church_n to_o the_o which_o christ_n commit_v the_o power_n of_o bind_v and_o lose_v be_v a_o company_n of_o such_o as_o whereof_o peter_n be_v one_o believer_n profess_v that_o faith_n on_o christ_n whereon_o as_o on_o a_o rock_n the_o church_n be_v build_v mat._n 16.18_o 19_o and_o such_o as_o unto_o who_o peter_n or_o any_o brother_n offend_v may_v in_o due_a order_n tell_v the_o offence_n which_o any_o brother_n have_v give_v he_o &_o persist_v in_o mat._n 18.17_o and_o the_o church_n of_o corinth_n to_o which_o the_o apostle_n commend_v the_o cast_v out_o of_o the_o incestuous_a corinthian_a 1_o cor._n 5._o be_v such_o a_o church_n of_o which_o the_o apostle_n say_v they_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n sanctify_v by_o jesus_n christ_n 1_o cor._n 1.2_o and_o all_o of_o they_o even_o the_o whole_a church_n do_v meet_v together_o every_o lord_n day_n in_o one_o place_n for_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o god_n to_o public_a edification_n 1_o cor._n 14.23_o &_o 16.1.2_o which_o frequent_a meeting_n every_o lord_n day_n in_o one_o place_n to_o such_o end_n can_v possible_o be_v compatible_a to_o any_o diocesan_n provincial_n or_o nationall_n assembly_n propos_fw-fr 2._o it_o be_v the_o part_n of_o all_o christian_n who_o look_v for_o salvation_n by_o christ_n jesus_n to_o join_v themselves_o if_o god_n give_v they_o opportunity_n to_o some_o one_o or_o other_o such_o a_o particular_a visible_a church_n of_o christ_n for_o of_o such_o a_o church_n as_o continue_v in_o such_o church-fellowship_n act._n 2.42_o it_o be_v write_v the_o lord_n add_v to_o the_o church_n daily_o such_o as_o shall_v be_v save_v act._n 2.47_o and_o see_v there_o be_v no_o holy_a ordinance_n of_o christ_n but_o every_o christian_a stand_v in_o need_n thereof_o for_o his_o spiritual_a edification_n in_o holy_a fellowship_n with_o christ_n jesus_n or_o else_o christ_n ordain_v they_o in_o vain_a and_o see_v withal_o christ_n have_v commit_v all_o his_o public_a holy_a ordinance_n to_o his_o church_n it_o will_v be_v needful_a for_o every_o good_a christian_a to_o who_o god_n give_v opportunity_n to_o join_v himself_o to_o some_o one_o or_o other_o church_n of_o christ_n that_o so_o he_o may_v not_o deprive_v himself_o of_o the_o benefit_n and_o comfort_n of_o any_o of_o god_n holy_a ordinance_n propos_fw-fr 3._o for_o the_o join_n of_o faithful_a christian_n into_o the_o fellowship_n and_o estate_n of_o a_o church_n we_o find_v not_o in_o scripture_n that_o god_n have_v do_v it_o any_o other_o way_n then_o by_o enter_v all_o of_o they_o together_o as_o one_o man_n into_o a_o holy_a covenant_n with_o himself_o to_o take_v the_o lord_n as_o the_o head_n of_o his_o church_n for_o their_o god_n and_o to_o give_v up_o themselves_o to_o he_o to_o be_v his_o church_n and_o people_n which_o impli_v their_o submit_v of_o themselves_o to_o he_o and_o one_o to_o another_o in_o his_o fear_n and_o their_o walk_n in_o profess_a subjection_n to_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n their_o cleave_v one_o to_o another_o as_o fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n in_o brotherly_a love_n and_o holy_a watchfulness_n unto_o mutual_a edification_n in_o christ_n jesus_n for_o thus_o the_o lord_n accept_v and_o enter_v abraham_n family_n into_o church_n estate_n by_o receive_v they_o and_o their_o child_n into_o such_o a_o covenant_n with_o himself_o though_o in_o general_a term_n yet_o such_o as_o imply_v the_o substance_n both_o of_o christian_n and_o church_n duty_n gen._n 17.7_o and_o after_o that_o when_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n have_v violate_v this_o covenant_n in_o egypt_n the_o lord_n again_o make_v another_o covenant_n with_o they_o whereby_o he_o take_v they_o to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a people_n unto_o himself_o in_o the_o wilderness_n and_o mount_n of_o sinai_n exod._n 19.1.5_o whence_o they_o be_v call_v the_o church_n in_o the_o wilderness_n act._n 7.38_o and_o by_o reason_n of_o this_o covenant_n god_n call_v the_o whole_a body_n of_o that_o people_n as_o his_o own_o spouse_n i_o enter_v say_v he_o speak_v of_o that_o time_n into_o a_o covenant_n with_o thou_o and_o thou_o become_v my_o ezek._n 16.8_o moreover_o the_o next_o generation_n after_o they_o he_o establish_v they_o to_o be_v his_o church_n and_o people_n by_o enter_v they_o again_o into_o a_o covenant_n according_a to_o the_o covenant_n make_v with_o abraham_n isaac_n and_o jacob_n deut._n 29.10_o to_o 13._o by_o virtue_n of_o which_o covenant_n as_o well_o as_o by_o the_o former_a they_o be_v join_v not_o only_o to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o the_o officer_n the_o priest_n and_o levite_n which_o he_o have_v give_v they_o deut._n 12.19_o but_o also_o to_o mutual_a watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o levit._n 19.17_o deut._n 29.18_o in_o so_o much_o that_o through_o their_o neglect_n thereof_o the_o sin_n of_o one_o achan_n be_v the_o sin_n of_o all_o israel_n josh_n 7.11_o which_o kind_n of_o covenant_v with_o god_n we_o find_v diverse_o translate_v in_o scripture_n and_o every_o way_n sufficient_a for_o the_o constitute_n of_o a_o godly_a society_n or_o company_n to_o become_v a_o church_n unto_o god_n sometime_o god_n or_o his_o messenger_n in_o his_o stead_n propound_v and_o give_v a_o covenant_n unto_o a_o people_n and_o they_o accept_v it_o though_o not_o in_o express_a word_n yet_o by_o silent_a consent_n gen._n 17.7_o deut._n 29.10_o to_o the_o end_n of_o chap._n 30._o sometime_o the_o people_n declare_v their_o consent_n and_o restipulation_n by_o express_a word_n exod._n 19.8_o deut._n 5.27_o and_o josh_n 24.16_o 17_o 18.21_o 22_o 24_o 25._o sometime_o they_o write_v and_o seal_v neh._n 9.38_o in_o all_o which_o covenant_n sometime_o they_o make_v no_o express_a term_n of_o cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n but_o only_o in_o general_a term_n submit_v themselves_o to_o every_o ordinance_n and_o covenant_n of_o god_n as_o in_o the_o place_n allege_v sometime_o they_o express_o declare_v their_o steadfast_a cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n also_o and_o to_o their_o officer_n neh._n 10.28_o 29._o &_o ver_fw-la 35._o to_o the_o end_n the_o rest_n of_o the_o people_n every_o one_o may_v have_v knowledge_n they_o cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n and_o enter_v into_o a_o oath_n etc._n etc._n in_o some_o we_o account_v it_o all_o one_o and_o of_o like_a value_n when_o a_o covenant_n of_o god_n be_v propound_v and_o give_v on_o god_n part_n to_o a_o people_n whether_o they_o receive_v it_o by_o silent_a consent_n or_o by_o express_a term_n either_o by_o word_n of_o mouth_n or_o by_o writing_n and_o seal_n and_o whether_o their_o cleave_v to_o their_o brethren_n and_o officer_n and_o mutual_a watchfulness_n over_o one_o another_o be_v express_o mention_v or_o include_v only_o in_o their_o general_a profession_n of_o subjection_n to_o all_o god_n holy_a ordinance_n and_o covenant_n for_o we_o see_v it_o evident_a by_o compare_v the_o former_a scripture_n that_o by_o any_o one_o of_o these_o way_n a_o people_n be_v receive_v and_o establish_v to_o be_v a_o peculiar_a people_n and_o church_n unto_o the_o lord_n and_o each_o of_o they_o lie_v hold_v of_o the_o same_o spiritual_a privilege_n and_o hold_v forth_o the_o same_o holy_a duty_n neither_o be_v there_o any_o colour_n to_o conceive_v this_o way_n of_o enter_v into_o church_n estate_n by_o covenant_n to_o be_v peculiar_a to_o the_o pedagogy_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n for_o it_o be_v evident_a by_o the_o light_n of_o nature_n that_o all_o civil_a relation_n be_v found_v in_o covenant_n for_o to_o pass_v by_o natural_a relation_n between_o parent_n and_o child_n and_o violent_a relation_n between_o conqueror_n and_o captive_n there_o be_v no_o other_o way_n give_v whereby_o a_o people_n svi_fw-la juris_fw-la free_a from_o natural_a and_o compulsory_a engagement_n can_v be_v unite_v or_o combine_v together_o into_o one_o visible_a body_n to_o stand_v by_o mutual_a relation_n fellow-member_n of_o the_o same_o body_n but_o only_o by_o mutual_a covenant_n as_o appear_v between_o husband_n and_o wife_n in_o the_o family_n magistrate_n and_o subject_n in_o the_o commonwealth_n fellow_n citizen_n in_o the_o same_o city_n and_o therefore_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n when_o a_o people_n who_o the_o apostle_n by_o their_o ministry_n have_v convert_v be_v to_o be_v gather_v by_o they_o into_o a_o church_n estate_n what_o do_v the_o apostle_n else_o but_o combine_v they_o into_o one_o body_n as_o one_o chaste_a virgin_n and_o spouse_n unto_o christ_n 2_o cor._n 11.2_o and_o how_o can_v that_o not_o universal_a but_o particular_a church_n of_o corinth_n be_v offer_v up_o in_o one_o body_n not_o as_o many_o spouse_n as_o all_o the_o particular_a member_n of_o that_o church_n be_v by_o their_o conversion_n but_o as_o one_o spouse_n unto-christ_n but_o only_o by_o join_v all_o together_o in_o one_o covenant_n or_o espousage_n to_o
worship_v the_o lord_n jesus_n according_a to_o all_o the_o ordinance_n of_o his_o house_n propos_fw-fr 4._o we_o conceive_v it_o can_v seem_v unreasonable_a that_o in_o the_o same_o way_n by_o which_o particular_a godly_a person_n do_v enter_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o liberty_n of_o those_o holy_a ordinance_n which_o christ_n have_v appropriate_v to_o his_o church_n in_o the_o same_o way_n it_o be_v meet_v that_o a_o whole_a company_n of_o christian_n shall_v enter_v into_o church_n estate_n for_o in_o enter_v of_o they_o into_o church_n estate_n the_o lord_n call_v as_o well_o whole_a company_n as_o particular_a person_n to_o enjoy_v the_o like_a liberty_n of_o all_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n the_o enjoyment_n of_o like_a liberty_n require_v preparation_n thereunto_o by_o the_o like_a duty_n in_o the_o time_n of_o john_n the_o baptist_n such_o as_o be_v receive_v into_o baptism_n they_o do_v first_o make_v confession_n of_o their_o sin_n and_o therewith_o of_o their_o repentance_n and_o of_o their_o faith_n also_o in_o he_o who_o be_v to_o come_v after_o he_o matth._n 3.6_o act._n 19.4_o 5._o and_o in_o the_o time_n of_o the_o apostle_n philip_n receive_v the_o eunuch_n unto_o baptism_n not_o until_o he_o have_v make_v profession_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n acts._n 8.37_o but_o now_o for_o as_o much_o as_o we_o all_o who_o be_v bear_v in_o christian_a church_n be_v baptize_v in_o our_o infancy_n and_o such_o as_o be_v baptize_v infant_n be_v not_o admit_v to_o the_o lord_n table_n in_o well_o order_v church_n till_o they_o have_v approve_v and_o in_o their_o own_o person_n public_o confirm_v that_o profession_n of_o repentance_n and_o faith_n which_o their_o parent_n or_o other_o in_o their_o stead_n profess_v and_o promise_v for_o they_o at_o their_o baptism_n it_o can_v be_v think_v unreasonable_a that_o such_o a_o company_n of_o godly_a christian_n have_v be_v baptize_v infant_n shall_v now_o make_v the_o like_a profession_n of_o their_o repentance_n before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o church_n estate_n which_o other_o make_v in_o the_o primitive_a time_n before_o baptism_n and_o all_o grow_v up_o to_o ripe_a year_n be_v wont_v public_o to_o make_v or_o at_o least_o ought_v to_o make_v before_o their_o admittance_n to_o the_o lord_n supper_n beside_o when_o upon_o peter_n confession_n of_o his_o faith_n in_o christ_n jesus_n christ_n say_v that_o upon_o that_o rock_n or_o foundation_n he_o will_v build_v his_o church_n mat._n 16.16.18_o do_v he_o not_o plain_o hold_v forth_o that_o every_o christian_a church_n be_v found_v as_o on_o christ_n so_o on_o christ_n in_o this_o way_n to_o wit_n on_o christ_n believe_v on_o by_o faith_n and_o that_o faith_n public_o confess_v before_o god_n and_o man_n propos_fw-fr 5._o to_o the_o erect_n of_o a_o church_n as_o the_o presence_n of_o christ_n be_v necessary_a for_o the_o acceptance_n of_o it_o so_o the_o presence_n of_o neighbour_a church_n and_o brethren_n be_v requisite_a to_o cry_v grace_n grace_n unto_o it_o for_o if_o david_n advertisement_n be_v as_o it_o be_v necessary_a and_o of_o important_a weight_n except_o the_o lord_n build_v the_o house_n they_o labour_v in_o vain_a that_o build_v it_o psal_n 127.1_o how_o much_o more_o important_a be_v it_o that_o the_o lord_n who_o alone_o build_v his_o own_o jerusalem_n psal_n 147.2_o be_v seek_v unto_o with_o unfeigned_a humiliation_n and_o fervent_a prayer_n for_o his_o presence_n with_o his_o people_n and_o acceptance_n of_o they_o in_o such_o a_o work_n and_o if_o the_o apostle_n paul_n think_v it_o requisite_a to_o communicate_v with_o the_o apostle_n at_o jerusalem_n about_o his_o apostolical_a doctrine_n and_o proceed_n partly_o to_o prevent_v suspicion_n of_o dissent_n between_o he_o and_o they_o lest_o by_o any_o mean_n he_o shall_v run_v in_o vain_a partly_o to_o hold_v forth_o mutual_a communion_n with_o they_o in_o give_v and_o take_v the_o right_a hand_n of_o fellowship_n gal._n 2.2.9_o how_o much_o more_o requisite_a will_v it_o be_v for_o such_o as_o go_v about_o to_o gather_v together_o scatter_v christian_n into_o a_o church_n estate_n to_o communicate_v with_o the_o elder_n and_o brethren_n of_o other_o church_n crave_v their_o presence_n and_o counsel_n and_o communion_n in_o so_o great_a a_o work_n and_o see_v christian_n magistrate_n be_v also_o brethren_n and_o member_n of_o church_n be_v call_v of_o god_n to_o be_v nurse_n father_n unto_o the_o church_n isa_n 49.23_o it_o can_v but_o encourage_v they_o to_o take_v the_o more_o special_a notice_n and_o care_n of_o every_o church_n and_o to_o provide_v and_o assign_v convenient_a allotment_n of_o land_n for_o the_o maintenance_n of_o each_o of_o they_o when_o in_o time_n of_o peace_n they_o be_v make_v acquaint_v with_o the_o person_n and_o proceed_n of_o such_o as_o gather_v into_o church-fellowship_n under_o the_o wing_n of_o their_o government_n and_o yet_o see_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n be_v not_o of_o this_o world_n nor_o regulate_v by_o the_o wisdom_n of_o this_o world_n we_o do_v not_o doubt_v but_o that_o a_o church_n may_v be_v clear_o gather_v and_o right_o order_v though_o they_o want_v opportunity_n or_o omit_v to_o acquaint_v the_o magistrate_n with_o their_o proceed_n especial_o when_o magistrate_n be_v not_o acquaint_v with_o the_o law_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n sect_n ii_o now_o then_o to_o apply_v all_o these_o proposition_n to_o our_o present_a order_n and_o practice_n in_o the_o gather_n of_o a_o church_n thus_o it_o be_v when_o many_o christian_n be_v come_v over_o into_o these_o part_n they_o desire_v to_o join_v themselves_o unto_o some_o church_n or_o other_o according_a to_o the_o second_o proposition_n profess_v that_o it_o be_v the_o principal_a end_n of_o their_o come_n to_o enjoy_v the_o presence_n of_o the_o lord_n in_o the_o liberty_n and_o purity_n of_o his_o ordinance_n and_o if_o the_o company_n of_o such_o as_o come_v together_o be_v so_o well_o know_v one_o to_o another_o that_o they_o be_v loath_a to_o part_v company_n and_o yet_o so_o great_a that_o they_o can_v well_o join_v in_o any_o one_o church_n already_o establish_v without_o too_o much_o impeachment_n of_o their_o outward_a estate_n and_o livelihood_n the_o chief_a part_n of_o the_o land_n belong_v to_o each_o church_n be_v prepossess_v by_o other_o before_o they_o they_o then_o take_v that_o course_n which_o other_o company_n take_v before_o they_o they_o consider_v of_o enter_v into_o a_o church_n estate_n and_o fellowship_n among_o themselves_o and_o for_o that_o end_n first_o commend_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n they_o inquire_v out_o some_o one_o or_o other_o of_o eminent_a gift_n usual_o such_o as_o have_v be_v preacher_n of_o good_a esteem_n in_o england_n who_o may_v guide_v and_o go_v along_o with_o they_o in_o so_o great_a a_o action_n and_o if_o god_n see_v good_a may_v afterward_o be_v call_v to_o place_n and_o office_n among_o they_o and_o then_o such_o who_o heart_n god_n touch_v to_o go_v along_o with_o they_o in_o this_o work_n they_o often_o meet_v together_o about_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n and_o perform_v some_o duty_n of_o prayer_n and_o spiritual_a conference_n together_o till_o a_o sufficient_a company_n of_o they_o be_v well_o satisfy_v in_o the_o spiritual_a good_a estate_n of_o one_o another_o and_o so_o have_v approve_v themselves_o to_o one_o another_o conscience_n in_o the_o sight_n of_o god_n as_o live_v stone_n fit_a to_o be_v lay_v in_o the_o lord_n spiritual_a temple_n which_o be_v his_o church_n according_a to_o the_o first_o proposition_n now_o because_o through_o the_o grace_n of_o christ_n our_o christian_a magistrate_n be_v nurse_v father_n to_o the_o church_n and_o the_o church_n already_o establish_v be_v carry_v not_o only_o with_o a_o pious_a desire_n to_o enlarge_v the_o kingdom_n of_o christ_n but_o also_o with_o brotherly_a love_n to_o such_o as_o intend_v so_o good_a a_o work_n those_o christian_n therefore_o that_o desire_n to_o enter_v into_o church-fellowship_n together_o do_v acquaint_v the_o governor_n and_o some_o of_o the_o near_a magistrate_n and_o those_o church_n which_o be_v next_o adjoin_v to_o they_o with_o their_o intention_n to_o enter_v into_o church-fellowship_n and_o crave_v the_o presence_n of_o some_o from_o among_o they_o at_o the_o day_n appoint_v some_o few_o week_n after_o to_o help_v they_o with_o their_o prayer_n and_o with_o their_o counsel_n if_o need_n shall_v be_v in_o so_o weighty_a a_o business_n as_o be_v themselves_o for_o the_o most_o part_n less_o experience_v in_o the_o way_n of_o christ_n kingdom_n than_o those_o who_o have_v go_v before_o they_o in_o such_o a_o work_n as_o also_o desire_v to_o approve_v themselves_o and_o their_o course_n to_o the_o conscience_n of_o the_o brethren_n of_o other_o church_n that_o they_o may_v more_o free_o give_v they_o the_o right_a hand_n
weak_a believer_n because_o the_o lord_n have_v receive_v he_o rom._n 14.1_o 2_o 3._o three_o the_o lord_n jesus_n make_v the_o profession_n of_o the_o faith_n of_o his_o name_n and_o such_o a_o profession_n as_o flesh_n and_o blood_n have_v not_o reveal_v to_o a_o man_n but_o his_o heavenly_a father_n to_o be_v the_o rock_n on_o which_o his_o visible_a church_n be_v build_v for_o he_o speak_v of_o such_o a_o church_n whereunto_o he_o commit_v the_o key_n of_o his_o kingdom_n and_o that_o be_v the_o visible_a church_n mat._n 16.16_o to_o 19_o now_o if_o such_o a_o profession_n be_v the_o rock_n and_o foundation_n of_o a_o visible_a church_n than_o we_o shall_v build_v a_o church_n without_o a_o foundation_n if_o we_o receive_v such_o member_n into_o the_o church_n as_o do_v not_o hold_v forth_o such_o a_o profession_n but_o either_o through_o ignorance_n make_v no_o profession_n at_o all_o or_o such_o a_o verbal_a profession_n as_o savour_v not_o of_o any_o bless_a work_n of_o the_o father_n by_o his_o spirit_n upon_o their_o heart_n and_o do_v not_o the_o lord_n expostulate_v with_o such_o a_o guest_n as_o come_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o his_o church_n even_o unto_o his_o table_n not_o have_v a_o wedding_n garment_n mat._n 22.12_o and_o do_v not_o expostulation_n intimate_v a_o taxation_n also_o of_o they_o by_o who_o connivance_n he_o come_v in_o where_o he_o say_v how_o come_v thou_o in_o hither_o and_o do_v not_o christ_n in_o the_o parable_n impute_v it_o to_o the_o sleepiness_n that_o be_v to_o the_o remissness_n and_o negligence_n of_o his_o servant_n that_o tare_n be_v sow_v in_o his_o field_n among_o the_o wheat_n mat._n 13.25.38.39_o four_o such_o as_o have_v only_o a_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o deny_v the_o power_n of_o it_o we_o be_v forbid_v to_o join_v with_o and_o command_v to_o turn_v from_o they_o 2_o tim._n 3.5_o five_o can_v any_o man_n judge_v such_o person_n fit_a material_n for_o the_o constitute_n and_o edify_v of_o a_o church_n who_o be_v more_o fit_a for_o the_o ruin_n and_o destruction_n of_o the_o church_n such_o as_o leave_v their_o first_o love_n as_o all_o hypocrite_n will_v at_o length_n they_o procure_v the_o removal_n of_o the_o candlestick_n rev._n 2.4_o we_o pass_v by_o the_o type_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o yet_o be_v not_o without_o their_o due_a weight_n it_o be_v touch_v above_o that_o rough_a stone_n be_v not_o lay_v in_o the_o build_n of_o solomon_n temple_n till_o they_o be_v hew_v and_o prepare_v before_o 1_o king_n 6.7_o and_o behold_v a_o great_a than_o solomon_n be_v here_o and_o a_o great_a temple_n then_o that_o of_o solomon_n the_o attendance_n and_o watchfulness_n of_o the_o porter_n suffer_v none_o to_o enter_v into_o the_o temple_n that_o be_v unclean_a in_o any_o thing_n 2_o chro._n 23.19_o do_v it_o not_o evident_o type_n forth_o the_o watchfulness_n of_o the_o officer_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o suffer_v none_o unclean_a unclean_a in_o estate_n or_o course_n of_o life_n to_o enter_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o church_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v a_o communion_n of_o saint_n well_o then_o if_o all_o the_o member_n of_o the_o church_n ought_v to_o be_v saint_n by_o calling_n and_o faithful_a brethren_n it_o can_v be_v think_v a_o unseasonable_a curiosity_n but_o rather_o hold_v a_o due_a and_o faithful_a watchfulness_n in_o the_o officer_n and_o body_n of_o every_o church_n of_o christ_n to_o take_v a_o due_a trial_n of_o man_n by_o a_o confession_n of_o sin_n as_o john_n baptist_n do_v mat._n 3.6_o and_o by_o a_o profession_n of_o their_o faith_n as_o philip_n do_v act._n 8.37_o before_o they_o receive_v they_o into_o the_o church_n as_o member_n of_o the_o body_n of_o the_o lord_n jesus_n neither_o be_v it_o a_o excessive_a austerity_n in_o john_n but_o a_o holy_a faithfulness_n and_o godly_a zeal_n not_o only_o to_o repulse_v the_o scribe_n and_o pharisee_n mat._n 3.7_o but_o the_o profane_a people_n also_o from_o his_o baptism_n luk._n 3.7_o as_o those_o who_o be_v a_o generation_n of_o viper_n and_o have_v not_o yet_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n meet_v for_o repentance_n ver_fw-la 7_o 8._o and_o therefore_o themselves_o be_v not_o meet_v for_o his_o baptism_n which_o be_v a_o baptism_n of_o repentance_n luk._n 2.3_o nevertheless_o in_o this_o trial_n we_o do_v not_o exact_v eminent_a measure_n either_o of_o knowledge_n or_o holiness_n but_o do_v willing_o stretch_v out_o our_o hand_n to_o receive_v the_o weak_a in_o faith_n such_o in_o who_o spirit_n we_o can_v discern_v the_o least_o measure_n of_o breathe_v and_o pant_v after_o christ_n in_o their_o sensible_a feel_n of_o a_o lose_a estate_n ☞_o ☞_o for_o we_o have_v rather_o 99_o hypocrite_n shall_v perish_v through_o presumption_n than_o one_o humble_a soul_n belong_v to_o christ_n shall_v sink_v under_o discouragement_n or_o despair_n and_o by_o reason_n of_o these_o hypocrite_n receive_v into_o the_o church_n it_o be_v that_o the_o church_n be_v say_v to_o have_v in_o it_o good_a and_o bad_a wheat_n and_o tare_n for_o tare_n as_o hierome_n say_v be_v like_a to_o wheat_n sect_n iv_o come_v we_o now_o to_o give_v account_n of_o the_o second_o point_n why_o we_o receive_v such_o into_o the_o church_n by_o way_n of_o covenant_n 1._o meet_v it_o be_v that_o as_o the_o whole_a church_n be_v receive_v as_o one_o body_n unto_o christ_n by_o profess_v their_o entrance_n into_o covenant_n with_o god_n as_o have_v be_v show_v above_o in_o the_o three_o proposition_n of_o the_o five_o part_n so_o every_o member_n of_o the_o church_n shall_v be_v receive_v into_o the_o same_o fellowship_n by_o profession_n of_o their_o take_a hold_n of_o the_o same_o covenant_n eadem_fw-la estratio_fw-la partium_fw-la &_o totius_fw-la there_o be_v the_o same_o reason_n of_o the_o whole_a and_o of_o the_o part_n in_o such_o thing_n as_o concern_v the_o common_a nature_n of_o both_o and_o as_o all_o relative_n do_v they_o mutual_o argue_v one_o another_o hence_o it_o be_v that_o when_o godly_a stranger_n who_o have_v join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n to_o wit_n by_o faith_n to_o serve_v he_o to_o love_v his_o name_n and_o keep_v his_o sabbath_n be_v to_o be_v bring_v into_o the_o fellowship_n of_o the_o lord_n house_n they_o add_v this_o duty_n over_o and_o above_o the_o former_a they_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n of_o the_o lord_n isa_n 56.3_o 4_o 5_o 6_o 7._o sure_o not_o by_o faith_n only_o for_o their_o personal_a salvation_n for_o so_o they_o take_v hold_v of_o the_o covenant_n before_o when_o they_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n ver_fw-la 3._o but_o by_o their_o profession_n of_o their_o acceptance_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o subjection_n to_o it_o which_o the_o lord_n make_v with_o his_o church_n and_o people_n who_o he_o cause_v to_o pass_v into_o the_o bond_n of_o the_o covenant_n ezek._n 20.37_o object_n it_o be_v object_v first_o that_o the_o place_n in_o isaiah_n speak_v of_o such_o stranger_n as_o be_v proselyte_n who_o in_o join_v themselves_o to_o the_o lord_n be_v therein_o also_o join_v unto_o the_o church_n for_o so_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n impli_v join_v to_o the_o church_n jer._n 50.5_o zech._n 2.11_o ans_fw-fr 1._o they_o that_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n in_o those_o text_n of_o jeremy_n and_o zachary_n do_v indeed_o in_o so_o do_v join_v in_o a_o church-body_n also_o for_o they_o who_o be_v there_o speak_v of_o be_v a_o multitude_n concur_v and_o consent_v in_o the_o same_o covenant_n to_o join_v to_o the_o lord_n and_o to_o become_v his_o people_n but_o here_o in_o isaiah_n the_o eunuch_n and_o stranger_n be_v say_v to_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n who_o yet_o be_v not_o join_v to_o the_o church_n but_o ready_a to_o complain_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v utter_o deprive_v they_o of_o that_o liberty_n of_o join_v to_o the_o church_n and_o have_v utter_o separate_v they_o from_o his_o people_n ver_fw-la 3._o as_o indeed_o he_o have_v by_o express_a law_n separate_v they_o that_o be_v prohibit_v they_o from_o enter_v into_o the_o congregation_n of_o the_o lord_n for_o ever_o deut._n 23.1_o 2_o 3._o against_o which_o law_n the_o lord_n comfort_v they_o with_o this_o promise_n of_o the_o gospel_n that_o in_o the_o new_a testament_n neither_o their_o eunuchicall_a estate_n nor_o the_o alienation_n or_o strangernesse_n of_o any_o nation_n shall_v be_v a_o impediment_n unto_o their_o entrance_n into_o the_o lord_n house_n which_o be_v the_o church_n the_o join_v there_o speak_v of_o be_v not_o their_o join_n to_o the_o lord_n and_o his_o people_n as_o proselyte_n of_o the_o church_n for_o though_o they_o be_v join_v to_o the_o lord_n yet_o they_o complain_v of_o their_o disjoyn_v and_o separate_n from_o the_o lord_n people_n but_o the_o lord_n