But furthermore, this above all may justly satisfy you: That in the state of the Churches of the New Testament, God hath instituted such an order therein, that though all the Infants of the ⟨p. 162⟩Church-members be baptized; yet none of them are received (by the order of the Gospel) unto Communion at the Lords Table, nor unto liberty of power in the Government of the Church, until they do approve themselves both by public Profession before the Church, and also by their Christian conversation, to take hold of the Covenant of their Fathers, and of the Church, and to walk in the steps of their Faith, and professed subjection to the Gospel of Christ. For it is an express Commandment given, as to all Christians in their place, so especially to the Officers and Brethren of the Church, Not to cast holy things to dogs, nor Pearls before Swine, Mat. 7.6. Nor to receive such to the Lords Table, as have not on a Wedding Garment. But in such a case the Servants and Ministers of Christ, are to •inde such hand and foot, (to wit, by the censures of the Church,) and to cast them out, unto outer darkness, (Matth. 22.11, 12, 33.) that is to say, into such an estate of darkness, and misery, wherein they live that are without. For without are Dogs, and Sorcerers, and Whore-mongers, and Murderers, and Idolaters, and Liars, Rev. 22.15. And there want not holy, and judicious, and faithful witnesses of the Gospel of Christ, and of the ways of pure Reformation, who do so expound the principles of the Apostles Catechism, Heb. 6.1.2. That none of the Members of the Church were admitted to the fellowship of the Lords Table, but such as were enlightened to Repentance, and had tasted of the Heavenly gift of Faith, and were partakers of the Holy Ghost (in some kind) and had tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, through the acknowledgement of the Resurrection of the dead, and of the last judgement.
But furthermore, this above all may justly satisfie you: That in the state of the Churches of the New Testament, God hath instituted such an order therein, that though all the Infants of the ⟨p. 162⟩Church-members bee baptized; yet none of them are received (by the order of the Gospel) unto Communion at the Lords Table, nor unto liberty of power in the Government of the Church, untill they doe approve themselves both by publick Profession before the Church, and also by their Christian conversation, to take hold of the Covenant of their Fathers, and of the Church, and to walk in the steps of their Faith, and professed subjection to the Gospell of Christ. For it is an expresse Commandement given, as to all Christians in their place, so especially to the Officers and Brethren of the Church, Not to cast holy things to dogges, nor Pearles before Swine, Mat. 7.6. Nor to receive such to the Lords Table, as have not on a Wedding Garment. But in such a case the Servants and Ministers of Christ, are to •inde such hand and foot, (to wit, by the censures of the Church,) and to cast them out, unto outer darknesse, (Matth. 22.11, 12, 33.) that is to say, into such an estate of darknesse, and misery, wherein they live that are without. For without are Dogs, and Sorcerers, and Whore-mongers, and Murtherers, and Idolaters, and Lyars, Rev. 22.15. And there want not holy, and judicious, and faithfull witnesses of the Gospel of Christ, and of the wayes of pure Reformation, who doe so expound the principles of the Apostles Catechisme, Heb. 6.1.2. That none of the Members of the Church were admitted to the fellowship of the Lords Table, but such as were inlightned to Repentance, and had tasted of the Heavenly gift of Faith, and were partakers of the Holy Ghost (in some kinde) and had tasted the good Word of God, and the powers of the world to come, through the acknowledgement of the Resurrection of the dead, and of the last judgement.
