1. It is clear, beyond dispute that the Church under the old Testament was established by Covenant; and therefore the unchurching of the lews is expressed by that of breaking their Covenant. Zach. 11.9, 10, 14. 2. The Names which are given to the Church in Scripture bear witness to this Truth, It is called a City, Psal. 87. •. Eph. 2. 9. Every City is united by Covenant; The Citizens are received into Jus Civitatis, into right of City privileges by some Covenant or Oath. Again, the Church is said to be Espoused to Christ, 2. Cor. 11.2, And they that join to the Church are said to be married to the Church, If 62. 5. Now we know that marriage cannot be without Covenanting. 3. All Relations which are neither natural nor ⟨image ?⟩violent, but voluntary, are by virtue of some Covenant; Church Relation is voluntary; therefore the Covenant doth constitute men in such a Relation. 4. If a Church decayed is to be restored and reformed by Renewing their Covenant, then the Church is at First Erected thereby; For things are to be Reformed by reducing them to their first Institution. Math, 16.8, 1. Cor. 11. 23. Rev. 2.5. But that the Church hath still been Reformed by Renewal of Covenant, the Scriptures do abundantly testify; How rarely do we read of a Church Reformation attained, but in this way? 5. Let the Inventory of all other Respects be brought in and considered, and it will be found that none of them constitute a Church, and therefore this of the Covenant only must. It is against reason to Imagine that mere Cohabitation should do it; For then Infidels would be of the Church. Nor doth a mere external profession make a man a member of this or that Church; For then it would be impossible to excommunicate or cut off a corrupt member from such a body Politic, since it is not in the power of men to prevent any one from making a profession of the Gospel. Nor doth Baptism constitute a member of the Church: For then, if a mans membership ceaseth by dissolution of the Church, Excommunication, dismission, his Baptism, if the form of membership, would become a nullity. It remains then, that a particular Church is constituted by the Covenant, or agreement of Saints to walk with God, and one another, according to the Order of the Gospel.
1. It is clear, beyond dispute that the Church under the oldTestament was established by Covenant; and therfore the unchurching of the lews is expressed by that of breaking their Covenant. Zach. 11.9, 10, 14. 2. The Names which are given to the Church in Scripture bear witness to this Truth, It is called a City, Psal. 87. •. Eph. 2. 9. Every City is united by Covenant; The Citizens are received into Jus Civitatis, into right of City priviledges by some Covenant or Oath. Again, the Church is said to be Espoused to Christ, 2. Cor. 11.2, And they that joyn to the Church are said to be married to the Church, If 62. 5. Now we know that marriage cannot be without Covenanting. 3. All Relations which are neither naturall nor ⟨image ?⟩violent, but voluntary, are by vertue of some Covenant; Church Relation is voluntary; therefore the Covenant doth constitute men in such a Relation. 4. If a Church decayed is to be restored and reformed by Renewing their Covenant, then the Church is at First Erected thereby; For things are to be Reformed by reducing them to their first Institution. Math, 16.8, 1. Cor. 11. 23. Rev. 2.5. But that the Church hath still been Reformed by Renewall of Covenant, the Scriptures do abundantly testify; How rarely do we read of a Church Reformation attained, but in this way? 5. Let the Inventory of all other Respects be brought in and considered, and it will be found that none of them constitute a Church, and therefore this of the Covenant only must. It is against reason to Imagine that meer Cohabitation should doe it; For then Infidels would be of the Church. Nor doth a meer external profession make a man a member of this or that Church; For then it would be impossible to excomunicate or cut off a corrupt member from such a body Politick, since it is not in the power of men to prevent any one from making a profession of the Gospel. Nor doth Baptisme constitute a member of the Church: For then, if a mans membership ceaseth by dissolution of the Church, Excommunication, dismission, his Baptisme, if the form of membership, would become a nullity. It remains then, that a particular Church is constituted by the Covenant, or agreement of Saints to walk with God, and one another, according to the Order of the Gospel.
