unto the end of the World This promised presence respects only the observance of his commands Some men are apt to look on this authority of Christ as that which hath the least influence into what they do If in any of his institutions they find any thing that is suited or agreeable unto the light of nature as Ecclesiastical societies government of the Church and the like they say are they suppose and contend that that is the ground on which they are to be attended unto and so are to be regulated accordingly The interposition of his authority they will allow only in the Sacraments which have no light in reason or nature so desirous are some to have as little to do with Christ as they can even in the things that concern the worship of God But it would be somewhat strange that if what the Lord Christ hath appointed in his Church to be observed in particular in an especial manner for especial ends of his own hath in the general nature of it an agreement with what in like cases the light of nature seems to direct unto that therefore his authority is not to be considered as the sole immediate reason of our performance of it But it is evident First That our Lord Jesus Christ being the King and Head of his Church the Lord over the house of God nothing is to be done therein but with respect unto his authority Matth. 17.5 This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him Ephes. 4.15 Speaking the truth in love grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplyeth according to the effectual working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of it self in love Eph. 2.20 21. Ye are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy Temple in the Lord in whom you also are built together for an habitation of God through the spirit Secondly And that therefore the suitableness of any thing to right reason or the light of nature is no ground for a Church observation of it unless it be also appointed and commanded in especial by Jesus Christ. Thirdly That being so appointed and commanded it becomes an especial institution of his and as such is to be observed so that in all things that are done or to be done with respect unto the worship of God in the Church the authority of Christ is alwayes principally to be considered and every thing to be observed as commanded by him without which consideration it hath no place in the Worship of God Quest. 19. What is an instituted Church of the Gospel Answ. A society of Persons called out of the World or their natural worldly state by the administration of the Word and Spirit unto the obedience of the Faith or the knowledge and Worship of God in Christ â—oyned together in an holy band or by special agreement for the exercise of the communion of Saints in the due observation of all the Ordinances of the Gospel Rom 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 14.15 Heb. 3 1. James 1.18 Rev. 1.20 1 Peter 2.5 Ephes. 2.21.22 23. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Explication The Church whose nature is here inquired after is not the Catholick Church of elect Believers of all ages and seasons from the beginning of the World unto the end thereof nor of any one age nor the universality of professors of the Gospel but a particular Church wherein by the appointment of Christ all the Ordinances of the Worship of God are to be observed and attended unto according to his Will For although it be required of them of whom a particular Church is constituted that they be true Believers seeing that unless a man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God and so on that account they be members of the Church Catholick as also that they make visible profession of faith and obedience unto Jesus Christ yet moreover it is the will command and appointment of Christ that they should be joyned together in particular societies or Churches for the due observation of the Ordinances of the Gospel which can alone be done in such Assemblies For as the members of the Catholick Church are not known unto one another meerly on the account of that faith and union with Christ which makes them so whence the whole society of them is as such invisible to the World and themselves visible only on the account of their profession and therefore cannot meerly as such observe the Ordinances of the Gospel which observation is their profession so the visible Professors that are in the World in any age cannot at any time assemble together which from the nature of the thing it self and the institution of Christ is indispensably necessary for the celebration of sundry parts of that worship which he requires in his Church and therefore particular Churches are themselves an Ordinance of the New Testament as the National Church of the Jews was of old For when God of old erected his Worship and enjoyned the solemn observation of it he also appointed a Church as his institution for the due celebration of it That was the people of Israel solemnly taken into a Church relation with him by covenant wherein they took upon themselves to observe all the laws and ordinances and institutions of his worship Exod. 20.19 Speak thou with us and we will hear Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the People all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said we will do Deut. 5.27 All that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee we will hear it and do it And God accordingly appointed them Ordinances to be observed by the whole congregation of them together at the same time in the same place Exod. 23.17 Three times in the year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God Deut. 16.16 Three times in a year all thy Males shall appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose Neither would God allow any stranger any one not of the Church so instituted by him to celebrate any part of his instituted worship untill he was solemnly admitted into that Church as a member thereof Exod. 12.47 48. All the congregation of Israel shall keep it and when a stranger shall sojourn with thee and will keep the Passover to the Lord let all his Males be circumcised and then let him come near and keep it and he shall be as one that is born in the Land for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof To the same end and purpose when the knowledge of God was to be diffused all the World over by the preaching of the Gospel
are his people and God himself is with them to be their God Other wayes of communion with him of obedience unto him of enjoyment of him on this side Heaven and Glory he hath not appointed nor revealed Now this is the Covenant that God hath made with his people That he will put his Laws into their mind and write them in their hearts and will be to them a God and they shall be to him a people and he will be mercifull to their unrighteousness and their sins and their iniquities will he remember no more Heb. 8.9 10 11 12. And what ever Men attain unto it is by vertue of the grace of that Covenant nor is there any Grace promised in the Covenant to lead men in this life or to give them up unto a state of perfection short of glory Unto this Covenant are the institutions of Gospel Worship annexed and unto that administration of it which is granted unto the Church upon the coming and death of Christ. Without a renunciation and relinquishment of that Covenant and the grace of it these institutions cannot be omitted or deserted If Men suppose that they have attained to an estate wherein they need neither the grace of God nor the mercy of God nor the blood of Christ nor the Spirit of Christ it is not much materialâ— what they think of the Ordinances of worship Their pride and folly without that mercy which is taught promised and exhibited in those Ordinances will speedily be their ruine Besides the Lord Christ is the absolute Lord over his own house Heb. 3.4 5 6. And he hath given out the Laws whereby he will have it guided and ruled whilest it is in this World In and by these Laws are his Ordinances of Worship established for any persons on what pretence soever to plead an exemption from the obligation of those Laws it is nothing but to cast of the Lordship and dominion of Christ himself And yet farther to secure our obedience in this matter he hath expresly commanded the continuance of them untill his comeing unto Judgement as in the places above quoted will appear Qu. 7. What are the chief things that we ought to aim at in our observation of the institutions of Christ in the Gospel Answ. 1. To sanctifie the name of God 2. To own and avow our professed subjection to the Lord Iesus Christ. 3. To build up our selves in our most holy faith And 4. To testifie and confirm our mutuall love as we are Believers 1. Levit. 10.3 Heb. 12.28 29. 2. Deut. 26.17 Josh. 24.22 2 Cor. 8 5. 3. Ephes. 4.12 13 14 15 16. Jude 20. 4. 1 Cor. 10.16 17. Explication That we may profitably and comfortably unto the glory of God and our own edification be exercised in the observation of the Institutions and Worship of God we are alwayes to consider what are the ends for which God hath appointed them and commanded our attendance unto them that so our observance of them may be the obedience of faith For what ends soever God hath appointed them unto for that end are they usefull and effectuall and to no other If we come to them for any other end if we use them for any other purpose or with any other design if we look for any thing in them or by them but what God hath appointed them to communicate unto us we dishonour God and deceive our own souls This we ought diligently to enquire into to know not only what God requires of us but wherefore also he requires it and what he aims at therein Some of the principall things whereof are enumerated in this Answer And it is well known how horribly many of the institutions of the Gospel have been by some especially the Papists abused by a neglect of the ends of God in them and imposing new ends of their own upon them unto Superstition and Idolatry Grace is ascribed unto the outward observance of them whereas all Grace is of the promise and the promise in the Covenant is given only to the faith of the right observers The elements in the Sacrament of the Eucharist are turned into a God first worshipped and then devoured with many the like abominations Qu. 8. How many we sanctifie the name of God in the use of Gospell Institutions Answ. 1. By an holy reverence of his Soveraign Authority appointing of them 2. An holy regard unto his speciall presence in them 3. Faith in his promises annexed to them 4. Delight in his Will Wisdome Love and Grace manifested in them 5. Constancy and perseverance in obedience unto him in their due Observation 1. Levit. 10.3 Mal. 1.6 Rom. 4.11 Exod. 20.6 7. James 4.12 2. Mat. 28.20 Isaiah 59.21 Exod. 29.43 44 45. 3. Gen. 15.6 Heb. 4.2.6 Exod. 12.27 28. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. chap. 7.1 4. Psal. 88.1 2 4 10. Psal. 65.4 Psal. 36.7 8. 5. Psalm 23.6 Psal. 27.4 Rev. 2.3 10. Gâ—l 6.9 Heb. 10.23 24 25. Heb. 12.3 Explication This is the first thing that God requireth us to attend unto in the celebration of the Ordinances of his worship namely that we therein sanctifie his name the greatest duty that we are called unto in this world This he layes down as the generall rule of all we do herein Levit. 10.3 I will saith he be sanctified in them that come nigh unto me and before all the people I will be glorified Whatever we do in his worship we must do it that he may be sanctified or whatever we do is an abomination to him Now the principall wayes how we may herein sanctifie the name of God are expressed As First When in every Ordinance we consider his appointment of it and submit our souls and consciences unto his authority therein which if we observe any thing in his worship but what he hath appointed we cannot do it Not formality not custome not the precepts of Men not any thing but the authority and command of God is to be respected in this obedience This is the First thing that Faith regards in Divine Worship it rests not in any thing closeth nor with any thing but what It discerns that God hath commanded and therein it eyes his Authority as he requireth it Mal. 1.6 If I be a Father where is mine honour if I be Master where is my fear Rom. 14.11 As I live saith the Lord every knee shall bow to me and every tongue shall confess to God Reverence then unto the authority of God appointing his worship is a principal means of sanctifying the name of God therein This was the solemn sanction of all his institutions of old Deut. 6.4 5 6 7. Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart and with all thy soul and with all thy might and these words which I command thee this Day shall be in thy heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children And the observation of them he presseth on this
is not ashamed to call them Brethren Heb. 2.11 being by him born of God and from their participation of one and the self same Spirit which dwelleth in them as they are the Temple of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in them 1 Cor. 3.16 as also in all the fruits of that one Spirit 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6 7 8. and in that one faith and hope whereunto they are called Eph. 4.4 5 6. endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace there is one body and one Spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all And that love which is not built on these principles and foundations is not Evangelical whatever other ground it may have or occasion it may pretend unto Communion of Saints consists in their mutuall love duly exercised according to rule and all communion is an effect of Union In Union therefore must lye the springs of love and this consists in a joynt incorporation of Believers into Christ for as the body is one and hath many members and all the members of that one body being many are one body so also is Christ for by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body and this they have by the means before mentioned namely their adoption faith and inhabitation of the Spirit Now in the joint celebration of the Ordinances of Gods worship they altogether make profession of these principles and act that one faith hope and love jointly whereof they are made partakers and thereby grow up more and more into the head by that which every joint supplieth Eph. 4.16 and some of them are peculiarly designed by the Lord Christ for the testification of their love and union among themselves 1 Cor. 10.16 17. the cup of blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the blood of Christ the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ as we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread Qu. 12. What is principally to be attended unto by us in the manner of the celebration of the worship of God and observation of the institutions and Ordinances of the Gospel Answ. That we observe and do all whatsoever the Lord Christ hath commanded us to observe in the way that he hath prescribed and that we add nothing unto or in the observation of them that is of mans invention or appointment Deut. 4.2 chap. 12.32 Jer. 7.27 Maâ— 15.9 13. Mat. 17.5 Coloss. 2.3 Mat. 28.20 Heb. 3.3 4 5 6. 1 Cor. 11.23 Rev. 22.18 1 Chron. 16.13 Isa. 29.13 Explication This was in part spoken to before on the third Question where it was shewed that the Scripture is the only way and means whereby God hath revealed what that worship is which he will accept in and of the Church Here moreover as to the duty of the Church in this matter three things are asserted First That we are to observe and do all whatsoever the Lord Christ hath commanded us to observe This lyes plain in the command Mat. 28.20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And we are directed unto it in the injunction given us from Heaven to hear that is obey him in all things Mat. 17.5 he being the Prophet to whose teachings and instructions we owe obedience on pain of extermination from among the people of God Deut. 18.15 Act. 3.22 23. Whatever he hath appointed commanded revealed as the will of God to be observed in or about the worship of God that is to be kept and observed by the Church inviolably For if we are his Friends and Disciples we will keep his commandments No disuse of what continuance soever can discharge us from the observation of institutions After the Feast of Tabernacles had been disused from the times of Joshua unto the return from the captivity the restoration of it was required of God and accepted with him Neh. 8.17 No abuse of how high a nature soever can absolve us from obedience unto an institution 1 Cor. 18.19 20 21 22 23. After the great abuse of the Lords Supper in that Church the Apostle recalls them again unto the observation of it according to the institution of Christ. And after the defilement of all the Ordinances of the Gospel under the Anti-Christian apostacy yet the Temple and the Altar are to be measured again Rev. 11.1 and the Tabernacle of God was again to be raised amongst men Rev. 21.3 No opposition no persecution can give the Church a dispensation wholly to omit and lay aside the use of any thing that the Lord Christ hath commanded to be observed in the worship of God whilest we are under the obligation of that great rule Acts 4.19 Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God judge ye It is true in the observation of positive institutions we may have regard unto rules and prescriptions of prudence as to times places and seasons that by no inadvertency or miscarriage of ours or advantage taken by the adversaries of the truth the edification of the Church be hindred So the Disciples met with the doors shut for fear of the Jewes John 20.19 and Paul met with the Disciples in the night in an upper chamber for the celebration of all the Ordinances of the Church Acts 20.7 8. yet as to the obligation unto their observation it indispensably binds us and that alwayes and that as to all the institutions of Christ whatever Heb. 10.25 Not forsaking the assembling of our selves together as the manner of some is but exhorting one another and so much the more as you see the day approaching To dispence with Christs commands practically is unlawfull much more doctrinally most of all authoritatively as the Pope takes on himself to do This then is the Churches duty to search out all the commands of Christ recorded in the Gospel and to yield obedience unto them We are not in this matter to take up meerly with what we find in practice amongst others no though they be men good or holy The duty of the Church and consequently of every member of it in his place and station is to search the Scriptures to inquire into the mind of Christ and to find out whatever is appointed by him or required of his Disciples and that with hearts and minds prepared unto a due observation of whatever shall be discovered to be his will Secondly Whatever belongs unto the worship of God in the way or manner whereby any of the Ordinances of Christ is to be performed comes also under the command of Christ which is duly to be attended unto and observed Indeed whatever is of this nature appoinâ—ed by Christ it doth therefore belong to the worship of God And what is not so appointed neither doth nor can
he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God John 3.3 requiring regeneration as an indispensable condition in a Member of his Church a subject of his Kingdom For his Temple is now to be built of living stones 1 Pet. 2.5 Men spiritually and savingly quickened from their death in sin and by the Holy-Ghost whereof they are partakers made a meet habitation for God Eph. 2.21 22. 1 Cor. 3.16 2 Cor. 6.16 which receiving vital supplyes from Christ its head increaseth in faith and holiness edifying it self in love Ephes. 4.15 16. And as the Apostles in their writings do ascribe unto all the Churches and the Members of them a participation in this effectual vocation affirming that they are Saints called sanctified justified and accepted with God in Christ Rom. 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 1.2 1 Cor. 4.15 Heb. 3.1 Jam. 1.18 1 Pet. 2.5 2 Cor. 6.17 18. 1 Cor. 6.11 So many of the duties that are required of them in that relation and condition are such as none can perform unto the glory of God their own benefit and the edification of others the ends of all obedience unless they are partakers of this effectual calling 1 Cor. 10.16 17. 1 Cor. 12.12 Ephes. 4.16 Add hereunto that these Churches and the members of them are not only commanded to separate themselves as to their Worship of God from the World that is men in their worldly state and condition but are also required when any amongst them trasgress against the rules and laws of this holy calling above described to cast them out of their society and communion 1 Cor. 5.13 from all which it appears who are the subject matter of these Churches of Christ as also secondly the means whereby they come to be so namely the administration of the spirit and word of Christ and Thirdly the general ends of their calling which are all spoken to in this answer Quest. 20. By what means do persons so called become a Church of Christ Answ. They are constituted a Church and interested in the rights power and priviledges of a Gospel-Church by the will promise authority and law of Iesus Christ upon their own voluntary consent and engagement to walk together in the due subiection of their Souls and Consciences unto his authority as their King Priest and Prophet and in an holy observation of all his commands ordinances and appointments Matth. 18.20 Chap. 28.18 19. Acts 2.41 42. Exod. 24.3 Deut. 5.27 Psalm 110.3 Isa. 44.5 Chap. 59.21 Ephes. 4.7 8 9 10. 2. Cor. 8.5 Explication That the Lord Christ hath constituted such a Church-state as that which we enquire about hath been proved already Unto a Church so constituted he hath also by his word and promise annexed all those priviledges and powers which we find a Church to be entrusted withall This he hath done by the standing and unalterable Law of the Gospel which is the Charter of their spiritual society and incorporation Neither are nor can any persons be interested in the rights of a Church any otherwise but by virtue of this Law and constitution This therefore is first to be laid down that the sole moral foundation of that Church-state which we enquire after is laid in the Word Law and appointment of Christ. He alone hath authority to erect such a society he is the builder of this house as well as the Lord over it Heb. 3.3 6. neither without it can all the authority of men in the World appoint such a state or erect a Church and all acceptable actings of men herein are no other but acts of pure obedience unto Christ. Farthermore We have declared that the Lord Christ by the dispensation of his word and spirit doth prepare and fit men to be subjects of his Kingdom Members of his Church the work of sending forth the means of the conversion of the souls of men of translating them from the power of darkness into light he hath taken upon himself and doth effectually accomplish it in every generation And by this means he builds his Church Matth. 18.20 For unto all persons so called he gives command that they shall do and observe whatever he hath appointed them to do Mat. 28.20 in particular that they profess their subjection to him and their obedience in joyning themselves in that state wherein they may be enabled to observe all his other laws and institutions with the whole worship of God required therein Being converted unto God by his Word and Spirit they are to consider how they may now obey the Lord Christ in all things Amongst his commands this of joyning themselves in Church societies wherein he hath promised his presence with them Matth. 18.20 that is to dwell amongst them by his word and spirit Isa. 59.21 is the very first This by virtue of that command and promise of his they are warranted and enabled to do nor do they need any other warrant The authority of Christ is sufficient to beare men out in the discharge of their duty to him Being then made willing and ready in the day of his power Psalm 110.3 they consent choose and agree to walk together in the observation of all his commands And hereby do they become a Church For their becoming a Church is an act of their willing obedience unto Christ. This obedience is an act of their wills guided by rule for this also is necessary that they proceed herein according to the rules of his appointment afterwards to be unfolded And herein upon their obedience unto the commands of Christ and faith in his promises do Believers by virtue of his Law and constitution become a Gospel Church and are really and truly interested in all the power rights and priviledges that are granted unto any Church of Christ. For in this obedience they do these two things which alone he requires in any persons for the obtaining of an interest in these priviledges First They confess him his person his authority his law his grace Secondly They take upon themselves the observance of all his commands Thus did God take the children of Israel into a Church-state of old He proposed unto them the Church obedience that he required of them and they voluntarily and freely took upon themselves the performance of it Exod. 24.3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgements and all the people answered with one voice and said all the words which the Lord hath said will we do So Deut. 5.7 and hereby they had their solemn admission into their Church-state and relation unto God And the like course they took when ever there was need of renewing their engagements Josh. 24.18 21 22. And the people said we will serve the Lord for he is our God and Joshua said unto the people ye are witnesses against your selves that ye have chosen the Lord to serve him and they said we are witnesses This was the covenant that was between God and that people which was solemnly renewed so often as the
acquaint themselves with the outward condition of those that appear to be poor and needy in the Church whether by the addresses of such poor ones who are bound to make known their wants occasions and necessities unto them or by the information of others or their own observation Secondly to acquaint the Elders and the Church as occasion requireth with the necessities of the poor under their care that those who are able may be stirred up by the Elders to a free supply and contribution Thirdly To dispose what they are entrusted with faithfully cheerfully tenderly with partiality or preferring one before another for any outward respect whatever Fourthly To keep and give an account unto the Church when called for of what they have received and how they have disposed of it that so they may be known to have well discharged their Office that is with care wisdom and tenderness whereby they procure to themselves a good degree with boldness in the faith and the Church is encouraged to entrust them farther with this sacrifice of their almes which is so acceptable unto God Quest. 24. Wherein consists the general duty of the whole Church and every member thereof in their proper station and condition Answ. In performing doing and kéeping inviolate all the commands and institutions of Iesus Christ walking unblameably and fruitfully in the World holding forth the Word of truth and glorifying the Lord Christ in and by the profession of his name and kéeping his testimony unto the end Matth. 28.20 Acts 2.42 Phil 2.15 16. Chap. 4.8 9. 1 Thes. 3.8 1 Pet. 4.10 11 12 13 14. 1 Tim. 3.15 Heb. 10.23 Explication Besides the general duties of Christianity incumbent on all Believers or Disciples of Christ as such there are sundry especial duties required of them as gathered into Church societies upon the account of an especial trust committed unto them in that state and condition For First the Church being appointed as the seat and subject of all the institutions of Christ and ordinances of Gospel worship it is its duty that is of the whole body and every member in his proper place to use all care watchfulness and diligence that all the commands of Christ be kept inviolate and all his institutions observed according to his mind and will Thus those added to the Church Acts 2.42 Together with the whole Church continued stedfastly which argues care circumspection and diligence in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers Which principal duties are enumerated to express their respect towards all This is their standing fast in the Lord which was a matter of such joy to the Apostle when he found it in the Thessalonians 1 Ephe. 3.8 For now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord. That order and stedfastness which he rejoyced over in the Colossians Chap. 2.5 For though I am absent in the flesh yet am I with you in the spirit joying and boholding your order and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. And where this duty is despised men contenting themselves with what is done by others there is a great neglect of that faithfulness in obedience which the Church owes unto Jesus Christ. Secondly the Glory of the Lord Christ and the doctrine of the Gospel to be manifested in and by the power of an holy exemplary conversation is committed unto the Church and all the members of it This is one end wherefore the Lord Christ calls them out of the World separates them to be a peculiar people unto himself brings them forth unto a visible profession and puts his name upon them namely that in their walking and conversation he may shew forth the holiness of his doctrine and power of his spirit grace and example to effect in them all holiness godlyness righteousness and honesty in the World Hence are they earnestly exhorted unto these things Phil. 4.8.9 Brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue if their be any praise think on these things and that to this end that the doctrine of the Gospel may be adorned and Christ glorified in all things Tit. 2.10 And those who fail herein are said to be Enemies of the cross of Christ Phil. 3.18 As hindring the progress of the doctrine thereof by representing it undesirable in their conversation This also therefore even the dutie of universal holiness with an especial regard unto the honour of Christ and the Gospel which they are called and designed to testifie and express in the World is incumbent on the Church and every member of it namely as the Apostle speaks that they be blameless and harmless the sons of God without rebukes in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation among whom they are to shine as lights in the World Phil. 2.15 Thirdly the care of declaring and manifesting the truth is also committed unto them Christ hath made the Church to be the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3.15 where the truth of the Gospel is so firmly seated founded fixed established and then lifted up in the wayes of Christs appointment to be seen discerned and known by others And as this is done principally in the preaching of the Gospel by the Elders of the Church and in their contending for the truth once delivered unto the saints Jude 3. So it is also the duty of the whole Church to hold forth the word of life Phill. 2.16 by ministring of the gift that every man hath received 1 Peter 4.10 In the way of Christs appointment In these and the like instances doth our Lord Jesus require of his Church that they express in the World their subjection unto him and his authority and that they abide therein unto the end against all opposition whatever The sinful neglect of Churches in the discharge of their duty herein was one great means of that Apostacy from the rule of the Gospel which they generally of old fell into When the members of them began to think that they had no advantage by their state and condition but only the outward participation of some Ordinance of worship and no duty incumbent on them but only to attend and follow the motions and actings of their Guides the whole societies quickly became corrupt and fit to be disposed of according to the carnal interest of those that had by their neglect and sin gotten dominion over them And at all times as the people were negligent in their duty the Leaders of them were apt to usurp undue authority When the one sort will not do that which they ought the other are ready to take upon them what they ought not It is a circumspect performance of duty on all hands alone that will keep all sorts of persons in the Church within those bounds and limits and up to those rights and priviledges which Christ hath allotted and granted unto them