An apologie of the churches in New-England for church-covenant, or, A discourse touching the covenant between God and men, and especially concerning church-covenant ... sent over in answer to Master Bernard, in the yeare 1639 ...
         Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.
      
       
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             An apologie of the churches in New-England for church-covenant, or, A discourse touching the covenant between God and men, and especially concerning church-covenant ... sent over in answer to Master Bernard, in the yeare 1639 ...
             Mather, Richard, 1596-1669.
             Peters, Hugh, 1598-1660.
             Davenport, John, 1597-1670.
          
           [3], 46 p.
           
             Printed by T.P. and M.S. for Benjamin Allen,
             London :
             1643.
          
           
             Written by Richard Mather and edited by Hugh Peters. Cf. NUC pre-1956.
             The apologie and the answer were both published in Mather's Church-government and church-covenant discussed. 1643.
             Film lacks: An answer of the elders of the severall churches in New-England unto nine positions, sent over to them (by divers reverend and godly ministers in England) to declare their judgements therein, written in the yeer 1639, and now published for the satisfaction of all who desire resolution in those points / by John Davenport. London : Printed by T.P. and M.S. for B. Allen, 1643 (p. 49-78).
             This item is located at reel 154:18 and also at reel 245:E.106, no. 8 where it is filmed after Mather's Church-government and church-covenant discussed.
             Reproduction of original in Thomason Collection, British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Congregational churches -- New England.
           Covenant theology.
        
      
    
       A50245  R180449  (Wing M1267).  civilwar no An apologie of the chvrches in New-England for chvrch-covenant. Or, A discourse touching the covenant betvveen God and men, and especially c Mather, Richard 1643    22737 137 25 0 0 0 0 71 D  The  rate of 71 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the D category of texts with between 35 and 100 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           AN
           APOLOGIE
           OF
           THE
           CHVRCHES
           IN
           
             NEW-ENGLAND
          
           FOR
           
             CHVRCH-COVENANT
             .
          
        
         
           
             OR
             ,
          
           A
           Discourse
           touching
           the
           Covenant
           between
           God
           and
           men
           ,
           and
           especially
           concerning
           
             Church-Covenant
             ,
          
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           The
           Covenant
           which
           a
           Company
           doe
           enter
           into
           when
           they
           become
           a
           Church
           ;
           and
           which
           a
           particular
           
             person
             enters
             into
             when
             he
             becomes
             a
             member
             of
             a
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           Sent
           over
           in
           Answer
           to
           Master
           BERNARD
           ,
           in
           the
           Yeare
           1639.
           
        
         
           And
           now
           published
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           all
           who
           desire
           resolution
           in
           this
           point
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             ,
          
           Printed
           by
           
             T.
             P.
          
           and
           
             M.
             S.
          
           for
           
             Benjamin
             Allen
             .
          
           1643.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
       
         
           A
           DISCOVRSE
           TOVCHING
           THE
           Covenant
           between
           God
           and
           Men
           ,
           and
           especially
           concerning
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           the
           Covenant
           which
           a
           Company
           do
           enter
           into
           when
           they
           become
           a
           Church
           ,
           and
           which
           a
           particular
           person
           enters
           into
           when
           he
           becomes
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           .
           1639.
           
        
         
           
             JER.
             50.
             5.
             
          
           
             Come
             let
             us
             joyne
             our selves
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             in
             a
             perpetuall
             Covenant
             that
             shall
             not
             be
             forgotten
             .
          
        
         
           ALthough
           that
           which
           is
           foretold
           in
           these
           two
           Chapters
           ,
           and
           namely
           in
           the
           fourth
           and
           fifth
           verses
           of
           this
           Chapter
           ,
           was
           in
           part
           fulfilled
           when
           the
           people
           of
           God
           returned
           from
           Captivitie
           in
           
             Babylon
          
           at
           the
           end
           of
           seventie
           yeares
           :
           yet
           we
           must
           not
           limit
           the
           place
           to
           that
           time
           onely
           ,
           but
           may
           extend
           it
           further
           to
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           spirituall
           return
           ,
           not
           of
           the
           Jews
           onely
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           also
           ,
           when
           men
           shall
           be
           converted
           from
           Pagan
           ,
           Antichristian
           ,
           Babylonish
           ,
           or
           Jewish
           bondage
           and
           captivitie
           ,
           or
           from
           slavery
           to
           sinne
           ,
           and
           self-righteousnesse
           ,
           and
           shall
           be
           joyned
           to
           God
           in
           the
           fellowship
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           .
           For
           as
           some
           passages
           in
           this
           Scripture
           were
           never
           fully
           accomplished
           at
           the
           returne
           from
           the
           captivitie
           of
           the
           seventie
           yeares
           ,
           and
           namely
           this
           ,
           that
           the
           children
           of
           
             Israel
          
           and
           
             Iudah
          
           should
           returne
           both
           together
           :
           (
           for
           the
           ten
           tribes
           returned
           not
           
           at
           all
           :
           )
           so
           many
           things
           that
           literally
           concerned
           the
           Jewes
           were
           types
           and
           figures
           ,
           signifying
           the
           like
           things
           concerning
           the
           people
           of
           God
           in
           these
           latter
           dayes
           :
           In
           which
           respect
           sincere
           converts
           are
           called
           Jewes
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           2.
           29.
           and
           Israelites
           ,
           
             Gal.
             6.
             16.
             
             Ioh.
          
           1.
           47.
           and
           our
           Sacraments
           are
           made
           〈◊〉
           of
           theirs
           ,
           a
           Con
           10.
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           and
           Rome
           is
           called
           Babylon
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           17.
           5
           ,
           and
           Papists
           are
           called
           Gentiles
           ▪
           
             Rev.
          
           11.
           2.
           and
           therefore
           the
           captivitie
           of
           Babylon
           might
           well
           be
           a
           Type
           of
           the
           spirituall
           captivitie
           of
           Gods
           people
           to
           Antichristian
           bondage
           ,
           and
           t●eir
           returne
           from
           Babylon
           to
           Sion
           ,
           a
           type
           of
           the
           returne
           of
           Christians
           from
           Romish
           slavery
           to
           the
           true
           Sion
           ,
           the
           Christian
           Church
           .
           And
           this
           may
           be
           added
           further
           ,
           that
           this
           place
           seemes
           not
           onely
           to
           be
           meant
           of
           the
           private
           or
           personall
           conversion
           of
           this
           or
           that
           particular
           Christian
           ,
           but
           also
           further
           ,
           of
           the
           open
           and
           joynt
           calling
           of
           a
           company
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           they
           shall
           come
           ,
           the
           children
           of
           
             Israel
          
           and
           the
           children
           of
           
             Iudah
          
           together
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           saying
           shall
           not
           be
           ,
           
             Let
             me
             joyne
             ,
             &c.
          
           but
           in
           the
           Plurall
           number
           ,
           
             〈◊〉
             us
             joyne
             our selves
             unto
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           so
           noting
           the
           joyning
           of
           a
           company
           togeth●r
           in
           holy
           Covenant
           with
           God
           .
        
         
           Concerning
           which
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           amisse
           for
           the
           better
           understanding
           of
           that
           which
           followes
           ;
           first
           ,
           briefly
           to
           shew
           how
           diversly
           Covenant
           is
           taken
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           sometimes
           i●ports
           generally
           any
           firme
           appointment
           or
           promise
           of
           God
           ,
           when
           man
           doth
           not
           promise
           unto
           God
           any
           thing
           backe
           againe
           :
           Thus
           the
           preserving
           of
           
             Noah
          
           in
           the
           Arke
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           wo●ld
           from
           being
           drowned
           any
           more
           by
           a
           floud
           ;
           the
           interchangeable
           succession
           of
           day
           and
           night
           ;
           the
           giving
           of
           the
           Priesthood
           unto
           
             Phin●as
             ;
          
           the
           setting
           forth
           of
           the
           Shew-bread
           every
           Sabbath
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           the
           giving
           of
           the
           heave-offering
           unto
           the
           Priests
           ,
           are
           said
           to
           be
           done
           by
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           or
           an
           everlasting
           Covenant
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           6.
           18.
           
           &
           9.
           9.
           10.
           11.
           
           
             Ier.
             33.
             20.
             
             Num.
             25.
             12
             ,
             13
             〈◊〉
             .
             24.
             8.
             
             Num.
          
           18.
           19.
           
           But
           sometimes
           Covenant
           is
           taken
           more
           strictly
           and
           properly
           ,
           for
           an
           agreement
           which
           God
           doth
           make
           with
           men
           ,
           when
           he
           promiseth
           some
           blessing
           unto
           men
           ,
           and
           bin●es
           them
           to
           performe
           some
           dutie
           backe
           againe
           to
           him
           .
           Taken
           thus
           it
           hath
           two
           parts
           :
           first
           ,
           a
           promise
           or
           stipulation
           of
           some
           blessing
           on
           Gods
           part
           :
           secondly
           ,
           Restipulation
           or
           promise
           ,
           or
           bind●●g
           o●
           man
           unto
           dutie
           back
           againe
           on
           his
           part
           :
           both
           these
           are
           in
           those
           words
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           
             I
             will
             be
             to
             thee
             a
             God
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             be
             to
             me
             a
             people
             :
          
           and
           so
           
             Gen.
             17.
             1.
             
             &
          
           v.
           7
           ,
           8
           ▪
           9
           ,
           10.
           
           The
           Covenant
           
           taken
           thus
           is
           either
           the
           Covenant
           of
           workes
           ,
           or
           the
           Covenant
           of
           grace
           :
           And
           againe
           the
           Covenant
           may
           be
           considered
           ,
           first
           as
           it
           is
           personall
           ,
           private
           and
           particular
           ,
           between
           God
           and
           one
           particular
           soule
           ,
           making
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           God
           with
           him
           ,
           either
           at
           his
           first
           conversion
           ,
           or
           at
           other
           times
           ;
           of
           which
           we
           reade
           2
           
             Sam.
          
           23.
           5.
           
           &
           
             Psal.
             119.
             106.
             
             &
             66.
             13
             ,
             14.
             
             &
          
           27.
           8.
           
           &
           
             Psal.
          
           119.
           7
           ,
           8
           Secondly
           ,
           it
           is
           generall
           and
           publick
           of
           a
           company
           joyntly
           together
           ,
           of
           which
           this
           Text
           
             Ier.
          
           50.
           5.
           seemes
           most
           properly
           to
           speake
           :
           as
           also
           that
           
             Deut.
          
           29.
           9
           ,
           10
           ,
           &c.
           and
           that
           
             Exod.
          
           19.
           5
           ,
           6
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           :
           A
           Covenant
           taken
           thus
           generally
           when
           it
           respects
           spirituall
           blessings
           ,
           and
           spirituall
           duties
           ,
           in
           the
           Communion
           of
           Saints
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           is
           called
           Church-covenant
           ,
           which
           Church-Covenant
           differs
           not
           in
           substance
           of
           the
           things
           promised
           from
           that
           which
           is
           between
           the
           Lord
           and
           every
           particular
           soule
           ,
           but
           onely
           in
           some
           other
           respects
           ;
           as
           first
           ,
           the
           one
           is
           of
           one
           Christian
           in
           particular
           ,
           the
           other
           of
           a
           company
           joyntly
           together
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           if
           right
           Order
           be
           observed
           ,
           a
           man
           ought
           not
           to
           enter
           into
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           till
           he
           be
           in
           Covenant
           with
           God
           before
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           his
           personall
           estate
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           one
           is
           usually
           done
           in
           private
           ,
           as
           in
           a
           mans
           Closet
           between
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           soule
           ,
           and
           the
           other
           in
           some
           publick
           assembly
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           one
           in
           these
           dayes
           is
           of
           such
           duties
           as
           the
           Gospel
           requires
           of
           every
           Christian
           as
           a
           Christian
           ,
           the
           other
           of
           such
           duties
           as
           the
           Gospel
           requires
           of
           every
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           thereof
           .
        
         
           
             Now
             concerning
             Church-Covenant
             ,
             two
             things
             are
             to
             be
             noted
             for
             the
             better
             understanding
             thereof
             :
             first
             ,
             the
             description
             of
             it
             :
             secondly
             ,
             the
             use
             of
             it
             ,
             and
             the
             benefit
             and
             fruit
             thereof
             .
             For
             the
             former
             it
             may
             be
             thus
             described
             ,
          
           viz.
           
           
             A
             solemne
             and
             publick
             promise
             before
             the
             Lord
             ,
             whereby
             a
             company
             of
             Christians
             ,
             called
             by
             the
             power
             and
             mercy
             of
             God
             to
             fellowship
             with
             Christ
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             providence
             to
             live
             together
             ,
             and
             by
             his
             grace
             to
             cleave
             together
             in
             the
             unitie
             of
             faith
             ,
             and
             brotherly
             love
             ,
             and
             defirous
             to
             partake
             together
             in
             all
             the
             holy
             Ordinances
             of
             God
             ,
             doe
             in
             confidence
             of
             his
             gracious
             acceptance
             in
             Christ
             ,
             binde
             themselves
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             one
             to
             another
             ,
             to
             walke
             together
             by
             the
             assistance
             of
             his
             Spirit
             ,
             in
             all
             such
             wayes
             of
             holy
             worship
             in
             him
             and
             of
             edification
             one
             towards
             another
             ,
             as
             the
             Gospel
             of
             Christ
             requireth
             of
             every
             Christian
             Church
             ,
             and
             the
             members
             thereof
             .
          
        
         
           In
           this
           description
           ,
           there
           are
           compr●●ed
           six
           things
           :
           First
           the
           generall
           name
           of
           the
           thing
           :
           [
           
             a
             solemne
             and
             publick
             promise
          
           ]
           a
           promise
           
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           called
           ,
           a
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           here
           :
           an
           entring
           into
           Covenant
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           29.
           10.
           
           Solemne
           and
           publick
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           by
           the
           children
           of
           
             Israel
          
           and
           the
           children
           of
           
             Iudah
          
           together
           :
           and
           they
           say
           ,
           
             let
             us
             joyne
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           object
           
             [
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             one
             another
             ]
             joyne
             our selves
             to
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           it
           is
           not
           a
           promise
           onely
           to
           man
           ,
           but
           to
           the
           Lord
           himselfe
           ,
           and
           likewise
           to
           one
           another
           ;
           for
           ,
           
             come
             let
             us
             joyne
             ,
          
           implyes
           mutuall
           consent
           together
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Agents
           or
           the
           qualification
           of
           the
           persons
           :
           [
           
             Christians
          
           ]
           not
           Turkes
           ,
           Indians
           ,
           &c.
           Saints
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           50.
           5.
           16
           ,
           17.
           [
           
             called
             to
             fellowship
             with
             Christ
          
           ]
           so
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           1.
           9.
           else
           if
           they
           be
           not
           united
           to
           Christ
           by
           faith
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           fit
           materialls
           for
           such
           a
           building
           as
           a
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           house
           of
           the
           living
           God
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           1.
           1.
           1
           
             Cor.
             1.
             2.
             Phil.
             1.
             1.
             Rev.
          
           21.
           27.
           
           [
           
             By
             his
             providence
             to
             live
             together
          
           ]
           else
           they
           cannot
           partake
           in
           the
           Lords
           Ordinances
           together
           as
           Churches
           ought
           to
           doe
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             14.
             23.
             
             Act.
          
           14.
           27.
           the
           whole
           Church
           comes
           together
           in
           one
           place
           [
           
             cleaving
             together
             in
             faith
             and
             love
          
           ]
           so
           
             Act.
          
           4.
           32.
           
           If
           they
           differ
           ,
           namely
           ,
           in
           opinion
           ,
           or
           in
           their
           affection
           ,
           and
           should
           joyne
           in
           this
           Covenant
           ,
           breaches
           ,
           factions
           ,
           rents
           ,
           and
           schismes
           ,
           would
           be
           like
           to
           be
           the
           issue
           of
           such
           joyning
           :
           things
           so
           unlike
           would
           not
           close
           nor
           long
           hold
           together
           ,
           
             Dan.
          
           2.
           43
           
           [
           
             Desirous
             to
             partake
             in
             all
             Ordinances
          
           ]
           this
           should
           be
           the
           ground
           of
           their
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           together
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           110.
           3.
           willing
           :
           and
           not
           pride
           ,
           nor
           gaine
           ,
           nor
           the
           like
           :
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           Act
           [
           
             binde
             themselves
          
           ]
           that
           now
           they
           are
           bound
           by
           their
           owne
           word
           and
           promise
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           say
           now
           ,
           as
           
             Psal.
             56.
             12.
             
             Thy
             vowes
             are
             upon
             me
             ,
          
           or
           as
           
             Num.
          
           30.
           2.
           if
           he
           binde
           his
           soule
           with
           a
           vow
           .
           Fiftly
           ,
           The
           matter
           promised
           ;
           [
           
             To
             walke
             together
             in
             all
             such
             wayes
             of
             worship
             and
             mutuall
             edification
             ,
             as
             the
             Gospel
             requireth
             of
             Churches
             and
             Church-members
          
           ]
           they
           binde
           not
           themselves
           to
           observe
           any
           devises
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           nor
           inventions
           of
           men
           ,
           but
           such
           things
           as
           the
           word
           of
           God
           requireth
           ;
           neither
           is
           it
           perfect
           obedience
           to
           the
           Law
           ,
           for
           that
           were
           impossible
           to
           performe
           ,
           and
           presumption
           to
           promise
           ;
           nor
           is
           it
           onely
           in
           generall
           the
           duties
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           but
           specially
           such
           duties
           of
           worship
           to
           God
           ,
           &
           edification
           of
           one
           another
           as
           concerne
           Church-State
           ,
           which
           now
           they
           enter
           into
           .
           Sixtly
           ,
           The
           manner
           of
           performing
           [
           
             Confidence
             of
             Gods
             gracious
             acceptance
             and
             assistance
             through
             Christ
          
           ]
           for
           in
           all
           our
           wayes
           God
           must
           be
           acknowledged
           ,
           
             Pro.
          
           3.
           6.
           and
           much
           more
           in
           such
           speciall
           matters
           of
           weight
           :
           If
           men
           in
           entring
           into
           this
           Covenant
           looke
           for
           acceptance
           ,
           through
           any
           worth
           
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           or
           promise
           dutie
           in
           their
           own
           strength
           ,
           they
           shew
           themselves
           like
           to
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           
             Luk.
          
           18.
           10
           ,
           11.
           and
           turne
           the
           Church-Covenant
           into
           a
           Covenant
           of
           workes
           :
           and
           as
           many
           as
           are
           of
           the
           workes
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           are
           under
           the
           curse
           ,
           
             Gal.
          
           3.
           10.
           
        
         
           The
           use
           and
           benefit
           of
           this
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           and
           the
           fruit
           thereof
           ,
           may
           be
           seene
           in
           two
           particulars
           ;
           first
           ,
           That
           this
           is
           that
           whereby
           a
           company
           of
           Christians
           doe
           become
           a
           Church
           :
           It
           is
           the
           Constituting
           forme
           of
           a
           Church
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           is
           that
           by
           taking
           hold
           whereof
           a
           particular
           person
           becomes
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           which
           was
           constituted
           afore
           .
           For
           the
           former
           of
           these
           ;
           every
           Christian
           Church
           must
           have
           in
           it
           both
           matter
           and
           forme
           ,
           and
           as
           the
           matter
           by
           Gods
           appointment
           are
           visible
           Saints
           ,
           or
           visible
           beleevers
           ,
           
             Ephes.
             1.
             1.
             1
             Cor.
          
           1.
           2.
           and
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           onely
           so
           many
           as
           may
           meete
           together
           in
           one
           Congregation
           :
           So
           the
           forme
           is
           a
           uniting
           ,
           or
           combining
           ,
           or
           knitting
           of
           those
           Saints
           together
           into
           one
           visible
           body
           ,
           by
           the
           band
           of
           this
           holy
           Covenant
           .
           Some
           union
           or
           band
           there
           must
           be
           amongst
           them
           ,
           whereby
           they
           come
           to
           stand
           in
           a
           new
           relation
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           other
           then
           they
           were
           in
           before
           :
           or
           els
           they
           are
           not
           yet
           a
           Church
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           fit
           materialls
           for
           a
           Church
           ;
           even
           as
           soule
           and
           body
           are
           not
           a
           man
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           be
           united
           ;
           nor
           stones
           and
           timber
           an
           house
           ,
           till
           they
           be
           compacted
           and
           conjoyned
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           a
           company
           becomes
           a
           Church
           ,
           by
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           may
           be
           made
           good
           sundry
           wayes
           ;
           first
           ,
           By
           plaine
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           ;
           as
           from
           
             Deut.
             29.
             1
             ,
             10
             ,
             11
             ,
             12
             ,
             13.
             
             Yee
             stand
             this
             day
             all
             you
             before
             the
             Lord
             your
             God
             ,
             your
             Captaines
             of
             your
             Tribes
             ,
             your
             Elders
             ,
             your
             Officers
             ,
             with
             all
             the
             men
             of
             Israel
             ▪
          
           ver.
           10.
           
           
             That
             thou
             shouldest
             enter
             into
             Covenant
             with
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             ,
          
           ver.
           12.
           
             and
             he
             may
             establish
             thee
             for
             a
             people
             unto
             himselfe
             ,
          
           ver.
           13.
           
           So
           that
           here
           is
           plain●y
           shewed
           ,
           that
           here
           was
           a
           company
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           10.
           and
           this
           company
           were
           to
           be
           established
           to
           be
           a
           people
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           a
           Church
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           13.
           
           And
           this
           is
           done
           by
           the
           peoples
           entring
           into
           solemne
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           12.
           
           And
           therefore
           a
           company
           of
           people
           doe
           become
           a
           Church
           by
           entring
           into
           Covenant
           with
           God
           .
        
         
           
             This
             Covenant
             was
             not
             like
             our
             Church-Covenants
             ,
             
             for
             it
             was
             of
             all
             the
             Nation
             together
             ;
             whereas
             the
             Church-Covenant
             with
             us
             ,
             is
             of
             some
             select
             persons
             ,
             leaving
             out
             others
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           This
           Objection
           concerns
           the
           matter
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           
           but
           the
           Covenant
           is
           not
           the
           materiall
           cause
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           but
           the
           formall
           
           cause
           thereof
           :
           and
           for
           this
           the
           Text
           is
           plaine
           and
           expresse
           ,
           that
           by
           entring
           into
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           a
           people
           come
           to
           be
           the
           Lords
           people
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           his
           Church
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           If
           it
           was
           of
           all
           the
           people
           together
           ,
           the
           reason
           was
           because
           that
           Church
           was
           a
           nationall
           Church
           :
           now
           if
           a
           nationall
           Church
           becomes
           a
           Church
           by
           entring
           into
           solemne
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           then
           a
           Congregationall
           Church
           becomes
           a
           Church
           by
           the
           same
           means
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           difference
           between
           them
           in
           this
           point
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Though
           it
           was
           of
           all
           the
           people
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           say
           it
           proves
           that
           when
           we
           looke
           at
           the
           materiall
           cause
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           a
           promiscuous
           taking
           in
           of
           all
           Commers
           without
           distinction
           or
           separation
           of
           the
           precious
           from
           the
           vile
           ;
           for
           ,
           first
           ,
           when
           God
           took
           in
           this
           Nation
           to
           be
           his
           people
           ,
           he
           separated
           them
           from
           all
           the
           Nations
           of
           the
           earth
           besides
           :
           so
           that
           there
           was
           a
           distinction
           and
           separation
           of
           some
           from
           others
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           this
           generation
           was
           generally
           a
           generation
           of
           beleevers
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           they
           that
           were
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           land
           within
           a
           while
           after
           ;
           for
           they
           were
           fortie
           yeares
           in
           the
           Wildernesse
           ,
           &
           this
           Covenant
           ,
           was
           made
           in
           the
           last
           moneth
           save
           one
           of
           the
           last
           of
           those
           fortie
           yeares
           ,
           
             Deut.
          
           1.
           3.
           
           And
           their
           carkasses
           fell
           not
           in
           the
           Wildernesse
           through
           unbeliefe
           ,
           as
           their
           Fathers
           did
           ,
           
             Num.
             14.
             
             Heb.
          
           3.
           but
           entred
           by
           faith
           ,
           and
           when
           they
           were
           entred
           ,
           subdued
           Kingdomes
           by
           their
           faith
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           11.
           33.
           and
           served
           the
           Lord
           all
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Ioshua
             ,
          
           and
           of
           the
           Elders
           that
           outlived
           
             Ioshua
             ,
          
           Josh.
           24.
           31.
           
           As
           for
           that
           which
           is
           said
           of
           them
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           4
           ,
           5.
           of
           this
           Chap.
           that
           the
           Lord
           had
           not
           given
           them
           eyes
           to
           see
           ,
           &c.
           that
           proves
           not
           that
           they
           were
           wholly
           hardned
           in
           a
           carnall
           estate
           ,
           but
           onely
           that
           they
           were
           dull
           and
           slow
           of
           heart
           to
           consider
           of
           sundry
           dispensations
           of
           God
           towards
           them
           ;
           for
           as
           much
           is
           said
           of
           the
           disciples
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Mar.
          
           8.
           17
           ,
           18.
           when
           doubtlesse
           they
           were
           not
           meere
           carnall
           or
           naturall
           persons
           .
        
         
           
             This
             people
             
               Deut.
            
             
             29.
             could
             not
             become
             the
             Lords
             people
             by
             entring
             into
             sol●mne
             Covenant
             with
             God
             ,
             for
             they
             were
             the
             Lords
             Church
             and
             people
             already
             before
             this
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           they
           were
           ,
           
           yet
           that
           was
           by
           entring
           into
           solemne
           Covenant
           with
           God
           on
           Mount
           
             Sinai
             ,
          
           when
           the
           Lord
           had
           brought
           them
           up
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           
             Aegypt
             ;
          
           for
           then
           they
           entred
           into
           solemne
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           God
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           they
           became
           the
           Lords
           peculiar
           people
           ,
           
             Exod.
             19
             4
             ,
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             8.
             &c.
          
           If
           they
           were
           his
           people
           before
           that
           ,
           yet
           that
           also
           was
           by
           Covenant
           made
           with
           them
           in
           
           the
           loynes
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           when
           God
           tooke
           him
           and
           his
           seede
           to
           be
           his
           Church
           and
           people
           ,
           yet
           separating
           
             Ishmael
          
           from
           
             Isaac
          
           and
           
             Esau
          
           from
           
             Iacob
             ,
          
           that
           the
           inheritance
           of
           the
           Covenant
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           of
           being
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           might
           rest
           in
           the
           house
           of
           
             Iacob
             .
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Yet
           it
           was
           not
           without
           great
           reason
           that
           the
           Lord
           should
           now
           establish
           them
           by
           solemne
           Covenant
           to
           be
           a
           people
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           because
           the
           Nation
           had
           been
           much
           degenerated
           from
           the
           spirit
           and
           wayes
           of
           
             Abraham
          
           in
           
             Aegypt
             ,
          
           and
           had
           broken
           that
           Covenant
           by
           their
           Idolatries
           there
           ,
           
             Ez●k.
          
           20.
           7
           ,
           8.
           
           And
           the
           Covenant
           made
           in
           
             Sinai
          
           or
           
             Horeb
          
           when
           they
           were
           come
           out
           of
           
             Aegypt
             ,
          
           they
           had
           also
           broken
           by
           their
           Idolatries
           in
           the
           Wildernesse
           ,
           
             Ez●k
          
           20.
           13
           ,
           16.
           for
           which
           causes
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           the
           Lord
           consumed
           that
           generation
           ,
           that
           they
           never
           entred
           into
           the
           Land
           ,
           
             Iosh.
          
           5.
           4
           ,
           6.
           
           And
           therefore
           now
           when
           their
           posteritie
           and
           children
           were
           ready
           to
           enter
           in
           ,
           the
           Lord
           entred
           into
           Covenant
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           thereby
           established
           them
           to
           be
           his
           people
           ,
           their
           Fathers
           being
           cut
           off
           for
           breaking
           the
           Covenant
           .
           But
           still
           it
           was
           by
           Covenant
           that
           both
           Fathers
           first
           ,
           and
           children
           afterward
           became
           a
           Church
           and
           people
           unto
           God
           ;
           and
           when
           this
           generation
           were
           entred
           into
           the
           Land
           ,
           their
           Covenant
           made
           before
           between
           God
           and
           them
           ,
           was
           confirmed
           by
           Circumcision
           ,
           
             Iosh.
          
           5.
           3
           7.
           they
           being
           not
           Circumcised
           before
           .
        
         
           
             But
             this
             Covenant
             was
             of
             the
             whole
             Church
             with
             God
             ,
             
             and
             therefore
             not
             like
             our
             Chu●ch-Covenants
             ,
             whi●h
             are
             between
             the
             Church
             and
             the
             members
             concerning
             watchfulnesse
             over
             one
             another
             ,
             and
             the
             like
             .
          
        
         
           Our
           Church
           Covenants
           are
           with
           the
           Lord
           himselfe
           ,
           
           as
           was
           shewed
           before
           in
           the
           description
           thereof
           .
           For
           watchfu●nesse
           and
           duties
           of
           edification
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           are
           but
           branches
           of
           the
           Lords
           Covenant
           ,
           being
           duties
           commanded
           by
           the
           Law
           :
           and
           so
           it
           was
           with
           that
           people
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           who
           when
           they
           promised
           and
           Covenanted
           to
           walke
           in
           all
           the
           wayes
           of
           God
           ;
           in
           all
           his
           statutes
           and
           commandements
           and
           judgements
           ,
           they
           promised
           these
           du●ies
           of
           love
           and
           watch●ulnesse
           and
           e●ification
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           because
           these
           were
           duties
           commanded
           and
           required
           o●
           God
           ,
           
             Lev.
          
           19.
           17
           
           
             Deut.
          
           29
           ●8
           the
           neglect
           whereof
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           
             Achan
          
           was
           the
           sinne
           of
           al●
           the
           Co●gregation
           ,
           and
           brought
           judgement
           upon
           them
           all
           ,
           
             Iosh
          
           7.
           11
           ,
           12.
           
           Yea
           by
           this
           Covenant
           they
           were
           bound
           to
           duties
           towards
           them
           that
           were
           not
           then
           present
           ,
           but
           children
           afterward
           to
           beborne
           ,
           and
           prosely●es
           ,
           that
           afterward
           should
           be
           added
           
           to
           them
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           14
           ,
           15.
           
           Like
           as
           our
           Church-Covenants
           are
           with
           them
           that
           now
           are
           ,
           and
           that
           hereafter
           shall
           become
           members
           of
           the
           same
           Church
           .
           When
           
             Iehojada
          
           made
           a
           Covenant
           between
           the
           King
           and
           the
           people
           ,
           2
           
             King.
          
           11.
           17.
           that
           Covenant
           was
           but
           a
           branch
           of
           the
           Lords
           Covenant
           with
           them
           all
           ,
           both
           King
           and
           people
           :
           for
           the
           King
           promised
           but
           to
           Rule
           the
           people
           righteously
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           will
           of
           God
           :
           and
           the
           people
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           King
           so
           Ruling
           .
           Now
           these
           duties
           of
           the
           King
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           of
           them
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           were
           such
           as
           God
           required
           in
           his
           Covenant
           ,
           both
           of
           him
           and
           them
           :
           and
           so
           it
           is
           in
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           the
           duties
           of
           the
           Church
           to
           the
           members
           ,
           and
           the
           members
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           one
           another
           ,
           are
           no
           other
           but
           such
           as
           the
           Gospel
           and
           the
           Covenant
           of
           grace
           requireth
           both
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           of
           it
           in
           their
           severall
           places
           .
        
         
           
             But
             this
             place
             of
             
               Deut.
            
             29.
             is
             not
             sufficient
             to
             prove
             a
             Church-Covenant
             in
             these
             dayes
             :
             
             because
             it
             is
             in
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             the
             old
             Testament
             ,
             for
             whatsoever
             must
             be
             used
             in
             the
             dayes
             of
             the
             New
             T●stament
             ,
             must
             be
             proved
             from
             the
             Scriptures
             of
             the
             New
             Testament
             ,
             or
             else
             it
             is
             to
             be
             layd
             aside
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Church-Covenant
           may
           be
           proved
           from
           the
           New
           Testament
           
           also
           ,
           as
           will
           afterwards
           appeare
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           suppose
           there
           were
           not
           pregnant
           places
           for
           it
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           not
           enough
           to
           prove
           the
           same
           unlawfull
           :
           for
           whatsoever
           Ordinance
           of
           the
           old
           Testament
           is
           not
           repealed
           in
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           as
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Paedagogie
           ,
           but
           was
           of
           morall
           and
           perpetuall
           equitie
           ,
           the
           same
           bindes
           us
           in
           these
           dayes
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           be
           accounted
           the
           revealed
           will
           of
           God
           in
           all
           ages
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           not
           particularly
           and
           expressely
           mentioned
           in
           the
           writings
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           else
           how
           shall
           we
           prove
           it
           unlawfull
           for
           a
           man
           to
           marry
           his
           Sister
           ,
           or
           his
           Aunt
           ?
           How
           shall
           we
           prove
           it
           warrantable
           and
           necessary
           for
           Magistrates
           to
           punish
           Sabbath-breaking
           ,
           blasphemy
           ,
           and
           Idolatry
           ?
           How
           shall
           we
           prove
           it
           lawfull
           to
           apply
           the
           seale
           of
           Gods
           Covenant
           unto
           Infants
           ?
           or
           to
           admit
           women
           to
           eate
           of
           the
           holy
           things
           ;
           for
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           doe
           speake
           little
           in
           these
           cases
           ;
           onely
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           doe
           give
           direction
           ,
           and
           light
           about
           them
           ,
           
             Lev.
          
           18.
           
           
             &
             19.
             
             Neh.
             13.
             15.
             &c.
             2
             Chron.
             15.
             16.
             
             &
             2
             King.
             23.
             
             Gen.
          
           17.
           2.
           
           
             &
             Exod.
          
           12.
           4.
           6.
           
           And
           the
           New
           Testament
           hath
           nothing
           to
           the
           contrary
           ,
           and
           they
           are
           all
           according
           to
           morall
           equitie
           and
           reason
           ,
           
           and
           therefore
           they
           are
           to
           be
           observed
           from
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           ,
           as
           the
           revealed
           will
           of
           God
           ,
           though
           there
           were
           nothing
           expressely
           for
           them
           in
           the
           New
           .
           And
           the
           same
           we
           say
           of
           the
           particular
           in
           hand
           .
           For
           ,
           that
           a
           company
           should
           be
           combined
           together
           into
           one
           body
           ,
           in
           way
           of
           Government
           and
           subjection
           ,
           by
           way
           of
           mutuall
           free
           Covenant
           ;
           as
           men
           doe
           when
           they
           enter
           into
           Church
           Estate
           ,
           nothing
           is
           more
           naturall
           or
           agr●eable
           to
           morall
           equitie
           ;
           nay
           ,
           it
           implyeth
           a
           contradiction
           in
           the
           very
           name
           of
           libertie
           or
           freedome
           ,
           that
           free-men
           should
           take
           upon
           them
           authoritie
           or
           power
           over
           free
           men
           without
           their
           free
           consent
           ,
           and
           voluntary
           and
           mutuall
           Covenant
           or
           Engagement
           .
           And
           therefore
           seeing
           this
           Covenant
           is
           not
           repealed
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           Old
           are
           sufficient
           warrant
           for
           it
           .
        
         
           Another
           Scripture
           to
           prove
           the
           same
           ,
           is
           
             Deut.
          
           26.
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           with
           
             Deut.
             27.
             9.
             
             This
             day
             the
             Lord
             hath
             commanded
             thee
             to
             doe
             these
             Statutes
             and
             Iudgements
             ,
             thou
             shalt
             therefore
             keepe
             and
             doe
             them
             ,
             &c.
             
             Thou
             hast
             avouched
             the
             Lord
             this
             day
             to
             be
             thy
             God
             ,
             and
             to
             walke
             in
             his
             wayes
             ,
             and
             to
             keepe
             his
             Statutes
             ,
             &c.
             
             And
             the
             Lord
             hath
             avouched
             thee
             this
             day
             to
             be
             his
             peculiar
             people
             ;
             Take
             heed
             and
             hearken
             ,
             O
             Israel
             ,
             this
             day
             thou
             art
             become
             the
             p●ople
             of
             the
             Lord
             thy
             God
             .
          
           This
           Scripture
           plainly
           shewes
           these
           things
           :
           1.
           
           That
           here
           was
           the
           making
           of
           a
           Covenant
           between
           God
           and
           man
           ;
           for
           that
           avouching
           of
           God
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           them
           to
           God
           ,
           was
           the
           making
           of
           Covenant
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           17.
           18.
           2.
           
           This
           was
           not
           of
           one
           person
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           company
           together
           ,
           the
           whole
           people
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
             26.
             18.
             
             &
          
           27.
           9.
           3
           
           Here
           is
           the
           effect
           of
           this
           Covenant
           ,
           that
           thereby
           they
           become
           the
           Lords
           people
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           9.
           
           So
           that
           when
           a
           company
           doe
           enter
           into
           holy
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           they
           become
           thereby
           the
           Lords
           people
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           his
           Church
           .
           So
           
             Ezech.
          
           16.
           8.
           proves
           the
           same
           likewise
           :
           
             I
             ent●ed
             into
             Covenant
             with
             thee
             ,
             saith
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             thou
             becam●st
             mine
             .
          
           Here
           also
           is
           the
           making
           of
           Covenant
           between
           the
           Lord
           and
           men
           ;
           and
           this
           Covenant
           was
           not
           personall
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           company
           ;
           for
           it
           was
           with
           Hierusalem
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           2.
           which
           was
           a
           whole
           Citie
           ;
           it
           was
           with
           them
           that
           were
           multiplied
           as
           the
           bud
           of
           the
           seild
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           7.
           and
           it
           was
           with
           them
           that
           did
           prosper
           into
           a
           kingdome
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           13.
           and
           therefore
           not
           meant
           onely
           of
           any
           one
           particular
           person
           :
           And
           by
           this
           Covenant
           they
           became
           the
           Lords
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           Lords
           Church
           and
           people
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           expresly
           said
           ,
           
             I
             entred
             into
             Covenant
             with
             thee
             ,
             and
             thou
             becamest
             mine
             .
          
           So
           that
           when
           a
           company
           enter
           into
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           God
           with
           
           them
           ,
           they
           become
           thereby
           the
           Lords
           Church
           and
           people
           .
           Likewise
           
             Ezek.
             20.
             37.
             
             I
             will
             cause
             you
             to
             passe
             under
             the
             rod
             ;
             and
             I
             will
             bring
             you
             into
             the
             bond
             of
             the
             Covenant
             .
          
           In
           which
           place
           ,
           there
           is
           first
           mention
           of
           an
           holy
           Covenant
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           was
           not
           of
           one
           person
           ,
           but
           of
           a
           company
           ,
           the
           whole
           house
           of
           Israel
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           30.
           39.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           And
           this
           Covenant
           is
           called
           a
           
             Bond
             ,
          
           because
           it
           is
           by
           Covenant
           that
           a
           people
           are
           bound
           ,
           and
           tyed
           ,
           and
           knit
           together
           ,
           as
           one
           Chu●ch
           ,
           all
           of
           them
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           one
           unto
           another
           ;
           So
           that
           the
           Covenant
           is
           the
           bond
           of
           union
           ,
           by
           which
           a
           company
           are
           so
           combined
           and
           united
           ,
           as
           that
           they
           become
           a
           Church
           .
           It
           is
           also
           obs●rvable
           ,
           how
           the
           Lord
           before
           he
           would
           bring
           them
           into
           this
           bond
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           he
           would
           
             cause
             them
             to
             passe
             under
             the
             rod
             ;
          
           by
           which
           phrase
           ,
           as
           
             Iunius
          
           upon
           the
           place
           well
           observes
           ,
           is
           meant
           tryall
           and
           probation
           ;
           drawne
           from
           the
           manner
           of
           Shepheards
           or
           owners
           of
           Cattell
           ,
           who
           went
           among
           their
           sheepe
           ,
           or
           other
           cattell
           with
           a
           rod
           ,
           and
           therewith
           pointed
           out
           such
           as
           were
           for
           the
           Lords
           holy
           use
           ,
           as
           
             Lev.
          
           27.
           32.
           
           And
           so
           hereby
           is
           noted
           that
           God
           would
           not
           ●n
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           Gospel
           have
           men
           to
           be
           brought
           into
           his
           Church
           hand
           over
           head
           ,
           but
           he
           would
           first
           cause
           them
           to
           passe
           under
           the
           rod
           of
           due
           tryall
           and
           probation
           ;
           and
           then
           such
           as
           upon
           tryall
           were
           found
           to
           be
           holy
           for
           God
           ,
           or
           meete
           matter
           for
           his
           Church
           ,
           should
           solemnly
           enter
           into
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           Covenant
           should
           be
           the
           bond
           that
           should
           combine
           them
           ,
           and
           knit
           them
           together
           into
           one
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           that
           were
           many
           particular
           persons
           ,
           should
           all
           become
           one
           body
           ,
           that
           is
           to
           say
           ,
           a
           Church
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           much
           of
           the
           first
           Argument
           drawne
           from
           plaine
           Texts
           of
           Scripture
           .
        
         
           A
           second
           Argument
           may
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           Titles
           that
           are
           given
           
           to
           the
           Church
           ;
           as
           first
           ,
           that
           the
           Church
           is
           said
           to
           be
           married
           or
           espoused
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           
             Ier.
             2.
             2.
             
             &
             3.
             14.
             2
             Cor.
          
           11.
           2.
           
           From
           whence
           the
           Argument
           may
           be
           formed
           thus
           :
           If
           every
           Church
           becomes
           a
           Church
           by
           being
           married
           or
           espoused
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           then
           a
           company
           becomes
           a
           Church
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           :
           But
           the
           former
           is
           true
           ,
           therefore
           the
           latter
           〈◊〉
           true
           also
           .
        
         
           The
           Assumption
           ,
           that
           a
           Church
           becomes
           a
           Church
           by
           being
           married
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           is
           plai●e
           from
           the
           former
           Scriptures
           ,
           where
           the
           ●hurc●
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Corinth
             ,
          
           in
           regard
           of
           their
           e●tring
           into
           Church
           Estate
           ,
           are
           said
           to
           be
           espoused
           and
           married
           unto
           Christ
           ,
           as
           a
           loving
           and
           chast
           Virgine
           to
           one
           husband
           .
           Which
           
           spirituall
           marriage
           between
           Christ
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           is
           also
           taught
           in
           the
           type
           of
           the
           marriage
           between
           King
           
             Salomon
          
           and
           
             Pharoahs
          
           daughter
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           45.
           
        
         
           The
           Consequence
           of
           the
           Proposition
           is
           plaine
           in
           reason
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           no
           marriage
           but
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           ;
           no
           woman
           becomes
           a
           mans
           wife
           ,
           but
           by
           way
           of
           bestowing
           her selfe
           in
           Covenant
           upon
           such
           a
           man
           :
           neither
           doth
           a
           man
           become
           an
           husband
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           same
           means
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Scripture
           speaking
           of
           the
           violation
           of
           marriage
           ,
           calls
           it
           a
           violation
           of
           Covenant
           ,
           
             Prov.
          
           2.
           17.
           
        
         
           
             Christ
             hath
             but
             one
             wife
             or
             Spouse
             ,
             
             
               Cant.
            
             6
             9.
             
          
        
         
           The
           Catholique
           Church
           indeed
           is
           but
           one
           ;
           
           
             viz
             ▪
          
           the
           whole
           company
           of
           Gods
           Elect
           in
           heaven
           ,
           in
           earth
           ,
           dead
           ,
           now
           living
           ,
           and
           not
           yet
           borne
           :
           But
           as
           there
           is
           the
           Church-Catholique
           ,
           which
           is
           but
           one
           ;
           so
           there
           are
           particular
           and
           visible
           Churches
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           number
           many
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Scripture
           speakes
           of
           Churches
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
             8.
             1.
             19.
             
             Gal.
          
           1.
           2.
           
           Of
           the
           Churches
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           16.
           4.
           
           Of
           seven
           Churches
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           1.
           4.
           
           Of
           all
           Churches
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           14
           33.
           
           
             &
             7.
             17.
             
             Rev.
          
           2.
           23.
           
        
         
           
             But
             if
             every
             particular
             Church
             be
             the
             wife
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
             how
             many
             hundred
             wives
             should
             he
             have
             ?
          
        
         
           1.
           
           If
           the
           Church
           of
           Israel
           ,
           
           
             Ier.
          
           2.
           2.
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Corinth
             ,
          
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           11.
           2.
           
           The
           Jewish
           Church
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           19.
           7.
           be
           the
           Spouse
           and
           wife
           of
           Christ
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           but
           others
           should
           be
           the
           same
           also
           ,
           especially
           seeing
           there
           is
           no
           particular
           Church
           ,
           but
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           Church
           estate
           ,
           they
           may
           decline
           and
           goe
           a whoring
           from
           Christ
           ,
           and
           that
           shews
           that
           they
           were
           first
           espoused
           to
           him
           ;
           for
           no
           woman
           can
           be
           said
           to
           got
           a whoring
           from
           a
           man
           ,
           if
           shee
           were
           never
           married
           ,
           nor
           espoused
           to
           him
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           that
           seemes
           an
           absurditie
           ,
           and
           were
           a
           sinfull
           practise
           among
           men
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           Christ
           ,
           is
           a
           certaine
           truth
           ,
           and
           no
           dishonour
           unto
           him
           at
           all
           ,
           to
           have
           more
           Spouses
           then
           one
           upon
           earth
           ,
           many
           spirituall
           Spouses
           .
           Men
           cannot
           give
           themselves
           wholly
           and
           intirely
           to
           many
           as
           Christ
           can
           .
           Every
           faithfull
           soule
           is
           espoused
           and
           married
           unto
           Christ
           ;
           and
           in
           that
           respect
           he
           hath
           not
           onely
           many
           hundred
           but
           many
           thousand
           ,
           yea
           many
           millions
           of
           spirituall
           Spouses
           .
        
         
           
             But
             this
             spirituall
             marriage
             is
             between
             Christ
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             But
             the
             Church
             Covenant
             is
             between
             the
             Church
             and
             the
             members
             ,
             and
             therefore
             this
             marriage
             doth
             not
             prove
             the
             Church-Covenant
             .
          
        
         
         
           1.
           
           In
           some
           sort
           there
           may
           be
           said
           to
           be
           a
           marriage
           between
           the
           
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           in
           respect
           of
           that
           deare
           love
           and
           affection
           ,
           that
           ought
           to
           be
           between
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             As
             a
             young
             man
             marrieth
             a
             Virgine
             ,
             so
             shall
             the
             children
             of
             the
             Church
             be
             married
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
          
           Isa.
           62.
           5.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           properly
           the
           marriage
           is
           between
           Christ
           &
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           so
           is
           the
           Covenant
           also
           ,
           so
           farre
           as
           therein
           they
           give
           up
           themselv●s
           to
           Christ
           as
           unto
           an
           head
           and
           Lord
           ;
           as
           a
           woman
           in
           the
           Covenant
           of
           m●rriage
           doth
           give
           up
           her selfe
           unto
           her
           husband
           ;
           And
           the
           performance
           of
           such
           duties
           as
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           member
           owe
           one
           unto
           another
           ,
           is
           a
           branch
           of
           that
           marriage-Covenant
           ,
           wherein
           they
           are
           tyed
           to
           Christ
           ;
           for
           Christ
           himselfe
           in
           his
           Covenant
           requires
           ,
           not
           onely
           that
           they
           should
           give
           up
           themselves
           to
           him
           ,
           but
           also
           that
           they
           should
           performe
           these
           duties
           one
           unto
           another
           .
           And
           accordingly
           it
           is
           said
           of
           the
           Churches
           in
           
             Mac●donia
             ,
          
           that
           
             they
             gave
             up
             themselves
             first
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             then
             to
             us
             by
             the
             will
             of
             God
             ,
          
           2
           Cor.
           8.
           5.
           
           True
           it
           is
           ,
           they
           doe
           also
           binde
           th●mselves
           by
           Covenant
           one
           unto
           another
           ,
           but
           in
           that
           respect
           the
           Covenant
           is
           p●operly
           a
           brotherly
           Covenant
           ;
           like
           that
           1
           
             Sam.
             20.
             8.
             
             Am●s
             .
          
           1.
           9.
           because
           there
           the
           engagement
           is
           to
           one
           another
           as
           brethren
           ,
           fellow
           -
           members
           ,
           and
           fellow-helpers
           ,
           and
           not
           as
           to
           one
           head
           or
           Lord
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           in
           respect
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           therefore
           in
           that
           respect
           it
           is
           not
           so
           properly
           a
           marriage-Covenant
           as
           it
           is
           in
           respect
           of
           Christ
           :
           though
           duties
           to
           one
           another
           are
           promised
           in
           their
           Covenant
           with
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           also
           in
           their
           Covenant
           with
           Christ
           .
           In
           briefe
           thus
           :
           They
           promise
           unto
           Christ
           duties
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           duties
           to
           one
           another
           according
           to
           him
           :
           and
           so
           their
           Covenant
           is
           a
           marriage-Covenant
           with
           Christ
           :
           They
           promise
           also
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           duties
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           is
           a
           brotherly
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           Another
           Title
           given
           to
           the
           Church
           (
           which
           also
           proves
           that
           a
           Church
           is
           made
           by
           Covenant
           )
           is
           the
           Title
           of
           a
           Citie
           ,
           or
           Citie
           of
           God
           ,
           
             Psal.
             87
             3.
             
             &
             48
             1.
             8.
             
             &
             122.
             3.
             Ephes
          
           2.
           19.
           
           The
           Argument
           lyeth
           thus
           .
           If
           a
           true
           Church
           be
           a
           Citie
           of
           God
           ,
           then
           a
           Church
           becomes
           a
           Church
           by
           Covenant
           :
           But
           every
           true
           Church
           is
           a
           Citie
           of
           God
           .
           
             Ergo
             .
          
        
         
           The
           Assumption
           is
           proved
           by
           the
           Scriptures
           forealledged
           .
           The
           Consequence
           of
           the
           Proposition
           is
           plaine
           in
           reason
           ,
           for
           every
           Citie
           is
           un●ted
           by
           some
           Covenant
           among
           themselves
           ,
           the
           Citizens
           are
           received
           unto
           
             〈◊〉
             Civitatis
             ,
          
           or
           right
           of
           Citie
           priviledges
           ,
           by
           some
           
           Covenant
           or
           Oath
           ;
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           so
           likewise
           in
           this
           Citie
           of
           God
           the
           Church
           ;
           and
           men
           become
           Citizens
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           solemne
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           The
           third
           Argument
           
           may
           be
           drawne
           from
           the
           meanes
           of
           reforming
           and
           restoring
           a
           Church
           when
           it
           is
           corrupted
           ,
           which
           is
           by
           entring
           into
           Covenant
           a
           new
           with
           God
           ,
           2
           
             Chron.
             15.
             10.
             
             &
          
           29.
           10.
           
           
             &
             Neh.
             9.
             38.
             
             &
             10.
             28
             ,
             29
             Ier.
          
           50.
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           The
           reason
           may
           be
           taken
           thus
           :
           If
           a
           Church
           decayed
           is
           to
           be
           restored
           and
           refo●med
           by
           renuing
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           then
           it
           was
           instituted
           and
           erected
           at
           the
           first
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           :
           The
           reason
           of
           which
           Consequence
           is
           ,
           because
           abuses
           and
           corruptions
           are
           to
           be
           reformed
           by
           bringing
           things
           back
           to
           the
           first
           Institution
           :
           Thus
           Christ
           re●ormes
           the
           abuses
           of
           marriage
           ,
           by
           bringing
           them
           to
           the
           first
           Institution
           of
           that
           Ordinance
           ;
           
             From
             the
             beginning
             it
             was
             not
             so
             ,
          
           Mat.
           19.
           8.
           
           And
           thus
           
             Paul
          
           reformeth
           the
           Abuses
           of
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           by
           telling
           them
           what
           was
           the
           first
           Institution
           thereof
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           11.
           23
           &c.
           And
           thus
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           calling
           on
           the
           declining
           Church
           of
           
             Ephesus
          
           for
           reformation
           ,
           
             bids
             her
             remember
             from
             whence
             shee
             is
             fallen
             ,
             and
             repent
             and
             doe
             her
             first
             workes
             .
          
           Rev.
           2.
           5.
           
        
         
           Now
           the
           Assumption
           is
           plaine
           from
           the
           Texts
           above
           alledged
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           reforming
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           there
           is
           to
           be
           a
           renuing
           of
           Covenant
           ;
           and
           thence
           it
           follows
           ,
           that
           at
           the
           first
           erecting
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           there
           was
           the
           making
           of
           a
           Covenant
           with
           God
           ,
           for
           els
           this
           renuing
           of
           Covenant
           would
           not
           have
           been
           the
           way
           to
           reforme
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           fourth
           Argument
           is
           taken
           from
           that
           which
           doth
           dissolve
           a
           Church
           ,
           
           which
           is
           the
           dissolving
           or
           breaking
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           
             Zach.
          
           11.
           9
           ,
           10
           14.
           
           If
           dissolving
           the
           Covenant
           be
           that
           which
           doth
           dissolve
           the
           Church
           ,
           then
           the
           making
           of
           Covenant
           is
           that
           which
           constitutes
           a
           Church
           .
           The
           reason
           of
           the
           Consequence
           is
           plaine
           ,
           because
           otherwise
           the
           Covenant
           might
           be
           dissolved
           &
           the
           Church
           stand
           still
           ,
           if
           it
           were
           not
           the
           making
           of
           the
           Covenant
           that
           did
           constitute
           the
           Church
           :
           But
           if
           dissipating
           stones
           in
           a
           building
           doe
           dissolve
           the
           house
           ,
           then
           the
           compacting
           and
           conjoyning
           of
           them
           is
           that
           which
           makes
           the
           house
           ;
           If
           separation
           of
           soule
           and
           body
           be
           that
           which
           destroyes
           the
           man
           ,
           that
           then
           we
           say
           he
           is
           not
           :
           it
           must
           needs
           be
           the
           uniting
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           did
           constitute
           &
           make
           the
           man
           :
           and
           so
           it
           is
           〈…〉
           case
           .
           And
           that
           dissolving
           the
           Covenant
           is
           that
           which
           dis●ol●ves
           a
           Church
           ,
           is
           plaine
           from
           the
           Text
           alledged
           ,
           
             Zach.
          
           11.
           
           Where
           the
           breaking
           of
           the
           two
           staves
           ,
           of
           beautie
           and
           
           bands
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           unchurching
           of
           the
           Jewes
           ,
           is
           interpreted
           to
           be
           the
           breaking
           of
           the
           Covenant
           that
           God
           had
           made
           with
           that
           people
           ,
           and
           the
           brotherhood
           that
           was
           between
           
             Iudah
          
           and
           
             Israel
             .
          
        
         
           The
           fifth
           Argument
           is
           taken
           from
           the
           distinction
           which
           God
           hath
           appointed
           amongst
           Churches
           ,
           
           and
           the
           confounding
           of
           all
           Churches
           into
           one
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           not
           this
           Covenant
           to
           distinguish
           them
           .
           If
           Churches
           be
           distinct
           Societies
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           be
           confounded
           ,
           then
           Churches
           are
           compacted
           and
           combined
           by
           Covenant
           :
           But
           the
           former
           is
           true
           .
           
             Ergo
             .
          
        
         
           That
           Churches
           are
           distinct
           Societies
           ,
           is
           plaine
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           where
           we
           have
           mention
           of
           many
           Churches
           in
           one
           Countrey
           or
           Province
           ,
           
             Gal.
             1.
             1.
             1
             Thes.
          
           2.
           14.
           
           Of
           seven
           Churches
           in
           Asia
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           1.
           4.
           and
           of
           all
           the
           Churches
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             14.
             33.
             
             Rev.
             2.
             23.
             
             Ephesus
          
           is
           not
           
             Smyrna
             ,
          
           nor
           
             Smyrna
          
           is
           not
           
             Thyatira
             ,
          
           nor
           either
           of
           them
           
             Pergamus
             ,
          
           but
           each
           one
           distinct
           of
           themselves
           ,
           having
           Officers
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           which
           did
           not
           belong
           to
           others
           :
           vertues
           of
           their
           owne
           for
           which
           others
           are
           not
           praised
           ,
           corruptions
           of
           their
           owne
           ,
           for
           which
           others
           are
           not
           blamed
           ;
           If
           it
           were
           not
           thus
           ,
           then
           when
           
             Laodi●ea
          
           is
           condemned
           for
           lukewarmenesse
           ,
           or
           
             Ephesus
          
           for
           declining
           ,
           all
           the
           rest
           should
           be
           reproved
           also
           :
           And
           when
           
             Philadelfia
          
           is
           praised
           ,
           all
           the
           rest
           should
           be
           praised
           also
           ,
           which
           we
           see
           is
           otherwise
           .
           Now
           from
           hence
           the
           Consequence
           is
           certaine
           ,
           that
           therefore
           they
           are
           combined
           by
           some
           Covenant
           each
           one
           amongst
           themselves
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           nothing
           els
           without
           this
           that
           wil
           sufficiently
           distinguish
           them
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God
           and
           Faith
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           is
           common
           to
           all
           Christians
           under
           heaven
           ,
           and
           in
           heaven
           also
           ,
           and
           therefore
           this
           is
           not
           the
           thing
           that
           makes
           distinction
           .
           Nor
           is
           it
           habitation
           in
           the
           same
           Towne
           together
           ,
           for
           that
           may
           be
           common
           to
           such
           Christians
           as
           are
           not
           of
           this
           Church
           ,
           and
           usually
           is
           to
           many
           that
           are
           no
           Christians
           .
           As
           it
           is
           with
           Companies
           in
           
             London
             ;
          
           as
           the
           Company
           of
           Goldsmiths
           ,
           &c.
           that
           many
           others
           dwell
           in
           the
           same
           Towne
           with
           them
           ,
           yea
           it
           may
           be
           in
           the
           same
           streete
           that
           are
           not
           of
           their
           Company
           :
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           meerely
           habitation
           that
           doth
           distinguish
           them
           from
           others
           ,
           but
           some
           combination
           and
           agreement
           amongst
           themselves
           ;
           So
           it
           is
           not
           habitation
           in
           the
           same
           Towne
           that
           distinguisheth
           Churches
           ,
           and
           Church-members
           from
           other
           men
           ,
           but
           their
           mutuall
           agreement
           and
           combination
           and
           joyning
           themselves
           together
           in
           an
           holy
           Covenant
           with
           God
           .
        
         
         
           
             If
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             and
             Faith
             in
             their
             hearts
             cannot
             distinguish
             one
             Church
             from
             another
             ,
             
             because
             these
             are
             common
             to
             them
             all
             ,
             then
             how
             can
             Covenant
             distinguish
             them
             ,
             sith
             all
             Churches
             are
             joyned
             by
             Covenant
             one
             as
             well
             as
             another
             ?
          
        
         
           It
           is
           not
           a
           Covenant
           simply
           or
           a
           Covenant
           in
           generall
           that
           doth
           constitute
           a
           Church
           ,
           
           or
           distinguish
           one
           Church
           from
           another
           ,
           but
           a
           Covenant
           with
           application
           and
           appropriation
           to
           these
           persons
           .
           Even
           as
           it
           is
           in
           marriage
           ,
           though
           all
           married
           couples
           be
           united
           by
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           wherein
           one
           couple
           promiseth
           the
           same
           duties
           that
           another
           couple
           doth
           yet
           a
           Covenant
           with
           application
           and
           appropriation
           of
           the
           duties
           covenanted
           to
           this
           man
           and
           this
           woman
           in
           particular
           ,
           such
           a
           Covenant
           is
           the
           very
           thing
           that
           make
           a
           couple
           ,
           man
           and
           wife
           together
           ,
           and
           gives
           them
           mutuall
           power
           over
           each
           other
           ,
           as
           husband
           and
           wife
           ,
           and
           puts
           a
           distinction
           between
           them
           and
           all
           other
           men
           and
           women
           in
           the
           world
           .
           And
           so
           it
           is
           in
           this
           case
           ;
           a
           Covenant
           to
           performe
           Church-duties
           with
           application
           and
           appropriation
           to
           such
           persons
           ,
           is
           the
           very
           thing
           that
           constitutes
           a
           Church
           ,
           and
           distinguisheth
           one
           Church
           from
           another
           .
        
         
           And
           thus
           much
           concerning
           the
           former
           of
           the
           two
           particulars
           ,
           to
           shew
           the
           use
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           it
           is
           that
           whereby
           a
           company
           doe
           become
           a
           Church
           .
        
         
           The
           second
           particular
           is
           this
           ,
           taking
           hold
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           or
           joyning
           in
           it
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           makes
           a
           particular
           person
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           .
           And
           this
           followes
           upon
           the
           former
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           be
           the
           first
           Argument
           to
           prove
           it
           .
        
         
           If
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           be
           that
           which
           makes
           a
           company
           to
           become
           a
           Church
           ,
           
           then
           taking
           hold
           of
           that
           Covenant
           is
           requisite
           to
           make
           a
           particular
           person
           become
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           :
           But
           the
           first
           is
           true
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           shewed
           before
           ;
           Therefore
           the
           second
           is
           true
           also
           :
           If
           compacting
           and
           conjoyning
           of
           stones
           and
           pieces
           of
           Timber
           ,
           be
           that
           that
           makes
           an
           house
           ,
           then
           a
           particular
           stone
           cannot
           become
           a
           part
           of
           that
           house
           ,
           till
           it
           be
           compacted
           and
           conjoyned
           to
           the
           rest
           :
           But
           the
           former
           is
           true
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           spirituall
           Spouse
           and
           Citie
           of
           God
           ,
           living
           stones
           ,
           Christians
           ,
           beleevers
           must
           be
           compacted
           together
           ,
           and
           builded
           up
           together
           ,
           
             Ephes.
             2.
             21.
             22.
             
             Psal.
          
           122.
           3.
           and
           therefore
           the
           latter
           is
           true
           also
           ,
           that
           a
           particular
           Christian
           becomes
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           a
           part
           of
           that
           building
           by
           being
           combined
           with
           the
           rest
           .
        
         
         
           A
           second
           Argument
           may
           be
           drawne
           from
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           
           
             Isa.
          
           56.
           3
           ,
           6
           ,
           7.
           
           
             Let
             not
             the
             sonne
             of
             the
             stranger
             ,
             that
             hath
             joyned
             himselfe
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             speake
             ,
             saying
             ,
             the
             Lord
             hath
             utterly
             separated
             me
             from
             his
             people
             ,
             &c.
             
             The
             sonnes
             of
             the
             strangers
             that
             joyne
             themselves
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
             to
             serve
             him
             ,
             &c.
             and
             take
             hold
             of
             my
             Covenant
             ,
             even
             them
             will
             I
             bring
             to
             my
             holy
             mountaine
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             joyfull
             in
             my
             house
             of
             Prayer
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           Concerning
           which
           Scripture
           ,
           note
           three
           things
           to
           the
           present
           purpose
           .
           First
           ,
           That
           these
           strangers
           were
           members
           of
           Christ
           ,
           true
           beleevers
           ,
           joyned
           to
           God
           by
           Faith
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             they
             have
             joyned
             themselves
             to
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           v.
           3
           &
           v.
           6.
           that
           they
           loved
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           served
           him
           ,
           and
           kept
           his
           Sabbaths
           ,
           
             v.
          
           6.
           and
           yet
           for
           all
           this
           they
           were
           not
           as
           yet
           joyned
           ,
           as
           members
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           for
           if
           they
           had
           been
           ioyned
           ,
           there
           would
           have
           been
           no
           cause
           for
           such
           a
           complaint
           ,
           
             the
             Lord
             hath
             separated
             me
             from
             his
             people
             ,
          
           v.
           3.
           
           Besides
           ,
           bringing
           them
           into
           the
           Church
           as
           members
           ,
           and
           granting
           them
           the
           priviledge
           of
           members
           ,
           is
           promised
           as
           a
           reward
           and
           blessing
           upon
           this
           their
           joyning
           to
           the
           Lord
           by
           faith
           and
           obedience
           ,
           
             v.
          
           7.
           
           And
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           the
           same
           ,
           but
           a
           disti●ct
           thing
           from
           it
           ;
           the
           one
           being
           promised
           as
           a
           reward
           and
           blessing
           upon
           the
           other
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Lord
           promiseth
           that
           he
           will
           make
           them
           members
           of
           his
           Church
           :
           
             Them
             will
             I
             bring
             to
             my
             holy
             mountaine
             ,
             and
             make
             them
             joyfull
             in
             my
             house
             of
             Prayer
             .
          
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           among
           other
           things
           requisite
           to
           make
           them
           members
           ,
           this
           was
           one
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           the
           taking
           hold
           of
           that
           Covenant
           which
           was
           between
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Israel
          
           and
           God
           ,
           
             v.
          
           6.
           
           So
           that
           hence
           we
           may
           gather
           ,
           that
           men
           may
           be
           members
           of
           Christ
           ,
           joyned
           to
           the
           Lord
           by
           faith
           and
           love
           ,
           and
           yet
           for
           the
           present
           not
           be
           members
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           :
           And
           that
           when
           God
           is
           so
           gracious
           to
           true
           beleevers
           ,
           as
           to
           make
           them
           members
           of
           his
           visible
           Church
           ,
           it
           is
           requisite
           that
           they
           joyne
           in
           Covenant
           before
           .
        
         
           
             But
             might
             not
             faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
             
             beleeving
             in
             heart
             on
             the
             God
             of
             Israel
             ,
             be
             all
             the
             taking
             hold
             of
             the
             Covenant
             that
             is
             here
             meant
             .
          
        
         
           Not
           so
           ,
           
           but
           over
           and
           above
           that
           ,
           here
           is
           also
           meant
           their
           open
           profession
           of
           their
           Faith
           in
           the
           God
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           open
           binding
           of
           themselves
           by
           Covenant
           to
           all
           such
           duties
           of
           faith
           and
           obedience
           ,
           as
           God
           required
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           the
           members
           thereof
           .
           Now
           distinctly
           take
           the
           Answer
           to
           this
           Objection
           in
           three
           or
           foure
           particular
           Propositions
           .
           First
           ,
           There
           was
           a
           Covenant
           between
           the
           Church
           of
           
             Israel
          
           and
           God
           ,
           
             Exod.
             19.
             5
             ,
             6
             ,
             7
             ,
             8.
             
             Ezek
          
           16.
           8.
           
           
             Deut.
             29.
             10.
             &c.
          
           Secondly
           ,
           This
           Covenant
           was
           mutuall
           ;
           not
           
           onely
           a
           promise
           on
           Gods
           part
           to
           be
           their
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           them
           for
           his
           people
           ,
           but
           also
           reciprocally
           on
           their
           part
           to
           give
           up
           themselves
           unto
           God
           to
           be
           his
           people
           ,
           and
           to
           doe
           the
           dutie
           of
           people
           to
           their
           God
           ;
           The
           Covenant
           is
           not
           meerely
           to
           receive
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           promise
           nothing
           back
           againe
           to
           him
           ;
           nor
           doth
           God
           binde
           himselfe
           therein
           ,
           and
           leave
           men
           at
           libertie
           ,
           but
           it
           is
           mutuall
           on
           both
           parts
           ,
           as
           these
           Scriptures
           declare
           ;
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           1.
           
             Exod.
             19.
             7.
             8.
             
             Deut.
          
           5.
           27.
           
           
             &
             6.
             16
             ,
             17.
             
             Hos.
             2.
             23.
             
             &
             Zach.
          
           13.
           9.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           Hereupon
           it
           followes
           ,
           that
           if
           men
           had
           not
           promised
           ,
           and
           also
           performed
           ,
           in
           some
           measure
           of
           truth
           ,
           the
           duties
           of
           Faith
           and
           obedience
           unto
           God
           ,
           they
           had
           not
           taken
           hold
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           but
           had
           discovenanted
           themselves
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           the
           promises
           of
           God
           unto
           their
           Fathers
           or
           others
           .
           Thus
           though
           God
           promised
           
             Abraham
          
           to
           be
           a
           God
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           his
           seede
           in
           their
           generations
           ,
           
             Gen.
          
           17.
           7.
           yet
           the
           
             Ishma●lites
          
           and
           
             Edomites
          
           descending
           from
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           were
           discovenanted
           by
           not
           promising
           nor
           performing
           those
           duties
           of
           Faith
           and
           obedience
           ,
           which
           God
           required
           on
           the
           peoples
           part
           :
           when
           a
           Covenant
           containes
           promises
           on
           Gods
           part
           ,
           and
           duties
           also
           on
           mans
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           take
           hold
           of
           the
           Covenant
           that
           takes
           one
           part
           ,
           and
           leaves
           another
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           To
           beleeve
           what
           God
           promised
           in
           the
           Covenant
           for
           his
           part
           ,
           and
           to
           promise
           in
           a
           private
           way
           the
           duties
           of
           obedience
           on
           mans
           part
           ,
           was
           not
           sufficient
           to
           make
           these
           strangers
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           they
           must
           doe
           it
           openly
           and
           in
           the
           view
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           else
           the
           Church
           could
           have
           had
           no
           warrant
           to
           have
           admitted
           such
           into
           their
           Fellowship
           ,
           if
           their
           faith
           and
           obedience
           had
           not
           been
           visibly
           professed
           ,
           
             Exod.
          
           12.
           43.
           48
           2
           
             Chron.
          
           23.
           19.
           
        
         
           And
           in
           as
           much
           as
           the
           Covenant
           was
           mutuall
           ,
           when
           these
           strangers
           did
           manifest
           their
           taking
           hold
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           they
           manifested
           and
           professed
           both
           Faith
           and
           obedience
           ,
           both
           that
           they
           beleeved
           what
           God
           promised
           ,
           and
           that
           they
           would
           be
           obedient
           to
           what
           he
           required
           ;
           If
           any
           shou●d
           have
           claimed
           Church-fellowship
           ,
           saying
           ,
           I
           beleeve
           the
           promises
           ,
           but
           would
           not
           binde
           himselfe
           to
           any
           duties
           of
           Evangelicall
           obedience
           ,
           this
           had
           been
           a
           taking
           hold
           of
           the
           Covenant
           by
           the
           halves
           ,
           a
           taking
           of
           one
           part
           of
           it
           in
           seeming
           and
           pretence
           ,
           and
           a
           leaving
           of
           another
           ;
           but
           it
           would
           not
           have
           been
           sufficient
           to
           have
           brought
           a
           man
           into
           the
           fellowship
           of
           the
           church
           :
           Such
           of
           the
           Congregation
           of
           
             Israel
          
           as
           would
           not
           come
           to
           
             Hierusalem
          
           to
           enter
           into
           Covenant
           ,
           were
           to
           be
           separated
           from
           the
           Church
           
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Ezrya
             ,
             Ezra
          
           10.
           8.
           
           And
           therefore
           such
           as
           being
           strangers
           should
           refuse
           to
           enter
           into
           it
           ,
           could
           not
           be
           admitted
           into
           the
           Church
           ;
           So
           that
           the
           taking
           hold
           of
           Gods
           Covenant
           ,
           which
           is
           there
           required
           to
           make
           these
           strangers
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           is
           a
           beleeving
           in
           heart
           on
           the
           God
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           an
           open
           profession
           that
           they
           did
           beleeve
           ,
           and
           likewise
           a
           promise
           of
           obedience
           or
           subjection
           unto
           the
           God
           of
           
             Israel
             ,
          
           and
           an
           open
           professing
           of
           such
           obedience
           and
           subjection
           ;
           and
           that
           is
           the
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           which
           we
           stand
           for
           ,
           before
           a
           man
           can
           be
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           even
           an
           open
           profession
           of
           Faith
           and
           of
           Obedience
           .
        
         
           A
           third
           Argument
           is
           taken
           from
           those
           Scriptures
           which
           shew
           that
           men
           become
           members
           by
           being
           added
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           
           or
           being
           joyned
           to
           them
           ,
           
             Act.
             2.
             47.
             
             &
             5.
             13.
             
             &
          
           9.
           26.
           
           If
           men
           become
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           by
           being
           added
           or
           joyned
           ,
           then
           joying
           in
           Covenant
           (
           or
           professing
           of
           subjection
           to
           the
           Gospel
           or
           Covenant
           of
           God
           )
           is
           that
           whereby
           a
           man
           becomes
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           :
           But
           the
           former
           is
           true
           ,
           as
           appeares
           by
           the
           Scriptures
           forementioned
           ,
           and
           therefore
           the
           latter
           is
           true
           also
           .
        
         
           But
           all
           the
           doubt
           in
           this
           Argument
           will
           be
           concerning
           the
           consequence
           of
           the
           
             Major
          
           Proposition
           ;
           but
           that
           may
           be
           made
           good
           by
           this
           reason
           ,
           and
           the
           confirmation
           of
           it
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           a
           man
           cannot
           be
           added
           or
           joyned
           to
           the
           Church
           by
           any
           other
           meanes
           without
           this
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           .
           The
           truth
           of
           which
           Assertion
           will
           appeare
           by
           shewing
           the
           insufficiency
           of
           all
           other
           means
           ,
           without
           this
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           that
           may
           be
           done
           in
           Answer
           to
           the
           Objections
           ensuing
           .
        
         
           
             When
             men
             were
             added
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             it
             may
             be
             ,
             no
             more
             is
             meant
             but
             tha●
             God
             did
             convert
             them
             and
             worke
             Faith
             in
             their
             hearts
             ,
             and
             that
             converting
             of
             them
             was
             the
             adding
             of
             them
             to
             the
             Church
             .
          
        
         
           This
           cannot
           be
           all
           ;
           
           for
           ,
           first
           ,
           
             Saul
          
           was
           converted
           and
           had
           faith
           wrought
           in
           his
           heart
           ,
           and
           yet
           he
           was
           not
           at
           the
           first
           received
           for
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           
             Hierusalem
          
           (
           though
           he
           assayed
           to
           be
           joyned
           unto
           them
           ,
           )
           till
           they
           were
           better
           satisfied
           in
           his
           spirituall
           estate
           by
           the
           testimony
           of
           
             Barnabas
             ,
          
           Act.
           9.
           26
           ,
           27
           ,
           28.
           
           And
           those
           strangers
           ,
           
             Isa.
          
           56.
           (
           as
           was
           said
           before
           )
           were
           joyned
           to
           the
           Lord
           by
           being
           converted
           ,
           and
           having
           Faith
           wrought
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           doe
           lament
           it
           with
           griefe
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           not
           joyned
           as
           members
           to
           the
           visible
           Church
           :
           
             The
             Lord
             hath
             separated
             me
             from
             his
             people
             ,
          
           say
           they
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           3.
           
           The
           old
           saying
           is
           true
           concerning
           the
           
           visible
           Church
           ,
           
             There
             are
             many
             wolves
             within
             ,
             and
             many
             sheepe
             without
             .
          
           Secondly
           ,
           Those
           that
           were
           joyned
           were
           beleevers
           before
           they
           joyned
           ;
           for
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             divers
             were
             added
             ,
          
           ver.
           14.
           
           Thirdly
           ,
           Those
           that
           were
           added
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           were
           added
           and
           joyned
           to
           them
           by
           such
           an
           act
           as
           others
           durst
           not
           put
           forth
           ,
           
             Act.
             5.
             13.
             
             Of
             the
             rest
             durst
             no
             man
             joyne
             unto
             them
             ,
          
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           not
           by
           the
           irresistable
           act
           of
           God
           in
           converting
           of
           them
           ,
           but
           by
           some
           volun●ary
           act
           of
           their
           owne
           choice
           and
           consent
           ;
           for
           Gods
           converting
           grace
           depends
           not
           upon
           mans
           daring
           ,
           or
           not
           daring
           to
           receive
           it
           .
           If
           to
           be
           joyned
           be
           no
           more
           but
           to
           be
           converted
           ,
           then
           when
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             Some
             durst
             not
             be
             joyned
             ,
          
           the
           meaning
           should
           be
           ,
           they
           durst
           not
           be
           converted
           ,
           nor
           suffer
           Faith
           to
           be
           wrought
           in
           them
           ;
           which
           is
           grosse
           Arminianisme
           ,
           suspending
           the
           converting
           grace
           of
           God
           upon
           the
           free
           will
           of
           the
           creature
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           And
           as
           this
           joyning
           which
           others
           durst
           not
           doe
           ,
           cannot
           be
           meant
           of
           being
           converted
           ;
           So
           if
           it
           be
           well
           considered
           ,
           what
           the
           thing
           was
           wherein
           they
           durst
           not
           joyne
           ,
           it
           may
           appeare
           that
           it
           was
           nothing
           els
           but
           this
           ,
           that
           they
           durst
           not
           agree
           ,
           and
           engage
           themselves
           to
           be
           of
           their
           body
           and
           societie
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           durst
           not
           joyne
           in
           Covenant
           with
           them
           .
           For
           it
           cannot
           be
           meant
           of
           dwelling
           in
           the
           Towne
           with
           them
           ,
           for
           this
           they
           both
           durst
           doe
           and
           did
           :
           nor
           is
           it
           onely
           of
           joyning
           to
           heare
           the
           Word
           in
           their
           assembly
           ,
           for
           this
           also
           they
           durst
           doe
           ,
           and
           many
           did
           it
           in
           great
           multitudes
           ,
           so
           that
           many
           by
           hearing
           the
           Word
           became
           beleevers
           ,
           and
           were
           added
           to
           the
           Lord
           both
           of
           men
           and
           women
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           14.
           at
           this
           very
           time
           when
           it
           is
           said
           of
           some
           they
           durst
           not
           joyne
           unto
           them
           :
           Nor
           is
           it
           of
           joyning
           to
           them
           in
           affection
           ,
           or
           approbation
           of
           their
           way
           ,
           for
           this
           they
           also
           durst
           doe
           and
           did
           expresse
           so
           much
           in
           magnifying
           and
           commending
           them
           ,
           when
           yet
           they
           durst
           not
           joyne
           unto
           them
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           13.
           
           Which
           magnifying
           of
           them
           doth
           imply
           that
           they
           heard
           their
           doctrine
           ,
           and
           saw
           their
           practise
           ,
           and
           approved
           it
           ,
           and
           highly
           commended
           them
           for
           the
           same
           :
           Wherefore
           seeing
           this
           joyning
           ,
           which
           some
           durst
           not
           doe
           ,
           cannot
           be
           meant
           of
           being
           converted
           ,
           nor
           of
           joyning
           in
           habitation
           ,
           nor
           of
           joyning
           in
           affection
           ,
           nor
           in
           hearing
           the
           Word
           in
           their
           Assembly
           ,
           nor
           of
           approbation
           ,
           and
           expressions
           that
           way
           ,
           it
           remaineth
           that
           it
           must
           be
           meant
           of
           joyning
           in
           that
           neere
           relation
           of
           Church-fellowship
           amongst
           them
           ,
           so
           as
           to
           be
           engaged
           by
           voluntary
           consent
           and
           agreement
           to
           be
           members
           of
           their
           Church
           .
           Fiftly
           ,
           If
           joyning
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           were
           no
           more
           but
           to
           be
           converted
           ,
           
           then
           he
           that
           were
           converted
           were
           joyned
           as
           a
           member
           of
           every
           visible
           Church
           throughout
           the
           world
           ,
           which
           were
           a
           great
           confusion
           of
           that
           Order
           ,
           and
           distinction
           of
           Churches
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           appointed
           .
        
         
           
             Men
             may
             be
             joyned
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             in
             heartie
             affection
             and
             love
             ,
             and
             yet
             without
             any
             Covenant
             .
          
        
         
           True
           ,
           but
           this
           will
           not
           make
           them
           members
           of
           that
           Church
           ,
           
           for
           then
           
             Saul
          
           was
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           
             Hierusalem
             ,
          
           afore
           he
           was
           joyned
           a
           member
           ,
           for
           he
           was
           joyned
           to
           them
           in
           heartie
           affection
           afore
           ,
           and
           therefore
           assayed
           to
           joyne
           as
           a
           member
           ;
           and
           so
           were
           they
           that
           durst
           not
           joyne
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           5.
           13.
           yea
           then
           a
           man
           should
           be
           a
           member
           of
           many
           Churches
           ,
           yea
           of
           all
           Christian
           Churches
           in
           the
           world
           ;
           for
           he
           is
           to
           love
           them
           ,
           and
           beare
           heartie
           affection
           to
           them
           all
           ;
           The
           true
           members
           of
           the
           Churches
           in
           
             England
          
           are
           united
           in
           heartie
           affection
           ,
           to
           the
           Churches
           in
           
             Scotland
             ,
          
           in
           
             Holland
             ,
          
           in
           
             France
             ,
          
           in
           
             New-England
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           And
           yet
           they
           are
           not
           members
           of
           all
           these
           Churches
           ,
           nor
           subject
           to
           their
           censures
           as
           members
           are
           .
        
         
           
             But
             the
             reason
             of
             that
             is
             because
             they
             doe
             not
             dwell
             among
             them
             in
             the
             same
             Towne
             .
          
           
        
         
           Neither
           would
           habitation
           with
           them
           in
           the
           same
           Towne
           ,
           make
           a
           man
           a
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           there
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           no
           more
           then
           so
           .
           Suppose
           
             Saul
          
           to
           have
           dwelt
           in
           the
           same
           house
           afore
           his
           conversion
           in
           which
           he
           dwelt
           after
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           unpossible
           nor
           unlikely
           ;
           yet
           we
           see
           he
           was
           no
           member
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           
             Hierusalem
             ,
          
           afore
           his
           conversion
           ,
           no
           nor
           of
           some
           time
           after
           ,
           though
           he
           might
           have
           dwelt
           in
           an
           house
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           Christians
           ,
           and
           Church-members
           there
           .
           The
           members
           of
           the
           
             Dutch
          
           and
           
             French
          
           Churches
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           or
           other
           Townes
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           are
           not
           members
           of
           the
           
             English●Congregations
          
           or
           Churches
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           the
           
             English
          
           are
           of
           theirs
           ,
           and
           yet
           they
           dwell
           promiscuously
           together
           in
           the
           same
           S●recte
           of
           the
           same
           Towne
           .
           Towne-dwelling
           would
           not
           make
           a
           man
           a
           free-man
           of
           a
           Company
           in
           
             London
             ,
          
           or
           some
           other
           Corporation
           ;
           for
           many
           others
           dwell
           in
           the
           Towne
           with
           them
           ;
           yea
           it
           may
           be
           in
           the
           same
           streete
           ,
           that
           are
           not
           free
           of
           their
           Company
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           is
           in
           this
           case
           .
        
         
           
             But
             the
             reason
             why
             such
             as
             dwell
             in
             Towne
             with
             the
             Church
             ,
             
             are
             not
             members
             thereof
             ,
             may
             be
             ,
             because
             they
             frequent
             not
             their
             Assemblies
             .
          
        
         
         
           Idiots
           and
           Infidells
           might
           come
           into
           the
           publick
           meetings
           among
           the
           
             Corinthians
             ,
          
           
           1.
           
             Cor.
          
           14.
           23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25.
           yet
           Idiots
           and
           Infidells
           were
           not
           therefore
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           And
           
             Saul
          
           after
           his
           conversion
           might
           have
           come
           in
           among
           the
           Church
           in
           time
           of
           publick
           duties
           ,
           and
           have
           seene
           and
           heard
           all
           that
           they
           had
           done
           :
           yet
           this
           would
           not
           have
           made
           him
           of
           one
           body
           with
           them
           .
           Some
           
             Indians
             ,
             Moores
             ,
          
           and
           other
           naturall
           persons
           come
           into
           our
           meetings
           in
           
             New-England
             ,
          
           some
           of
           their
           owne
           accord
           ,
           and
           others
           by
           the
           Command
           or
           Counsell
           of
           their
           Masters
           and
           Governours
           ,
           yet
           no
           man
           can
           say
           ,
           that
           all
           these
           are
           hereby
           made
           Church-members
           .
           Wherefore
           seeing
           neither
           conversion
           ,
           nor
           loving
           affection
           ,
           nor
           cohabitation
           ,
           nor
           coming
           into
           their
           meetings
           ,
           doth
           joyne
           a
           man
           as
           a
           member
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           (
           for
           some
           men
           have
           all
           these
           ,
           and
           yet
           are
           not
           members
           ,
           and
           others
           are
           sometimes
           members
           of
           the
           visible
           Churches
           ,
           and
           yet
           want
           some
           of
           these
           ,
           are
           hypocrites
           and
           want
           sound
           conversion
           )
           it
           remaineth
           therefore
           that
           as
           sound
           conversion
           makes
           a
           man
           fit
           matter
           for
           a
           Church
           ;
           So
           profession
           of
           his
           Faith
           ,
           and
           of
           his
           subjection
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           the
           Churches
           approbation
           ,
           and
           acceptance
           of
           him
           (
           which
           is
           the
           summe
           of
           Church-Covenant
           )
           is
           the
           formall
           cause
           that
           gives
           him
           the
           being
           of
           a
           member
           .
        
         
           
             But
             joyning
             doth
             not
             alway
             signifie
             joyning
             in
             Covenant
             ;
             
             Philip
             joyned
             to
             the
             Eunnuchs
             chariote
             ,
             and
             dust
             to
             mens
             feete
             ,
             
               Act.
               8.
               29.
               
               &
               Luke
            
             10
             ,
             11.
             and
             yet
             there
             was
             no
             Covenant
             ,
             and
             therefore
             men
             may
             joyne
             to
             the
             Church
             without
             any
             Covenant
             .
          
        
         
           The
           word
           indeed
           may
           expresse
           any
           close
           joyning
           ,
           
           whether
           naturall
           ,
           (
           as
           the
           branch
           is
           joyned
           to
           the
           Vine
           ,
           or
           an
           arme
           or
           other
           member
           to
           the
           body
           )
           or
           artificiall
           ,
           as
           when
           two
           stickes
           were
           joyned
           to
           become
           one
           in
           
             Ezekiels
          
           hand
           ,
           
             Ezek.
          
           37.
           
           Or
           when
           Carpenters
           or
           Masons
           doe
           joyne
           pieces
           of
           stone
           or
           Timber
           together
           ,
           to
           make
           one
           house
           ,
           
             Neh.
             4.
             6.
             
             Ezr.
          
           4.
           12.
           but
           is
           not
           onely
           the
           force
           of
           the
           word
           that
           is
           stood
           upon
           .
           But
           when
           joyning
           is
           used
           to
           expresse
           such
           joyning
           ,
           wherein
           a
           man
           voluntarily
           takes
           on
           him
           a
           new
           relation
           ,
           there
           it
           alwayes
           implyes
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           whether
           the
           relation
           be
           morall
           and
           civill
           ,
           or
           religious
           and
           Ecclesiasticall
           :
           We
           speake
           of
           voluntary
           relation
           ,
           for
           there
           are
           naturall
           relations
           ,
           as
           betweene
           parents
           and
           children
           :
           and
           these
           need
           no
           Covenant
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           Covenant
           to
           make
           a
           man
           a
           Parent
           ,
           or
           a
           childe
           ;
           There
           are
           also
           violent
           relations
           ,
           as
           between
           Conquerour
           and
           Captives
           ,
           and
           
           in
           these
           there
           is
           no
           Covenant
           neither
           ;
           but
           others
           are
           voluntary
           ,
           and
           these
           alwayes
           imply
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           are
           founded
           therein
           ,
           whether
           they
           be
           morall
           and
           civill
           (
           as
           between
           husband
           and
           wife
           ,
           
             Pro.
          
           2.
           17.
           between
           Master
           and
           servants
           ,
           
             Luk.
          
           15.
           15.
           between
           Prince
           and
           subject
           ,
           between
           Partners
           in
           Trade
           ,
           2
           
             Chro.
          
           20.
           35
           ,
           36
           ,
           37.
           where
           the
           Covenant
           or
           agreement
           is
           ,
           that
           men
           shall
           bare
           such
           a
           share
           of
           charges
           ,
           and
           receive
           such
           a
           share
           of
           profits
           :
           )
           or
           religious
           ,
           as
           between
           Minister
           and
           people
           ,
           between
           the
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           :
           all
           these
           are
           done
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           .
           A
           man
           cannot
           joyne
           himselfe
           to
           a
           woman
           as
           her
           husband
           ,
           but
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           :
           A
           man
           cannot
           joyne
           himselfe
           to
           another
           as
           a
           servant
           ,
           or
           apprentise
           ,
           but
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           ;
           And
           so
           may
           we
           say
           of
           all
           the
           rest
           ▪
           nor
           into
           any body
           corporate
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           same
           way
           and
           means
           .
           If
           men
           be
           united
           into
           a
           body
           politick
           or
           incorporate
           ,
           a
           man
           cannot
           be
           said
           to
           be
           joyned
           to
           them
           by
           meere
           heartie
           affection
           ,
           unlesse
           withall
           he
           joynes
           himselfe
           unto
           them
           by
           some
           Contract
           or
           Covenant
           .
           Now
           of
           this
           nature
           is
           every
           particular
           Church
           ,
           a
           body
           incorporate
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
             12.
             27.
             
             Yee
             are
             the
             body
             of
             Christ
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           hath
           power
           to
           cast
           out
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           2.
           7
           ▪
           8
           as
           a
           body
           incorporate
           ;
           and
           therefore
           he
           that
           will
           joyne
           unto
           them
           ,
           must
           doe
           it
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           or
           Agreement
           ;
           and
           so
           this
           Answer
           to
           this
           Objection
           ,
           may
           be
           a
           fourth
           Argument
           to
           prove
           the
           point
           in
           hand
           ,
           that
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           is
           that
           which
           makes
           a
           man
           ,
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           .
        
         
           All
           voluntary
           relations
           ,
           
           all
           relations
           which
           are
           neither
           naturall
           nor
           violent
           ,
           are
           entred
           into
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           But
           he
           that
           joynes
           into
           a
           Church
           as
           a
           member
           ,
           or
           enters
           into
           a
           Church
           ,
           doth
           take
           upon
           him
           such
           a
           relation
           ;
           Therefore
           joyning
           to
           a
           Church
           as
           a
           member
           ,
           is
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           A
           fifth
           Argument
           may
           be
           drawne
           from
           the
           power
           which
           all
           Churches
           ,
           
           Officers
           and
           members
           ,
           have
           over
           all
           their
           members
           in
           the
           Lord
           .
           If
           all
           Churches
           ,
           Officers
           ,
           and
           members
           ,
           have
           power
           in
           the
           Lord
           over
           all
           their
           members
           ,
           then
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           is
           necessary
           to
           make
           a
           man
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           ,
           but
           the
           former
           is
           true
           ,
           therefore
           the
           latter
           is
           true
           also
           .
        
         
           The
           Assumption
           in
           this
           Argument
           ,
           that
           all
           Churches
           have
           power
           over
           their
           members
           ,
           is
           proved
           from
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           5.
           4
           ,
           5.
           13.
           where
           the
           Apostle
           reproveth
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           for
           suffering
           the
           Incestuous
           
           man
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           commands
           them
           to
           deliver
           him
           to
           Sa●an
           ,
           and
           cast
           him
           out
           from
           amongst
           them
           .
           Now
           this
           he
           would
           not
           have
           done
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           had
           no
           power
           over
           him
           ,
           or
           if
           there
           had
           been
           any
           roome
           for
           them
           to
           say
           ,
           wee
           have
           nothing
           to
           doe
           with
           him
           ,
           wee
           have
           no
           power
           over
           him
           .
           And
           the
           same
           is
           prooved
           in
           other
           Scriptures
           also
           ;
           as
           ,
           
             Mat.
             18.
             17.
             
             Psal.
          
           149.
           6.
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           
        
         
           And
           the
           Consequence
           of
           the
           
             Major
          
           Proposition
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           then
           members
           doe
           engage
           themselves
           by
           Covenant
           ,
           is
           proved
           by
           this
           reason
           ;
           That
           Churches
           have
           no
           power
           over
           such
           as
           have
           not
           engaged
           themselves
           by
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           committed
           power
           unto
           them
           ,
           by
           professing
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           all
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           Christ
           amongst
           them
           .
        
         
           The
           truth
           whereof
           may
           appeare
           by
           two
           Reasons
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           all
           Christians
           have
           power
           and
           right
           ,
           
             jure
             divino
             ,
          
           to
           choose
           their
           owne
           Officers
           to
           whom
           they
           commit
           their
           soules
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           6.
           
           &
           1.
           
           &
           14
           23.
           where
           the
           word
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           imports
           choosing
           by
           Election
           :
           and
           so
           the
           word
           is
           used
           and
           translated
           ,
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           8.
           19.
           
             he
             was
             chosen
             by
             the
             Churches
             ,
             &c.
             
          
           It
           is
           not
           ministeriall
           gifts
           that
           makes
           a
           man
           a
           Minister
           to
           every
           Church
           ,
           nor
           investeth
           him
           with
           spirituall
           power
           over
           them
           ,
           nor
           though
           he
           dwell
           amongst
           them
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           call
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           accept
           of
           that
           call
           :
           And
           as
           they
           have
           power
           to
           choose
           their
           Officers
           ,
           so
           likewise
           to
           choose
           their
           brethren
           according
           to
           God
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           14.
           1.
           
           Now
           if
           they
           have
           power
           to
           choose
           their
           Officers
           and
           brethren
           ,
           then
           none
           can
           have
           power
           over
           them
           as
           Officers
           and
           brethren
           ,
           without
           their
           owne
           consent
           ,
           and
           whom
           they
           never
           chose
           ,
           nor
           promised
           by
           any
           Covenant
           or
           Engagement
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           If
           the
           Church
           should
           exercise
           any
           Act
           of
           Church-power
           over
           such
           a
           man
           as
           never
           entred
           into
           Covenant
           with
           them
           (
           suppose
           to
           Excommunicate
           him
           for
           whoredome
           or
           drunkennesse
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           )
           the
           man
           might
           protest
           against
           their
           Act
           ,
           and
           their
           Sentence
           ,
           as
           
             Coram
             non
             judice
             ,
          
           and
           they
           could
           not
           justifie
           their
           proceedings
           ,
           if
           indeed
           there
           have
           passed
           no
           Covenant
           or
           Engagement
           between
           him
           and
           them
           .
           If
           he
           shall
           say
           ,
           you
           have
           nothing
           to
           doe
           to
           passe
           Sentence
           or
           Censure
           upon
           me
           ,
           I
           am
           none
           of
           your
           Church
           ,
           but
           of
           another
           Church
           ;
           Suppose
           in
           
             Holland
             ,
          
           in
           
             France
             ,
             &c.
          
           and
           I
           am
           onely
           here
           now
           for
           Merchandise
           sake
           ,
           or
           upon
           some
           other
           occasion
           :
           what
           shall
           they
           say
           to
           stop
           his
           mouth
           ,
           if
           there
           never
           
           passed
           any
           Covenant
           between
           him
           and
           them
           .
        
         
           
             But
             Ministers
             have
             power
             over
             the
             people
             by
             the
             word
             of
             God
             ,
             
             
               Heb.
               13.
               17.
               1
               Thes.
               5.
               12.
               1
               Tim.
            
             5.
             17.
             and
             not
             by
             mens
             engaging
             themselves
             by
             Covenant
             .
          
        
         
           But
           what
           is
           it
           that
           makes
           men
           Ministers
           to
           such
           a
           people
           ,
           
           Officers
           to
           such
           a
           Church
           ,
           or
           maketh
           them
           sheepe
           of
           my
           flocke
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           those
           Scriptures
           that
           makes
           every
           man
           a
           Pastour
           ,
           or
           Teacher
           ,
           or
           Ruler
           to
           a
           people
           ,
           unlesse
           they
           call
           him
           to
           that
           Office
           ;
           and
           then
           in
           so
           doing
           they
           Covenant
           and
           Engage
           themselves
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           him
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           then
           those
           Scriptures
           take
           hold
           on
           them
           .
           One
           might
           as
           well
           say
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           the
           Covenanting
           of
           a
           wife
           to
           her
           husband
           that
           gives
           him
           power
           over
           her
           ,
           but
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ;
           For
           as
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           commands
           people
           to
           obey
           their
           Ministers
           ,
           so
           it
           commands
           
             wives
             to
             be
             subject
             to
             their
             husbands
             ,
          
           Ephes.
           5.
           22.
           
           And
           yet
           all
           men
           know
           ,
           a
           man
           cannot
           take
           this
           woman
           for
           his
           wife
           but
           by
           Covenant
           .
           So
           that
           if
           shee
           once
           makes
           her selfe
           a
           wife
           by
           her
           owne
           voluntary
           Covenant
           ,
           then
           the
           word
           of
           God
           takes
           hold
           on
           her
           ,
           and
           bindes
           her
           to
           doe
           the
           duties
           of
           a
           wife
           :
           but
           if
           shee
           ,
           hath
           made
           no
           Covenant
           ,
           the
           man
           hath
           no
           power
           over
           her
           as
           her
           husband
           ,
           neither
           is
           shee
           his
           wife
           ;
           So
           if
           men
           once
           make
           themselves
           members
           of
           such
           a
           Church
           ,
           sheepe
           of
           such
           a
           mans
           flocke
           ,
           by
           their
           own
           voluntary
           Covenant
           ,
           then
           the
           wo●d
           of
           God
           takes
           hold
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           bindes
           them
           to
           doe
           the
           duties
           of
           members
           to
           their
           fellow-brethren
           ,
           and
           of
           people
           to
           their
           Pastours
           or
           Ministers
           .
           But
           if
           they
           never
           chose
           such
           a
           man
           to
           be
           their
           Minister
           ,
           nor
           Covenanted
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           him
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           he
           then
           can
           have
           no
           power
           over
           them
           as
           a
           Minister
           unto
           them
           ,
           because
           they
           have
           right
           to
           chose
           their
           owne
           Ministers
           .
        
         
           A
           sixth
           Argument
           may
           be
           taken
           from
           the
           distinction
           that
           is
           between
           members
           ,
           
           and
           not
           members
           .
           If
           there
           be
           by
           the
           word
           of
           God
           a
           distinction
           ,
           between
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           and
           such
           as
           are
           no
           members
           ,
           then
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           is
           necessary
           to
           the
           being
           of
           a
           member
           ;
           but
           the
           former
           is
           true
           ,
           as
           appeares
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           5.
           12.
           
           Some
           are
           within
           ,
           and
           may
           be
           judged
           by
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           others
           are
           without
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           :
           and
           therefore
           the
           latter
           is
           true
           also
           .
           And
           the
           reason
           of
           the
           Consequence
           is
           because
           there
           is
           nothing
           else
           without
           this
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           that
           can
           sufficiently
           distinguish
           them
           ;
           It
           is
           not
           Faith
           and
           Grace
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           for
           some
           men
           are
           members
           of
           the
           visible
           Church
           ,
           and
           yet
           have
           no
           
           Grace
           ,
           and
           others
           may
           have
           Grace
           ,
           and
           yet
           be
           no
           members
           ,
           and
           therefore
           this
           is
           not
           the
           thing
           that
           doth
           distinguish
           them
           ,
           nor
           is
           it
           affection
           ,
           nor
           cohabitation
           ,
           nor
           every
           approbation
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           wayes
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           not
           comming
           into
           their
           Assemblies
           to
           heare
           the
           Word
           ;
           But
           these
           things
           were
           touched
           before
           ,
           and
           therefore
           may
           be
           here
           the
           more
           briefly
           passed
           over
           .
        
         
           And
           so
           much
           shall
           suffice
           to
           have
           spoken
           of
           the
           second
           particular
           ,
           concerning
           the
           use
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           tha●●t
           is
           by
           joyning
           therein
           that
           a
           particular
           person
           becomes
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           .
        
         
           But
           here
           it
           will
           be
           needfull
           to
           remove
           sundry
           Objections
           ,
           which
           may
           seeme
           to
           some
           to
           be
           of
           great
           weight
           against
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           that
           so
           by
           the
           removing
           of
           them
           ,
           the
           truth
           may
           be
           the
           more
           cleared
           ,
           to
           fu●ler
           satisfaction
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           the
           will
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           
             Church-Covenant
             is
             a
             Terme
             that
             is
             not
             found
             in
             S●ripture
             .
          
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           
           So
           is
           Sacrament
           ,
           Trinitie
           ,
           &c.
           and
           yet
           those
           termes
           may
           be
           lawfully
           used
           ,
           because
           the
           thing
           meant
           thereby
           is
           found
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           But
           seeing
           the
           Covenant
           is
           between
           the
           Lord
           and
           his
           Church
           ,
           as
           the
           two
           parties
           that
           are
           confederate
           ,
           it
           is
           all
           one
           whether
           it
           be
           called
           the
           Lords
           Covenant
           ,
           or
           the
           Church-Covenant
           :
           As
           when
           
             Mamre
             ,
             Aver
             ,
          
           &
           
             Eschol
          
           were
           confederate
           with
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           Gen.
           14.
           13.
           might
           not
           one
           truely
           say
           ,
           
             Abraham
          
           was
           confederate
           with
           them
           ?
           Relatives
           doe
           mutually
           put
           and
           establish
           one
           another
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Scripture
           allowes
           both
           the
           Lords
           Covenant
           with
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Eze.
          
           16.
           8.
           
           &
           the
           peoples
           covenant
           or
           Saints
           covenant
           ,
           or
           Churches
           Covenant
           with
           him
           ,
           
             Deut.
             29.
             12.
             
             Psal.
             50.
             5.
             
             Ier.
          
           50.
           5.
           
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           There
           is
           good
           reason
           for
           both
           the
           words
           ;
           both
           the
           Lords
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           the
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           because
           both
           are
           confederate
           ;
           And
           for
           that
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           there
           is
           this
           reason
           also
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           to
           distinguish
           it
           from
           other
           Covenants
           ,
           as
           a
           marriage-Covenant
           ,
           
             Pro.
          
           2.
           17.
           and
           a
           brotherly
           Covenant
           ,
           1
           
             Sam.
          
           20.
           8.
           
           The
           Church
           -
           Covenant
           being
           thus
           called
           not
           onely
           because
           they
           are
           a
           Church
           ,
           or
           members
           thereof
           that
           make
           it
           ,
           but
           also
           because
           they
           enter
           into
           it
           in
           reference
           to
           Church-Estate
           and
           Church-duties
           :
           The
           duties
           which
           they
           bind
           themselves
           unto
           in
           this
           Covenant
           being
           such
           especially
           as
           concern
           a
           Church
           and
           the
           members
           thereof
           .
        
         
           
             But
             this
             Church-Covenant
             puts
             some
             disparagement
             upon
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Grace
             ,
             
             which
             every
             beleever
             is
             already
             entred
             into
             with
             God
             ,
             and
             seeme
             to
             charge
             the
             same
             with
             insufficiency
             ;
             for
             every
             second
             Covenant
             doth
             argue
             that
             the
             first
             was
             not
             faultlesse
             ,
             
               
                 Heb.
              
               8.
               7.
               
            
          
        
         
         
           1.
           
           A
           second
           Covenant
           doth
           argue
           that
           the
           first
           was
           not
           faultlesse
           ,
           where
           
           the
           Covenants
           are
           contrary
           one
           to
           another
           ,
           as
           the
           covenant
           of
           ●race
           ,
           and
           the
           covenant
           of
           works
           are
           ,
           and
           so
           it
           is
           most
           true
           ,
           that
           the
           bringing
           in
           of
           the
           free
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           did
           argue
           that
           righteousnes
           and
           life
           could
           not
           be
           attained
           by
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           Covenant
           of
           works
           ;
           for
           if
           there
           had
           been
           a
           Law
           given
           which
           could
           have
           given
           life
           ,
           verily
           righteousnesse
           should
           have
           been
           by
           the
           Law
           .
           
             Gal.
             3.
             21.
             
             Rom.
          
           8.
           3.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           if
           it
           be
           the
           same
           Covenant
           that
           is
           renewed
           or
           made
           againe
           ,
           though
           upon
           a
           new
           occasion
           ,
           no
           man
           can
           say
           that
           entring
           into
           the
           same
           the
           second
           time
           ,
           or
           a
           third
           ,
           or
           a
           fourth
           ,
           doth
           disanull
           the
           first
           ,
           or
           cast
           dispa●agement
           upon
           the
           same
           .
           The
           covenant
           of
           works
           given
           to
           
             Adam
          
           was
           not
           blamed
           or
           saulted
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           renewed
           in
           
             Sinai
          
           The
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           was
           first
           given
           to
           
             Adam
          
           in
           Paradise
           after
           his
           fall
           ,
           afterward
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           then
           to
           the
           people
           of
           Israel
           under
           types
           and
           shadows
           ;
           And
           againe
           after
           the
           coming
           of
           Christ
           in
           the
           flesh
           ;
           yet
           none
           of
           these
           doth
           disanull
           the
           former
           ,
           or
           argue
           the
           same
           to
           be
           ●aulty
           ;
           and
           the
           reason
           is
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           still
           the
           same
           Covenant
           though
           renewed
           upon
           new
           occasions
           ;
           and
           in
           some
           particulars
           in
           some
           other
           manner
           .
           And
           the
           like
           we
           say
           concerning
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           or
           the
           Covenant
           which
           a
           man
           makes
           when
           he
           enters
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           it
           is
           not
           another
           Covenant
           contrary
           to
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           which
           every
           beleever
           is
           brought
           into
           at
           his
           first
           conversion
           ,
           but
           an
           open
           profession
           of
           a
           mans
           subjection
           to
           that
           very
           Covenant
           ,
           specially
           in
           the
           things
           which
           concerne
           Church
           estate
           ,
           into
           which
           estate
           the
           man
           is
           now
           entring
           .
        
         
           
             It
             is
             not
             lawfull
             to
             make
             such
             a
             Covenant
             as
             the
             Church-Covenant
             ,
             
             because
             it
             is
             not
             in
             our
             power
             to
             keep
             it
             ,
             and
             we
             do
             not
             know
             whether
             God
             will
             give
             us
             power
             .
          
        
         
           This
           ground
           is
           very
           true
           ,
           
           that
           no
           man
           hath
           power
           of
           himselfe
           to
           any
           thing
           that
           good
           is
           ,
           but
           all
           a
           mans
           power
           and
           abilitie
           must
           come
           of
           God
           through
           Ch●ist
           ,
           2.
           
             Cor.
             3.
             5.
             
             Phil.
             2.
             13.
             
             Ioh.
          
           15.
           5.
           
           But
           the
           in●erence
           is
           not
           good
           ,
           that
           therefore
           it
           should
           be
           unlawfull
           to
           ento
           into
           Church-Covenant
           :
           for
           1.
           
           By
           the
           same
           reason
           ,
           all
           promises
           are
           unlawfull
           ,
           and
           all
           covenants
           whatsoever
           ;
           as
           the
           covenant
           of
           marriage
           ,
           the
           covenant
           of
           service
           ,
           yea
           and
           the
           personall
           covenant
           o●
           Grace
           ,
           when
           a
           particular
           soule
           promiseth
           faith
           and
           new
           obedience
           ;
           for
           there
           is
           none
           of
           these
           ,
           no
           not
           the
           covenant
           of
           
           Marriage
           ,
           which
           a
           man
           is
           able
           of
           himself
           to
           keep
           ,
           as
           the
           adultery
           of
           
             David
          
           and
           
             Bathsheba
             ,
          
           among
           others
           ,
           doth
           plainly
           prove
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           God
           hath
           promised
           to
           give
           power
           to
           them
           that
           in
           self-deniall
           seek
           it
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           trust
           to
           his
           promise
           for
           it
           .
           
             Ezek.
             36.
             27.
             
             Ier.
          
           31.
           33.
           
           
             Rom.
             6.
             14.
             
             Ier.
          
           32.
           40.
           
           The
           true
           inference
           therefore
           from
           this
           ground
           ,
           from
           mans
           disabilitie
           to
           performe
           were
           this
           ,
           that
           therefore
           a
           man
           should
           not
           enter
           into
           Church
           Covenant
           in
           his
           owne
           strength
           ,
           for
           that
           was
           
             Peters
          
           fault
           in
           promising
           not
           to
           deny
           Christ
           ,
           but
           to
           die
           with
           him
           rather
           :
           but
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           as
           also
           all
           other
           promises
           ,
           should
           be
           entred
           into
           ,
           in
           an
           humble
           looking
           up
           to
           Christ
           Jesus
           for
           help
           and
           assistance
           to
           performe
           .
           
             Thou
             therefore
             my
             sonne
             ,
             be
             strong
             in
             the
             grace
             that
             is
             in
             Christ
             Iesus
             ,
             2.
             Tim.
          
           2.
           1.
           
        
         
           
             God
             disalloweth
             covenants
             of
             mans
             making
             (
             and
             so
             our
             Church-Covenant
             )
             in
             those
             words
             ,
             
             But
             not
             by
             thy
             Covenant
             .
             
               Ezek.
            
             16.
             61.
             
          
        
         
           God
           doth
           not
           reprove
           them
           there
           for
           making
           Covenant
           ,
           
           for
           then
           he
           were
           contrary
           to
           himselfe
           ,
           who
           elsewhere
           called
           them
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           
             Exod.
             29.
             
             Deut.
          
           29.
           and
           commended
           them
           for
           it
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           50.
           5.
           
           Yea
           and
           in
           that
           very
           place
           of
           
             Ezek.
          
           16.
           acknowledgeth
           a
           Covenant
           betweene
           him
           and
           them
           ,
           
             Ver.
          
           60.
           62.
           
           But
           the
           meaning
           is
           ,
           he
           would
           do
           them
           good
           ,
           but
           not
           for
           their
           good
           keeping
           the
           Covenant
           of
           works
           ,
           for
           they
           had
           very
           sinfully
           broken
           it
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           59.
           but
           even
           as
           he
           saith
           elsewhere
           ,
           not
           for
           their
           sakes
           ,
           or
           for
           their
           righteousnesse
           ,
           
             Ezek.
             36.
             32.
             
             Deut.
          
           9.
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
           But
           what
           force
           is
           there
           in
           this
           arguing
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           If
           God
           will
           do
           us
           good
           ,
           but
           not
           for
           our
           good
           keeping
           the
           covenant
           of
           works
           ,
           then
           it
           is
           not
           lawfull
           to
           promise
           obedience
           to
           the
           covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           in
           such
           things
           as
           concerne
           Church
           estate
           ;
           All
           men
           may
           easily
           see
           that
           here
           is
           a
           plaine
           
             non
             sequitur
             .
          
        
         
           
             This
             entring
             into
             Covenant
             may
             keep
             out
             many
             good
             men
             from
             joyning
             to
             the
             Churches
             ,
             
             because
             they
             are
             not
             satisfied
             about
             it
             :
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             better
             laid
             aside
             .
          
        
         
           It
           is
           not
           impossible
           ,
           
           but
           good
           men
           may
           for
           a
           time
           be
           unsatisfied
           about
           it
           ,
           till
           they
           understand
           the
           nature
           and
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           thing
           be
           warrantable
           enough
           for
           all
           that
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           God
           ;
           the
           Tribes
           were
           troubled
           at
           the
           Altar
           set
           up
           upon
           the
           banks
           of
           Jordan
           by
           the
           two
           Tribes
           and
           an
           halfe
           ,
           till
           they
           understood
           the
           intent
           and
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           for
           what
           purpose
           it
           was
           erected
           :
           and
           then
           they
           were
           satisfied
           .
           
             Iosh.
          
           22.
           
           And
           the
           same
           may
           be
           said
           of
           
             Peters
          
           eating
           with
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           which
           at
           the
           first
           was
           very
           offensive
           to
           them
           of
           the
           
           circumcision
           ,
           till
           they
           understood
           what
           
             Peter
          
           had
           to
           say
           for
           his
           defence
           therein
           ,
           and
           then
           they
           rested
           well
           satisfied
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           11.
           
        
         
           But
           if
           men
           understand
           what
           the
           Church-Covenant
           is
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           that
           good
           men
           should
           be
           troubled
           at
           it
           ;
           it
           being
           nothing
           else
           but
           a
           promise
           of
           obedience
           unto
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ,
           or
           of
           such
           duties
           as
           the
           Gospel
           requireth
           of
           all
           Christians
           in
           Church-estate
           :
           For
           ,
           will
           good
           men
           refuse
           to
           obey
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           or
           submit
           to
           the
           ordinances
           of
           Christ
           ?
           or
           will
           they
           refuse
           to
           professe
           and
           promise
           so
           much
           ?
           If
           a
           man
           understand
           what
           it
           is
           ,
           and
           what
           we
           meane
           by
           it
           ,
           and
           yet
           refuse
           to
           enter
           into
           it
           when
           he
           hath
           opportunitie
           thereto
           ,
           such
           refusing
           is
           no
           part
           of
           his
           goodnesse
           ,
           but
           is
           to
           be
           reckoned
           amongst
           his
           corruptions
           ;
           It
           is
           ignorance
           at
           the
           best
           ,
           and
           if
           not
           so
           ,
           then
           it
           may
           be
           perversenesse
           of
           will
           ,
           or
           some
           want
           of
           will
           to
           performe
           obedience
           to
           the
           Gospel
           .
           And
           surely
           there
           is
           smal
           hope
           that
           such
           would
           yeeld
           subjection
           and
           obedience
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           who
           do
           refuse
           to
           professe
           or
           promise
           it
           .
        
         
           
             But
             the
             Scripture
             ,
             
             
               Act.
            
             2.
             41.
             tels
             of
             joyning
             to
             the
             Church
             without
             any
             Covenant
             .
             For
             it
             was
             not
             possible
             that
             3000.
             should
             enter
             into
             covenant
             in
             one
             day
             .
          
        
         
           Two
           things
           may
           be
           said
           in
           Answer
           to
           this
           Objection
           .
           
        
         
           First
           ,
           that
           3000.
           were
           not
           so
           many
           ,
           but
           that
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           might
           easily
           be
           done
           by
           them
           all
           ,
           in
           one
           day
           .
           For
           ,
           1.
           it
           was
           at
           Penticost
           ,
           at
           which
           time
           of
           the
           yeer
           the
           dayes
           were
           at
           the
           longest
           :
           And
           ,
           2.
           the
           Scripture
           tels
           us
           ,
           that
           
             David
          
           made
           a
           Covenant
           with
           all
           the
           Tribes
           of
           Israel
           in
           one
           day
           ,
           2.
           
             Sam.
          
           5
           1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           The
           Articles
           of
           the
           covenant
           betweene
           
             David
          
           and
           the
           Tribes
           ,
           and
           so
           betweene
           this
           3000.
           and
           the
           Lord
           might
           be
           openly
           declared
           ,
           and
           they
           both
           the
           one
           and
           the
           other
           might
           by
           some
           signe
           or
           other
           ,
           expresse
           their
           consent
           thereunto
           in
           one
           day
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           as
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           is
           a
           thing
           that
           might
           be
           done
           ,
           so
           it
           is
           more
           then
           probable
           that
           indeed
           it
           was
           done
           ,
           by
           those
           3000.
           soules
           .
           For
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             ver.
             41
             that
             they
             gladly
             received
             the
             word
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           openly
           professed
           that
           they
           did
           with
           all
           their
           hearts
           receive
           it
           ,
           for
           this
           receiving
           of
           the
           Word
           is
           noted
           as
           a
           condition
           ,
           upon
           which
           they
           were
           admitted
           to
           baptisme
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           was
           not
           onely
           an
           inward
           receiving
           of
           it
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           but
           also
           an
           open
           professing
           that
           they
           did
           receive
           it
           ;
           for
           an
           inward
           receiving
           of
           it
           in
           their
           hearts
           ,
           without
           an
           open
           professing
           thereof
           outwardly
           ,
           would
           not
           have
           been
           sufficient
           for
           the
           admitting
           of
           them
           unto
           Bapti●me
           .
           
           Now
           this
           Word
           which
           they
           received
           was
           an
           exhortation
           to
           Repentance
           for
           sinne
           ,
           and
           to
           Faith
           in
           the
           promise
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           38.
           39.
           and
           to
           obedience
           in
           severing
           themselves
           from
           others
           ,
           and
           saving
           themselves
           from
           that
           untoward
           generation
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           40.
           
           And
           therefore
           when
           they
           openly
           professed
           ,
           that
           they
           gladly
           received
           this
           word
           ,
           there
           was
           an
           open
           professing
           of
           their
           Repentance
           for
           sinne
           ,
           
             ver.
          
           40.
           of
           their
           Faith
           in
           the
           promise
           ,
           and
           of
           obedience
           to
           the
           Commandement
           ,
           which
           is
           nothing
           else
           ,
           but
           the
           very
           summe
           of
           Church-Covenant
           :
           yea
           ,
           and
           further
           ,
           their
           very
           preparation
           to
           this
           repentance
           ,
           faith
           and
           obedience
           ,
           in
           that
           true
           compunction
           and
           sorrow
           of
           soul
           ,
           was
           also
           openly
           made
           manifest
           .
           
             ver.
          
           37.
           
        
         
           
             But
             yet
             there
             would
             not
             be
             such
             long
             narrations
             ,
             of
             every
             one
             severally
             as
             now
             are
             used
             ,
             
             when
             men
             do
             enter
             into
             Church-Covenant
             ,
             when
             each
             one
             makes
             a
             good
             long
             speech
             ,
             in
             the
             profession
             of
             his
             Faith
             and
             Repentance
             .
          
        
         
           When
           the
           thing
           is
           certaine
           ,
           
           as
           was
           shewed
           before
           ,
           that
           they
           did
           openly
           professe
           repentance
           ,
           faith
           and
           obedience
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           difference
           in
           the
           length
           or
           largenesse
           of
           their
           spe●ches
           in
           expressing
           of
           themselves
           ,
           that
           can
           make
           any
           difference
           in
           the
           thing
           :
           
             Majus
             &
             minus
             non
             diversisicant
             speciem
             .
          
           And
           we
           denie
           not
           but
           they
           might
           be
           briefer
           ,
           because
           there
           was
           not
           such
           need
           they
           should
           be
           long
           in
           regard
           of
           some
           difference
           betweene
           them
           and
           us
           ,
           their
           time
           and
           ours
           :
           First
           there
           were
           the
           Apostles
           present
           to
           heare
           their
           confessions
           ,
           and
           to
           judge
           thereof
           ,
           who
           were
           men
           of
           very
           good
           discerning
           ,
           and
           therefore
           briefer
           expressing
           of
           mens
           selves
           might
           suffice
           ;
           whereas
           the
           best
           Christians
           ,
           yea
           the
           best
           Ministers
           amongst
           us
           are
           not
           to
           be
           compared
           to
           the
           Apostles
           ;
           and
           therefore
           as
           we
           need
           more
           time
           for
           study
           ,
           and
           for
           preparation
           for
           our
           Sermons
           then
           they
           did
           :
           so
           likewise
           we
           need
           more
           time
           to
           heare
           ,
           and
           try
           the
           soundnesse
           of
           mens
           repentance
           towards
           God
           ,
           and
           faith
           towards
           our
           Lord
           Jesus
           Christ
           .
           Yet
           this
           we
           may
           adde
           withall
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Apostles
           and
           those
           primative
           Christians
           ,
           men
           of
           such
           excellent
           discerning
           were
           sometimes
           deceived
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           alwayes
           so
           discern
           ,
           but
           that
           some
           Hypocrites
           would
           creep
           into
           the
           Church
           :
           as
           the
           example
           of
           
             Ananias
          
           and
           
             Saphira
          
           doth
           witnesse
           ;
           how
           much
           more
           need
           is
           there
           ,
           that
           the
           Churches
           of
           God
           in
           these
           dayes
           (
           being
           far
           inferiour
           to
           them
           )
           should
           be
           very
           watchfull
           and
           circumspect
           in
           
           trying
           the
           spirituall
           estates
           of
           them
           that
           offer
           to
           come
           into
           the
           Church
           ?
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           their
           times
           also
           differed
           from
           ours
           :
           for
           their
           Christianitie
           was
           a
           matter
           of
           reproach
           and
           danger
           of
           excommunication
           ,
           
             Ioh.
          
           9.
           22.
           of
           imprisonment
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           4.
           3.
           and
           5.
           18.
           and
           the
           like
           .
           And
           therefore
           to
           see
           men
           now
           to
           make
           open
           profession
           of
           their
           faith
           in
           Christ
           Jesus
           ,
           whose
           servants
           and
           disciples
           were
           so
           hated
           ,
           and
           who
           himselfe
           but
           a
           while
           before
           was
           crucified
           ,
           this
           was
           not
           an
           ordinarie
           matter
           :
           and
           therefore
           in
           words
           ,
           men
           might
           be
           the
           briefer
           when
           they
           came
           to
           be
           received
           into
           the
           Church
           :
           But
           our
           times
           in
           
             New
             England
          
           do
           not
           persecute
           Christ
           ,
           and
           Christians
           ,
           and
           Christian
           Churches
           ,
           but
           countenance
           them
           ,
           and
           protect
           them
           ;
           and
           therefore
           there
           is
           more
           need
           now
           to
           be
           more
           studious
           in
           examination
           of
           mens
           estates
           when
           they
           offer
           themselves
           for
           Church
           members
           :
           when
           the
           Jews
           were
           in
           favour
           ,
           many
           of
           the
           people
           of
           the
           Land
           became
           Jews
           ,
           
             Esth.
          
           8.
           17.
           
        
         
           
             But
             why
             is
             there
             so
             little
             proofe
             of
             this
             Church-Covenant
             in
             the
             New
             Testament
             ?
          
           
        
         
           1.
           
           Suppose
           the
           New
           Testament
           said
           nothing
           of
           it
           ,
           
           yet
           it
           might
           have
           ground
           sufficient
           from
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           old
           Testament
           ;
           for
           if
           it
           was
           Gods
           revealed
           will
           in
           those
           dayes
           ,
           that
           a
           companie
           should
           become
           a
           Church
           ,
           and
           particular
           persons
           become
           members
           of
           that
           Church
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           ,
           we
           may
           be
           sure
           it
           is
           so
           now
           likewise
           ,
           unlesse
           covenanting
           were
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Paedigogie
           ;
           indeed
           if
           it
           had
           never
           been
           used
           in
           those
           times
           ,
           but
           were
           some
           new
           ordinance
           ,
           peculiar
           to
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           in
           such
           cases
           also
           a
           ground
           from
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           were
           necessarie
           ,
           as
           there
           is
           in
           all
           such
           things
           wherein
           there
           is
           any
           change
           or
           variation
           ,
           from
           what
           was
           used
           in
           those
           times
           afore
           Christ
           ,
           as
           that
           there
           should
           not
           be
           Nationall
           Churches
           ,
           but
           congregationall
           ,
           and
           not
           one
           visible
           Church
           ,
           but
           many
           ,
           that
           there
           should
           be
           baptisme
           ,
           and
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           :
           these
           are
           matters
           that
           are
           not
           found
           in
           the
           old
           Testament
           ,
           nor
           were
           appointed
           to
           be
           used
           in
           those
           dayes
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           must
           have
           warrant
           for
           them
           in
           the
           New
           ,
           and
           so
           we
           have
           .
           But
           for
           the
           Covenant
           it
           is
           otherwise
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           new
           ordinance
           peculiar
           to
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           nor
           any
           Leviticall
           ordinance
           peculiar
           to
           the
           Jewish
           Pedigogie
           ;
           and
           therefore
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           that
           give
           warrant
           for
           it
           ,
           may
           be
           sufficient
           as
           hath
           been
           shewed
           afore
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           And
           yet
           there
           is
           not
           wanting
           good
           warrant
           for
           it
           ,
           that
           it
           ought
           to
           be
           used
           ,
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           .
           For
           ,
           1.
           the
           Prophets
           do
           foretell
           it
           ,
           
             Isa
          
           56
           ,
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           and
           44
           5.
           and
           
             Ier.
             50.
             5.
             
             Ez●k
             ,
          
           20.
           37.
           and
           in
           sundrie
           other
           places
           ,
           to
           omit
           the
           rest
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           because
           some
           of
           them
           have
           been
           spoken
           of
           before
           ;
           Onely
           let
           those
           words
           of
           
             Isa.
          
           44.
           5.
           be
           well
           considered
           ,
           and
           see
           if
           they
           do
           not
           plainly
           hold
           forth
           that
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           ,
           men
           should
           openly
           professe
           their
           faith
           ,
           and
           solemnly
           bind
           themselves
           by
           Coven●nt
           to
           be
           the
           Lords
           people
           ,
           one
           shall
           say
           ,
           I
           am
           the
           Lords
           ,
           and
           another
           shall
           call
           himself
           by
           the
           name
           of
           
             Iacob
             ,
          
           and
           another
           shall
           subscribe
           with
           his
           hand
           ,
           and
           sirname
           himself
           by
           the
           name
           of
           
             Israel
             .
          
           These
           words
           are
           so
           plaine
           for
           open
           professing
           of
           faith
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           open
           binding
           of
           mens
           selves
           by
           Covenant
           unto
           him
           ,
           as
           we
           conceive
           nothing
           need
           be
           more
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Apost●es
           do
           sufficiently
           testifie
           ,
           that
           such
           a
           thing
           was
           practised
           in
           heir
           dayes
           ,
           〈◊〉
           how
           should
           we
           understand
           that
           fellowship
           in
           the
           Gospel
           in
           its
           full
           latitude
           and
           breadth
           ,
           
             Phil.
          
           1.
           5.
           if
           this
           combining
           into
           Church
           fellowship
           be
           no
           part
           thereof
           ;
           yea
           when
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             they
             continued
             stedfastly
             ,
          
           or
           as
           the
           word
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           may
           well
           be
           translated
           ,
           
             they
             strongly
             did
             cleave
             together
             ,
          
           or
           hold
           together
           in
           such
           a
           Fellowship
           ,
           which
           was
           not
           preaching
           and
           hearing
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           nor
           Sacraments
           ,
           no●
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           a
           thing
           distinct
           from
           all
           these
           .
           If
           this
           combining
           themselves
           into
           a
           spirituall
           fellowship
           and
           societie
           of
           Church-state
           be
           no
           part
           thereof
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           how
           to
           understand
           it
           ,
           nor
           what
           that
           fellowship
           should
           meane
           ;
           If
           Doctrine
           ,
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           had
           not
           been
           particularly
           mentioned
           ,
           in
           the
           same
           place
           ,
           it
           might
           have
           been
           thought
           that
           the
           Fellowship
           in
           which
           they
           so
           steadfastly
           clave
           together
           had
           been
           no
           more
           ,
           but
           their
           coming
           together
           to
           observe
           these
           said
           ordinances
           ,
           and
           their
           communion
           therein
           .
           But
           when
           all
           these
           are
           particularly
           mentioned
           ,
           and
           Fellowship
           mentioned
           among
           them
           ,
           as
           a
           thing
           distinct
           from
           the
           rest
           ,
           we
           may
           not
           confound
           it
           with
           the
           rest
           .
           We
           might
           as
           well
           say
           ,
           that
           by
           doctrine
           is
           meant
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           by
           Sacraments
           is
           meant
           Prayer
           ;
           as
           to
           say
           that
           by
           Fellowship
           is
           meant
           not●ing
           else
           but
           the
           exercise
           of
           doctrine
           ,
           and
           Sacraments
           ,
           and
           Prayer
           .
           And
           if
           these
           as
           they
           are
           distinctly
           named
           be
           distinct
           ordinances
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           be
           confounded
           ,
           then
           Fellowship
           being
           named
           in
           the
           same
           manner
           imports
           something
           distinct
           from
           them
           all
           ,
           and
           may
           not
           be
           confounded
           
           with
           them
           ,
           nor
           with
           any
           of
           them
           ,
           no
           more
           then
           the
           other
           may
           be
           confounded
           one
           with
           another
           .
           And
           if
           so
           ,
           then
           as
           this
           Fellowship
           may
           import
           ,
           the
           communion
           of
           their
           gift
           and
           goods
           one
           for
           the
           helpe
           of
           another
           ,
           so
           it
           must
           first
           of
           all
           imply
           a
           combining
           of
           themselves
           into
           Church-state
           by
           mutuall
           ag●eement
           ,
           consent
           ,
           or
           covenant
           .
        
         
           Furthermore
           ,
           when
           the
           Apostle
           writ●th
           ,
           that
           by
           experience
           of
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           liberall
           contribution
           to
           the
           poore
           Saints
           ,
           men
           glorified
           God
           for
           their
           professed
           subjection
           to
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           ,
           2.
           
             Cor.
          
           9.
           13.
           he
           plainly
           imployes
           thereby
           ,
           that
           the
           
             Corinthians
          
           had
           made
           a
           profession
           or
           promise
           of
           such
           subjection
           to
           the
           Gospel
           as
           did
           comprehend
           this
           particular
           of
           distributing
           to
           the
           necessitie
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           among
           other
           things
           .
           And
           their
           liberall
           distribution
           which
           he
           there
           speaks
           of
           ,
           was
           looked
           at
           as
           one
           point
           of
           their
           reall
           performance
           of
           that
           subjection
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           they
           had
           before
           professed
           ,
           and
           promised
           .
           Now
           the
           Church-Covenant
           is
           nothing
           else
           ,
           but
           the
           professing
           or
           promising
           of
           such
           subjection
           ,
           and
           therefore
           this
           place
           is
           another
           proofe
           of
           Church-Covenant
           .
           Besides
           ,
           it
           hath
           been
           shewed
           afore
           in
           
             Argument
          
           3.
           that
           those
           places
           which
           speake
           of
           being
           added
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           of
           joyning
           ,
           or
           assaying
           to
           joyne
           unto
           the
           Church
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           2.
           47.
           and
           5
           13.
           and
           9
           26.
           are
           not
           expounded
           according
           to
           the
           full
           meaning
           of
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           understood
           of
           any
           other
           joyning
           ,
           if
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           be
           left
           out
           .
           And
           therefore
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           New
           Testament
           do
           beare
           good
           witnesse
           unto
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           though
           ,
           as
           we
           said
           before
           ,
           the
           Scriptures
           of
           the
           Old
           Testament
           might
           have
           been
           sufficient
           if
           the
           New
           Testament
           had
           spoken
           nothing
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           
             But
             Baptisme
             makes
             men
             members
             of
             the
             visible
             Church
             ,
             
             and
             therefore
             the
             Covenant
             is
             needl●sse
             .
          
        
         
           This
           is
           answered
           in
           the
           Answer
           to
           the
           fourth
           of
           the
           32.
           
           
           Questions
           ,
           where
           it
           is
           shewed
           at
           large
           that
           Baptisme
           ●s
           a
           seale
           of
           the
           covenan●
           betweene
           God
           and
           the
           Church
           ,
           but
           neither
           makes
           the
           Church
           ,
           nor
           members
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           nor
           alwayes
           so
           much
           as
           proves
           men
           to
           be
           members
           .
        
         
           
             This
             Church-Covenant
             is
             a
             late
             devise
             ,
             and
             was
             not
             known
             in
             ancient
             time
             ,
             
             and
             therefore
             is
             to
             be
             rejected
             .
          
        
         
           Fi●st
           ,
           
           True
           Antiquitie
           is
           that
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           .
           Now
           sith
           Church
           Covenant
           is
           warranted
           by
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           
           shewed
           before
           in
           this
           discourse
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           charged
           to
           want
           true
           Antiquitie
           .
           When
           the
           Papists
           are
           wont
           to
           charge
           the
           doctrine
           of
           Protestants
           with
           Novelty
           ,
           and
           such
           as
           was
           never
           heard
           of
           before
           
             Luther
             ,
          
           the
           Orthodoxe
           are
           wont
           to
           answer
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           doctrine
           do
           not
           agree
           with
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           then
           let
           it
           be
           condemned
           for
           Noveltie
           ;
           and
           if
           it
           do
           ,
           it
           is
           warranted
           by
           the
           best
           Antiquitie
           ,
           even
           the
           testimonie
           of
           God
           himself
           who
           is
           the
           Antient
           of
           dayes
           :
           Our
           Faith
           ,
           saith
           Doctor
           
             White
             ,
          
           is
           in
           all
           points
           the
           same
           that
           is
           contained
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           so
           consequently
           of
           the
           same
           Antiquitie
           :
           and
           therefore
           all
           they
           that
           say
           it
           came
           up
           but
           of
           late
           ,
           must
           first
           prove
           it
           contrary
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           or
           else
           hold
           their
           peace
           .
           
             White
             ,
             Way
             ,
          
           44.
           1.
           
           And
           the
           same
           we
           say
           in
           this
           particular
           of
           the
           Church-Covenant
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           And
           yet
           they
           that
           search
           the
           Stories
           and
           Writers
           of
           the
           times
           and
           ages
           next
           after
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           may
           find
           some
           testimonie
           of
           Church-Covenant
           in
           those
           dayes
           :
           For
           instance
           ,
           
             Iustine
             Martyr
          
           in
           his
           Apol.
           2.
           makes
           mention
           of
           three
           things
           which
           were
           required
           of
           all
           that
           were
           admitted
           into
           the
           Church
           as
           members
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           that
           is
           regeneration
           ,
           and
           soundnesse
           in
           the
           Faith
           ,
           and
           a
           promise
           to
           walke
           in
           obedience
           to
           the
           Gospel
           .
           And
           generally
           this
           was
           the
           practise
           of
           all
           those
           times
           ,
           that
           never
           any
           man
           was
           admitted
           to
           Baptisme
           ,
           nor
           his
           children
           neither
           ,
           but
           they
           put
           him
           to
           answer
           three
           questions
           ,
           
             Abrenuntios
             ?
          
           whereto
           he
           answered
           ,
           
             Abrenuntio
             .
             Credis
             ?
          
           whereto
           his
           answer
           was
           ,
           
             Credo
             :
          
           and
           
             Spondes
             ?
          
           to
           which
           he
           answered
           ,
           
             Spondeo
             .
          
           So
           that
           here
           was
           an
           open
           declaration
           of
           his
           Repentance
           from
           dead
           works
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           soundnesse
           of
           his
           Faith
           ,
           in
           the
           two
           first
           particulars
           ,
           and
           an
           open
           binding
           himself
           by
           covenant
           or
           promise
           to
           walke
           according
           to
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           in
           the
           third
           .
           But
           much
           needs
           not
           to
           be
           said
           in
           this
           point
           ,
           unto
           them
           that
           do
           acknowledge
           Scripture
           Antiquitie
           to
           be
           sufficient
           ,
           though
           after
           times
           should
           be
           found
           to
           swerve
           from
           the
           Rules
           and
           Patterns
           that
           are
           therein
           contained
           .
        
         
           
             If
             Church-Covenant
             be
             so
             necessarie
             ,
             then
             all
             the
             Reformed
             Churches
             are
             to
             be
             condemned
             as
             no
             Churches
             ;
             
             for
             they
             have
             no
             such
             Covenant
             .
          
        
         
           They
           that
           have
           knowne
           those
           Churches
           ,
           not
           onely
           by
           their
           writings
           ,
           
           and
           confessions
           of
           their
           faith
           ,
           in
           Synods
           and
           otherwise
           ;
           but
           also
           by
           living
           amongst
           them
           ,
           and
           being
           eye-witnesses
           of
           their
           Order
           ,
           do
           report
           otherwise
           of
           them
           ,
           
             viz.
          
           that
           they
           are
           combined
           
           together
           by
           solemne
           Covenant
           with
           God
           and
           one
           another
           .
           
             Zepperus
             ,
          
           speaking
           of
           the
           manner
           ,
           used
           in
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           in
           admitting
           the
           children
           of
           Church-members
           to
           the
           Lords
           Table
           ,
           when
           they
           came
           to
           age
           ,
           and
           have
           been
           sufficiently
           catechised
           ,
           and
           instructed
           in
           the
           doctrine
           of
           Religion
           ,
           tells
           us
           ,
           that
           such
           children
           are
           admitted
           to
           the
           Lords
           table
           ,
           by
           publick
           profession
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           en●ring
           into
           Covenant
           .
           
             
               Cons●etum
               est
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             ,
             
               ut
               qui
               per
               aetate●i●que
               Doctrinâ
               Catecheticâ
               profectum
               ad
               sacram
               Coenam
               primum
               a
               〈◊〉
               ,
               fidei
               confessionem
               coram
               totâ
               Ecclesiâ
               publice
               edant
               p●r
               parentes
               aut
               qui
               parentum
               l●co
               sunt
               ,
               jussû
               ministri
               ,
               in
               Ecclesiae
               〈◊〉
               producti
               :
               quò●que
               in
               illa
               confessione
               ,
               per
               Dei
               gratiam
               〈◊〉
               ,
               ac
               ,
               juxta
               illam
               ,
               vitam
               instituere
               ,
               insuper
               etiam
               disciplinae
               Ecclesiasticae
               ultrò
               ac
               sponte
               suâ
               subjicere
               sese
               velint
               ,
               spondeant
               atque
               stipulentur
               ,
               Polit.
               
               Eccles.
               lib.
               1.
               Cap.
               14.
               p.
            
             158.
             that
             is
             ,
             The
             manner
             is
             ,
             that
             they
             who
             by
             reason
             of
             age
             and
             proficiencie
             in
             the
             doctrine
             of
             Catechisme
             are
             first
             admitted
             to
             the
             Lords
             Supper
             ,
             should
             publickly
             before
             the
             whole
             Church
             make
             confession
             of
             their
             faith
             ,
             being
             brought
             forth
             into
             the
             sight
             of
             the
             Church
             by
             their
             parents
             ,
             or
             them
             that
             are
             instead
             of
             parents
             ,
             at
             the
             appointment
             of
             the
             Minister
             ;
             and
             likewise
             should
             promise
             and
             covenant
             by
             the
             grace
             of
             God
             to
             continue
             in
             that
             Faith
             which
             they
             have
             confessed
             ,
             and
             to
             lead
             their
             lives
             according
             to
             it
             ;
             yea
             ,
             and
             moreover
             to
             subject
             themselves
             freely
             and
             willingly
             to
             the
             discipline
             of
             the
             Church
             .
          
           These
           words
           we
           see
           are
           full
           and
           plaine
           ,
           that
           children
           are
           not
           in
           those
           Churches
           received
           to
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           without
           personall
           confession
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           entring
           into
           Covenant
           before
           ;
           And
           if
           they
           tooke
           this
           course
           with
           children
           come
           to
           age
           ,
           there
           is
           as
           much
           reason
           ,
           or
           more
           ,
           that
           the
           same
           course
           should
           be
           holden
           with
           men
           of
           yeers
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           admitted
           members
           .
           And
           so
           the
           same
           
             Zepperus
             ,
          
           speaking
           of
           the
           consociation
           of
           Churches
           amongst
           themselves
           by
           mutuall
           confsederation
           ,
           hath
           these
           words
           ,
           which
           as
           they
           may
           be
           applyed
           to
           the
           combining
           of
           many
           Churches
           ,
           so
           may
           they
           be
           combining
           of
           many
           members
           of
           the
           same
           Church
           ,
           
             
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
               {non-Roman}
            
             
               illa
               
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
                 {non-Roman}
              
               ,
               quam
               in
               Symbolo
               profite
               nunc
               Apostolico
               ,
               nihil
               aliud
               hic
               requirit
               ,
               &
               vult
               ,
               quam
               obligationem
               omnium
               Ecclesiae
               membrorum
               &
               confoederationem
               ,
               &c.
            
             that
             is
             ,
             that
             communion
             of
             Saints
             which
             we
             professe
             in
             the
             Creed
             ,
             doth
             require
             and
             meane
             nothing
             else
             but
             an
             obligation
             of
             all
             the
             members
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             a
             binding
             of
             them
             together
             
             by
             Covenant
             .
             
               Polit.
               Eccles.
               li.
               3
               c.
               8.
               p.
            
             721.
             
          
        
         
           To
           these
           testimonies
           of
           
             Z●pperus
             ,
          
           those
           words
           may
           be
           added
           of
           Mr.
           
             Parker
          
           our
           own
           countreyman
           ,
           a
           man
           of
           singular
           note
           for
           learning
           and
           holinesse
           ,
           who
           also
           himselfe
           lived
           sometimes
           beyond
           Sea
           in
           the
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           and
           there
           ended
           his
           dayes
           ,
           so
           that
           we
           may
           safely
           give
           the
           more
           credit
           to
           his
           testimonie
           ,
           he
           having
           so
           good
           meanes
           fully
           to
           know
           the
           state
           and
           order
           of
           those
           Churches
           .
           Now
           he
           speaketh
           of
           a
           
             
               Solennis
               forma
               absque
               quâ
               in
               Ecclesiae
               alicujus
               communionem
               nullus
               ritè
               recipitur
               :
            
             of
             a
             solemne
             forme
             ,
             without
             which
             no
             man
             is
             rightly
             received
             into
             the
             communion
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             hath
             these
             words
             .
             
               Hic
               mos
               ille
               est
               reformatarum
               Ecclesiarum
               non
               solum
               in
               lapsis
               restituendis
               ,
               sed
               in
               extra●eis
               ,
               imò
               quibuscunque
               recipiendis
               qui
               ad
               habitandum
               alicubi
               con●ident
               ,
               etsi
               fortè
               in
               Ecclesiâ
               illius
               loci
               quo
               ante
               commorabantur
               ,
               juxta
               hanc
               formam
               admissi
               prius
               fuerant
               .
               Examinat
               Presbyterium
               ,
               plebs
               consentit
               ,
               quisque
               testes
               vitae
               suae
               secum
               adfert
               ,
               vel
               testimonia
               saltem
               :
               publicatur
               nomen
               cujusque
               competentis
               pro
               concione
               ,
               admonetur
               quisque
               siquid
               haebeat
               quod
               excipiat
               ,
               ut
               denunciet
               presbyteris
               .
               Si
               nihil
               contr●
               adferatur
               ,
               admittitur
               quidem
               ,
               sed
               non
               nisi
               solerni
               pactione
               cum
               Deo
               &
               cum
               E●clesiâ
               .
               Spondet
               verò
               Ecclesiae
               ,
               se
               ambulaturum
               prout
               sanctam
               illam
               communionem
               decet
               ;
               Disciplinae
               illius
               Ecclesiae
               subjacere
               velle
               ,
               se
               fratribus
               illius
               communionis
               invigilaturum
               juxta
               Christi
               prae
               ceptum
               ,
               Matth
               18.
               17.
               ut
               pra-veniantur
               sanenturque
               seandala
               ,
               &
               illi
               ad
               studium
               bonorum
               operum
               provehantur
               .
            
             That
             is
             ,
             This
             is
             the
             manner
             of
             the
             reformed
             Churches
             ,
             not
             onely
             in
             restoring
             such
             as
             have
             fallen
             ,
             but
             in
             admitting
             of
             strangers
             ,
             yea
             of
             all
             whoever
             they
             be
             ,
             who
             do
             sit
             down
             in
             any
             place
             for
             habitation
             ,
             though
             perhaps
             they
             have
             been
             formerly
             admitted
             after
             the
             same
             manner
             in
             the
             Church
             where
             they
             have
             forme●ly
             dwelt
             ;
             The
             Presbytery
             doth
             examine
             ,
             the
             people
             do
             consent
             ,
             every
             man
             brings
             with
             him
             witnesses
             of
             his
             life
             ,
             or
             at
             least-wise
             testimonies
             :
             The
             name
             of
             each
             one
             that
             desires
             to
             be
             a
             member
             ,
             is
             published
             in
             the
             Assembly
             ,
             every
             one
             is
             admonished
             if
             he
             have
             any
             exception
             against
             the
             party
             ,
             to
             bring
             it
             to
             the
             Presbytery
             .
             If
             nothing
             be
             brought
             against
             him
             ,
             then
             indeed
             he
             is
             admitted
             ;
             but
             yet
             no
             otherwise
             then
             by
             a
             solemne
             covenant
             with
             God
             and
             the
             Church
             ;
             And
             to
             the
             Church
             he
             promiseth
             that
             he
             will
             walk
             as
             becometh
             that
             holy
             Fellowship
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             be
             subject
             to
             the
             discipline
             of
             that
             Church
             ,
             that
             he
             will
             watch
             over
             the
             brethren
             
             of
             that
             Communion
             ,
             according
             to
             the
             Command
             of
             Christ
             ,
             
               Mat.
            
             18.
             17.
             that
             offences
             may
             be
             prevented
             and
             healed
             ,
             &c.
             
             
               Polit.
               Eccles.
               lib.
               3.
               cap.
               16.
               
               §
               4.
               Pag.
            
             171
             ,
             172.
             
          
           Much
           more
           he
           hath
           to
           the
           same
           purpose
           in
           that
           place
           ,
           alledging
           sundry
           Canons
           and
           Decrees
           of
           Synods
           of
           reformed
           Churches
           ,
           wherein
           they
           have
           determined
           that
           none
           should
           be
           received
           into
           their
           Churches
           ,
           but
           by
           this
           way
           of
           solemne
           Covenant
           .
           And
           others
           that
           have
           lived
           amongst
           them
           may
           have
           been
           eye-witnesses
           that
           this
           is
           their
           usuall
           practise
           .
        
         
           
             But
             what
             shall
             be
             said
             of
             the
             Congregations
             in
             
               England
               ,
            
             
             if
             Churches
             must
             be
             combined
             by
             Covenant
             ?
             Doth
             not
             this
             doctrine
             blot
             out
             all
             those
             Congregations
             out
             of
             the
             Catalogue
             of
             Churches
             ?
             For
             what
             ever
             Covenant
             may
             be
             found
             in
             the
             reformed
             Churches
             in
             other
             parts
             ,
             yet
             it
             is
             plaine
             that
             she
             
               English
            
             have
             none
             .
          
        
         
           Though
           we
           deny
           not
           but
           the
           Covenant
           in
           many
           of
           those
           Congregations
           is
           more
           imp●●cite
           and
           not
           so
           plaine
           as
           were
           to
           be
           desired
           ;
           
           (
           and
           what
           is
           amis●e
           in
           them
           ,
           in
           their
           materialls
           ,
           or
           in
           want
           of
           explicite
           combining
           of
           pure
           matter
           ,
           or
           in
           any
           of
           their
           wayes
           wee
           will
           not
           take
           upon
           us
           to
           defend
           )
           yet
           we
           hope
           we
           may
           say
           of
           them
           with
           Master
           
             Park●r
             ,
             Polit.
             Eccl●s
             .
             lib
             3.
             cap.
             16
             §
             1.
             pag.
             167.
             
          
           
             
               Non
               ab●st
               ea
               realis
               &
               substantialis
               (
               quanquam
               mag
               is
               quàm
               par
               erat
               implicita
               )
               coitio
               in
               foedus
               ,
               ●aque
               voluntaria
               professio
               fidei
               substantialis
               :
               quâ
               (
               Deo
               gratia
               )
               essentiam
               Ecclesiae
               idque
               visibilis
               hacusque
               sar●am
               tectam
               in
               Angli●
               conservavis
               ;
            
             That
             is
             ,
             there
             wants
             not
             that
             reall
             and
             substantiall
             comming
             together
             ,
             (
             or
             agreeing
             in
             Covenant
             ,
             though
             more
             implicate
             then
             were
             meete
             )
             and
             that
             substantiall
             profession
             of
             Faith
             ,
             which
             (
             thanks
             be
             to
             God
             )
             hath
             preserved
             the
             essence
             of
             visible
             Churches
             in
             
               England
            
             unto
             this
             day
             .
          
        
         
           The
           reasons
           why
           wee
           are
           loath
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           the
           Congregations
           in
           
             England
          
           are
           utterly
           without
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           are
           these
           :
        
         
           First
           ,
           Because
           there
           we●e
           many
           Christian
           Churches
           in
           
             England
          
           in
           the
           Apostles
           time
           ,
           or
           within
           a
           while
           after
           ,
           as
           M●ster
           
             Fox
          
           sheweth
           at
           large
           ,
           
             Act.
             &
             Mon.
             lib.
          
           2.
           beginning
           
             pag
          
           137
           where
           he
           reporteth
           out
           of
           
             Gildas
             ,
          
           that
           
             England
          
           received
           the
           Gospel
           in
           the
           time
           of
           
             Tiberius
          
           the
           Emperour
           ,
           under
           whom
           Christ
           suffered
           ,
           and
           that
           
             Ioseph
          
           of
           
             Arima●hea
          
           was
           sent
           of
           
             Philip
          
           the
           Aposti●
           from
           
             France
          
           to
           
             England
          
           about
           the
           yeare
           of
           Christ
           63.
           and
           remained
           in
           
             England
          
           all
           his
           time
           ,
           and
           so
           he
           with
           his
           fellowes
           layd
           the
           first
           foundation
           
           of
           Christian
           Faith
           among
           the
           Britaine
           people
           ,
           and
           other
           Preachers
           and
           Teachers
           comming
           afterward
           ,
           confirmed
           the
           same
           and
           increased
           it
           .
           Also
           the
           said
           Master
           
             Fox
          
           reporteth
           out
           of
           
             Tertullian
             ,
          
           that
           the
           Gospel
           was
           dispearsed
           abroad
           by
           the
           sound
           of
           the
           Apostles
           into
           many
           Nations
           ,
           and
           amongst
           the
           rest
           into
           
             Britaine
             ,
          
           yea
           into
           the
           wildest
           places
           of
           
             Britaine
             ,
          
           which
           the
           
             Romans
          
           could
           never
           attaine
           unto
           :
           and
           alledgeth
           also
           out
           of
           
             Nic●phorus
             ,
          
           that
           
             Simon
             Zelotes
          
           did
           spread
           the
           Gospel
           to
           the
           West
           Ocean
           ,
           and
           brought
           the
           same
           into
           the
           Iles
           of
           
             Britaine
             :
          
           and
           sund●y
           other
           proofes
           he
           there
           hath
           for
           the
           same
           point
           .
           Now
           if
           the
           Gospel
           and
           Christian
           Religion
           were
           brought
           into
           
             England
          
           in
           the
           Apostles
           times
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           means
           ,
           it
           is
           like
           that
           the
           
             English
          
           Churches
           were
           then
           constituted
           by
           way
           of
           Covenant
           ,
           because
           that
           was
           the
           manner
           of
           constituting
           Churches
           in
           the
           Apostles
           time
           ,
           as
           also
           in
           the
           times
           afore
           Christ
           ,
           as
           hath
           been
           shewed
           from
           the
           Scripture
           before
           in
           this
           discourse
           .
           And
           if
           Christian
           Congregations
           in
           
             England
          
           were
           in
           those
           times
           combined
           by
           Covenant
           ,
           then
           eternitie
           of
           Gods
           Covenant
           is
           such
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           the
           interposition
           of
           many
           corruptions
           that
           may
           arise
           in
           after
           times
           that
           can
           disanull
           the
           same
           ,
           except
           when
           men
           wil●ully
           breake
           Covenant
           and
           reject
           the
           offers
           of
           the
           Gospel
           through
           obstinacy
           ,
           which
           we
           perswade
           our selves
           they
           are
           not
           come
           unto
           :
           and
           consequently
           the
           Covenant
           remaines
           which
           hath
           preserved
           the
           essence
           of
           Churches
           to
           this
           day
           ;
           though
           the
           mixture
           of
           manifold
           corruptions
           ,
           have
           made
           the
           Covenant
           more
           implicite
           then
           were
           mee●e
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Because
           there
           want
           no
           good
           Records
           (
           as
           may
           be
           seene
           in
           
             Seldens
             History
             of
             Tithes
          
           )
           to
           prove
           that
           in
           former
           times
           in
           
             England
          
           it
           was
           free
           for
           men
           to
           pay
           their
           Tithes
           and
           Oblations
           where
           themselves
           pleased
           :
           Now
           this
           paying
           of
           Tithes
           was
           accounted
           as
           a
           dutie
           of
           people
           to
           their
           Minister
           ,
           or
           sheepe
           to
           their
           Pastour
           :
           and
           therefore
           seeing
           this
           was
           by
           their
           owne
           voluntary
           agreement
           and
           consent
           ,
           their
           joyning
           to
           the
           Church
           as
           members
           thereof
           ,
           &
           to
           the
           Ministery
           thereof
           as
           sheepe
           of
           such
           a
           mans
           flock
           ,
           was
           also
           by
           their
           owne
           voluntary
           agreement
           and
           consent
           :
           and
           this
           doth
           imply
           a
           Covenant
           .
           It
           was
           not
           the
           precincts
           of
           Parishes
           that
           did
           limit
           men
           in
           those
           dayes
           ,
           but
           their
           owne
           choice
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Those
           Questions
           and
           Answers
           ministred
           at
           Baptisme
           ,
           spoken
           of
           before
           ,
           (
           viz.
           
             Do st
             thou
             renounce
             ?
             I
             doe
             renounce
             :
             doest
             thou
             beleeve
             ?
             I
             doe
             beleseve
             :
             doest
             thou
             promise
             ?
             I
             doe
             promise
          
           )
           as
           they
           
           were
           used
           in
           other
           places
           ,
           so
           were
           they
           also
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           and
           are
           unto
           this
           day
           ,
           though
           not
           without
           the
           mixture
           of
           sundry
           corruptions
           .
           Now
           this
           doth
           imply
           a
           Covenant
           .
           And
           when
           the
           children
           came
           to
           age
           ,
           they
           were
           not
           to
           be
           admitted
           to
           the
           Lords
           Supper
           ,
           before
           they
           had
           made
           personall
           Confession
           of
           their
           owne
           Faith
           ,
           and
           ratified
           the
           Covenant
           which
           was
           made
           at
           their
           Baptisme
           by
           their
           Parents
           ,
           which
           course
           indeed
           afterward
           did
           grow
           into
           a
           Sacrament
           of
           Confirmation
           ,
           but
           that
           was
           an
           abuse
           of
           a
           good
           Order
           .
        
         
           If
           here
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Parishionall
           Assemblies
           are
           not
           brought
           in
           by
           their
           owne
           voluntary
           profession
           ,
           but
           by
           the
           Authority
           and
           Proclamation
           of
           the
           Prince
           ,
           and
           therefore
           they
           have
           no
           such
           Covenant
           .
        
         
           The
           Answer
           is
           ,
           that
           the
           Christian
           Prince
           doth
           but
           his
           dutie
           when
           he
           doth
           not
           tollerate
           within
           his
           Dominions
           any
           open
           Idolatry
           ,
           or
           the
           open
           worship
           of
           false
           Gods
           by
           baptized
           persons
           ,
           but
           suppresseth
           the
           same
           :
           and
           likewise
           when
           he
           gives
           free
           libertie
           to
           the
           exercise
           of
           all
           the
           Ordinances
           of
           true
           religion
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           minde
           of
           Christ
           ,
           with
           countenance
           also
           and
           encouragement
           unto
           all
           those
           whose
           hearts
           are
           willingly
           bent
           thereunto
           ,
           
             Ezra
             .
          
           1.
           13
           
           &
           7
           13.
           
           And
           therefore
           this
           practise
           of
           his
           cannot
           overthrow
           the
           ●reenesse
           of
           mens
           joyning
           in
           Church-Communion
           ,
           because
           one
           dut●e
           cannot
           oppose
           nor
           contradict
           another
           .
           And
           suppose
           that
           this
           course
           of
           the
           Magistrate
           shou●d
           seeme
           to
           be
           a
           forcing
           of
           some
           to
           come
           in
           for
           members
           who
           were
           unfit
           ,
           (
           in
           which
           case
           it
           were
           not
           justifiable
           )
           yet
           this
           doth
           not
           hinder
           the
           voluntary
           subjection
           of
           others
           ,
           who
           with
           all
           their
           hearts
           desired
           it
           .
           When
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           departed
           out
           of
           
             Aegypt
             ,
          
           there
           went
           a
           mixed
           multitude
           with
           them
           ▪
           many
           going
           with
           them
           that
           were
           not
           
             Israelites
          
           indeed
           ,
           
             Exod.
          
           12.
           
           And
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           
             Morde●ay
          
           and
           
             Hesth●r
             ,
          
           many
           of
           the
           people
           of
           the
           lands
           became
           
             Iewes
             ,
          
           when
           the
           
             Iewes
          
           were
           in
           favour
           and
           respect
           ,
           
             Est.
          
           8.
           17.
           and
           so
           joyned
           to
           them
           not
           of
           their
           owne
           voluntary
           minde
           ,
           nor
           of
           any
           sincere
           heart
           towards
           God
           ,
           but
           meerely
           for
           the
           favour
           or
           feare
           of
           men
           ;
           yet
           this
           forced
           or
           feined
           joyning
           of
           some
           could
           not
           hinder
           those
           that
           were
           
             Israelites
          
           indeed
           from
           being
           
             Israelites
             ,
          
           nor
           make
           the
           
             Iewes
          
           to
           be
           no
           
             Iewes
             ,
          
           no
           Church-members
           .
        
         
           And
           the
           same
           may
           be
           said
           in
           this
           case
           ,
           Suppose
           the
           Magistrates
           Proclamation
           should
           be
           a
           cause
           ,
           or
           an
           occasion
           rather
           ,
           of
           bringing
           
           some
           into
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           came
           not
           of
           their
           owne
           voluntary
           minde
           ,
           but
           for
           feare
           ,
           or
           for
           obteining
           favour
           ,
           yet
           this
           cannot
           hinder
           ,
           but
           others
           might
           voluntarily
           and
           freely
           Covenant
           to
           be
           subject
           to
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           :
           Such
           subjection
           and
           the
           promise
           of
           it
           being
           the
           thing
           which
           themselves
           did
           heartily
           desire
           ,
           though
           the
           Magistrate
           should
           have
           said
           nothing
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           If
           any
           shall
           hereupon
           inferre
           ,
           that
           if
           the
           Parishionall
           Assemblies
           be
           Churches
           ,
           then
           the
           members
           of
           them
           may
           be
           admitted
           to
           Church
           priviledges
           in
           
             New
             England
             ,
          
           before
           they
           joyne
           to
           our
           Churches
           :
           Such
           one
           may
           finde
           his
           Answer
           in
           the
           Answer
           to
           the
           tenth
           of
           the
           thirty-two
           Questions
           ;
           Whereunto
           we
           doe
           referre
           the
           Reader
           for
           this
           point
           .
           Onely
           adding
           this
           ,
           that
           this
           were
           contrary
           to
           the
           judgement
           and
           practise
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           who
           doe
           not
           admit
           a
           man
           for
           member
           without
           personall
           profession
           of
           his
           Faith
           ,
           and
           joyning
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           though
           he
           had
           formerly
           been
           a
           member
           of
           a
           Church
           in
           another
           place
           ,
           as
           was
           shewed
           before
           out
           of
           Master
           
             Parker
             .
          
        
         
           Lastly
           ,
           If
           any
           say
           ,
           that
           if
           these
           reasons
           prove
           the
           
             English
          
           Congregations
           to
           have
           such
           a
           Covenant
           as
           proves
           them
           to
           be
           Churches
           ,
           then
           why
           may
           not
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           Papists
           goe
           for
           true
           Churches
           also
           ?
           For
           some
           man
           may
           thinke
           that
           the
           same
           things
           may
           be
           said
           for
           them
           that
           here
           in
           Answer
           to
           this
           eleventh
           Objection
           are
           said
           for
           the
           Parishes
           in
           
             England
             :
          
           Such
           one
           must
           remember
           two
           things
           :
           first
           ,
           that
           we
           doe
           not
           say
           simply
           ,
           a
           Covenant
           makes
           a
           company
           a
           true
           Church
           ,
           but
           (
           as
           was
           said
           before
           )
           a
           Covenant
           to
           walke
           in
           such
           wayes
           of
           worship
           to
           God
           and
           edification
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           as
           the
           Gospel
           of
           Christ
           requireth
           .
           For
           who
           doubts
           ,
           but
           there
           may
           be
           an
           agreement
           among
           theeves
           ,
           
             Pro.
          
           1.
           
           A
           confederation
           among
           Gods
           enemies
           ,
           
             Psal.
          
           83.
           
           A
           conspiracy
           among
           the
           
             Arabians
             ,
          
           the
           
             Ammonites
          
           and
           
             Ashdodites
             ,
          
           to
           hinder
           the
           building
           of
           
             Hierusalem
             ,
          
           Neh.
           4.
           7
           ,
           8.
           
           And
           yet
           none
           of
           these
           are
           made
           true
           Churches
           by
           such
           kind
           of
           confederacies
           or
           agreements
           .
           And
           so
           wee
           may
           say
           of
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           Papists
           ,
           especially
           since
           the
           Counsell
           of
           
             Trent
             .
          
           If
           there
           be
           any
           agreement
           or
           confederacy
           among
           them
           ,
           it
           is
           not
           to
           walke
           in
           the
           wayes
           of
           the
           Gospell
           ,
           but
           in
           wayes
           contrary
           to
           the
           fundamentall
           truths
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           as
           Idolat●y
           in
           worship
           ,
           Heresie
           in
           doctrine
           ,
           and
           other
           Antichristian
           pollutions
           and
           corruptions
           :
           and
           therefore
           if
           they
           combined
           in
           these
           things
           ,
           such
           combinations
           will
           never
           prove
           them
           true
           Churches
           .
           
           The
           Church
           is
           the
           Pillar
           and
           ground
           of
           truth
           ,
           1
           
             Tim.
          
           3.
           15.
           
           But
           the
           Religion
           of
           Papists
           is
           so
           farre
           from
           truth
           ,
           that
           whosoever
           liveth
           and
           beleeveth
           according
           to
           it
           ,
           without
           repentance
           ,
           cannot
           be
           saved
           .
           Witnesse
           their
           doctrine
           in
           the
           point
           of
           vilifying
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           in
           point
           of
           free-will
           ,
           and
           of
           Justification
           by
           works
           ,
           of
           the
           Popes
           Supremacy
           ,
           of
           the
           Sacrifice
           of
           the
           Masse
           ,
           of
           worshipping
           of
           Images
           ,
           &c.
           
           In
           regard
           of
           which
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           ,
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           saith
           ,
           that
           their
           Religion
           is
           a
           Sea
           ,
           
             become
             as
             the
             bloud
             of
             a
             dead
             man
             ,
             and
             every
             soule
             in
             that
             Sea
             dyeth
             ,
          
           Rev.
           16.
           3.
           
           And
           therefore
           agreement
           in
           such
           a
           Religion
           will
           never
           prove
           them
           to
           be
           true
           Churches
           ;
           nor
           any
           Assemblies
           of
           Arrians
           ,
           Antitrinitaries
           ,
           Anabaptists
           ,
           or
           Famelists
           ,
           supposing
           them
           also
           to
           be
           combined
           by
           Covenant
           among
           themselves
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           for
           the
           Assemblies
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           the
           case
           is
           farre
           otherwise
           ;
           for
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           the
           Articles
           of
           Religion
           which
           they
           professe
           ,
           and
           which
           they
           promise
           to
           hold
           and
           observe
           (
           though
           some
           things
           are
           amisse
           in
           some
           of
           those
           Articles
           ,
           and
           though
           many
           persons
           live
           contrary
           in
           their
           lives
           )
           yet
           the
           doctrine
           is
           such
           that
           whosoever
           beleeveth
           ,
           and
           liveth
           according
           to
           it
           ,
           shall
           undoubtedly
           be
           saved
           ,
           and
           many
           thousands
           have
           been
           saved
           therein
           ▪
           and
           therefore
           Assemblies
           united
           by
           Covenant
           to
           observe
           this
           doctrine
           may
           be
           true
           Churches
           ,
           when
           the
           Assemblies
           of
           Papists
           and
           others
           may
           be
           false
           ,
           although
           they
           also
           were
           combined
           by
           Covenant
           :
           the
           reason
           of
           the
           difference
           rising
           from
           the
           difference
           that
           is
           in
           the
           doctrine
           and
           Religion
           which
           they
           severally
           professe
           ,
           and
           by
           Covenant
           binde
           themselves
           to
           observe
           ,
           the
           one
           being
           fundamentally
           corrupt
           ,
           and
           consequently
           pernicious
           :
           The
           other
           in
           the
           fundamentall
           points
           Orthodoxall
           and
           sound
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           must
           be
           remembred
           also
           (
           which
           was
           intimated
           before
           )
           that
           if
           fundamentall
           corruptions
           be
           professed
           in
           with
           impenitency
           and
           obstinacy
           ,
           then
           God
           may
           disanull
           the
           Covenant
           on
           his
           part
           ,
           and
           give
           a
           Bill
           of
           divorce
           to
           such
           a
           people
           ,
           
             Iere.
          
           3.
           8.
           
           Now
           experience
           and
           the
           Scripture
           also
           doth
           witnesse
           of
           the
           Jesuited
           and
           
             Tr●nt-Papists
          
           ,
           that
           they
           repented
           not
           of
           the
           workes
           of
           their
           hands
           ,
           of
           worshipping
           Devills
           ,
           and
           Idolls
           of
           Gold
           ,
           &c.
           neither
           repented
           they
           of
           their
           murthers
           ,
           nor
           of
           their
           sorceries
           ,
           nor
           of
           their
           fornications
           ,
           nor
           of
           their
           thefts
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           9.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
        
         
           But
           now
           for
           the
           Parish
           Assemblies
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           we
           hope
           that
           we
           may
           safely
           say
           ,
           they
           doe
           not
           sinne
           of
           obstinacy
           ,
           but
           of
           ignorance
           ,
           
           having
           not
           been
           convinced
           (
           and
           many
           of
           them
           never
           having
           had
           means
           to
           be
           convinced
           )
           of
           the
           corruptions
           that
           are
           amongst
           them
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           constitution
           ,
           and
           worship
           ,
           and
           Ministery
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           Covenant
           remaining
           among
           them
           ,
           may
           prove
           them
           to
           be
           Churches
           ,
           when
           it
           cannot
           stand
           the
           Papists
           in
           like
           stead
           ,
           they
           being
           impenitent
           and
           obstinate
           :
           Which
           we
           doe
           not
           speake
           to
           justifie
           the
           Parishes
           altogether
           ,
           as
           if
           there
           were
           not
           dangerous
           corruptions
           found
           in
           them
           ,
           nay
           rather
           (
           the
           Lord
           be
           mercifull
           to
           the
           sinnes
           of
           his
           people
           )
           wee
           may
           lament
           it
           with
           teares
           ,
           that
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           members
           and
           Ministery
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           their
           worship
           and
           walkings
           ,
           in
           many
           of
           those
           Assemblies
           there
           are
           found
           such
           apparent
           corruptions
           ,
           as
           are
           justly
           grievous
           to
           a
           godly
           soule
           ,
           that
           is
           enlightened
           to
           discerne
           them
           ,
           and
           greatly
           displeasing
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           indeed
           had
           need
           to
           be
           repented
           of
           betime
           ,
           least
           otherwise
           the
           Lord
           remove
           the
           Candlesticke
           and
           unchurch
           them
           ,
           
             Rev.
          
           2.
           5.
           
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           the
           corruptions
           remaining
           are
           just
           causes
           of
           repentance
           and
           humiliation
           :
           but
           yet
           in
           as
           much
           as
           the
           Articles
           of
           Religion
           ,
           which
           they
           professe
           ,
           containe
           such
           wholesome
           doctrine
           ,
           that
           whosoever
           beleeveth
           and
           walketh
           according
           thereunto
           ,
           in
           sinceritie
           ,
           shall
           undoubtedly
           be
           saved
           ,
           and
           in
           as
           much
           as
           the
           corruptions
           are
           not
           persisted
           in
           with
           obstinacy
           ,
           therefore
           wee
           deny
           not
           but
           they
           have
           the
           truth
           of
           Churches
           remaining
           .
        
         
           
             But
             this
             opinion
             of
             Church-Covenant
             ,
             
             is
             holden
             by
             none
             but
             the
             Brownists
             ,
             or
             those
             of
             the
             Separation
             ,
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             not
             to
             be
             received
             .
          
        
         
           This
           ground
           cannot
           be
           made
           good
           ,
           
           that
           none
           but
           they
           of
           the
           Separation
           are
           for
           Church
           Covenant
           ,
           for
           all
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           generally
           ,
           as
           was
           shewed
           before
           in
           Answer
           to
           Objection
           the
           tenth
           ,
           are
           for
           it
           in
           their
           judgement
           &
           practise
           ;
           and
           shall
           all
           they
           be
           condemned
           for
           
             *
          
           Brownists
           ,
           or
           maintaining
           unlawfull
           Separation
           from
           the
           Church
           ?
           Also
           Master
           
             Parker
          
           and
           Doctor
           
             Ames
             ,
          
           men
           of
           our
           owne
           Nation
           ,
           famous
           for
           holinesse
           and
           learning
           ,
           and
           moderation
           ,
           both
           of
           them
           plead
           for
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           and
           yet
           neither
           of
           them
           were
           Brownists
           ,
           but
           bare
           witnesse
           against
           that
           riged
           Separation
           .
           ●or
           Doctor
           
             Ames
             ,
          
           his
           judgement
           of
           Church-Covenant
           may
           be
           seene
           in
           his
           
             Medulla
             ,
             Theol
             lib.
             1.
             cap.
          
           32.
           
           §
           14
           ,
           15
           ,
           17.
           
           
             
               Fideles
               non
               constitunt
               Ecclesiam
               particularem
               ,
               quamvis
               simul
               forsan
               plures
               in
               eodem
               loco
               conveniant
               aut
               vivant
               ,
               nisi
               speciali
               vinculo
               intersese
               conju●guntur
               ,
               &c.
               
            
             That
             is
             ,
             beleevers
             doe
             not
             make
             a
             particular
             
             Church
             ,
             though
             perhaps
             there
             be
             many
             of
             them
             that
             meete
             together
             ,
             and
             live
             in
             the
             same
             place
             ,
             unlesse
             they
             be
             joyned
             together
             by
             some
             speciall
             bond
             amongst
             themselves
             :
             for
             so
             one
             Church
             would
             many
             times
             be
             dissolved
             into
             many
             ,
             and
             many
             Churches
             confounded
             into
             one
             .
             Now
             this
             bond
             is
             a
             Covenant
             ,
             either
             expressed
             or
             implicite
             ,
             whereby
             beleevers
             do
             binde
             themselves
             particularly
             to
             performe
             all
             such
             duties
             ,
             both
             towards
             God
             and
             mutually
             to
             one
             another
             ,
             as
             pertaine
             to
             the
             nature
             of
             a
             Church
             ,
             and
             their
             edification
             .
             And
             thereupon
             no
             man
             is
             rightly
             admitted
             into
             the
             Church
             ,
             but
             by
             confession
             of
             his
             Faith
             ,
             and
             stipulation
             ,
             or
             promise
             of
             obedience
             .
          
        
         
           These
           words
           doe
           plainely
           and
           fully
           shew
           his
           judgement
           of
           Church
           -
           Covenant
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           very
           same
           that
           is
           held
           and
           practised
           in
           
             New-England
          
           at
           this
           day
           .
           And
           that
           he
           was
           not
           for
           that
           severitie
           and
           regiditie
           of
           separation
           ,
           may
           be
           cleared
           from
           sundry
           of
           his
           workes
           ,
           wherein
           he
           plainly
           and
           fully
           beares
           witnesse
           against
           the
           same
           ,
           and
           namely
           ,
           in
           his
           
             Fresh
             suite
             against
             Ceremonies
             ,
             pag.
          
           207.
           and
           in
           his
           second
           
             Manuduction
             ,
          
           wherein
           he
           purposely
           and
           at
           large
           deales
           in
           this
           Argument
           of
           Separation
           .
           Sure
           it
           is
           Master
           
             Canne
          
           in
           his
           Booke
           ,
           wherein
           he
           goes
           about
           to
           prove
           the
           necessitie
           of
           separation
           from
           the
           Non-Conformists
           principles
           ,
           doth
           professedly
           and
           expressely
           oppose
           himselfe
           against
           Doctor
           
             Ames
          
           in
           the
           point
           of
           Separation
           ,
           which
           shewes
           how
           farre
           the
           good
           Doctor
           was
           from
           favouring
           that
           way
           ,
           when
           they
           most
           zealously
           therein
           doe
           count
           him
           to
           be
           a
           speciall
           opposite
           of
           theirs
           ,
           as
           indeed
           he
           was
           .
           And
           for
           Master
           
             Parker
             ,
          
           his
           judgement
           of
           Church-Covenant
           was
           heard
           before
           in
           part
           ;
           where
           he
           so
           much
           approveth
           the
           practise
           of
           the
           Reformed
           Churches
           in
           this
           point
           .
           And
           much
           more
           may
           be
           seene
           of
           his
           judgement
           herein
           ,
           in
           the
           sixteenth
           Chap.
           of
           the
           third
           booke
           of
           his
           
             P●lit
             .
             Ecclesiastica
             .
          
           And
           yet
           in
           the
           same
           place
           ,
           and
           likewise
           
             lib
             1.
             c●p
             .
          
           13
           ▪
           14.
           of
           the
           same
           Treatise
           he
           plentifully
           and
           plainly
           shewes
           his
           dislike
           of
           the
           wayes
           of
           Separation
           ,
           as
           is
           also
           acknowledged
           in
           an
           Admonition
           to
           the
           Reader
           ,
           prefixed
           before
           that
           Booke
           ,
           by
           
             ●
             .
             R.
             suo
             ,
             suorumque
             nomine
             .
          
           So
           that
           this
           Assertion
           appeares
           to
           be
           untrue
           ,
           wherein
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           that
           
             none
             but
             Brownists
             and
             Separatists
             doe
             approve
             of
             Church-Covenant
             .
          
        
         
           As
           for
           the
           In●erence
           from
           this
           ground
           ,
           that
           therefore
           Church-Covenant
           should
           not
           be
           received
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           pleaded
           for
           and
           pract●●ed
           by
           the
           Separatists
           .
           We
           Answer
           ,
           that
           this
           will
           not
           follow
           ,
           
           unlesse
           it
           could
           be
           proved
           ,
           that
           the
           Separatists
           hold
           no
           truth
           ;
           or
           if
           they
           hold
           a
           truth
           wee
           must
           not
           hold
           it
           ,
           that
           so
           it
           may
           appeare
           wee
           differ
           from
           them
           ;
           Either
           of
           which
           ,
           it
           were
           unreasonable
           to
           affirme
           .
           If
           the
           Papists
           hold
           sundry
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           ,
           as
           that
           there
           is
           a
           unitie
           of
           the
           Divine
           Essence
           ,
           and
           Trinitie
           of
           Persons
           ,
           that
           Jesus
           Christ
           is
           God
           and
           man
           ,
           and
           that
           true
           Messiah
           that
           was
           promised
           ,
           and
           the
           onely
           Saviour
           of
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           many
           such
           like
           ,
           must
           wee
           deny
           these
           things
           because
           they
           are
           holden
           by
           the
           Papists
           ?
           This
           were
           as
           unreasonable
           as
           to
           condemne
           the
           doctrine
           of
           the
           Resurrection
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           maintained
           by
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           
             Act.
          
           23.
           8.
           
           And
           so
           we
           say
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           holden
           and
           practised
           by
           them
           of
           the
           Separation
           ;
           as
           also
           many
           other
           truths
           are
           maintained
           by
           them
           :
           No
           reason
           that
           truth
           should
           be
           refused
           ,
           because
           the
           Separatists
           maintaine
           it
           .
           When
           Doctor
           
             Bancroft
          
           in
           a
           Sermon
           at
           
             Pauls-Crosse
          
           ,
           had
           avouched
           that
           the
           Superioritie
           of
           Bishops
           above
           other
           Ministers
           ,
           is
           by
           Gods
           owne
           Ordinance
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           the
           contrary
           opinion
           odious
           ,
           affirmed
           that
           
             Aerius
          
           per●i●ting
           in
           it
           ,
           was
           condemned
           for
           an
           Heretique
           by
           the
           generall
           consent
           of
           the
           whole
           Church
           ,
           and
           that
           
             Martin
          
           and
           his
           Companions
           ,
           doe
           maintaine
           the
           same
           opinion
           of
           
             Aerius
             ;
          
           What
           saith
           learned
           Doctor
           Reinolds
           hereunto
           ,
           in
           a
           Letter
           to
           Sir
           
             Francis
             Knolls
             ,
          
           who
           required
           him
           to
           shew
           his
           judgement
           herein
           :
           
             Touching
             
               Martin
               ,
            
             saith
             he
             ,
             if
             any
             man
             behave
             himselfe
             otherwise
             then
             in
             discretion
             and
             charitie
             he
             ought
             ,
             let
             the
             blame
             be
             laid
             where
             the
             fault
             is
             ,
             and
             defend
             him
             not
             ;
             but
             if
             by
             the
             way
             he
             utter
             a
             truth
             ,
             mingled
             with
             whatsoever
             else
             ,
             it
             is
             not
             reason
             that
             that
             which
             is
             of
             GOD
             should
             be
             condemned
             for
             that
             which
             is
             of
             man
             :
             no
             more
             then
             the
             doctrine
             of
             the
             Resurrection
             should
             be
             reproved
             ,
             because
             it
             was
             maintained
             and
             held
             by
             the
             Pharisees
             :
             Wherefore
             removing
             the
             odious
             name
             of
             
               Martin
            
             from
             that
             which
             is
             sinceritie
             and
             love
             ,
             is
             to
             be
             dealt
             with
             ,
             &c.
             
          
        
         
           And
           the
           very
           same
           doe
           wee
           say
           to
           them
           that
           would
           make
           Church-Covenant
           to
           be
           odious
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           held
           by
           those
           of
           the
           Seperation
           ,
           who
           are
           commonly
           called
           Brownists
           :
           If
           men
           behave
           themselves
           otherwise
           then
           they
           ought
           ,
           we
           defend
           them
           not
           therein
           ,
           but
           if
           they
           hold
           any
           truth
           mingled
           with
           whatsoever
           else
           ,
           wee
           would
           not
           have
           that
           which
           is
           of
           God
           to
           be
           condemned
           ,
           for
           that
           which
           is
           of
           man
           :
           truth
           should
           not
           be
           refused
           ,
           because
           of
           other
           corruptions
           that
           may
           be
           found
           in
           them
           that
           hold
           it
           .
        
         
         
           
             If
             you
             with
             them
             hold
             Church-Covenant
             ,
             
             you
             iustifie
             them
             in
             all
             their
             Wayes
             of
             seperation
             and
             erronious
             opinions
             .
          
        
         
           Not
           so
           ,
           
           for
           many
           of
           them
           hold
           that
           there
           are
           no
           visible
           Christians
           that
           stand
           members
           of
           the
           Parishes
           in
           England
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           not
           lawfull
           to
           hold
           any
           private
           Religious
           communion
           with
           such
           perso●s
           ;
           and
           that
           the
           parishionall
           Assemblies
           are
           none
           of
           them
           true
           Churches
           ,
           and
           that
           it
           is
           not
           lawfull
           to
           hear
           any
           of
           those
           Ministers
           to
           preach
           the
           Word
           ,
           none
           of
           which
           are
           justified
           at
           all
           by
           holding
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           though
           they
           do
           hold
           the
           same
           ;
           There
           is
           no
           such
           necessarie
           and
           inseparable
           connexion
           betweene
           these
           opinions
           ,
           and
           that
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           that
           he
           that
           holds
           this
           ,
           must
           needs
           hold
           the
           other
           also
           .
        
         
           
             But
             the
             time
             hath
             been
             ,
             
             when
             your selves
             did
             not
             hold
             Church-Covenant
             ,
             as
             now
             you
             do
             ;
             when
             you
             were
             in
             England
             you
             were
             not
             of
             this
             mind
             ,
             and
             therefore
             no
             marvell
             if
             your
             change
             since
             your
             coming
             to
             New
             England
             be
             suspected
             ,
             and
             offensive
             .
             If
             you
             change
             your
             judgement
             and
             practise
             in
             this
             manner
             ,
             God
             knows
             whether
             you
             may
             come
             at
             last
             ,
             and
             therefore
             men
             may
             well
             be
             afraid
             of
             holding
             with
             you
             in
             this
             point
             ,
             which
             your selves
             did
             not
             hold
             when
             you
             lived
             in
             your
             native
             Countrey
             .
          
        
         
           Some
           of
           us
           when
           we
           were
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           through
           the
           mercie
           of
           God
           ,
           
           did
           see
           the
           necessitie
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ;
           and
           did
           also
           preach
           it
           to
           the
           people
           amongst
           whom
           we
           ministred
           ,
           though
           neither
           so
           soone
           nor
           so
           fully
           as
           were
           meete
           ,
           for
           which
           we
           have
           cause
           to
           be
           humbled
           ,
           and
           to
           judge
           our selves
           before
           the
           Lord
           .
        
         
           But
           suppose
           we
           had
           never
           knowne
           nor
           practised
           the
           same
           before
           our
           coming
           into
           this
           countrey
           ,
           yet
           if
           it
           be
           a
           truth
           of
           God
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           reason
           why
           we
           should
           shut
           our
           eyes
           against
           the
           light
           ,
           when
           God
           holds
           it
           forth
           unto
           us
           ,
           nor
           that
           others
           should
           be
           offended
           at
           us
           for
           receiving
           the
           same
           .
           For
           by
           the
           same
           reason
           men
           might
           still
           continue
           in
           their
           sinnes
           ,
           and
           not
           make
           any
           progresse
           in
           knowledge
           and
           holinesse
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           not
           seeme
           unconstant
           ,
           which
           were
           contrary
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           wherein
           we
           are
           commanded
           nor
           to
           fashion
           our selves
           according
           to
           the
           former
           lusts
           of
           our
           ignorance
           .
           1.
           
             Pet.
          
           1.
           14.
           
           But
           to
           be
           changed
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           12.
           2.
           and
           renued
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           4.
           23.
           and
           put
           off
           the
           old
           man
           ,
           and
           put
           on
           the
           new
           ,
           
             Ephes.
          
           4.
           yea
           to
           grow
           in
           grace
           and
           holinesse
           ,
           2.
           
             Pet.
          
           3.
           18.
           and
           be
           stronger
           and
           stronger
           ,
           
             Iob
          
           17.
           9.
           that
           our
           good
           workes
           may
           be
           mo●e
           at
           the
           last
           ,
           then
           at
           the
           first
           ,
           
             Revel.
          
           2.
           19.
           
           Sure
           it
           is
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           the
           
             Corin●hians
          
           and
           
             Ephesians
             ,
          
           that
           the
           time
           had
           been
           
           when
           they
           were
           not
           the
           same
           men
           that
           now
           they
           are
           when
           he
           wrote
           unto
           them
           ;
           and
           yet
           he
           doth
           not
           blame
           them
           for
           leaving
           their
           former
           opinions
           or
           practise
           ,
           but
           commends
           them
           for
           it
           ,
           1.
           
             Cor.
             6.
             11.
             
             Ephes.
          
           2.
           3.
           &c.
           And
           it
           is
           said
           of
           
             Apollos
          
           an
           eloquent
           man
           ,
           and
           mighty
           in
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           when
           he
           came
           to
           
             Ephesus
          
           the
           way
           of
           God
           was
           expounded
           unto
           him
           more
           perfectly
           by
           
             Aquila
          
           and
           
             Priscilla
             ,
          
           whereas
           before
           he
           was
           instructed
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           knowing
           onely
           the
           Baptisme
           of
           
             Iohn
             :
          
           yet
           this
           was
           no
           dispraise
           at
           all
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           now
           upon
           better
           information
           he
           would
           change
           his
           judgement
           to
           the
           better
           ,
           nor
           unto
           them
           that
           were
           the
           means
           thereof
           :
           
             Act.
             18.
             25
             ,
             26.
             
             Nullus
             pudor
             est
             ad
             maliura
             transire
             .
          
        
         
           The
           time
           hath
           been
           ,
           (
           and
           we
           may
           be
           humbled
           for
           it
           )
           when
           we
           lived
           without
           God
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           some
           of
           us
           in
           many
           sinfull
           courses
           :
           and
           shall
           any
           be
           offended
           ,
           because
           we
           are
           not
           still
           the
           same
           ?
           and
           when
           God
           called
           us
           from
           the
           wayes
           of
           sin
           and
           death
           ,
           to
           the
           Fellowship
           of
           his
           grace
           in
           Christ
           ;
           yet
           some
           of
           us
           lived
           a
           long
           time
           in
           conformity
           to
           the
           ceremonies
           imposed
           in
           our
           native
           Countrey
           ,
           and
           saw
           not
           the
           evill
           of
           them
           .
           But
           when
           God
           did
           open
           our
           eyes
           ,
           and
           let
           us
           see
           the
           unlawfulnesse
           thereof
           ,
           we
           cannot
           see
           but
           it
           would
           have
           been
           a
           with-holding
           the
           truth
           in
           unrighteousnesse
           ,
           and
           a
           great
           unthankfulnesse
           to
           God
           for
           light
           revealed
           to
           us
           ,
           if
           we
           should
           still
           have
           continued
           in
           that
           course
           through
           an
           inordinate
           desire
           of
           seeming
           constant
           :
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           not
           any
           just
           cause
           of
           offence
           that
           we
           have
           changed
           our
           judgement
           and
           practise
           in
           those
           things
           ,
           when
           we
           once
           perceived
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           to
           disallow
           them
           .
        
         
           Indeed
           it
           hath
           been
           sometime
           objected
           against
           Mr.
           
             Cartwright
             ,
          
           and
           others
           ,
           that
           desired
           the
           reformation
           of
           the
           Churches
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           in
           regard
           of
           Discipline
           and
           Church-Order
           ,
           that
           they
           which
           stood
           so
           much
           for
           Reformation
           in
           Discipline
           ,
           did
           in
           after
           times
           adde
           and
           alter
           some
           things
           ,
           beyond
           what
           they
           saw
           at
           first
           ,
           and
           what
           themselves
           had
           formerly
           desired
           ;
           and
           that
           therefore
           being
           so
           mutable
           ,
           and
           inconstant
           in
           their
           apprehensions
           ,
           they
           were
           not
           to
           be
           regarded
           ,
           nor
           hearkened
           unto
           :
           to
           which
           Objection
           Mr.
           
             Parker
          
           makes
           full
           Answer
           
             in
             Eccles.
             lib.
             2.
             ca.
             36.
             p.
          
           307.
           where
           he
           sheweth
           from
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           testimonie
           of
           Bishop
           
             Iewel
             ,
          
           
             Doctor
             
               Reinolds
               ,
            
             and
             others
             ,
             that
             in
             the
             Reformation
             of
             Religion
             God
             brings
             not
             his
             servants
             into
             perfection
             in
             knowledge
             and
             zeale
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             but
             by
             degrees
             ,
             so
             as
             they
             grow
             and
             make
             
             progresse
             in
             these
             things
             in
             such
             wise
             ;
             that
             their
             good
             works
             are
             more
             at
             the
             last
             then
             at
             the
             first
             ,
             as
             was
             said
             of
             the
             Church
             of
             
               Thyatira
               ,
            
             even
             as
             the
             man
             that
             had
             been
             blind
             ,
             when
             Christ
             restored
             him
             to
             his
             sight
             ,
             could
             at
             the
             first
             but
             see
             men
             like
             trees
             walking
             ,
             and
             afterward
             saw
             every
             man
             cleerly
             ;
             and
             therefore
             it
             is
             no
             good
             arguing
             to
             say
             these
             men
             have
             altered
             and
             corrected
             such
             things
             from
             what
             their
             apprehensions
             were
             at
             first
             ,
             and
             therefore
             they
             are
             not
             to
             be
             regarded
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           if
           this
           be
           no
           good
           arguing
           against
           Mr.
           
             Cartwright
             ,
          
           and
           those
           that
           in
           
             England
          
           have
           been
           studious
           of
           Reformation
           (
           as
           indeed
           it
           is
           not
           )
           then
           it
           is
           no
           good
           Argument
           against
           us
           in
           this
           matter
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           to
           say
           we
           now
           hold
           and
           practise
           otherwise
           then
           we
           have
           done
           in
           former
           time
           .
        
         
           
             If
             any
             shall
             here
             reply
             ,
             
             that
             change
             from
             conformity
             to
             the
             ceremonies
             to
             Worship
             God
             more
             purely
             is
             warranted
             by
             the
             Word
             ,
             and
             therefore
             not
             blame-worthy
             ,
             and
             that
             the
             same
             may
             be
             said
             of
             the
             case
             of
             Apollos
             ,
             of
             the
             Corinthians
             ,
             and
             Ephesians
             forementioned
             ,
             and
             of
             
               Cartwright
               ,
            
             and
             the
             rest
             in
             his
             times
             .
          
        
         
           We
           answer
           ,
           
           that
           this
           is
           true
           ,
           and
           thereby
           it
           appears
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           simply
           the
           changing
           a
           mans
           opinion
           or
           practise
           that
           can
           be
           counted
           blame-worthy
           ,
           or
           offensive
           ,
           but
           changing
           without
           warrant
           of
           the
           Word
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           point
           of
           Church-Covenant
           ,
           the
           issue
           must
           not
           be
           whether
           we
           or
           others
           have
           formerly
           known
           and
           practised
           it
           ,
           but
           whether
           it
           have
           ground
           from
           Gods
           Word
           ;
           For
           if
           it
           have
           (
           as
           we
           hope
           have
           been
           proved
           before
           in
           this
           discourse
           )
           then
           the
           observing
           of
           it
           ,
           can
           be
           no
           cause
           of
           just
           offence
           unto
           others
           ,
           nor
           imputation
           of
           inconstancy
           to
           our selves
           ,
           though
           in
           time
           past
           we
           had
           not
           had
           so
           much
           light
           as
           to
           discerne
           the
           necessitie
           and
           use
           thereof
           .
        
         
           The
           good
           Lord
           pardon
           every
           one
           that
           prepareth
           his
           heart
           to
           seek
           God
           ,
           though
           he
           be
           not
           cleansed
           according
           to
           the
           purification
           of
           the
           Sanctuary
           :
           and
           grant
           unto
           all
           his
           Churches
           and
           servants
           ,
           that
           the●●
           love
           may
           abound
           yet
           more
           and
           more
           in
           knowledge
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           judgement
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           discerne
           the
           things
           that
           differ
           ;
           and
           approve
           the
           things
           that
           are
           excellent
           ,
           and
           by
           his
           Spirit
           of
           truth
           be
           led
           forward
           into
           all
           truth
           ,
           till
           Antichrist
           be
           utterly
           consumed
           with
           the
           breath
           of
           his
           mouth
           ,
           and
           the
           brightnesse
           of
           his
           coming
           ,
           and
           the
           holy
           City
           new
           Jerusalem
           come
           down
           from
           God
           out
           of
           heaven
           ,
           as
           a
           Bride
           adorned
           for
           her
           husband
           the
           Lambe
           ,
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           to
           whom
           be
           all
           glory
           of
           affiance
           and
           service
           for
           ever
           .
           
             Amen
             .
          
        
         
           FINIS
           .
        
         
      
    
     
       
         Notes, typically marginal, from the original text
         
           Notes for div A50245e-190
           
             Object
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             2
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             3
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Argu.
             2.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             2.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             ●
             .
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Argu.
             3.
             
          
           
             Argu.
             4.
             
          
           
             Argu.
             5.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Argu.
             1.
             
          
           
             Argu.
             2.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Argu.
             3.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Obj.
             2.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             3.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
             4.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
             5.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Argu.
             4.
             
          
           
             Argu.
             5.
             
          
           
             Object
             .
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Argu.
             6.
             
          
           
             Obj●ct
             .
             1.
             
          
           
             Answer
             .
          
           
             Object
             .
             2.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             3.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             4.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             5.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             6.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Reply
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             7.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             8.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             9.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             10.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             11
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obj.
             12.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             *
             By
             Brownists
             and
             Separatists
             you
             are
             to
             understād
             those
             of
             the
             rige●
             Separation
             .
          
           
             Reply
             .
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Obje
             .
             13.
             
          
           
             Answ.
             
          
           
             Reply
             .
          
           
             Answ.