The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

Hence a visible Church must needs be a separate Congregation; Separation is a proper and inseparable adjunct thereof; the Apostle speaks of Church Membership, 2 Cor. vi.14. Be not unequally yoked together [[Greek or Hebrew], yoked with those of another kind, the Ploughing with an Ox and Ass together, being forbidden under the Law] with Unbelievers, ⟨image 7⟩[Greek or Hebrew], i. e. Visible Unbelievers of any sort or kind; for what participation, [Greek or Hebrew], hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness? what [Greek or Hebrew], Communion or Fellowship hath Light with Darkness? Vers. 13. [Greek or Hebrew], what harmony hath Christ with Belial, Men of corrupt Lives and Conversation, or what part, [Greek or Hebrew], hath a Believer, i. e. a visible Believer with an Unbeliever? it ought not to be rendered Infidel; but it was done by our Translators, to put a blind upon this place, as to its true intention, and to countenance Parish Communion; for why did they not here, Vers. 14. and every where else render, [Greek or Hebrew], an Infidel? Vers. 16. [Greek or Hebrew], what consistency hath the Temple of God (i. e. the Gospel Church) with Idols? &c. I take this place to be a full Proof of what is before spoken, That a Gospel Church is a Company of Faithful professing People, walking together by mutual Consent, or Confederation to the Lord Jesus Christ and one to another, in Subjection to and Practice of all his Gospel-Precepts and Commands, whereby they are separate from all Persons and Things manifestly contrary or disagreeing thereunto.

Hence a visible Church must needs be a separate Congregation; Separation is a proper and inseparable adjunct thereof; the Apostle speaks of Church Membership, 2 Cor. vi.14. Be not unequally yoked together [〈non-Latin alphabet〉, yoked with those of another kind, the Plowing with an Ox and Ass together, being forbidden under the Law] with Vnbelievers, ⟨image 7⟩〈non-Latin alphabet〉, i. e. Visible Vnbelievers of any sort or kind; for what participation, , hath Righteousness with Vnrighteousness? what , Communion or Fellowship hath Light with Darkness? Vers. 13. , what harmony hath Christ with Belial, Men of corrupt Lives and Conversation, or what part, , hath a Believer, i. e. a visible Believer with an Vnbeliever? it ought not to be rendred Infidel; but it was done by our Translaters, to put a blind upon this place, as to its true intention, and to countenance Parish Communion; for why did they not here, Vers. 14. and every where else render, , an Infidel? Vers. 16. , what consistency hath the Temple of God (i. e. the Gospel Church) with Idols? &c. I take this place to be a full Proof of what is before spoken, That a Gospel Church is a Company of Faithful professing People, walking together by mutual Consent, or Confederation to the Lord Jesus Christ and one to another, in Subjection to and Practice of all his Gospel-Precepts and Commands, whereby they are separate from all Persons and Things manifestly contrary or disagreeing thereunto.