The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

THE Church of Christ, according as it is represented unto us, or described by the holy Spirit of God, in the Old and New Testament, hath but a twofold Consideration, as Catholic and Mystical; or as Visible and Organized in particular Congregations. The Catholic Church is the whole Mystical Body of Christ, consisting of all the Elect which are purchased and redeemed by his Blood, whether already called or uncalled, Militant or Triumphant; and this is the Church that God gave him to be head unto, which is his Body and his Fullness, and by union with him Christ Mystical, Ephes. 1.22, 23. and this is that [Greek or Hebrew] (the only word most fully expressing the Catholic Church, used in Scripture) the Church of the First-born, whose Names are written in Heaven, Heb. 12.23. i. e. in the Lamb's Book of Life, and shall all appear one Day gathered together to their Head, in the perfection and fullness of the New Jerusalem-state; ⟨image 3⟩where they will make a glorious Church, not having Spot or Wrinkle or any such thing; but Holy and without Blemish. The day of Grace which the Saints have passed in the respective Ages of the Church was but the days of its Espousals, wherein the Bride hath made her self ready; but then will be her full married state unto Christ, then will be the perfection not only of every particular Member of Christ, but of the whole Body of Christ, called a perfect Man, and the measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ, to which we are called, Edifying and building up, by the Ministry and Ordinances of Christ, whilst we are in Via, in our passage unto this Country, a City with a more durable fixed Foundation which we seek.