Saints mystically and immediately under Christ their Head so this Political Body shews it self and becomes visible in some particular parts there-only which are called Visible Churches and are under a mediate Rule and Government of Christ and in this respect the Catholick Church comprehends particular Churches as some distinct parts and parcels thereof Phil. Then I suppose your apprehensions are that there is a Catholick Visible Church which is the next and immediate subject of all Officers and Ordinances Christ Mistake me not I have not said so as yet I say the Catholick Church becomes in part visible in particular Congregationâ—s and they are the immediate subjects of visible Ordinances and Officers which are instituted and placed therein for the edification of the Mystical Body of Christ Phil. But is not the universality of Saints Militant the Catholick Visible Church of Christ on Earth Christ The universality of Saints on Earth doth not constitute a Church in a visible standing for many are Believers that as yet make not themselves visible by profession 2. They are not nor can be bound together in visible Union and Communion That which makes a Catholick Church is a Catholick Bond of Union and Catholick Communion which is only mystical and invisible but there is not nor cannot be a Catholick visible Bond for as they cannot appear in one visible Congregation so they cannot be bound to walk together in Fellowship nor can have visible Communion as one Church in the same individual Administration if they profess the same Faith preach the same Word pray alike c. yet this makes not one particular Church 3. If there be a Catholick Visible Church then it must have Catholick Visible Officers every Officer must relate to the whole Church every ordinary Officer must be Officer to the whole Catholick Visible Church and there had need be a Visible Pastor Pastorum over them all 4. All Visible Members of the Catholick Church are not therefore Members of any Visible Church with Ordinances for they must be supposed to be Members of the Catholick Church before they can be made Members of a Visible Church with Ordinances 5. A Visible Church is Organized with Officers to the whole Church and not to a part of it A Pastor Elder Deacon are Officers to the whole and who will say a Deacon hath as much power in all the Churches on Earth as in the Church to which he is constituted he may as well say so as say a Pastor hath 6. If Christ instituted a Catholick Visible Church it was under the Old Testament or under the New but he did neither for there was but one Particular Congregation under the Old and Christ left but one when he ascended Chap. II. Of a Particular Church Phil. I Pray Sir come now to the main thing I aim at viz. to the true nature and constitution of a Gospel Particular Church Christ You mean such a Congregation as is the immediate subject of all the Ordinances and Offices of Christ's Institution where every Believer is bound to wait upon God in Gospel Faith and Order for the glory of Christ and his own edification Phil. Such a Church I mean may not a National Church be it Christ By no means it 's no Church but such whose Members may all meet together in one place for Communion in all Ordinances for so the first Church at Jerusalem did the greatest for ought I know that ever was since and all other that we read of in Scripture since If any comprized all the Saints in the Nation Province or Territory they all assembled for frequent Communion in one place under the same Officers We read of no Particular Church in Scripture but what was Congregational for the National Church of the Jews which was the only one of that kind which ever was in the World of God's Institution was Congregational for all the Males came to the Temple and before to the Tabernacle three times a year to appear before God to worship in acts of Communion therefore it was called the Tabernacle of the Congregation Phil. I am pretty well satisfied now from the weighty arguments I formerly heard from you though my thoughts through prejudice passed lightly over them then that all National Diocesan and Parochial constitution of Churches was merely from Man if not from the Man of Sin which latter I see cause enough to suspect But I pray give me a plain description of a particular Gospel Church Christ With all my heart Sir a Particuler Gospel Church is a separate company of Visible Believers with their Seed or Saints associated together in special bond of Union for the enjoyment of Communion with Christ and one another in all the Ordinances of Christs appointment for their edification Phil. You say the allowed matter of this Church is Visible Believers what understand you by a visible Believer Christ I mean one that makes a credible profession such an one as I am bound by all the rules of Charity to believe he is a true believer on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and I do not say 1. That it is necessary that therefore he be no Hypocrite for so he may be and I not know it 2. Neither do I say that his meer professing makes him a Church member for they in Act. 2. believed before they were Church Members and professed their Faith which gave them right of claim Yea there are many have right of claim and do profess but do not seek to joyn to a particular Church and it cannot be without a voluntary offer and subjection to the Order of the Gospel Phil. What is required to a credible profession for the due satisfaction of a particular Church of Christ Christ The Tree cannot be known to me but by the Fruits see Mat. 7.17 18 19. chap. 12.33 Luk. 6.44 the credible fruits are therefore Holiness of life and profession of Faith It 's required there be visible holiness of life Phil. 1.27 Let your conversation be as becometh the Gospel i. e. both the Doctrine and Order of it And this lies in negative and positive holiness appearing in the conversation 1. Negative that it be without blame Eph. 1.4 Phil. 2.15 1 Th. 5.23 2. A meer negative religion in respect of grosser and more observable sins is no more than what many a Carnal man may attain unto there must be the practice of positive duties required and not merely moral in justice and mercy but such by which a Christian is more peculiarly distinguished from Moral Heathens such as family duties of reading the word and daily prayer those of a more publick nature as constant attendance on the word Preached sanctifying the Lords day free distribution to the necessities of the Saints and a manifest readiness on all occasions to follow Christ as his disciple in all things Tit. 3.8 ch 2.11 12. yea in suffering Phil. But what more profession is needfull besides this visible practical walking is not this enough
ECCLESIASTICVM OR A PLAIN and FAMILIAR Christian Conference CONCERNING Gospel Churches and Order For the Information and Benefit of those who shall seek the Lord their God and ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward SAYING Come and let us joyn our selves unto the Lord in a perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten My People have been lost Cheep their Shepherds have caused them to go astray they have turned them away in the Mountains they have gone from Mountain to Hill they have forgotten their resting place Jer. 50.5 6. Shew me thy ways O Lord teach me thy Paths Psal 25.3 4. 27.11 119.12 33. How goodly are thy Tents O Jacob and thy Tabernacles O Israel Numb 24.6 7. Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy flocks to lye down at noon for why should I be as one that turns aside to the flocks of thy Companions Cant. 1.7 LONDON Printed by T. S. for the Publisher and are to be Sold by W. Marshall at the Bible in Newgate-street 1690. THE PREFACE TO THE READER HOW small soever the stone cut out without hands now seems to be and hath been for many Ages viz. A poor afflicted People trusting in the Name of the Lord Zion whom no man regardeth a Remnant a Cottage a persecuted Woman in the Wilderness Yet it is great in the Eyes of the Lord and in the Eyes of every one that fears his Name even exalted above all Mountains and Hills in regard of it's spiritual beauty and preciousness and shall e're long in respect of Visible splendor and Prevalency be set on the top of every Mountain to fulfil those Prophecies Isa 2.2 3. Mic. 4.1 2. Zech. 8.20 21 22. When many People shall say Come let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob c. Which intends the mighty and chearful gathering and assembling that should be in the last days unto a Visible Church state and Communion in the Faith and Order of the Gospel then will the Lord assemble her that halteth and gather her that is driven out and her that he hath afflicted and then he saith he will make her that halteth those who are not rightly instructed in the Order of the Gospel a Remnant i. e. of living Stones to be built up on the Corner stone in the building of Zion and her that was cast far off by Antichristian corruptions a strong Nation and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth and for ever In this Glory shall the Lord appear when he buildeth up Zion Psal 102.16 And by Gods present Providences seemingly unfolding ancient Prophecies he is now arising to have Mercy on Zion the time of the end of one thousand two hundred and sixty days of her Desolation and therefore to favour her being come yea the set time ver 13. and no less seeming to be coming out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the Earth Isa 26.21 For all their cruel Persecution and hellish Idolatry to destroy Babylon that hath wasted her and the Children of Edom Protestant Persecutors of the Egyptian race that have so long been crying aloud to Babylon and the Antichristian Fowers against the inward court worshippers Race it race it even to the Foundation Psal 137. The building of this Zion will be gradual for a Nation cannot be born in one day this Royal Nation by the accomplishment of the great Prophecies by wonderful and great Providences and those of two sorts in breaking scattering and overthrowing the Antichristian Powers the Feet and Toes of Iron and Clay and in setting up a Kingdom of Saints which shall not be left to another People The Inchoation of which hath been already by Preaching the Everlasting Gospel the auspicious augmentation and growth will be in gathering the Saints into a Visible Church-state Churches shall be multiplyed and mightily encreased as of old Act. 2. 9.21 To hasten this great and expected Glory what can we do less than contribute by our Prayers and faithful endeavours to the appearance thereof and who that loves the Lord Jesus and his glorious appearance can do less than to come to our great Corner-stone as living stones that they may be built up an Holy Temple in the Lord and thereto be edified in all holiness serving him therein Day and Night And that this may appear to be the duty of every one professing Faith viz. to joyn himself in fellowship with a particular Church Visible is all that I intend to do at this time as a brief Preface to this short Treatise 1. It was the practice of Believers in the Primitive times Act. 2.41 They that were converted to the Faith of the Lord Jesus Christ by gladly receiving the Word of Promise ver 38.39 were added unto the Church to the number of three thousand Souls And it 's most evident that their believing of it self made them not Members of the Church for the Text is express in it that they first believed and then by another Act of their own and the Churches receiving them they were added to them that were before in fellowship the hundred and twenty and became Church Members as it follows ver 47. And the Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved i. e. Such as were in a State of Salvation by believing The Lord is said to add them by his Grace that wrought effectually upon their Hearts to believe and believing enclined them also to joyn themselves unto the Lord in Church fellowship On the judicial proceeding of Christ by the Mouth of Peter against two Hypocrites that had joyned themselves and were discovered Act. 5.13 That of the Rest i. e. of the same sort durst none to joyn himself Ananias and Sapphira having been made so eminent Examples but the people magnified them i. e. the Church and the Apostles ver 14. And Believers i. e. sincere-hearted were the more added unto the Lord Multitudes both of Men and Women So that as soon as they believed they looked upon it as their next duty to joyn themselves to a Gospel Church Likewise see the same Practice by the Apostle Paul as soon as he was converted Act. 9.26 27 28. There is also another eminent instance at Antioch where the Disciples were first called Christians they that were converted by the scattered Disciples at Sauls Persecution were exhorted by Barnabas Act. 11.23 To joyn together in Church fellowship for it 's said when he came being sent for that end by the Church at Jerusalem and had seen the Grace of God in these converted ones he was glad and exhorted them all that with purpose or readiness of Heart they would joyn unto the Lord. i. e. In Church fellowship for these phrases of joyning and adding unto the Lord do express adding or joyning to the Church because the Church is the Lords and joyned unto him by a visible Covenant and every one
Coetus or Congregatio 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 condixit so that it 's taken for the solemn assembly gathered together at Gods appointed time or for the assembly at the appointed place viz. the Tabernacle and therefore the Tabernacle of the Congregation which Congregation was the Church of old Act. 7.38 Ecclesia in the New Testament is taken for any assembly though rude and riotous Act. 19.32 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not used v. 37. where our Interpreters use our English word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ought to be rendred robbers of Temples Heathenish and Jewish but it is mostly used for and appropriated to a sacred assembly as Mat 18.17 Act. 2.47 Ch. 8.1 Ch. 11.26 1 Cor. 1.2 c. Phil. What do you say then is a Church of Christ in the most comprehensive sence Christ A Church of Christ is a Congregation of Saints associated in Christ Jesus our Lord Eph. 3.21 In the Church in Christ Jesus Phil. Why do you say associated Christ Because a Church is not a transient and occasional Congregation but fixed and a joyned Society by Union and Communion with Christ and one another 1 John 1.3 and because the Saints are the members of Christ and he is the Head they are said to be gathered together always in Christ Jesus really or professedly they are gathered unto him by way of insertion mystically or Politically they are gathered together in his Name or Authority Phil. Then a Church comes under various considerations Christ Yes Sir it doth but the Church of Christ is properly but one as he is the one Head and only so the Body is but one 1 Cor. 12.12 For as the Body is one and hath many members and all the members of the one Body being many are one body so also is Christ i. e. Mystical Phil. I pray be as distinct as you can upon the several considerations of this one Church of Christ Christ I will you know the most comprehensive consideration of the Church of Christ is under the name of Catholick and there are two Articles in the Creed called the Apostles that express our Faith therein 1. I believe the Holy Catholick Church 2. I believe the Communion of Saints which two words Holy and Saints denote the Matter and Form of this Church that it is Saints in Christ Jesus it is a Holy Church made up of Saints and then that it is comprehensive of all Saints And lastly That the formal nature of this Church consists in a certain Union and Communion for the latter always implys the former Phil. But is there not particular Churches do you not call every single Congregation a Church Christ. Yes we do so but that you may have the right and distinct notion of it we must duly weigh the Catholick Church as to its Relation to Christ its Head The Catholick Church is to be considered as to its mystical and political standing in Christ In respect of its mystical standing these things belong unto it 1. That it is the general assembly or collection of real Saints Heb. 12.23 ye are come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the Catholick assembly and Church or Congregation of first born whose names are written in Heaven This is the Heavenly Church to which he saith Believers in the Gospel days are come to which Church Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant is the Head of influence and to which all Saints as such are spiritually knit and with whom they have Communion and in him one with another 2. The Church in this sence is it which Christ hath purchased and are effectually partakers of all his benefits Eph. 5.25 26 27. to it belongs Election Redemption Effectual Vocation Justification Adoption Sanctification and Glorification John 17.9 10 11. Rom. 8.29 30. 3. Here in this respect the Church is said to be Catholick in relation to individual Saints only it 's not Catholick as a genus comprehending many species of Churches but as a totum integrale comprizing many parts and all have a coordinate standing in subordination only to Christ their Head yea they all conduce to the making up of Christ Mystical one body being members in particular 4. This Mystical Body is to be considered according to its manner of existing secundum modum existendi and that two ways 1. In its Militant State or Standing or in its Triumphant in Viâ or in Patriâ In its Militant State it comprehends all the true believers in the world existing at the same time whether they are visible by professing or not the complement whereof are all the Saints actually glorified or the Spirits of just men made perfect And this distinction is only of the Church in respect of the different state in the enjoyment of Christ in the way of Communion in Grace and Glory the difference is only gradual and no more the Union is the same 2. It is to be considered in its Invisible and Visible standing The Church's Invisible standing is wholly in respect of that inward spiritual Relation which the Saints have to Christ and one another It s Visible standing is in professing Saints that are real members of Jesus Christ Phil. I Pray Sir give a right understanding of the Church in its relation to Christ as a Political Head Christ Thus Christ is to be considered as King and Law-giver to his Church and People and he governs his Church either immediately by his ruling Spirit in the heart of every Member of his Body whereby they are influenced Eph. 4.4 There is one Spirit one Body one Lord c. Or he governs mediately as a Politick Head and that is only so far as the Church is visible and professing and as such he hath given Immunities Laws Officers Ordinances for establishment of Visible Polities Societies or spiritual Corporations And here we are to observe diligently these things 1. That under this consideration the Catholick Church is most large and extensive for it comprehends all credible Professors though not real and all actual Church-Members though secret Hypocrites Ephes 3.15 Of him the whole family is named in Heaven and in Earth i.e. real and professing 2. That the Church so far as it 's capable of Visible Communion and Fellowship is the subject of Christ's mediate Political Rule and Government and that is only in particular Congregations to them he hath given his Word Ordinances and Officers and to no other for he suited them to particular Societies neither hath he substituted any Officers or Ordinances to the meer mystical standing of the Church 3. All the Instituted External Worship though it be given to the Church in its visible standing which it hath in particular Churches yet it is for the sake of the Mystical Body for the edifying and building it up by the Means of Grace Eph. 4.12 13 and for the multiplying it by calling in the Elect. 4. In this sense and acceptation as the Catholick Church being a Political Body of all
of it self Christ It is as the Church shall judge of it for they may be so well acquainted with the Faith as well as the visible holiness of some that there may not be the least doubt that the person offering himself is fit matter for the Spiritual building but the Church will it may be for the edification of others desire to hear the dealings of God with such an one rather than for satisfaction concerning his Spiritual state which they doubt not of Phil. But I pray Sir what is the nature of this verbal profession which you expect Christ There are two things besides what hath been said requisite in an adult Church Member 1. That he have a competent knowledge of God and Christ Prov. 19.2 He that hath not the knowledge of Christ cannot believe Rom. 10.14 ch 3.11 Pro. 9.10 Hos 4.6 2 Pet. 1.3 1 Tim. 2.4 therefore it 's requisite that such as are admited Church Members do shew that they have a knowledge of God in his essence and subsistences the person natures and offices of Christ the state of man by reason of the fall the nature of Christs Mediatory Office in his Humiliation and Exaltation and the great effects thereof in Justification Sanctification and Glorification Phil. I think indeed it 's very requisite that Church Members should have knowledge of Divine Mysteries so far as is necessary to Salvation or else they will but prophane holy things and turn them into meer superstition or Idolatry as the Papists have done who hugg Ignorance as the Mother of Devotion but many a man that hath had good Christian education may give a great account in these matters and not have a Grain of Grace in his Heart Christ So he may nay many â—n one that can discourse with much knowledge in all points of Divinity may be a very loose and wicked man in his life Rom. 2.17 18 19 20 c. nay he may do all externals in Religion and have no power of Godliness Wherefore 2. We go as far as we can to be satisfied and therefore inquire a reason of his Faith and Hope which when he hath satisfied us in we can go no further but own him fit to become a visible Member of the Church And these qualifications are expresly laid before us Rom. 10.10 The reason of the Faith that is in us is to be given when required 1 Pet. 3.15 be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in you It is therefore of the greatest weight to give this reason to a Church for their satisfaction when asked by it and we find that they that were added to the Church Act. 2. gave good evidence of their Repentance and Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the effects of Peter's Sermon Phil. But they were presently added to the Church they allotted no time to make further inspection into their lives and conversations Christ There may be great reason for it for 1. It 's most probable these were all known to be very devout in the Jewish Religion such it may be for conversation as Zechary and Elizabeth and as Cornelius a Proselyte for they were Jews that lived at a distance in remoter Regions that came up constantly to Worship at the Feasts and now came to the Feast of 〈…〉 2. Peter and the rest of the twelve all presided in the Church who were extraordinarily inspired and therefore had a more infallible judgment or more infallible dictates of the Spirit to direct them in Church administrations than ordinary Church Officers since have as appears by many instances in the matter of Simon Magus Ananias and Sapphira c. but we are acquainted by the Spirit of God how true steps they made in receiving of Members that they were still such as should be saved we read not of any false-hearted of all that 3000 unless Ananias and Sapphira were of that number Phil. But is it absolutely necessary that every adult person be admitted into Church Communion and give credible evidence that he is a Member of Christ Christ Yes for 1. Visible Membership of the Catholick Church gives right of claim to Communion with a particular Visible Church a supposal of a persons mystical union to Christ is the true ground of claim of Communion with Christ and his People in instituted Ordinances 2. We have no other sort of Members but visible Saints spoken of as admitted in the primitive Apostolick state of the Churches Rom. 1.7 1 Cor. 1.2 Phil. 1.1 Eph. 1.1 Coâ— 1.2 Saints and faithful Brethren in 〈…〉 Thes 1.1 Eph. 2.1 2. those of the Church of Thessalonica were in God the Father and in Christ Jesus In Solomon's Temple all the Stones were to be squared and fitted before laid a Type of Christ Mystical and Politick in visible Church-state the Apostle Peter alludes to it 1 Pet. 2.2.3 5. he shews the first effects of the Word of God's grace on Converts and then they come to Christ the corner-stone as living stones to be built a spiritual house in visible Communion of the Saints 2. That a Church-Member who ought to be cast out when in is not to be received in but if any surreptitiously crope in be made manifest not to have the fear of God before his eyes he is to be cast out therefore he that doth not appear to have the fear of God is not to be admitted a Church-Member See 1 Cor. 5.11 12. Phil. Your strictness in this kind keeps off many that would otherwise joyn themselves Christ And doth not the holiness of Gospel-Truths as much or more keep off carnal and wicked men from embracing them as they will say but the true reason is their rebellious hearts bigotted to their beloved sins Besides it 's very necessary there should be a bar to keep off unworthy persons from sacred things It is not meet to give holy things i. e. such as are peculiar to God's Children unto Dogs and such are Church-Priviledges 3. We would not willingly debar one even the least Babe in Christ from the appointed ways and means of Communion with Christ and therefore do willingly condescend to the modesty and weakness of any Age or Sex manifesting a spiritual hunger and thirst after the Lord Jesus Christ if there be a ground to judge there is truth of grace in the heart it is accepted and this is ordinarily perceived by them that are spiritual Phil. But you will ask hard Questions in the points of Knowledge Christ No harder than are asked in our ordinary Catechisms which we teach our Children trying only whether a grown Person understands in any competent measure what he saith according as Philip dealt with the Eunuch Phil. But this giving a reason of the hope that is in us is that which most are against and are loath to comply with Christ They that have it not cannot do it unless some glozing Hypocrite that by his Education and Parts hath got much brain-knowledge and can counterfeit any external part of
to repair to him for the more cherishing all good desires and affections in him till he arrive at a competency of knowledg but all this while doth not make him known to the Church so that his infirmities are not blazoned abroad in the World in the least by this way of proceeding Phil. My Friend I pray inform me what you intend by a separate Society and can you justifie separation you know how it 's cryed out against by most learned Divines Ch. Therefore I put in that word because I am sure Separation is a necessary adjunct that doth belong to every true Constituted Church of Christ nay is there any that doth pretend to be a Church of Christ that doth not separate more or less doth not the pretended Church of Rome separate from Turks and mere Pagans doth not our Church of England separate from Rome and why Either because some say it 's no true Church others because it 's corrupted in Doctrine and Worship though a true Church and thereby justifie their separation from it And may not other Churches upon the same ground separate from the Church of England either because as some will say it 's not a true constituted Gospel Church but Antichristian or because as others will say they allow it to be a Church of Christ but polluted in Doctrine Worship Manners both as to the Ministry and People and therefore to be separated from for the enjoyment of a purer Church State and Communion Again the Church of England in her Catechism teacheth separation and solemnly vows it Infants in Baptism Promise by the Sureties or Vangers to forsake the World the Flesh and the Devil What is this but separation And if this were practised as it is promised the members of the Church of England would be a separate people Lastly there is nothing clearer than that a visible Church of Christ ought to be separate 1 Pet. 2.9 What is a choice peculiar people a holy Nation to shew forth the praises of him that hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous light but a separate people a Holy Nation in a world lying in wickedness a people called out of a dark world into marvellous light as the Church of old in Goshen had marvellous light while Egypt was in darkness and the praises of Christ thus separating themselves they shew forth in the Churches And what can be opposed with any evidence against that plain and full place to this purpose 2 Cor. 6.14 be not unequally-yoaked together with unbelievers ver 15. what part hath he that believeth with an unbeliever i. e. a visible unbeliever it ought not to be rendered an Infidel as if one sort of unbeliever only was meant for it 's the same Word every where else and v. 14. rendred unbeliever but our English Divines render the word Infidel insinuating that none but Turks and Pagans were to be understood by this Text that we are required to separate from But the Text is most express that it is from all visible Unbelievers The Temple of God is the Gospel Church the fellowship is Church fellowship therefore he bids us come out from among Unbelievers and from all false worship and be separate v. 17. and then God Promiseth to be their God to dwell with them c. I shall add no more at present on this point though much more might be said Phil. You have fully confirmed me in this point I pray tell me whether there be any that are not actual believers that are Church-members Christ All Church members come in upon the right of a Visible Profession but it follows not thence that all Church-members are actual believers for many Hypocrites come in upon the right of Profession but are not actual believers Again Infants and Children of believing Parents come into Churches and are justly made and called members upon the right of Profession but it is of their Parents not of their own Personal Profession neither are they actual Believers their Profession is in the Parents their Covenant Obligation is in the Parents the Priviledges they are capable of is belonging to them by virtue of a Promise wherein they are concerned with their Parents and primarily for the Confirmation of the Parents Faith and secondarily in order to the Salvation of their Children But a little more of this when I come to Baptism Phil. I pray Sir proceed then to speak to the Visible bond whereby this Church Society is bound together Christ I hinted before that Churches are denominated from their bond of Union as from their Communion from Mystical Union and Communion the Church is called Invisible from Visible Union and Communion it is that Churches are called Visible It 's thus in any civil Corporation and Society every man doth not come and partake of the Priviledges of it at his pleasure and leave it when he please no not every one of such a Profession qualified according to the Laws of the Society none but such as being qualified comes and lays claim to his admission on his qualifications wherein to be approved he puts himself upon the Test being approved he immediately enters into a mutual bond or obligation he promiseth by Oath or otherwise to submit to the Laws of the Society they admit him a member to partake of all the Priviledges So it is in Visible Churches which are so many particular Societies that have given up themselves to Christ and bound themselves to walk together in a visible submissionto constant waiting upon Jesus Christ in all his Gospel Institutions and Appointments and it 's requisite this obligation be explicite because first The Church Society is visible and explicite such therefore must the bond be 2. The Profession of his Faith is explicite such therefore should his obligation be to future walking 3. As no man can be a member of any Society constituted by voluntary consent without he voluntarily offer himself so none is governable there by the Laws of it without such an obligation and otherwise the Government of it would be wholly precarious for a man cannot be a subject duely unless a man be a slave and under compulsion to any society but by natural as a Child to a Family or voluntary submission and obligation as here 1. All societies of this nature do justly expect and demand that a Man be true to them and submit to their Laws if he will have protection and partake of their Priviledges Phil. But they say you have no Scripture grounds for this Bond or Church Covenant as some call it Christ It might be enough to say that a society must be encreased the same way as it is made at first and that after Members must be joyned upon the same terms on which the first embodied and associated together but there is no incorporate society but joyn together at first by mutual agreements under some Charter for enjoyment of some priviledges and submit to the prescribed Laws thereof and on these terms