A53671:376
A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of…
A brief instruction in the worship of God, and discipline of the churches of the New Testament, by way of question and answer with an explication and confirmation of those answers.
London : s.n., 1667
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
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, ⟨p. 216⟩yet their good conversation in Christ will justify it self.
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 indowed with that principle, will be so unblameable. And although they may on other accounts be evil spoken of, ⟨p. 216⟩yet their good conversation in Christ will justify it self.
Secondly, competent knowledge in the mysteries of the Gospel, is another means whereby the great qualification inquired after is testified unto the Church. For as without this no privilege of the Gospel can be profitably made use of, nor any duty of it be rightly performed, so saving light is of the essence of conversion and doth inseparably accompany it,