Another essay for investigation of the truth, in answer to two questions, concerning I.…

The Rules given of Christ,¹ for the Propagation and Continuing of Christian Churches, are properly suited to their Congregational ⟨p. 6⟩and Spiritual state. They are not the same with those before the Law, when the Church was only in Families, nor with those under the Law given to the Church of the Jews: in both which the Church was to be propagated and continued by natural generation, in a lineal descent, from Noah, by S•e•; and from Abraham, by Isaac and Jacob, till the coming of Christ; this way best suiting to a Domestical and National Church, in their respective constitutions. Christian Churches are of neither of these sorts, but are, by Christ's appointment, cast into a Congregational, and more Spiritual Form; and therefore, are not capable of being propagated and continued, in a lineal succession, by natural generation, ordinarily: but must be propagated and continued 1. In adult persons, by Regeneration visibly manifested to the charitable discretion of the Church, Joh. 3. 3,5. being wrought in the working of Faith in Christ, Joh. 1. 12,13. and made visible, by a right confession and profession of Faith, both quâ creditur, Rom. 10. 10 and quâ creditur, Gal. 3.26. 2. In their infant-seed, by their Parents covenanting for them; to the end, that such, being engaged to God in their infancy, may be thereby engaged and excited the more to give up themselves to God in Christ, when they come to years of discretion, not by constraint, but willingly, Psal. 110. 3 through the operation of God working Faith in their hearts, Col. 2. 12. by the Spirit, who is a voluntary Agent, and therefore likened to the wind which bloweth where it •isteth,