The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

11. BESIDES, as we have proved before, there are many mutual Duties required of all which join in Church Societies, and Powers to be exercised and submitted unto, whereunto none ⟨p. 24⟩can be obliged without their own consent. They must give up themselves unto one another by the will of God. That is, they must agree, consent and engage among themselves to observe all those mutual Duties, to use all those Privileges, and to exercise all those Powers, which the Lord Christ hath prescribed and granted unto his Church. See Jerem. 50.4, 5.

12. THIS completes the confederation intended, which is the Formal Cause of the Church; and without which, either expressly or virtually performed, there can be no Church State.

12. THIS compleats the confederation intended, which is the Formal Cause of the Church; and without which, either expresly or virtually performed, there can be no Church State.

13. INDEED herein most Men deceive themselves, and think they do not that, nor that it ought to be done, and dispute against it as unlawful or unnecessary, which for the substance of it they do themselves, and would condemn themselves in their own Consciences, if they did it not. For unto what end do they join themselves unto Parochial Churches and Assemblies? To what end do they require all Professors of the Protestant Religion so to do, declaring it to be their Duty by penalties annexed unto its neglect? Is it not, that they might yield obedience unto Christ in their so doing? Is it not to profess that they will do and observe all whatsoever he commands them? Is it not to do it in that Society, in those Assemblies whereunto they do belong? Is there not therein virtually a mutual Agreement and Engagement among them unto all those ends? It must be so with them, who do not in all things in Religion fight uncertainly as Men beating the Air.