QUESTION II. 57 the language of the holy scripture, çónsuIt the bookof Acts, consult the sacred epistles, where the word church is used at least forty or fifty-times in this sense. I will net deny but the word church, even where it does not signify the catholic church, visible or invisible, may in some few places he used for a larger number of christians than could meet in one place, as the church of Jerusalem in the very begin- ning ,of christianity, While christians multiplied faster than they could be well formed into regular distinct societies; yet even in some of those places perhaps it includes no more than didmeet for some special purpose. See Acts xi. 22. and xv. 22. The word church may also in a few other places he used for a smaller collection of Christians, that might occasionally meet, or perhaps dwell together, as thè church in the house of _I¡uilin and Pris- cilla; 1 Cor. xvi. 19. and in the house of Philemon; Phjletn. verse 2. But the most common acceptation of the word church, where it signifies a visible company of christians, implies sucha entuber, as met usually by common consent. iu one place for Christian communion, in stated and solemn ordinances of worship, and especially the Lord's- supper, as in the forecited texts of the epistle to the Corinthians and natty others. This is the church that is described in the nineteenth article of the church of Eng- land, viz. " A congregation of faithful men in which the pure word of Coil is preached, and the sacraments be duly ministered, according to Christ's ordinances, in all those things that of ne- cessity are requisite to the same." Yet let it be noted here, that such a society as this may be properly called a church, when their preachers, ministers, or all their officers are dead, or even before they have' any minister, or any officers fixed amongst them ; and without doubt they have power to rcceive any person that desires it, and makes a credible profession of chrìstianity, into their society, having judged his profession credible, and declared him in their judgment fit for Christian communion. But it would lead me-too far front my present design to insist upon- particular proof of these things, which has been often done, and Which is now the pretty general opinion of men that are not attached to any particular party, butgive themselves leave to think freely, and follow the dictates of reason and revelation;. Secs. IIi.'Ilse ordinances of the gospel must be ad- ministered in the church with decency, and honour, and spiritual advantage : But the whole body of the church cannot thus ad- minister them ; therefore it is necessary that these concerns be committed to such Persons as are peculiarly fitted for tltose'ad- ministrations by knowledge and prudence, and all proper talents; and the church ought to be fu'itisited with such officers who should he chosen and solemnly sel apart, devoted and ordained
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