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
man_n that_o be_v real_o and_o visible_o godly_a may_v fall_v into_o a_o scandal_n and_o upon_o that_o account_n be_v forbid_v to_o participate_v at_o the_o lord_n table_n but_o when_o their_o conversation_n be_v good_a they_o can_v be_v hinder_v upon_o that_o account_n a_o three_o requisite_a be_v that_o they_o have_v knowledge_n to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o discern_v the_o lord_n body_n for_o the_o want_n of_o this_o infant_n be_v deny_v the_o lord_n supper_n those_o adult_n person_n that_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n all_o adult_a person_n that_o be_v fit_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n ordinary_o have_v all_o those_o qualification_n requisite_a to_o the_o participation_n of_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o make_v profession_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o be_v of_o good_a conversation_n they_o have_v knowledge_n of_o the_o principle_n of_o religion_n and_o so_o be_v able_a to_o examine_v themselves_o and_o if_o any_o of_o they_o shall_v not_o understand_v the_o nature_n of_o that_o ordinance_n they_o may_v soon_o be_v sufficient_o inform_v two_o thing_n be_v evident_a in_o the_o practice_n of_o the_o apostle_n one_o be_v that_o they_o ready_o admit_v such_o into_o the_o church_n as_o make_v a_o profession_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n act._n 2._o act._n 6._o we_o never_o read_v that_o ever_o they_o deny_v admission_n to_o any_o man_n or_o woman_n that_o make_v that_o profession_n the_o other_o be_v that_o all_o that_o be_v thus_o receive_v by_o they_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n 1_o cor._n 10.17_o act._n 2.24_o they_o make_v no_o distinction_n of_o the_o adult_n member_n of_o the_o church_n into_o communicant_n and_o non-communicants_a those_o that_o be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o participate_v of_o the_o lord_n supper_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n but_o all_o professor_n that_o have_v a_o good_a conversation_n and_o knowledge_n be_v command_v by_o god_n to_o participate_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n if_o man_n have_v not_o these_o qualification_n they_o be_v not_o oblige_v immediate_o to_o participate_v in_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o it_o will_v be_v a_o sin_n if_o they_o shall_v but_o have_v these_o qualification_n they_o be_v bind_v provide_v they_o have_v opportunity_n christ_n have_v lay_v this_o law_n upon_o professor_n 1_o cor._n 11.24,25_o the_o person_n here_o command_v be_v not_o only_o true_a believer_n than_o none_o can_v do_v it_o with_o a_o good_a conscience_n but_o those_o that_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v true_a believer_n then_o the_o church_n authority_n can_v require_v none_o but_o true_a believer_n to_o come_v the_o person_n therefore_o require_v to_o partake_v be_v such_o professor_n as_o carry_v it_o inoffensive_o and_o if_o such_o be_v bind_v to_o come_v the_o church_n be_v bind_v to_o receive_v they_o they_o may_v not_o hinder_v any_o man_n from_o do_v his_o duty_n there_o can_v be_v no_o just_a cause_n assign_v why_o such_o man_n shall_v be_v debar_v from_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v debar_v for_o not_o give_v the_o high_a evidence_n of_o sincerity_n there_o never_o be_v any_o such_o law_n in_o the_o church_n of_o god_n that_o any_o shall_v be_v debar_v church_n privilege_n because_o they_o do_v not_o give_v the_o high_a evidence_n of_o sincerity_n nor_o for_o want_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o believe_v man_n to_o be_v visible_a saint_n from_o their_o infancy_n till_o they_o be_v forty_o or_o fifty_o year_n of_o age_n and_o yet_o not_o capable_a of_o come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n for_o want_v of_o the_o exercise_n of_o faith_n they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v deny_v because_o of_o the_o weakness_n of_o grace_n they_o that_o have_v the_o least_o grace_n need_v to_o have_v it_o nourish_v and_o cherish_v such_o adult_n person_n as_o be_v worthy_a to_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n or_o be_v in_o the_o church_n be_v worthy_a to_o be_v continue_v without_o censure_n be_v to_o be_v admit_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n it_o be_v utter_o unreasonable_a to_o deny_v the_o adult_n member_n of_o the_o church_n the_o lord_n supper_n and_o yet_o not_o lay_v they_o under_o censure_n if_o they_o be_v guilty_a of_o any_o such_o offence_n as_o to_o be_v deny_v the_o lord_n supper_n why_o be_v they_o not_o censure_v if_o they_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o be_v censure_v why_o be_v they_o keep_v from_o the_o lord_n supper_n there_o be_v some_o scripture_n that_o have_v be_v think_v to_o hold_v forth_o a_o need_n of_o somewhat_o further_o in_o order_n to_o participation_n in_o the_o lord_n supper_n which_o if_o they_o be_v examine_v will_v be_v find_v to_o be_v strain_v beyond_o the_o import_n of_o they_o psal_n 6.16_o david_n say_v i_o will_v tell_v you_o what_o the_o lord_n have_v do_v for_o my_o soul_n hence_o it_o be_v argue_v that_o man_n shall_v give_v a_o account_n of_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o conversion_n in_o order_n to_o their_o admission_n but_o if_o it_o shall_v be_v grant_v that_o david_n do_v respect_v the_o work_n of_o regeneration_n do_v it_o follow_v because_o he_o be_v willing_a to_o talk_v of_o it_o that_o they_o may_v make_v a_o law_n to_o bind_v he_o to_o do_v it_o in_o the_o synagogue_n or_o do_v it_o follow_v that_o david_n offer_v to_o do_v it_o in_o order_n to_o his_o join_n with_o the_o jewish_a church_n act._n 2.37_o they_o be_v prick_v at_o the_o heart_n before_o they_o be_v admit_v into_o the_o church_n but_o let_v it_o be_v consider_v that_o many_o other_o be_v join_v to_o the_o christian_a church_n of_o who_o we_o read_v no_o such_o thing_n and_o here_o be_v no_o live_a rule_n that_o other_o must_v declare_v that_o they_o be_v prick_v at_o the_o heart_n before_o their_o admission_n yea_o it_o be_v certain_a that_o these_o do_v not_o declare_v their_o trouble_n in_o order_n to_o their_o admission_n into_o the_o church_n but_o in_o order_n to_o their_o direction_n yea_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o these_o man_n be_v under_o a_o work_n of_o conversion_n at_o this_o time_n they_o may_v be_v godly_a man_n before_o the_o thing_n that_o sting_v they_o be_v a_o national_a sin_n which_o in_o probability_n they_o have_v no_o hand_n in_o for_o the_o great_a part_n of_o they_o be_v stranger_n come_v up_o to_o keep_v the_o feast_n of_o pentecost_n and_o be_v great_o affect_v with_o the_o sin_n which_o the_o nation_n of_o the_o jew_n be_v guilty_a of_o in_o crucify_a of_o christ_n act._n 9.26,27_o the_o church_n at_o jerusalem_n refuse_v to_o admit_v paul_n to_o their_o communion_n till_o they_o be_v inform_v by_o barnabas_n of_o his_o conversion_n but_o it_o do_v not_o appear_v that_o paul_n do_v then_o desire_v to_o participate_v with_o they_o in_o the_o lord_n supper_n possible_o it_o may_v be_v only_o in_o hear_v of_o the_o word_n and_o prayer_n and_o the_o reason_n why_o they_o be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v he_o be_v not_o any_o doubt_n whether_o his_o conversion_n be_v sincere_a but_o whether_o he_o be_v a_o christian_a as_o if_o in_o a_o popish_a country_n one_o who_o have_v be_v a_o violent_a persecutor_n shall_v essay_n to_o join_v himself_o to_o a_o protestant_a congregation_n it_o will_v be_v no_o wonder_n if_o they_o shall_v be_v afraid_a of_o he_o until_o they_o be_v inform_v that_o he_o be_v become_v a_o protestant_n this_o be_v no_o foundation_n to_o require_v of_o all_o that_o join_v to_o the_o church_n a_o accout_n about_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o conversion_n 1_o pet._n 3.15_o man_n be_v require_v to_o be_v ready_a to_o give_v a_o answer_n to_o every_o one_o that_o ask_v they_o a_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o but_o here_o by_o the_o reason_n of_o the_o hope_n that_o be_v in_o they_o we_o be_v not_o to_o understand_v their_o experience_n of_o the_o grace_n of_o god_n but_o the_o ground_n of_o their_o faith_n the_o reason_n why_o they_o do_v believe_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n this_o be_v evident_a because_o he_o be_v speak_v of_o persecution_n v._o 14._o and_o because_o he_o direct_v they_o to_o give_v their_o answer_n with_o meekness_n and_o fear_n quest_n here_o it_o may_v be_v inquire_v whether_o such_o person_n as_o have_v a_o good_a conversation_n and_o a_o competent_a knowledge_n may_v come_v to_o the_o lord_n supper_n with_o a_o good_a conscience_n in_o case_n they_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o a_o natural_a condition_n answ_n they_o may_v and_o aught_o to_o come_v though_o they_o know_v themselves_o to_o be_v in_o a_o natural_a condition_n this_o ordinance_n be_v institute_v for_o all_o the_o adult_n member_n of_o the_o church_n who_o be_v not_o scandalous_a and_o therefore_o must_v be_v attend_v by_o they_o