Another essay for investigation of the truth in answer to two questions concerning I.…

Reply. The regular Communion of approved Churches, I look at as the Ordinance of Christ, according to the 11th and 12th Positions premised: but this Proposition is so ambiguously expressed, that it leaves me in the dark, till some Questions be answered, that the extent and compass of the sense and meaning of it may be better cleared. They distribute it into two parts, which they endeavour to prove severally: but neither of them are sufficiently explained. In the first part, I Enquire; What Churches they account Orthodox? whether such only as have the Truth of Doctrine, as it is opposed to Heterodoxies and Errors about the Doctrine of Faith, viz. Churches that are Heretical; or such also which are right in Judgement and Practice in matters of Church-Order. For both these the Church at C•losse was praised by Paul, in Col 2.5, 6. 2. What course the Church, where the Members of such Churches desire to have their children baptized, do take to know that such Members are s•und in the F•ith For a Member of an Orthodox Church may hold and maintain dangerous Errors, contrary to the Faith, 1 Cor. 15.12. 3. Whom ⟨p. 51⟩they account to be not scandalous in life? whether only such as fall not under the censure of Civil Courts, or also such as are justly offensive to Gods People by their sinful and disorderly walking? For they say, in their proof of the second part of this Proposition, that, to administer Baptism to such as walk in disorder, would be to administer Christs Ordinance to such as are in a way of sin and disorder, which ought not to be done, 2 Thess. 3.6. 1 Chron 15.13. and would be contrary to that Rule, 1 Cor. 14.40. 4. What they account due Testimony? whether that which is given of them by the Church, from whence they come, or only that which they may have from some in the place where they live, and have been but a little while, whether they be Members of the Church or not? 5. What they mean by their occasionally coming from one Church to another? whether they take a due course to know that their occasion of coming be approved by the Church whence they come, or not? 6. When they say, They may have their children baptized in the Church whither they come, by virtue of the Communion of Churches? Quaere; 1.