The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

Divines, of all sorts, do dispute from the Scripture and the Testimonies of the Ancients, that Hypocrites, and persons unregenerate may be true Members of Visible Churches. And it is a matter very easy to be proved; nor do I know any by whom it is denied. But the only Question is, That whereas undoubtedly, Profession is necessary unto all Church Communion; whether, if Men do profess themselves Hypocrites in State, and Unregenerate in Mind, that Profession do sufficiently qualify them for Church Communion. And whereas there is a double Profession, one by Words, the other by Works, as the Apostle declares, Tit. 1.16. Whether the latter be not as interpretative of the Mind and state of Men as the former; other contest we have with none, in this matter.

Divines, of all sorts, do dispute from the Scripture and the Testimonies of the Ancients, that Hypocrites, and persons unregenerate may be true Members of Visible Churches. And it is a matter very easie to be proved; nor do I know any by whom it is denied. But the only Question is, That whereas undoubtedly, Profession is necessary unto all Church Communion; whether, if Men do profess themselves Hypocrites in State, and Unregenerate in Mind, that Profession do sufficiently qualify them for Church Communion. And whereas there is a double Profession, one by Words, the other by Works, as the Apostle declares, Tit. 1.16. Whether the latter be not as interpretative of the Mind and state of Men as the former; other contest we have with none, in this matter.

Belarmine de Eccles. lib. 3. cap. 2. gives an account out of Augustine, and that truly, from Brevec. Collat. Col. 3. of the state of the Church. It doth, saith he, consist of a Soul and Body. The Soul is the internal Graces of the Spirit; The Body is the Profession of them, with the Sacraments. All true Believers making Profession, belong to the Soul and Body of the Church. Some, (as believing Catechumens) belong to the Soul, but not to the Body: Others are of the Body, but not of the Soul; namely, such as have no internal Grace or true Faith; and they are like the Hair or the Nails, or evil Humours in the Body. And thereunto adds, That his Definition of the Church compriseth this last sort only; which is all one, as if we should define a Man to be a Thing constituted