A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…

Explication.

What in general is required unto the fitting of any persons to be members of a visible Church of Christ, was before declared, and that is, that, which the Lord Jesus hath made the indispensable condition of entering into his Kingdom, namely of being born again. John 3.33. ⟨p. 215⟩This work being secret, hidden, and invisible, the Church cannot judge of directly and in its own form or nature, but in the means, effects, and consequents of it, which are to be testified unto it concerning them who are to be admitted unto its fellowship and communion; it is required therefore of them,

What in general is required unto the fitting of any persons to be members of a visible Church of Christ, was before declared, and that is, that, which the Lord Jesus hath made the indispensible condition of entring into his Kingdom, namely of being born again. John 3.33. ⟨p. 215⟩This worke being secret, hidden, and invisible, the Church cannot judge of directly and in its own form or nature, but in the means, effects, and consequents of it, which are to be testified unto it concerning them who are to be admitted unto its fellowship and communion; it is required therefore of them,

First, that they be of a conversation free from blame in the world; for whereas one end of the gathering of Churches is to hold forth, and express the holiness of the doctrine of Christ, and the power of his grace in turning Men from all ungodliness unto sobriety, righteousness and honesty, it is required of them that are admitted into them, that they answer this end. And this the principle of grace which is communicated unto them that believe, will effect and produce. For although it doth not follow that every one who hath attained an unblameable honesty in this World, is inwardly quickened with a true principle of saving grace, yet it doth, that they who are endowed with that principle, will be so unblameable. And although they may on other accounts be evil spoken of,