the_o doctrine_n of_o institute_v church_n explain_v and_o prove_v from_z the_o word_n of_o god_n by_o solomon_n stoddard_n a._n m._n minister_n of_o the_o gospâ—…_n northampton_n new-england_n london_n print_v for_o ralph_n smith_n at_o the_o bible_n under_o the_o piazâ—…_n exchange_n in_o cornhill_n 1700._o the_o doctrine_n of_o institute_v church_n explain_v and_o prove_v from_o the_o word_n of_o god._n chap._n i._n the_o word_n of_o god_n give_v we_o sufficient_a light_n to_o direct_v we_o about_o institute_v church_n and_o all_o administration_n therein_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o institute_v church_n and_o the_o ordinance_n to_o be_v attend_v therein_o have_v be_v matter_n of_o great_a inquiry_n in_o these_o latter_a age_n and_o those_o inquiry_n have_v be_v accompany_v with_o great_a animosity_n discord_n and_o persecution_n those_o form_n and_o method_n that_o have_v be_v admire_v by_o some_o have_v be_v decry_v by_o other_o and_o multitude_n of_o people_n be_v leave_v at_o a_o loss_n whether_o there_o be_v any_o certain_a rule_n to_o guide_n we_o or_o any_o certainty_n to_o be_v attain_v in_o these_o thing_n two_o thing_n especial_o have_v hinder_v those_o that_o have_v be_v studious_a in_o these_o point_n from_o give_v satisfaction_n to_o other_o one_o of_o they_o be_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v be_v exceed_o tenacious_a of_o the_o tradition_n and_o ancient_a usage_n of_o the_o church_n not_o consider_v how_o dismal_a a_o corruption_n and_o degeneracy_n do_v in_o a_o little_a time_n prevail_v whereby_o it_o come_v to_o pass_v that_o those_o thing_n be_v obtrude_v upon_o we_o as_o rule_n which_o be_v the_o blemish_n and_o error_n of_o the_o ancient_a church_n they_o have_v a_o veneration_n for_o antiquity_n and_o adopt_v the_o say_n of_o ancient_a father_n for_o canonical_a the_o other_o be_v that_o some_o have_v attempt_v to_o compile_v a_o complete_a platform_n out_o of_o the_o book_n of_o the_o newtestament_n alone_o look_v on_o all_o old_a testament_n rule_n relate_v to_o church_n affair_n as_o out_o of_o date_n but_o if_o we_o will_v have_v a_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o these_o thing_n must_v not_o be_v our_o dependence_n upon_o tradition_n neither_o must_v we_o confine_v ourselves_o to_o one_o part_n of_o scripture_n but_o search_v into_o the_o whole_a word_n of_o god_n impartial_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o god_n do_v full_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o scripture_n concern_v the_o affair_n of_o his_o house_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n do_v perfect_o direct_v we_o how_o we_o shall_v behave_v ourselves_o in_o the_o family_n and_o in_o the_o commonwealth_n so_o in_o the_o church_n there_o be_v no_o need_n of_o any_o addition_n to_o the_o scripture_n there_o need_v a_o interpretation_n of_o the_o word_n but_o nothing_o at_o all_o to_o be_v add_v to_o it_o god_n do_v not_o give_v we_o some_o break_a piece_n of_o a_o platform_n but_o have_v reveal_v his_o whole_a will_n in_o that_o matter_n we_o be_v not_o leave_v under_o a_o necessity_n of_o miss_v the_o rule_n or_o guess_v at_o it_o god_n have_v describe_v to_o we_o the_o whole_a body_n of_o church_n affair_n for_o the_o scripture_n be_v a_o perfect_a rule_n of_o life_n psal_n 19.7_o 2_o tim._n 3.17,18_o man_n shall_v be_v blame_v for_o nothing_o at_o the_o day_n of_o judgement_n but_o what_o the_o scripture_n do_v condemn_v rev._n 20.12_o what_o god_n have_v not_o reveal_v to_o we_o be_v no_o rule_n to_o we_o and_o god_n have_v no_o where_o else_o reveal_v the_o rule_n but_o in_o the_o scripture_n as_o we_o have_v no_o extraordinary_a prophet_n to_o reveal_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n so_o there_o be_v no_o unwritten_a tradition_n to_o make_v know_v the_o mind_n of_o god_n in_o this_o matter_n there_o be_v three_o sort_n of_o rule_n in_o scripture_n to_o guide_v we_o in_o church_n affair_n 1._o general_n moral_a rule_n these_o rule_n give_v we_o light_v in_o many_o church_n affair_n so_o that_o rule_n of_o loving_n god_n and_o our_o neighbour_n mat._n 22.37,38,39_o so_o that_o rule_n of_o not_o partake_v in_o other_o man_n sin_n 1_o tim._n 5.22_o so_o that_o rule_n of_o peace_n and_o edification_n rom._n 14.19,20_o so_o that_o rule_n of_o do_v thing_n decent_o and_o in_o order_n 1_o cor._n 14.20_o so_o that_o rule_n phil._n 4.8_o so_o that_o rule_n of_o humility_n 1_o pet._n 5.3_o these_o rule_n and_o such_o like_v show_v we_o our_o duty_n in_o many_o case_n for_o 1._o there_o be_v many_o thing_n necessary_a which_o there_o be_v no_o institution_n about_o god_n be_v more_o particular_a with_o the_o jew_n because_o the_o church_n then_o be_v in_o its_o infancy_n than_o he_o be_v with_o we_o so_o we_o have_v no_o institution_n how_o many_o elder_n to_o have_v in_o a_o church_n how_o often_o to_o pray_v or_o sing_v on_o the_o sabbath_n how_o often_o to_o partake_v of_o the_o lord_n supper_n 1_o cor._n 11.26_o so_o there_o be_v no_o particular_a institution_n for_o moderator_n in_o church_n in_o case_n of_o a_o vacancy_n of_o elder_n about_o preach_v without_o ordination_n about_o the_o limit_n and_o bound_n of_o particular_a church_n there_o be_v abundance_n of_o other_o particular_n about_o fast_n matter_n of_o discipline_n the_o age_n of_o person_n to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o be_v to_o be_v determine_v by_o moral_a rule_n 2._o many_o thing_n that_o be_v command_v in_o church_n affair_n be_v the_o proper_a consequence_n of_o moral_a rule_n and_o so_o do_v need_v a_o institution_n there_o be_v many_o thing_n occasional_o command_v which_o do_v not_o proper_o belong_v to_o divine_a institution_n that_o be_v not_o branch_n of_o the_o second_o commandment_n but_o proper_a deduction_n from_o moral_a rule_n so_o that_o about_o reconciliation_n to_o a_o offend_a brother_n matth._n 5.23,24_o for_o christ_n do_v not_o now_o make_v new_a jewish_a institution_n so_o that_o about_o private_a deal_n with_o a_o offend_a brother_n matth._n 18.15,16_o so_o those_o rule_n 1_o tim._n 5.17,19_o 1_o cor._n 11.28_o and_o many_o other_o be_v plain_a moral_a duty_n 3._o moral_a rule_n must_v be_v attend_v in_o church_n affair_n as_o well_o as_o in_o other_o thing_n rule_n for_o do_v thing_n that_o be_v for_o peace_n edification_n and_o for_o the_o good_a of_o our_o neighbour_n bound_v in_o ecclesiastical_a case_n as_o well_o as_o in_o civil_a and_o domestical_a therefore_o they_o be_v general_o propound_v phil._n 4.8_o yea_o there_o be_v more_o weight_n to_o be_v lay_v on_o they_o then_o on_o institution_n mar._n 12.33_o we_o must_v never_o act_n contrary_a to_o moral_a rule_n church_n be_v bind_v to_o moral_a rule_n as_o well_o as_o other_o society_n we_o have_v n2o_n liberty_n in_o the_o administration_n of_o the_o thing_n of_o god_n house_n to_o break_v moral_a rule_n 2._o old_a testament_n institution_n a_o great_a part_n of_o old_a testament_n institution_n be_v abolish_v all_o typical_a law_n be_v out_o of_o date_n but_o some_o institution_n that_o be_v in_o force_n then_o be_v in_o force_n now_o thus_o church_n society_n the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n fast_n thanksgiving_n be_v to_o be_v attend_v still_o consider_v 1._o they_o and_o we_o be_v under_o the_o same_o gospel_n there_o be_v the_o same_o way_n of_o salvation_n then_o as_o now_o they_o be_v under_o a_o covenant_n of_o grace_n and_o save_v by_o christ_n as_o well_o as_o we_o heb._n 4.2_o hence_o there_o be_v several_a thing_n common_a to_o they_o and_o we_o hence_o the_o people_n of_o god_n under_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n must_v be_v such_o as_o have_v a_o visible_a union_n to_o christ_n they_o and_o we_o must_v have_v sign_n represent_v christ_n 1_o cor._n 10.3,4_o 2._o the_o nature_n of_o a_o church_n be_v the_o same_o under_o both_o testament_n a_o church_n be_v not_o one_o kind_a of_o thing_n in_o the_o old_a testament_n and_o another_o in_o the_o new_a but_o it_o have_v the_o same_o essence_n and_o definition_n the_o matter_n of_o the_o church_n and_o the_o form_n be_v the_o same_o the_o church_n then_o stand_v in_o the_o same_o relation_n to_o god_n be_v appoint_v for_o communion_n with_o god_n and_o enjoy_v his_o presence_n as_o now_o 3._o there_o be_v several_a ordinance_n in_o the_o jewish_a church_n that_o have_v no_o particular_a reference_n to_o the_o time_n before_o christ_n or_o to_o any_o particular_a condition_n of_o that_o people_n and_o such_o ordinance_n seem_v to_o be_v of_o force_n still_o as_o their_z have_v a_o holy_a convocation_n leu._n 23.13_o so_o much_o of_o the_o work_n of_o the_o priest_n they_o be_v to_o teach_v the_o people_n deut._n 33.10_o they_o be_v to_o bless_v the_o people_n num._n 6.23_o so_o it_o be_v their_o manner_n in_o solemn_a prayer_n and_o blessing_n to_o lay_v on_o hand_n so_o excommunication_n which_o be_v to_o continue_v in_o
the_o christian_a church_n matth._n 18.17_o 4._o we_o be_v refer_v in_o some_o case_n to_o those_o institution_n god_n send_v we_o to_o the_o law_n for_o light_n direct_v we_o to_o do_v as_o be_v appoint_v in_o the_o old_a testament_n so_o about_o woman_n not_o speak_v in_o the_o church_n 1_o cor._n 14.34_o so_o about_o the_o maintenance_n of_o minister_n gal._n 6.6_o 1_o cor._n 9.13,14_o 3._o new_a testament_n institution_n there_o be_v some_o institution_n appoint_v by_o christ_n under_o the_o gospel_n these_o be_v few_o principal_o what_o officer_n shall_v be_v in_o the_o church_n the_o sacrament_n of_o baptism_n and_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o the_o first_o day_n sabbath_n 1._o we_o must_v distinguish_v between_o temporal_a and_o perpetual_a institution_n some_o institution_n be_v only_o for_o a_o time_n as_o the_o office_n of_o the_o apostle_n so_o the_o anoint_v of_o the_o sick_a with_o oil_n jam._n 5.14_o there_o be_v other_o that_o be_v to_o continue_v to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o world_n so_o be_v baptism_n matth._n 20._o the_o lord_n supper_n 1_o cor._n 11.26_o these_o ordinance_n will_v not_o be_v remove_v as_o jewish_a ceremony_n heb._n 13.28_o 2._o distinguish_v between_o approve_a practice_n and_o institution_n there_o be_v many_o practice_n and_o institution_n there_o be_v many_o practice_n in_o the_o primitive_a time_n that_o be_v approve_v yet_o not_o bind_v to_o we_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n have_v seven_o deacon_n act_n 6.5_o they_o do_v baptise_v in_o private_a house_n act._n 10.33_o christ_n send_v out_o his_o disciple_n two_o and_o two_o luk._n 10.1_o this_o do_v not_o show_v that_o these_o thing_n be_v institution_n that_o be_v meet_v to_o be_v do_v in_o one_o case_n that_o be_v not_o meet_v to_o be_v do_v in_o another_o one_o or_o two_o example_n show_v the_o lawfulness_n of_o a_o practice_n but_o do_v not_o make_v it_o a_o bind_a rule_n chap._n ii_o the_o nature_n of_o institute_v church_n explain_v the_o word_n church_n be_v use_v equivocal_o there_o be_v three_o sense_n especial_o wherein_o it_o be_v use_v in_o the_o scripture_n first_o it_o be_v take_v for_o those_o that_o be_v spiritual_o unite_v unto_o christ_n the_o mystical_a body_n of_o christ_n eph._n 5.27_o that_o he_o may_v present_v it_o to_o himself_o a_o glorious_a church_n second_o for_o that_o part_n of_o the_o world_n that_o do_v profess_v the_o true_a faith_n for_o they_o that_o be_v visible_a christian_n 1_o cor._n 15.9_o i_o persecute_v the_o church_n of_o god_n three_o it_o be_v take_v for_o a_o institute_v church_n this_o church_n be_v invest_v by_o christ_n with_o spiritual_a power_n and_o be_v thus_o define_v a_o church_n be_v a_o society_n of_o saint_n join_v together_o according_a to_o the_o appointment_n of_o christ_n for_o the_o constant_a carry_v on_o of_o his_o public_a worship_n a_o church_n be_v a_o society_n a_o single_a person_n be_v not_o a_o church_n a_o church_n be_v a_o collection_n or_o congregative_a body_n consist_v of_o many_o member_n 1_o cor._n 12.27_o you_o be_v the_o body_n of_o christ_n and_o member_n in_o particular_n hence_o it_o be_v compare_v to_o a_o flock_n and_o other_o câ—…ective_a body_n it_o be_v a_o society_n of_o saint_n the_o member_n of_o a_o church_n be_v saint_n by_o calling_n 1_o cor._n 11.12_o to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n which_o be_v at_o corinth_n to_o they_o which_o be_v sanctify_v in_o christ_n jesus_n call_v to_o be_v saint_n 1_o cor._n 14.33_o in_o all_o the_o church_n of_o the_o saint_n the_o church_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v a_o society_n of_o saint_n psal_n 79.12,11_o psal_n 1._o none_o be_v to_o be_v member_n of_o institute_v church_n but_o those_o that_o be_v member_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n particular_a church_n be_v but_o part_n and_o branch_n of_o the_o catholic_n church_n they_o be_v the_o church_n of_o god_n the_o body_n of_o christ_n the_o temple_n of_o god_n therefore_o must_v be_v holy_a therefore_o society_n of_o papist_n be_v abusive_o call_v church_n a_o church_n do_v join_v together_o for_o the_o public_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n a_o family_n join_v together_o for_o the_o private_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o worship_n of_o god_n be_v not_o a_o church_n we_o read_v of_o a_o church_n in_o the_o house_n of_o aquila_n rom._n 16.5_o and_o in_o the_o house_n of_o nymphas_n col._n 4.15_o because_o there_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n be_v attend_v the_o church_n do_v join_v for_o the_o carry_v on_o of_o public_a worship_n as_o the_o preach_a of_o the_o word_n the_o administration_n of_o sacrament_n and_o dispense_n of_o censure_n in_o a_o public_a way_n a_o church_n do_v join_v together_o for_o the_o constant_a carry_v on_o of_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n for_o a_o church_n be_v a_o body_n corporate_a which_o may_v continue_v from_o generation_n to_o generation_n it_o be_v not_o any_o occasional_a meeting_n together_o that_o give_v be_v to_o a_o church_n a_o church_n be_v a_o stand_a society_n not_o depend_v on_o any_o occasional_a meeting_n therefore_o a_o congregation_n that_o meet_v together_o on_o a_o lecture_n day_n from_o several_a town_n to_o hear_v the_o word_n preach_v be_v not_o a_o church_n neither_o have_v any_o ecclesiastical_a power_n yea_o a_o synod_n that_o meet_v now_o and_o then_o occasional_o though_o it_o may_v be_v call_v a_o representative_a church_n be_v not_o a_o church_n proper_o the_o member_n thereof_o be_v choose_v for_o a_o particular_a occasion_n a_o church_n do_v join_v together_o according_a to_o christ_n appointment_n christ_n have_v give_v a_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o they_o ought_v to_o join_v together_o and_o if_o man_n join_v in_o worship_v with_o a_o church_n irregular_o that_o do_v not_o make_v they_o to_o be_v member_n of_o that_o church_n if_o a_o man_n that_o live_v in_o one_o town_n where_o there_o be_v a_o church_n do_v join_v constant_o in_o worship_v with_o another_o church_n that_o do_v not_o make_v he_o a_o member_n of_o that_o church_n quest_n who_o be_v visible_a saint_n answ_n this_o question_n have_v be_v matter_n of_o great_a debate_n and_o a_o occasion_n of_o great_a contention_n in_o the_o church_n we_o may_v not_o count_v those_o only_a to_o be_v saint_n who_o after_o the_o strict_a examination_n give_v considerable_a evidence_n that_o they_o be_v saint_n we_o have_v no_o such_o rule_n the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n in_o admit_v member_n into_o the_o christian_a church_n do_v not_o countenance_v any_o such_o opinion_n neither_o be_v we_o to_o make_v baptise_a person_n and_o visible_a saint_n to_o be_v the_o same_o for_o person_n must_v be_v visible_a saint_n before_o they_o be_v baptise_a and_o some_o that_o be_v baptise_a may_v cease_v to_o be_v visible_a saint_n neither_o be_v they_o only_o visible_a saint_n that_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n join_v with_o a_o holy_a conversation_n some_o man_n may_v behave_v themselves_o so_o as_o to_o deserve_v a_o sentence_n of_o excommunication_n and_o yet_o be_v visible_a saint_n visible_a saintship_n and_o real_a saintship_n may_v consist_v with_o a_o great_a deal_n of_o iniquity_n in_o the_o conversation_n for_o a_o time_n visible_a saint_n be_v such_o as_o make_v a_o serious_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n together_o with_o those_o that_o do_v descend_v from_o they_o till_o reject_v of_o god_n 1._o such_o as_o do_v make_v a_o serious_a profession_n of_o the_o true_a religion_n be_v visible_a saint_n we_o find_v the_o apostle_n do_v real_o accept_v of_o such_o not_o wait_v to_o see_v what_o their_o conversation_n will_v be_v act._n 16,14,15_o so_o do_v john_n luk._n 7.29,30_o such_o be_v to_o be_v accept_v without_o delay_n 2._o their_o infant_n seed_n be_v likewise_o visible_a saint_n god_n give_v that_o testimony_n for_o they_o 1_o cor._n 7.14_o 3._o such_o also_o as_o descend_v from_o they_o from_o generation_n to_o generation_n until_o they_o be_v reject_v by_o god_n be_v visible_a saint_n for_o they_o that_o be_v visible_a saint_n do_v cease_v to_o be_v so_o till_o god_n have_v cast_v they_o off_o so_o it_o be_v with_o the_o posterity_n of_o abraham_n if_o they_o shall_v carry_v it_o wicked_o or_o if_o they_o shall_v fall_v into_o heresy_n yet_o they_o be_v visible_a saint_n till_o god_n have_v reject_v they_o and_o there_o be_v two_o way_n whereby_o god_n may_v show_v his_o rejection_n of_o they_o one_o be_v when_o they_o do_v depart_v from_o the_o church_n of_o god_n to_o heathen_a or_o antichristian_a society_n the_o other_o be_v when_o the_o people_n that_o they_o belong_v unto_o and_o they_o with_o they_o be_v unchurch_v by_o god_n chap._n iii_o of_o the_o nature_n of_o a_o congregational_a church_n as_o a_o civil_a society_n do_v consist_v of_o one_o town_n or_o more_o town_n so_o a_o institute_v church_n