The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

CHURCHES so appointed, and established in Order as hath been declared, ought to hold Communion among themselves, or with each other, as unto all the ends of their Institution and Order: For these are the same in all. Yea, the general end of them, is in Order of Nature considered antecedently unto their Institution in particular. This end is the Edification of the Body of Christ in general, or the Church Catholic. The promotion hereof is committed jointly and severally unto all particular Churches. Wherefore, with respect hereunto, they are obliged unto mutual Communion among themselves, which is their consent, endeavour and conjunction in and for the promotion of the Edification of the Catholic Church, and therein their own, as they are Parts and Members of it.

CHURCHES so appointed, and established in Order as hath been declared, ought to hold Communion among themselves, or with each other, as unto all the ends of their Institution and Order: For these are the same in all. Yea, the general end of them, is in Order of Nature considered antecedently unto their Institution in particular. This end is the Edification of the Body of Christ in general, or the Church Catholick. The promotion hereof is committed jointly and severally unto all particular Churches. Wherefore, with respect hereunto, they are obliged unto mutual Communion among themselves, which is their consent, endeavour and conjunction in and for the promotion of the Edification of the Catholick Church, and therin their own, as they are Parts and Members of it.

THIS Communion is incumbent on every Church, with respect unto all other Churches of Christ in the World equally. And the Duties and Acts of it in all of them, are of the same kind and nature. For there is no such disparity between them, or subordination among them, as should make a difference between the Acts of their mutual Communion; so as that the Acts of some should be Acts of Authority, and those of others Acts of obedience or subjection. Where ever there is a Church, whether it be at Rome or Egubium, in a City or a Village, the Communion of them all is mutual, the Acts of it of the same kind; however one Church may have more Advantages to be useful and helpful therein than another. And the abuse of those Advantages was that which wrought effectually in the beginning of that disorder, which at length destroyed the Catholic Church, with all Church-Communion whatever. For some Churches, especially that of Rome, having many