be the only true matter of a right and lawfully consistent visible Church and congregation; so as we are to join with no company of worshippers of God, but such visible Saints as these, and to acknowledge no other society a true Church, whereto we are obliged to adjoin our selves as members, save only such a s•ciety: Or is this sufficient for the nature, and right constitution of a true visible Church, that the company that we are to join our selves unto, as visible members, have in it these true marks of a visible Church, The pure word of God purely preached, and the Sacraments ⟨p. 98⟩duly administered, with discipline according to Gods word, and withal a people externally professing the fore-said faith, suppose they cannot give to us manifest tokens and evidences that they are effectually called, and partakers of the divine nature, and translated from death to life, and are elected, called and justified; This latter we hold as the truth of God; these of the Separation hold the former. Now we must carefully distinguish here what are to be distinguished; for there are many questions infolded here of divers natures: For 1. The question is if the society have the word, seals and right discipline, and they profess the truth, suppose their lives be wicked; whether they should not be answerable to that which they profess? I Answer. No doubt they ought to be answerable to their light, and obey the holy calling. 2. What if many of them lead a life contrary to that which they profess, and yet the governors use not the rod of discipline to censure them: then whether should the members separate from that Church? They ought to separate, (say the Separatists,) They ought not to separate from the Church and worship, say we; they are to stay with their Mother, but to plead with her; and modestly and seasonably say, that Archippus and others do not fulfil their Ministry, which they have received of the Lord. 3. What if there be purity of doctrine, but extreme wickedness, contrary to their doctrine; whether is that company a true Church or not? I answer, it is a true, visible and a teaching or right ministerial Church, but for as far as can be seen, not a holy, not a sanctified Church, and therefore must not be deserted and left. 4.
be the only true matter of a right and lawfully consistent visible Church and congregation; so as we are to joyne with no company of worshippers of God, but such visible Saints as these, and to acknowledge no other society a true Church, whereto we are obliged to adjoyne our selves as members, save only such a s•ciety: Or is this sufficient for the nature, and right constitution of a true visible Church, that the company that we are to joyne our selves unto, as visible members, have in it these true markes of a visible Church, The pure word of God purely preached, and the Sacraments ⟨p. 98⟩duely administred, with discipline according to Gods word, and withall a people externally professing the fore-said faith, suppose they cannot give to us manifest tokens and evidences that they are effectually called, and partakers of the divine nature, and translated from death to life, and are elected, called and justified; This latter we hold as the truth of God; these of the Separation hold the former. Now we must carefully distinguish here what are to be distinguished; for there are many questions infolded here of divers natures: For 1. The question is if the society have the word, seales and right discipline, and they professe the truth, suppose their lives be wicked; whether they should not be answerable to that which they professe? I Answer. No doubt they ought to be answerable to their light, and obey the holy calling. 2. What if many of them leade a life contrary to that which they professe, and yet the governours use not the rod of discipline to censure them: then whether should the members separate from that Church? They ought to separate, (say the Separatists,) They ought not to separate from the Church and worship, say we; they are to stay with their Mother, but to plead with her; and modestly and seasonably say, that Archippus and others doe not fulfill their Ministry, which they have received of the Lord. 3. What if there be purity of doctrine, but extreame wickednesse, contrary to their doctrine; whether is that company a true Church or not? I answer, it is a true, visible and a teaching or right ministeriall Church, but for as farre as can be seene, not a holy, not a sanctified Church, and therefore must not be deserted and left. 4.
