It hath been before declared, what especial agreement or covenant there ought to be among all the members of the same Church, to walk together in a due subjection unto, and observance of all the institutions of the Lord Christ. And this is that which gives it its special form and distinction from all other Churches. In the general nature of a Church, all Churches do agree, and equally partake. There is the same law of the constitution of them all; they have all the same rule of obedience; all the same Head, the same end; all carry it on by the observation of the same Ordinances in kind. Now besides these things which belong unto the nature of a Church in general, and wherein they all equally participate, they must also have each one its proper difference, that which doth distinguish it from all other Churches; and this gives it its special form as such. Now this cannot consist in any thing that is accidental, occasional, or extrinsical unto it, such as is ⟨p. 222⟩cohabitation, (which yet the Church may have respect unto, for conveniency, and furthering of its edification) nor in any civil or political disposal of its members into civil societies for civil ends, which is extrinsical to all its concernments as a Church; nor doth it consist in the relation of the Church to its present Officers, which may be removed or taken away without the dissolution of the form or being of the Church, but it consisteth as was said in the agreement or covenant before mentioned; For
It hath been before declared, what especial agreement or covenant there ought to be among all the members of the same Church, to walk together in a due subjection unto, and observance of all the institutions of the Lord Christ. And this is that which gives it its special form and distinction from all other Churches. In the general nature of a Church, all Churches do agree, and equally partake. There is the same law of the constitution of them all; they have all the same rule of obedience; all the same Head, the same end; all carry it on by the observation of the same Ordinances in kind. Now besides these things which belong unto the nature of a Church in general, and wherein they all equally participate, they must also have each one its proper difference, that which doth distinguish it from all other Churches; and this gives it its speciall form as such. Now this cannot consist in any thing that is accidental, occasional, or extrinsical unto it, such as is ⟨p. 222⟩cohabitation, (which yet the Church may have respect unto, for conveniency, and farthering of its edification) nor in any civil or political disposal of its members into civil societies for civil ends, which is extrinsecal to all its concernments as a Church; nor doth it consist in the relation of the Church to its present Officers, which may be removed or taken away without the dissolution of the form or being of the Church, but it consisteth as was said in the agreement or covenant before mentioned; For
