15. Concerning the manner of gathering a Church.

15. Concerning the manner of gathering a Church.

That it is the duty of all Christians, having renounced all false ways of Idolatrous, Antichristian, and superstitious worship, and of sin, and the world (as to instruct and govern their own families according ⟨p. 39⟩to God, so) to join willingly together in Christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the faith, and profession of their subjection to the Gospel of Christ, to unite themselves unto peculiar and visible Congregations, wherein as members of one body, whereof Christ is the head, they are to worship God according to his Word: To this Church he hath given royal privileges, as the holy Oracles, the Promises, the Seals of the Covenant, his presence, love, protection and blessing in a special manner, here all that acknowledge him to be their Prophet, Priest, and King, are to be enrolled amongst his household servants, and to present their bodies, and souls, and gifts, and solemn services for a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Being thus united, they, to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, being approved by the Church, and appointed thereunto, may, and ought to teach publicly the Word of God, by prophesying according to the proportion of faith for edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church, till such time as men may be had, fit for such office or offices, as Christ hath appointed to the public Ministry of his Church; and then they are upon due trial, to proceed to the choice and ordination of those officers according to God: and then the officers are to dispense the seals of the Covenant, viz. Baptism to the seed of the faithful in their Infancy, and to others not yet baptized, when by profession of their faith they are added to the Church: And all of the Church that are of years, and are able to examine themselves, must communicate also in the Lords Supper in both kinds, viz. Bread and Wine.

That it is the duty of all Christians, having renounced all false wayes of Idolatrous, Antichristian, and superstitious worship, and of sin, and the world (as to instruct and govern their own families according ⟨p. 39⟩