4. Though there be no universal congregation or assembly nor can be imagined, yet there are and have been many visible assemblies or societies, true Churches of Christ, to whom the Prerogative of the Seals is given, which have not been united and knit together, in Church-order into one congregational body or society, For every society in covenant with God is the true Church of God: for what is it to be the flock, people or sheep of God, but to be the Church of God? And where there is a Covenant, there is the people of God.1 They that are of the faith of Abraham, 2are the children and seed of Abraham, and within the Covenant of Abraham (though but two or three) and so of the same Church with him by that covenant.3 4The communication ⟨p. 24⟩on and accepting of the tables of covenant is an undoubted token of a people in covenant or confederate,5 but every society professing the true and entire faith,6 joining in prayer and thanksgiving,7 receiving the truth of God to dwell among them,8 and in some measure conforming themselves to the obedience of Gods Commandments,9 is in covenant with God. It is simply necessary to the being of a Church that it be laid upon Christ the foundation, which being done, the remaining of what is forbidden, or the want of what is commanded, cannot put the society from the title or right of a Church. For Christ is the foundation and head corner stone of the Church, and a people coming unto Christ, united unto him, built upon him, having communion with him and growing up in him, are the true Church of God: and if the seals be annexed to the covenant by God himself, as we cannot deny a people in covenant to be the Church, so we must not deny their right and title to the Sacraments. If therefore the meaning of the proposition be that the seals be given to the Church, that is, to true and sound Christians, and people in covenant with God, as a privilege whether in ordinary or extraordinary dispensation we accept it as good and sound, but it makes against your judgement and practice in keeping away such as have right and title to the ordinances. If you mean the seals are given to the Church, that is, only to set members of some particular society combined by covenant (as it is among you) we cannot receive it, because it implieth a distinction not taught in Scripture, and cross to your selves.
4. Though there be no universall congregation or assembly nor can be imagined, yet there are and have beene many visible assemblies or societies, true Churches of Christ, to whom the Prerogative of the Seals is given, which have not beene united and knit together, in Church-order into one congregationall body or society, For every society in covenant with God is the true Church of God: for what is it to be the flock, people or sheepe of God, but to be the Church of God? And where there is a Covenant, there is the people of God.1 They that are of the faith of Abraham, 2are the children and seed of Abraham, and within the Covenant of Abraham (though but two or three) and so of the same Church with him by that covenant.3 4The communication ⟨p. 24⟩on and accepting of the tables of covenant is an undoubted token of a people in convenant or confederate,5 but every society professing the true and entire faith,6 joyning in prayer and thankesgiving,7 receiving the truth of God to dwell among them,8 and in some measure conforming themselves to the obedience of Gods Commandements,9 is in covenant with God. It is simply necessary to the being of a Church that it be laid upon Christ the foundation, which being done, the remaining of what is forbidden, or the want of what is commanded, cannot put the society from the title or right of a Church. For Christ is the foundation and head corner stone of the Church, and a people comming unto Christ, united unto him, built upon him, having communion with him and growing up in him, are the true Church of God: and if the seals be annexed to the covenant by God himselfe, as we cannot deny a people in covenant to be the Church, so we must not deny their right and title to the Sacraments. If therefore the meaning of the proposition be that the seales be given to the Church, that is, to true and sound Christians, and people in covenant with God, as a priviledge whether in ordinary or extraordinary dispensation we accept it as good and sound, but it makes against your judgement and practice in keeping away such as have right and title to the ordinances. If you meane the seales are given to the Church, that is, onely to set members of some particular society combined by covenant (as it is among you) we cannot receive it, because it implieth a distinction not taught in Scripture, and crosse to your selves.
- 1Gen. 17. 7.
- 2Lev. 26. 12.
- 3Apo. 1. 11. 13.
- 4Heb. 16. 10.
- 5Rob. against Bern. pa. 127.
- 6Rom. 4. 12. 18.
- 7Gen. 12. 3.
- 8Gal. 3 6, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17
- 9Rob. against Ber. pa. 222.
