It is pleaded,1 that there are prophesies and promises of a National Church, that should be under the New Testament, as Ps. 32. 10, 11, 12. Is: 2. 2. Is. 10. 18, 19, 24, 25. That it is foretold and promised that many whole Nations shall be converted to the faith of the Gospel, and thereby become the people of God, who before were no people, is granted; but that their way of worship shall be by National Churches governed by lesser and greater Assemblies doth not appear. And when the Jews shall be converted, they shall be a National Church, as England is: but their way of worship shall be regulated according to the institution of Christ in the Gospel. And therefore the publishers of the life of Dr Gouge have expressed his judgement found in a paper in his study, that the Jews on their calling shall be gathered together into Churches, and not be scattered, as now they are. A Nation may be said to be converted, from the professed ⟨p. 249⟩subjection to the Gospel of so many in it, as may give demonstration to the whole: But the way of worship for those so converted, is peculiarly instituted. It is said moreover, that the several congregations in one City, are called a Church, as in Jerusalem Act. 6. 1. Act. 12, 1, 3. Act. 15. 14, 22. so also may all the Churches in a Nation be called a National Church. But this is [Greek or Hebrew]; nor is that allowed to be made a medium in another case, which at the same time is sub Judice in its own. The like also may be said of the Church of Ephesus, Act. 20. 17. Rev. 2. 1. Nor is it about a mere denomination that we contend; but the Union & form of such a church: and if more Churches then one were together called a Church, it is from their participation of the nature of the general visible Church, not of that which is particular, and the seat of Ordinances. So where Paul is said to persecute the Church of God Gal. 1. 13. it is spoken of the Professors of the Faith of Christ in general, and not to be restrained to the Churches of Judea of whom he speaks v. 22, 23. seeing his rage actually reached to Damascus a City of another Nation Act. 22. 5, 6. and his design was [Greek or Hebrew]. That by the Church mentioned ⟨p. 250⟩1 Cor. 12. 28. 1 Cor. 10. 32. Eph. 3. 21.
It is pleaded,1 that there are prophesies and promises of a Nationall Church, that should be under the New Testament, as Ps. 32. 10, 11, 12. Is: 2. 2. Is. 10. 18, 19, 24, 25. That it is foretold and promised that many whole Nations shall be converted to the faith of the Gospell, and thereby become the people of God, who before were no people, is granted; but that their way of worship shall be by Nationall Churches governed by lesser and greater Assemblys doth not appeare. And when the Jewes shall be converted, they shall be a Nationall Church, as England is: but their way of worship shall be regulated according to the institution of Christ in the Gospell. And therefore the publishers of the life of Dr Gouge have expressed his judgement found in a paper in his study, that the Jewes on their calling shall be gathered together into Churches, and not be scattered, as now they are. A Nation may be said to be converted, from the professed ⟨p. 249⟩subjection to the Gospell of so many in it, as may give demonstration to the whole: But the way of worship for those so converted, is peculiarly instituted. It is said moreover, that the severall congregations in one City, are called a Church, as in Hierusalem Act. 6. 1. Act. 12, 1, 3. Act. 15. 14, 22. so also may all the Churches in a Nation be called a Nationall Church. But this is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; nor is that allowed to be made a medium in another case, which at the same time is sub Iudice in its own. The like also may be said of the Church of Ephesus, Act. 20. 17. Rev. 2. 1. Nor is it about a meer denomination that we contend; but the Ʋnion & forme of such a church: and if more Churches then one were together called a Church, it is from their participation of the nature of the generall visible Church, not of that which is particular, and the seate of Ordinances. So where Paul is said to persecute the Church of God Gal. 1. 13. it is spoken of the Professors of the Faith of Christ in generall, and not to be restrained to the Churches of Iudaea of whom he speakes v. 22, 23. seeing his rage actually reached to Damascus a City of another Nation
- 1§. 30.
