropriated thereto or else how was Abraham said to be a Father to all that should afterward believe any more than Noah was or Sem and moreover because in this Covenant Christ the Head of the Church was explicitely contained e Ro. 4.13 Gal. 3.18 19. who indeed was promised as Heir of the World through the Righteousness of Faith therefore the Apostle tells us that the Promise of Christ and all Church-Priviledges and Ordinances of his Institution are sure not only to Abraham's natural Seed but to all who are of the Faith of Abraham who is the Father of all Professing Believers and Covenanting with God for themselves and Seed by vertue of his receiving the Seal of the Righteousness of Faith which he had in his uncircumcision f Ro. 4.16 so that the stress of Abraham's Father-hood to the Faithful is not laid upon his Eminent Faith alone but upon his receiving an Instituted Seal of the Righteousness of Faith to himself and his infant-Seed g Rom. 4.11.16 and in this respect as he is called the Father so each Believer is his Seed in Christ h Gal. 3.26 27 28. receiving a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith to himself and Seed as Isaac did i Gal. 4.28 § 4. In Abraham's Covenant was contained the Promise and Blessing of Christ to his Church in all Ages both in respect of its Mystical and Visible relation to him as its Head a Gal. 3.8 9 14. Ephes 1.3 and therefore the establishment of Church-Membership was made in Abraham to the professing covenanting-Believer un-alterably as a substantial part of the Blessing which was to come on the Gentiles and not to be removed b Gal. 3.14 15 16 17 18. Heb. 12.27 There were two things manifestly in Abraham's Covenant 1. The substantial and abiding part of that Covenant both to Jews and Gentiles both internal and Mystical yea and external as to a Church visible state Membership and Priviledges all which came upon the Gentiles c Gen. 17.13 19. Eph. 3.6 c. 1.3 2. There was the peculiar and moveable part of Abraham's Covenant which was the increase of his Seed into a National Church d Gen. 12.2 18.18 the growth and progress it should make through Bondage and Pilgrimage to an external and Typical Rest e Gen. 15.13 14 16 18. with all worldly Plenty and Prosperity f Josh 5.6 7. 22.4 21.43 and most especially the form and manner of that Church-Worship according as was after established by God's Ordination and Institution g Deut. 4.7 8.31 32. to 37. Exo. 25.40 for the time then being till the coming of Christ h Heb. 9.9 10. Circumcision it self being a part of that moveable Fabrick begun in Abraham and perfected in Moses i Act 7.8.32.37 38. Heb. 3.2 3 8.5 Gal. 5.3 4. it was taken away with the other observances k Heb. 8.5.8.13 9.9 Col. 2.11 17. but a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith whereby Abraham became the Father of all Believers Jews and Gentiles was not taken away l Rom. 4.11 15.8 but was a great part of the Blessing that came on the believing Gentiles m Gal. 3.9 14. viz. that the Professing Covenanting-Believer should both he and his Infant-Seed receive a Seal of the Righteousness of Faith as the great Priviledge of Church-Membership belonging to both as to Abraham and his they being his Seed by Faith as Isaac was n Ro. 4.12 16. Gal. 3.26 27. 4.28 Col. 2.10 11 12. Acts 2.39 Ro. 15.8 9. Isa 61.9 ch 65.9 § 5. The Church of Israel before Moses was Congregational and in a visible Covenant with God and truly an essential Church a Ex. 12.3 Num. 20.4 Ex. 12.40 41. 16.22 Act. 7.38 but not organized with a Ministry and Ordinances of God's Institution for a due and orderly Worship of God till Moses b Act 7.38.44 45. which state and standing of that Church from Abraham to Moses and partly in its Wilderness condition was a great Type of the Gospel-Church in its persecuted bewildred and unsettled state under its great Adversaries wherein it hath been mostly fed by God and preserved by him in its Mystical State and standing as was before hinted c Rev. 12.6.13 § 6. The Administration of the external Constitution by Christ in the Ministry and Ordinances of the Church of Israel a Acts 7.38 was of a distinct form and manner from the Church Administration according to the Gospel Oeconomy Ordinances and Order b Heb. 9.1.9 10 11. For the Administration of the Ecclesiastical State and standing of that Church was faulty in respect of the Ordinance of Circumcision it self c Acts 7.8 Gal. 5.3 4. 2 Cor. 3.14 and Mosaick Vail drawn over Gospel Mysteries d Heb. 8.6 the encouragement to Gods Service by temporal Promises the Typical and Legal Nature of the Sanctuary Ministry e Heb. 8.9 2 Cor. 3.9 Heb. 8.5 and Ordinances called carnal f Heb. 9.10 7.16 and worldly g Heb. 9.1 imperfect not reaching the Conscience h ch 9.11 10.1 2. 7.19 Moses the Mediator i Gal. 3.20 thereof and Aaronick Priesthood k Heb. 7.11 23. both typical of the true Mediator l 8.4 5. 3.1 and High-Priest of our Profession It was a faulty Covenant m Heb. 8.7 and called by the Apostle the Old Testament n 2 Cor. 3.14 and is all done away as a shadow in the coming of Christ o Ibid. and his bringing in to us a better because clearer ground of Faith and Hope p Heb. 7.19 by spiritual Promises q Eph. 1.3 and a more Heavenly Gospel Ministry and Ordinances r Heb. 8.5 9.23 and is therefore called a New Covenant ſ Heb. 8.8 the blessings whereof are Abraham's now come on the Gentiles t Gal. 3.14 heavenly and spiritual in high places v Eph. 2.6 much
more Glorious the Ministration of the Spirit and not of the Letter w 2 Cor. 3.6 the faithful Dispensation of the Son over his own House x Heb. 3.2 6. wherein he is more to be prized and worthy of more honour than Moses a servant could ever be capable of y Ibid. Christ's being a more excellent Ministry in that he was a better Mediator of a better Testament z Heb. 8.6 confirming and sealing it with his own Bloud a Heb. 9.16 17. and now liveth in the full execution of this last Will and Testament b Heb. 8.25 Eph. 4.11 and the glorious Witness thereof before God Angels and Men c Rev. 1.5 18. standing now our High-Priest set down at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High a Minister of the Sanctuary and true Tabernacle which God pitched and not Man d Heb. 8.1 2. § 7. The Constitution of the Church of Israel tho it was National a Exo. 19.6 Gen. 35.11 as being made up according to that part of the promise peculiar to Abraham's natural Seed yet it was Congregational b Exod. 12.6.47 Lev 4.13 1 Kings 8.5 14. 2 Chro. 6.3 according to the other part of the Promise not to be shaken or removed c Heb. 12.28 Gal. 3.8.17 29. Jer. 30.32 37. 33.26 because it was incorporated into one Church by a visible profession of and subjection to Abraham's Covenant d Exo. 34.27 for such as were Infant-Church-Members received the Seal of the Righteousness of faith and when they became adult and stood not to this Profession they forfeited their Church-Membership and thus it was with Ismael and Esau e Gen. 21.10 12. Gal. 4.30 upon which both with their Seed fell off from the Church tho the natural Seed of Abraham and Isaac f Gen. 25.31 And afterward when the Seed of Israel grew up into a National Church in all their Apostacies they were charged with the breach of Abraham's Covenant g Deut. 31 16. Ezek. 16.8 Jer. 11.10 or that made with their Fathers which was the same as therein going a whoring from God and forfeiting the Right of Church-Membership and becoming a Loammi Moreover in all their great Reformations we find their returning to the said Covenant and often their publick renewing and recognition thereof h 2 Chron. 34.31 Psal 105.4 5 c. Ezra 10.3 2. It appears in that all the House of Israel as to their stated Church-Worship worshipped under one visible Pastor in their State after Moses his Settlement one High-Priest and at one Altar in one place i Lev. 1.3 Deut. 12.14 14.23 16.2 7.11 15 16. Josh 22.18 23. and therefore the stated Church-Worship was attended in one Assembly Tabernacle or Temple Thrice every Year where the whole Congregation had Communion in one and the same Worship and acts of Worship k Deut. 16.16 3. This People were a separated People from all others in the World l Lev. 20.24 Deut. 4.7 34. cap. 7.6 14.2 Psa 135.4 4. Jeroboam's Apostacy was condemned by God as an actual Rent and Schism from the visible Church that statedly worshipped God at Jerusalem m 1 King 11.30 31. 5. The Synagogue-Worship was not the Church-Worship neither was the daily Sacrifice or others nor any holy Convocations belonging unto them any more than the meer reading of Moses and the Prophets and Exposition thereof at most sometimes n Act 13.15 6. All Church-Worship of special communion as offering Sacrifices elsewhere than at the place chosen by God for that purpose was condemned witness the frequent complaint made against their High-Places under the Reign even of their best Kings o 1 King 22.43 till Hezekiah's time that destroyed them all p 2 King 18.4 § 8. That a Congregational Church is of Divine Institution appears by these Reasons 1. Either a Congregational Church is of Divine Institution or else God hath no instituted Church for there is no other visible Church of God's Institution spoken of in Scripture 2. The Church of Israel was Congregational as hath bin proved and none will deny that to be of God's Institution 3. The express Type of a Congregational Church under the Gospel was of God's Institution therefore the Antitype or thing Typified much more a Rev. 1.20 Heb. 8.5 6 3.5 6. 4. This Church is Prophesied of by the Prophets of old b Isa 56.5.6 7. Eze. 43.11 Mal. 1.11 12. 5. Christ and his Apostles planted such Churches as appears throughout the History of the Acts. 6. These Christ and his Apostles owned to be his truly instituted Churches not only by the Epistles wrote to them by the Apostles but by those sent to them by Christ himself c Rev. 2. 3. CHAP. IV. Of a Gospel Visible or Congregational Church Restipulation to Abraham 's Covenant double A Gospel Visible Church defined A visible Church always particular not Catholick The Catholick not the Genus of a particular Church but a distinct Species of Church in general Corporation distinguisht into its Species The Political relation of a Church to Christ The immediate matter of a visible Church What is the form of it Separation inseparable from it The immediate Infant-Seed Members by Covenant Communion the end of Church-Vnion § 1. HAVING shewed what a Visible or Congregational Church is in general when the first Institution of it was and where founded viz. in Abraham's Covenant of Circumcision that for the substance of the said Covenant it was immutable both as to the Person Natures Offices Ministry Sacrifice and Exaltation of Christ the Head both Mystical and Political a Gal. 3.8 cap. 4.26 27. so as to the Body of Christ the Church in its Catholick b Eph. 3.5 6. Acts 15.7 9. or Visible relation to him c Deut. 14.2 1 Pet. 2.9 setting aside only the difference of Oeconomies and the Administration thereof called the Old and New Testaments d Heb. 8.6 9.15 it is the everlasting Covenant well ordered in all things and sure e 2. Sam. 23.5 2. Cor. 3.11 to which as to the more mysterious and hidden part under the efficacious work of the Spirit every sincere-hearted Believer doth restipulate when he becomes an actual Member of the Mystical Body f 2 Cor. 11 2 3. Heb. 12 22 and as to the more External Visible and Political part he doth visibly restipulate by confederation and embodying to Christ the Political Head g Isa 56.6 7. 44.5 and with a particular Congregation a Political Body of Christ § 2. The Ecclesiastical Blessings as belonging to the visible State Standing and Priviledges of a Congregational Church unalterable under either Dispensation are these especially First It s Foederal Constitution a Isa 61.8 9. Gen. 17.9 10. Secondly It s Divine Institution b Ibid. Thirdly The Nature of its Church-Membership c Rom. 4.11 12 16. Gal. 3.27 28 29. and the
as to the adult part are Professors of their Mystical Relation to Christ b Eph. 5.30 for the truest Believer cannot be known but by such Profession that must come into visibility before any one can have any approved Church-Membership or any fair or plausible pretence to a right thereto c Jam. 2.18 Act 11.23 2. Tho Professing Believers with their immediate Infant-Seed are the true and fit Matter for a Visible Church d Act 2.39 yet is not their Profession the Visible Form of a Church Stones may be good and well squared for a Building but do not give Form to any House e 1 King 6 7. till they be visibly conjoyned and knit together to a Corner-Stone f 1 Pet. 2.5 Eph. 2.21 therefore the Band must be visible in this Building of Christ all the sitted parts as living Stones freely coming to Christ the Corner-Stone and by common consent uniting themselves to Christ and one another to make a spiritual House a Habitation of God by his Spirit g Eph. 2.21 22. every one of which being supposedly at least united to Christ the Mystical Head h Eph. 4.15 and so becoming living Stones do now come to Christ by a second explicite visible Union in a Political Body of his i Rom. 12.1 4 5. which can be no other than Confederation whereby each one with his immediate Infant-Seed is given up unto Christ and associated to the said Members in one Corporation or Body Politick § 9. That explicite confederation gives form to a visible Church appears beyond all doubt 1. From the nature of its being a Body Politick or Corporation a Ro. 12.4 5. 1 Cor. 12 12 13 14 27. for all Civil Corporations are in this manner made a Body 2. Men may be very honest and good Subjects under the King's Government but not incorporated in any distinct Body Corporate under the King 3. They that are incorporated are bound by a promise of Fidelity to the King the Political Head and by a promise obliging to Membership with and fidelity to that particular Body 4. There is no Person governable by any such Body Politick that is not thus bound to it by such confederations for what hath it to do with such as are without b 1 Cor. 5.12 5. It is not fit that any should partake of the granted Liberties and Priviledges of any particular Society without becoming a fast Member thereof and how can any one that is at his choice whether he will or will not be made a fast Member thereof without a declared mutual obligation between him and such Society As all these Reasons hold good as well in a spiritual Body Politick as a Civil and bear a great Analogy with the Natural Body of a Man therein So likewise it appears in the second place from the Word of God speaking of a Church as such a Body 1. The first constitution of a Congregational-Church in Abraham and his Seed was by Covenant c Gen. 17.2 10. and so the great Reformations thereof afterwards were by renewing Abraham's Covenant 2. All the descriptions of a Visible Church by allusion to a Natural Body d Ro. 12.4 5. to a House e Eph. 2.21 22. 1 Pet. 2.5 or Temple hold forth such an explicite Band of parts together as well as the whole to the Head as parts of a Body or House are knit together which nothing can do in a Body Politick but a voluntary Confederation 3. The expressions of joining to the Lord and adding to the Church f Act. 2.47 5.13 14. 4. Church-Covenanting under the Gospel is foretold g Isa 56.6 62.5 5. The Apostle is express about it when he treats purposely and directly of the true matter of a Church and foederal form of it h 2 Cor. 6.15 16 c. Act. 11.23 6. Professed Subjection to the Gospel is explicite covenanting i 2 Cor. 9.13 as also in that place speaking of giving up ones self to the Lord and one another k 2 Cor. 8.5 § 10. Hence as it is a Covenanting Body so a Body separate from the World Heathenish and Antichristian a 1 Cor. 10 19.20 Rev. 18.3 2 Cor. 6.16 17. A Church cannot be a peculiar and select People without separating from communion in Church Ordinances with visible unbelievers and from false Worship of all kinds whatever b 2 Cor. 6.15 16. 1 Pet. 2.9 § 11. The immediate Infant-Seed of the Confederate-Believer becomes given up unto God and receives Church-Membership in and by the Parents Covenant a 1 Cor. 7.14 Gal. 4.28 Rom. 9.8 for such was the Constitution of the first Congregational-Church which remains un-altered for the righteousness of faith and the Seal of the righteousness of Faith remaining to Believers b Ro. 4.11 12. as the Gospel preached c Gal. 3.8 to Abraham was the Blessing that came on the Gentiles d ibid. 14. it belongs to them to whom he was the Father even in that respect e Rom. 4.11.16 and they are Heirs according to the Promise f Gal. 3.29 being the Children of God by Faith in Christ g ib. v. 26. ib. v. 9. are blessed with faithful Abraham h ib. v. 27 yea as many as have bin baptised into Christ have put on Christ as Abraham did both in respect of the righteousness of Faith and the Seal thereof i Ro. 4.11 12. the Priviledge he hath for himself and Seed in Covenant and both Jew and Greek Male and Female are all one as to this respect in Christ Jesus k Gal. 3.28 And being Abraham's Seed l Ro. 4.16 yea his Children as Isaac was they inherit the Blessing in the righteousness of Faith and the Seal thereof to themselves and Seed But this Blessing as it comes upon the Gentiles as fellow-heirs of the same Promise made to Abraham m Eph. 3.6 which neither the makeing or abrogation of Moses his Constitution did or could disannul n Gal. 3.17 comes not on this or that Nation or Race of any Family specified as it was upon Abraham's but it comes only in the right of a confederating Believer o Rom. 9.6 7 8. and therefore on him and his immediate Seed only for the Child of a Believer when he comes to be adult by his non-profession of Abraham's Faith and non-covenanting accordingly his Membership ceaseth and his Seeds and therefore the Grandfather's Faith cannot give the Grand-Child any right to the seal of the righteousness of Faith but the Infants Membership and Right to any Church-Priviledge as it must ly in the immediate Parent so the unbelief of the immediate Seed cuts off from any right to that Seal § 12. The ends of Visible Church-Union are very great viz. The constant and frequent waiting and attending upon God in his Worship and that by a People assembling together for this end and purpose with one Heart and Mind
Sabbath m Col. 2.16 17. but the Lord's Day are 1. Then Christ finished Redemption and Rose from the Dead n Mat. 28.1 Luke 24.1 2. Then he appeared after his Resurrection to his Disciples assembled o Joh. 20.19 3. On this Day the Churches held their Solemn Assemblies for Preaching and administring the Lords Supper and Contributions p Acts 20.7 1 Cor. 16.12 4. On this Day John was in the Spirit and it 's called the Lord's Day q Re. 1.10 because more peculiarly appropriated to his Service as the Lord's Supper § 10. It is not in the Power of Churches to set apart any stated times Yearly or Monthly to be observed for that would be Superstition and Will-Worship a Gal. 4.10 Col. 16.17 But Days of Fasting and Humiliation may be appointed by any Church of Christ according as weighty Reasons lead it thereunto b Acts 14.23 CHAP. XI Of Ordinances of Special Communion Kinds of Ordinances of Special Communion A Seal what it doth and signifies New Testament Seals but Two What Baptism is What the Lord's Supper is What is to be observed in its Administration § 1. HAVING shewed what are Christ's Ordinances in a Visible Church of General or more common Communion we come in the next place to speak of Ordinances of Special Communion peculiar only to such as are Church-Members and these are such Appointments of Christ as concern the Administration of the Seals or such as concern the Administration of the Keys § 2. A Seal of the Covenant under the New Testament is a visible and sensible Ratification thereof wherein Christ our High Priest doth eminently shew forth unto us the glory of his Priestly Office in makeing himself a Sacrifice for Sin bearing the Charge and Curse of Sin satisfying God's Justice reconciling us to God and procuring Eternal Salvation to us a 1 Pet. 2.9 Heb. 9.26 Col. 1.21 22. Heb. 9.12 who as such is the great Condition of the Covenant of Grace b Isa 42.6 i. e. of Abraham's Covenant c Ro. 4.13 Gal. 3.17 whereby we have upon Profession right to claim all Church-Priviledges Mystical and Visible in the State of Grace and that of Glory hereafter d Gal. 3.9.28 29. In all the Old Testament Seals and in the New especially Christ in the Covenant of Grace is in a most lively manner represented and shewed forth in the Church e 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26. Col. 2.11 12. as to Condition and Promises he being not only the great Condition but the Yea and Amen of all the Promises f 2 Cor. 1.20 which are therein Applied and Sealed at least Ministerially g Gen. 17.7 10. Rom. 4.11 12. Gal. 3.27 § 3. The Seals of the New Testament are Two and no more Baptism and the Lord's Supper which are the only Instituted Rites or Ceremonies in a Church that are ordained by Christ to continue till he come a Matt. 28.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.23 c. All Jewish Ceremonies are vanisht as Shadows and abolished b Heb. 8.5.13 2 Cor. 3.14 as all Ceremonies attending the bestowing Miraculous Gifts are also ceased c 1 Cor. 13.8 such as Imposition of Hands on well or sick Vnction washing of Feet this being but a didactical Ceremony used by Christ to teach the Apostles Humility and not to Lord it over his Churches and was never intended for a standing Ordinance And as none of these which many are fond of and even Idolize some one and some another and upon as good Grounds all as any for each one had any Sanction for continuance so their significancy ceasing the Sign also comes to nought § 4. Baptism is a Sign and Seal of the Righteousness of Faith wherein Washing with Water into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost a Mat. 28.19 doth represent and shew forth at least Ministerially a Sinners washing from his Sins in the Bloud of Christ b Rev. 1.6 Act 2.38 his New Birth and Renovation by the Spirit of Christ c Titus 3.5 and his Covenant Obligation to be the Lords d Gal. 3.27 28. eib 3.9.26 The Subjects of this Seal are all those who by Profession of Faith in Christ e ib. 3.9.26 which is Abraham's Faith are become Covenant-Members accordingly of a Visible Church and their immediate Infant-Seed f Act. 2.39 they being blessed with faithful Abraham g Gal. 3.7 8 14. and having all essential Church-Blessings come upon them And therefore the Blessing of Membership to the professing Body of Christ h Rom. 15.8 9. ch 4.11 12 and Gospel Church Priviledges as they belong to one or other respectively are Ministerially to be applied of which Baptism is none of the least being the Ordinance of Christ in which only a Believer can bring his Infant-Seed to Christ and he cannot bring it to Christ out of an Ordinance therefore it being his Duty to bring it to Christ it must be in this Ordinance to be blessed with Abraham's Blessing spiritually as he and his Seed are Ecclesiastically the reason that Christ gives for his Command of bringing Infants to him i Matt. 19.14 15. Mark 10.14 16. Luk. 18.16 is That they are Church Members of such is the Kingdom of Heaven and it 's known that Christ means his visible Church in the days of the Gospel by the Kingdom of Heaven and he took them in his Arms received them visibly laid his Hands upon them which is more than for any Ministers to Baptize them and blessed them And doth Christ Bless with any Blessing besides the Blessing of Abraham that comes on the Gentiles § 5. The Lord's Supper is a special Ordinance of Church Communion a 1 Cor. 10.16 instituted and continued by Jesus Christ b 1 Cor. 11 26. wherein by the Giving and Receiving the outward Elements of Bread and Wine c Mat. 26.26 Mar. 14.23 Luke 22.19 1 Cor. 11.23 the Death Satisfaction and Merits of Christ are in a lively manner shewed forth and he who through Christ is a worthy Receiver doth spiritually and really by Faith partake of his Body and Bloud with all the high Benefits thereof and not Ministerially only as he doth who is only an outside professed Member It is called the Lord's Supper d 1 Cor. 11 20. because it is of the Lord's Institution and for this end to shew forth his Death e 1 Cor. 11 26. and because he first Celebrated it the Evening before his Death f ib. v. 23. § 6. This being instituted for so spiritual and solemn Ends and Purposes a 1 Cor. 11 24 25 26 27. Luk. 22.19 cannot be administred or attended upon for any other Purposes such as to qualifie Men upon a secular account without great Prophanation thereof b Mal. 1.11 12. John 6.26 27. Ex. 20.4 7 Rev. 13.16 17. § 7. In the Administration of this Ordinance these things according to the Primitive
are added to a Visible Church ought to be such as are judged by their Profession to be such as shall be saved f Act 2. ult Rom. 12.1 2 3 4. 1 Pet. 2.5 the judgment of infallibility being peculiar to God g Joh. 6.64 Deu. 29.29 § 12. Without a Competency of Knowledge for all have not the same degree the heart cannot be good a Pro. 19.2 therefore without some knowledge of God in his glorious Attributes of the Doctrine of the Trinity the Person and Natures of Christ the Nature of the Law of the Fall by Sin and the Curse Man's State by Nature in the Guilt and Pollution of Sin Original and Actual and his miserable undone Estate thereby a Child of Wrath The Nature of the Redemption wrought by Christ in Satisfaction to God's Justice Reconciliation of Sinners to God and Purchase of Eternal Life for them that our Sins were Imputed to Christ and his Righteousness alone to us unto Justification received by Faith alone c. Likewise to know how these Mysteries of Life and Salvation are held forth to a Believer in the Seals of the Covenant a 1 Cor. 11.29 And the knowledge of these things is the more particularly to be enquired after by the Elders of Churches because many Professors build their Conversion upon meer common Convictions and only some general Notions of God and Christ when indeed they are very strangers unto and ignorant of the Great Mysteries of the Gospel b 15.34 Yet such as these ought not to be discouraged nor the smoking flax quenched c Isa 42.3 Mat. 12.20 but to be led on with gentle Instructions to a further knowledge of Divine Truth d Eph. 4.2 which if there be any beginnings of True Grace in the heart they will with a great and sincere spiritual Appetite receive as new-born Babes e 1 Pet. 2.2 and the Church ought to be careful not to reject any that they judge have the least degree of saving Grace wrought in them f Rom. 14.1 § 13. Such a Conversation is to be looked after as becomes the Gospel a Phil. 1.27 which shews the Professors Faith by his works b James 2 18. and blameless demeanour in the World as the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation teacheth c Titus 2.11 12. The afore-mentioned Course is not often taken and therefore there are so many corrupt Members in Churches Tho the exactest may be deceived a 2 Tim. 3.5 yet the carelesness b Eze. 34.7 8 10. and carnal Minds of Churches and their Elders ambition to encrease their Churches into great Numbers for the external Pomp thereof and for Wordly Advantage are the great prevailing causes of the Corruption and Apostacy of Churches c 1 Tim. 6 5. 1 Pet. 5.2 § 14. The Pastor or Elders thus receiving satisfaction that the Person offering himself is a fit Stone for Christ's Building a 1 Pet. 2.5 he is in a Church-Meeting to be Propounded to the Church b 1 Cor. 14 23. and a competent time alotted to the Church for converse with the said Person c Acts 9.26 27. and enquiry after his Christian Deportment that all the Members of the Congregation may be satisfied in a Person whom they admit to so holy a Communion with them which time being expired and nothing objected against the said Person the Elders bring him before the Church to give the Reasons of his Hope either by Word of Mouth or by Writing if bashfulness hinder him or her from speaking d Rom. 14.16 19 20. 15.1 2. which the Elder or Pastor reads and if any Brother desire any further Question should be asked it ought not to be denied The Person owning the Declaration read and no Objection made the Elder puts the Question Whether the Church are satisfied in the Party propounded and do consent to his Admission e Phil. 2.2 desiring them to answer in the Affirmative by their Suffrage in lifting up their Hands and then if any be otherwise minded to speak or shew their disagreement by the same Sign Which agreed the Pastor or Elder doth ask the Party thus approved Whether he doth in the strength of Christ yield professed subjection to the Gospel f 2 Cor. 9.14 Act 11.23 and promise to walk with that Church in the Communion of the Faith and Order thereof g Col. 2.5 giving up himself and his Seed to the Lord and the Congregation h Ro. 12.1 2 Cor. 8.5 according to the Tenor of Abraham ' s Covenant i Rom. 15.7 8 9. or words of a foederal obligation to Christ and the Church to the same purpose Which he promiseth solemnly to do by the Help of God Whereupon the Elder doth in the Name of Christ receive him into Church-Fellowship promising on the behalf of the Church and himself To watch over him in the Lord k Heb. 13.17 and discharge towards him those incumbent Duties which may promote his edification in the ways of God l 2 Cor. 1.24 ch 10.8 8. Or Words to that purpose § 15. A Person thus joined to a Congregation is joined to and become a Member of a spiritual Corporation a 1 Cor. 12 27. Isa 56.3 Acts 5.36 Rom. 12.5 to the whole Body not to the Pastor or Elder only as some ignorant People think and therefore run away when the Pastor or Elder disgusts them or dieth but are by Covenant united to the Church and are not Discharged while that lasts without the Church's leave tho all the Officers die Moreover he is now obliged by his Covenant Relation to attend ordinarily upon the Ministry and Ordinances administred in that Church b Act 2.42 Heb. 10.25 and seek the Prosperity thereof for if a joined Member to one Church ordinarily attend the Ministry of another upon pretence of better Edification or upon any other pretence He 1. Hereby condemns his own Choice c Gal. 2.18 2. He cannot expect better Edification where God hath not placed him d 1 Cor. 7.24 Psal 92.13 3. If he cannot Edifie at Home he should ask his Dismission and not feed abroad every day 4. There is ordinarily some Corruption lies under that Plea 5. It is a living in continual breach of a solemn Covenant 6. It is quite contrary to the Primitive Practices 7. It destroys the end of Churches which is that Brethren should walk together in Vnity Unanimity and Fellowship e Ps 133.1 8. It discourageth and breaketh the hearts of faithful Pastors and Elders 9. It is a Practice that Christ will not bless because it so directly strikes at his Glory in his Churches 10. The Apostle makes such Deserters to be in the High-way to Apostacy f Heb. 10.25 26. 11. God is most glorified in every ones keeping his own Vineyard and not others § 16. As a Church-Member hath covenanted to walk in Communion of all Ordinances with hat