The due right of presbyteries, or, A peaceable plea for the government of the…

1. A combination in Church-state.

2. In gifts inward to edification, and outward in relief of the poor by worldly goods.

2. In gifts inward to edification, and outward in reliefe of the poore by worldly goods.

Answ. 1. They could not continue steadfast in the Apostles doctrine ⟨p. 92⟩and fellowship before they were added to the Church, for steadfastness in Doctrine, and saving themselves from the froward generation, could not be but habitual holiness, not perfected in six hours. Now that same day, vers. 41. in the which they gladly heard the Word, they were both baptized and added to the Church; and therefore their steadfast continuing in Church-state, can no ways make them members in Church-state. Secondly, though they should have returned to Pontus and Asia, &c. they returned added to the Church; Church-state is no prison-state, to tie men to such a congregation locally, as you make it. Thirdly, there is no word of a Church-covenant, except when they were baptized they made it, and that is no Church-covenant, and that should not be omitted, seeing it conduceth so much, first, to the being of the visible Church, in the which we must serve God acceptably; Secondly, and is of such consequence to the end, that the holy things of God be not profaned, as you say. Thirdly, that the Seals of the Covenant be not made signs of falsehood. Fourthly, we would not be stricter then God, who received upon six hours profession three thousand to Church state. Fifthly, the [Greek or Hebrew] fellowship is no fellowship of Church-order, which made them members of the visible Church, because the first day that they heard Peter they were added to the Church, and being added they continued in this fellowship, and in use of the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer; as a reasonable soul is that which makes a man discourse, and discoursing is not the cause of a reasonable soul