A friendly trial of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…A friendly triall of the grounds tending to separation in a plain and modest…

From the relation whereby Christ is referred to his members, these things flow, sc. That Christ doth expound to them his word for the food of eternal life, and doth hang seals to his word whereby he doth confirm and ratify it. From the relation whereby the members of Christ are referred to him their Head, these things flow, That whosoever would be accounted for true members of Jesus Christ they must acknowledge and receive that food and those seals appointed by Divine institution. If the faithful must assemble to hear the word of God, call upon his name, and receive the sacraments, then there must be some to preach the word, administer the sacraments, and bless in the name of the Lord, and that by authority from God. If they must receive the word, and avouch themselves to be the people of God, then they must walk before him in holiness, and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. If the temple of God must be kept from pollution, and the holy things of God from contempt, then there must be authority communicated from Christ to censure such as offend, to repel the notorious, to comfort the afflicted, and receive the penitent. If all promiscuously may not meddle with the dispensation of the holy things of God to that purpose, then there must be order for their election and admission into that office, and for the execution thereof being admitted thereunto. Where all these things are to be found purely, the church is excellent for ⟨p. 306⟩degree, pure and famous: Where any of these are wanting or impure, the church is so much defective or impure, though it may be pure in comparison of others. Wheresoever we see the word of God truly taught and professed in points fundamental, and the sacraments for substance rightly administered, there is the true church of Christ, though the health and soundness of it may be crazed by many errors in doctrine, corruptions in the worship of God, and evils in the life and manners of men. Profession of the true faith alone in matters fundamental, and holy prayer, with exhortation to obedience, is a mark of the true church, though the sacraments upon occasion be not there administered so that they be not neglected upon any contempt or erroneous conceit of their not being necessary.

From the relation whereby Christ is referred to his members, these things flow, sc. That Christ doth expound to them his word for the food of eternall life, and doth hang seals to his word whereby he doth confirm and ratifie it. From the relation whereby the members of Christ are referred to him their Head, these things flow, That whosoever would be accounted for true members of Jesus Christ they must acknowledge and receive that food and those seals appointed by Divine institution. If the faithfull must assemble to heare the word of God, call upon his name, and receive the sacraments, then there must be some to preach the word, administer the sacraments, and blesse in the name of the Lord, and that by authority from God. If they must receive the word, and avouch themselves to be the people of God, then they must walk before him in holynesse, and maintein the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. If the temple of God must be kept from pollution, and the holy things of God from contempt, then there must be authority communicated from Christ to censure such as offend, to repell the notorious, to comfort the afflicted, and receive the penitent. If all promiscuously may not meddle with the dispensation of the holy things of God to that purpose, then there must be order for their election and admission into that office, and for the execution thereof being admitted thereunto. Where all these things are to be found purely, the church is excellent for