The sinful neglect of Churches in the discharge of their duty herein, was one great means of that Apostasy 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 ⟨p. 173⟩limits, and up to those rights, and privileges, which Christ hath allotted and granted unto them. And herein alone doth the order, honour, and beauty of the Church consist. Church members therefore are to search and enquire after the particular duties, which as such, are incumbent on them; as also to consider what influence their special state and condition as they are Church members, ought to have into all the duties of their obedience as they are Christians. For this privilege is granted unto them for their edification, that is their furtherance in their whole course of walking before God. And if this be neglected, if they content themselves with a name to live in this or that Church, to partake of the Ordinances that are stated and solemnly administered, only that which would have been to their advantage, may prove to be a snare and temptation unto them. What these especial duties are in the particular instances of them, is of too large a consideration here to be insisted on. Besides it is the great duty of the Guides of the Church, to be inculcating of them ⟨p. 174⟩into the minds of those committed to their charge. For the Churches due performance of its duty, is their honour, Crown, and reward.
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 ⟨p. 173⟩limits, and up to those rights, and priviledges, which Christ hath allotted and granted unto them. And herein alone doth the order, honour, and beauty of the Church consist. Church members therefore are to search and enquire after the particular duties, which as such, are incumbent on them; as also to consider what influence their special state and condition as they are Church members, ought to have into all the duties of their obedience as they are Christians. For this priviledge is granted unto them for their edification, that is their fartherance in their whole course of walking before God. And if this be neglected, if they content themselves with a name to live in this or that Church, to partake of the Ordinances that are stated and solemnly administred, only that which would have been to their advantage, may prove to be a snare and temptation unto them. What these especial duties are in the particular instances of them, is of too large a consideration here to be insisted on. Besides it is the great dutie of the Guides of the Church, to be inculcating of them ⟨p. 174⟩into the minds of those committed to their charge. For the Churches due performance of its dutie, is their honour, Crown, and reward.
