The way of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The way of churches…The vvay of the churches of Christ in New-England, or, The vvay of churches…

Now then to apply all these Propositions to our present order and practice, in the gathering of a Church; thus it is, when many Christians are come over into these parts, they desire to join themselves unto some Church or other, according to the second Proposition, professing that it was the principal end of their coming, to enjoy the presence of the Lord in the liberty and purity of his Ordinances: And if the company of such as come together, be so well known one to another, that they are loath to part company, and yet so great that they cannot well join in any ⟨p. 7⟩one Church already established, without too much impeachment of their outward estate and livelihood, the chiefest part of the lands belonging to each Church, being prepossessed by others before them, they then take that course which other companies took before them, they consider of entering into a Church estate and fellowship amongst themselves: And for that end, first commending themselves to the Lord, they enquire out some one or other of Eminent gifts, usually such as have been Preachers of good esteem in England, who may guide and go along with them in so great an Action, and if God see good, may afterwards be called to place and Office amongst them; And then such whose hearts God toucheth to go along with them in this work, they often meet together about the things of God, and perform some duties of Prayer and spiritual conference together, till a sufficient company of them be well satisfied in the spiritual good estate of one another, and so have approved themselves to one another's consciences in the sight of God, as living stones fit to be laid in the Lords spiritual Temple, which is his Church, according to the first Proposition.

NOw then to apply all these Propositions to our present order and practice, in the gathering of a Church; thus it is, when many Christians are come over into these parts, they desire to joyne themselves unto some Church or other, according to the second Proposition, professing that it was the principall end of their comming, to enjoy the presence of the Lord in the libertie and puritie of his Ordinances: And if the company of such as come together, be so well knowne one to another, that they are loath to part company, and yet so great that they cannot well joyne in any ⟨p. 7⟩one Church already established, without too much impeachment of their outward estate and livelihood, the chiefest part of the lands belonging to each Church, being prepossessed by others before them, they then take that course which other companies took before them, they consider of entring into a Church estate and fellowship amongst themselves: And for that end, first commending themselves to the Lord, they enquire out some one or other of Eminent gifts, usually such as have been Preachers of good esteeme in England, who may guide and goe along with them in so great an Action, and if God see good, may afterwards be called to place and Office amongst them; And then such whose hearts God toucheth to goe along with them in this worke, they often meet together about the things of God, and performe some duties of Prayer and spirituall conference together, till a sufficient company of them be well satisfied in the spirituall good estate of one another, and so have approved themselves to one anothers consciences in the sight of God, as living stones fit to be laid in the Lords spirituall Temple, which is his Church, according to the first Proposition.