An enquiry into the original, nature, institution, power, order and communion of evangelical churches.…

But notwithstanding all these things, it is most certain, that Churches are of a Divine Original; that they are the ordinance and institution of Christ. I am not yet arrived in the order of this Discourse, to a convenient season of declaring what is the especial nature, use and end of such Churches as are so the Institution of God; and so to give a definition of them, which shall be done afterwards; but treat only as unto the general notion of a Church, and what is signified thereby. These are of God. And in those Churches before described under a corrupt, degenerate estate, three things may be considered, (1) What is of man without the least pretence unto the appointment or command of God. Such is the very Form, Fabric and Constitution of the Church of Rome, and those that depend thereon or are conformed thereunto. That which it is, that whereby it is what it is, in its Kind, Government, Rule and End, is all of man, without the least countenance given unto it from any thing of God's Institution. This is that which through a long effectual working of men and Satan, in a mystery of iniquity, it arrived unto. Herewith the Saints of God ought to have no compliance, but bear witness against it with their lives, if called thereunto. This in due time the ⟨p. 8⟩Lord Christ will utterly destroy. (2) Such things as pretend unto a countenance to be given them by divine Institution but horribly corrupted. Such are the Name of a Church and its Power, a Worship pretended to be Religious and Divine; an Order as to Officers and Rulers different from the people, with sundry things of the like nature; these things are good in themselves, but as engrossed into a false Church-State, and Worship corrupt in themselves, they are of Men, and to be abhorred of all that seek after the true Church of Christ. (3) There is that which is the Essence of a true Church, namely, that it be a society of men united for the Celebration of Divine Worship; This so far as it may be found among them, is to be approved,

But notwithstanding all these things, it is most certain, that Churches are of a Divine Original; that they are the ordinance and institution of Christ. I am not yet arrived in the order of this Discourse, to a convenient season of declaring what is the especial nature, use and end of such Churches as are so the Institution of God; and so to give a definition of them, which shall be done afterwards; but treat only as unto the general notion of a Church, and what is signified thereby. These are of God. And in those Churches before described under a corrupt, degenerate estate, three things may be considered, (1) What is of man without the least pretence unto the appointment or command of God. Such is the very Form, Fabrick and Constitution of the Church of Rome, and those that depend thereon or are conformed thereunto. That which it is, that whereby it is what it is, in its Kind, Government, Rule and End, is all of man, without the least countenance given unto it from any thing of God's Institution. This is that which through a long effectual working of men and Sathan, in a mystery of iniquity, it arrived unto. Herewith the Saints of God ought to have no compliance, but bear witness against it with their lives, if called thereunto. This in due time the