The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

3. WE are continually, in all things that tend unto this Sentence, and eminently in the Sentence it self, to charge our Consciences with the Mind of Christ, and what he would do himself in the case; considering his Love, Grace, Mercy and Patience; with instances of his Condescension which he gave us in this World.

4. THERE is also required of us herein, a constant Remembrance, that we also are in the Flesh, and liable to Temptation, which may restrain and keep in awe that forwardness and confidence which some are apt to manifest in such cases. In all these things, a watchful Eye is to be kept over the methods of Satan; who by all means seeks to pervert this Ordinance unto the Destruction of Men, which is appointed for their ⟨p. 233⟩Edification; and too often prevails in that Design. And if by the Negligence of a Church in the management and pursuit of this Ordinance, he gets advantage to pervert it, unto the Ruin of any, it is the fault of that Church, in that they have not been careful of the Honour of Christ, therein. Wherefore,

4. THERE is also required of us herein, a constant Remembrance, that we also are in the Flesh, and liable to Temptation, which may restrain and keep in awe that forwardness and confidence which some are apt to manifest in such cases. In all these things, a watchful Eye is to be kept over the methods of Satan; who by all means seeks to pervert this Ordinance unto the Destruction of Men, which is appointed for their ⟨p. 233⟩Edification; and too often prevails in that Design. And if by the Negligence of a Church in the management and pursuit of this Ordinance, he gets advantage to pervert it, unto the Ruine of any, it is the fault of that Church, in that they have not been careful of the Honour of Christ, therein. Wherefore,