First, We say, It is a Society or Company. So that one man cannot be called a Church. It's absurd in the Papists, that when they have lifted up the name of a Church like a Gorgons head, to turn all men into stones, that they must not mutter a word against it; when you come to examine, what this Church is; at last it is but one man, and that is the Pope. What number goeth to make a Church is not defined. To a formed organized Church, there must be so many at least, that Church duties, which are essential, may be performed; and a distinction between Governors, and governed maintained; otherwise where two or three are, there is a Church, said Tertullian. Again, In that it is a Company, we see, That it is not lawful for a man to think of serving God alone by himself, when there is an opportunity of joining to a Church. You read Act. 3. and 4. as any persons were converted, presently they joined themselves to the Church. It is true, there may be such persecutions, or other impediments, that Christians have wandered up and down, and could not enjoy public or private meetings; but this absence from Church-communion was an heavy burden on their spirits. And as David, when banished from the public Ordinances, lamented it more than banishment from his own house, and land, and native country. Thus they cried out with him, As the Hart panteth after the water brooks, so pant our souls after thee, O God. You see then it's a duty to be of a Church. Hence because a Church is a company, we are diligently to attend to what is our duty, as we are a Church, and this you had need hear of often. For you must know you are under a two-fold consideration; One Absolute, as a private and single person, and so you have several duties to attend unto. 2. Relative, as you are a member of a Church, or part of such a Society; and so there are choice and special duties. Your solemn Church-duties, such as hearing, praying, and all other public worship, are to be preferred above all private. He can never be a good Christian that is not a good member of that Church he is of. As in Politics it's acknowledged, he cannot be bonus vir, which is not bonus civis, not a good man, that is not a good Citizen. Now certainly, here is a wonderful neglect and general fault in all our Congregations;
First, We say, It is a Society or Company. So that one man cannot be called a Church. It's absurd in the Papists, that when they have lifted up the name of a Church like a Gorgons head, to turn all men into stones, that they must not mutter a word against it; when you come to examine, what this Church is; at last it is but one man, and that is the Pope. What number goeth to make a Church is not defined. To a formed organized Church, there must be so many at least, that Church duties, which are essential, may be performed; and a distinction between Governours, and governed maintained; otherwise where two or three are, there is a Church, said Tertullian. Again, In that it is a Company, we see, That it is not lawfull for a man to think of serving God alone by himself, when there is an opportunity of joyning to a Church. You read Act. 3. and 4. as any persons were converted, presently they joyned themselves to the Church. It is true, there may be such persecutions, or other impediments, that Christians have wandered up and down, and could not enjoy publick or private meetings; but this absence from Church-communion was an heavy burden on their spirits. And as David, when banished from the publick Ordinances, lamented it more than banishment from his own house, and land, and native countrey. Thus they cryed out with him, As the Hart panteth after the water brooks, so pant our souls after thee, O God. You see then it's a duty to be of a Church. Hence because a Church is a company, we are diligently to attend to what is our duty, as we are a Church, and this you had need hear of often. For you must know you are under a two-fold consideration; One Absolute, as a private and single person, and so you have several duties to attend unto. 2. Relative, as you are a member of a Church, or part of such a Society; and so there are choice and special duties. Your solemn Church-duties, such as hearing, praying, and all other publick worship, are to be preferred above all private. He can never be a good Christian that is not a good member of that Church he is of. As in Politicks it's acknowledged, he cannot be bonus vir, which is not bonus civis, not a good man, that is not a good Citizen. Now certainly, here is a wonderfull neglect and general fault in all our Congregations;
