The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

The Duty of the Church towards this sort of persons, consists, (1.) In Prayer for them. (2.) Catechetical Instruction of them, according unto their Capacities. (3.) Advice to their Parents concerning them. (4.) Visiting of them in the Families whereunto they do belong. (5.) Encouragement of them, or Admonition according as there is occasion. (6.) Direction for a due preparation unto the joining themselves unto the Church, in full Communion. (7.) Exclusion of them from a claim unto the participation of the especial Privileges of the Church, where they render themselves visibly unmeet for them, and unworthy of them.

The neglect of this Duty brings unconceivable prejudice unto Churches, and if continued in, will prove their Ruin. For they are not to be preserved, propagated and continued, at the easy rate of a constant supply by the carnal baptized posterity of those who do at any time justly or unjustly belong unto them: But they are to prepare a meet supply of Members, by all the spiritual means whose administration they are entrusted ⟨p. 18⟩withal. And besides, one end of Churches, is, to preserve the Covenant of God in the Families once graciously taken thereinto. The neglect therefore herein, is carefully to be watched against. And it doth arise, (1.) From an ignorance of the Duty, in most that are concerned in it. (2.) From the paucity of Officers in most Churches, both Teaching and Ruling, who are to attend unto it. (3.) The want of a Teacher or Catechist in every Church, who should attend only unto the instruction of this sort of persons. (4.) Want of a sense of their Duty in Parents and Masters. (1.) In not valuing aright the great privilege of having their Children and Servants under the inspection, care and blessing of the Church. (2.) In not instilling into them a sense of it, with the Duties that are expected from them, on the account of their Relation unto the Church. (3.) In not bringing them duly unto the Church Assemblies. (4.) In not preparing and disposing them unto an actual entrance into full Communion with the Church. (5.) In not advising with the Elders of the Church about them. And, (6.) Especially by an indulgence unto that loose and careless kind of Education in Conformity unto the World, which generally prevails. Hence it is, that most of them on various accounts and occasions, drop off here and there from the Communion of the Church, and all Relation thereunto, without the least respect unto them, or enquiry after them; Churches being supplied by such as are occasionally Converted in them.