The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God

Thirdly, It is taken for an Instituted Church; this Church is invested by Christ with Spiritual Power and is thus defined: A Church is a Society of Saints joined together, according to the appointment of Christ for the constant carrying on of his public Worship: A Church is a Society, a single Person is not a Church, a Church is a Collection or Congregative Body, consisting of many Members, 1 Cor. 12.27. Ye are the Body of Christ and Members in particulars, hence it is compared to a flock and other C•ective Bodies: It is a Society of Saints, The Members of a Church are Saints by calling, 1 Cor. 11.12. To the Church of God which is at Corinth, to them, which are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be Saints, 1 Cor. 14.33. In all the Churches of the Saints, the Church of the Jews was a Society of Saints, Psal. 79.12,11. Psal. 1. None are to be Members of Instituted Churches, but those that are Members of the Catholic Church. Particular Churches are but parts and branches of the Catholic Church, they are the Churches of God, the Body of Christ, the Temple of God, therefore must be Holy. Therefore Societies of Papists are abusively called Churches: A Church doth join together for the Public carrying on of the Worship of God: A Family joining together for the private carrying on of the Worship of God is not a Church; we read of a Church in the House of Aquila, Rom. 16.5. And in the House of Nymphas, Col. 4.15. Because there the public Worship of God was attended: The Church doth join, for the carrying on of public Worship; as the Preaching of the word, the Administration of Sacraments and dispensing of Censures in a public way.

Thirdly, It is taken for an Instituted Church; this Church is invested by Christ with Spiritual Power and is thus defined: A Church is a Society of Saints joyned togther, according to the appointment of Christ for the constant carrying on of his publick Worship: A Church is a Society, a single Person is not a Church, a Church is a Collection or Congregative Body, consisting of many Members,