384 II. Oseflìons,andCafes ofConfcience Chap. 39'` againfi finne , though with our on danger : So did John the Baptift, Mark 6.18,27. Que(t. When mug we thu6 make conf eon ? Anfw,. When we are called thereunto either publickly, or privately: ' Ouueft. How may toe becalledpublickl7toit? Anfm, Either by the Church, orby the Magifrate. Queft. When arewe called to it by a Church ? Anfw. Either at the conftitution of it ; or at our admifhon into it. ueff. How are wecalled to co:; felon at the ennftitutian ofa Church s e lnf, . As Chrift makes the confefhon of Faith to be the foundation ¡Tint which his vilible Church is built, Mat. i6.i6. to 19, whence two things mayTie colleeled. r. That agood confeffion of faith in Chriff fhould be trade, and laid as a foun- dation at the gathering , or connituting of a Church , which may be effe&u- all Co keep the Members found in the faith , and to ingage them to hold fart their principles. 2. That thole are the fittefl ílones for the building ofa Church, that cangive the belt account oftheir faith in Chrift. Quell, How are we called to confefon at our admittance' into a Church ? Anfw. At ouradmifl'ion into a Church , to which we delire to joyne our felves, being required togive anaccount ofour faith and holinefle , we fhouid be free andready to do it. Quell. How may that beproved? Anfw. Firfl, becaufe, as to beleeve with theheart , makes a man amember of the invifible Church, fo to confeffewith the mouth, qualifies him tobeamember ofthe vilible Church of Chrill. Secondly, this gives the Church knowledge of us, and fatisfa&ion in us yea, moves them to glorifie God for us, and to receive us in the Lord unto the fel- lowfhipwith them in all Chrills Ordinances, without which they may be afraid of us, as the Chuxh of J rufalcmwas of Paul, A61.9.26,27. Thirdly, this teems tohave been thepra&ice of thePrimitive Church(as now it is of the reformedChurches; fo Afi.z.41 . Fourthly, what is done at the planting ofa Church, is proper to be done in the augmentation ofa Church, whofoever would be a lively hone in this build- ing fhouldbe a confeffor ofChrin, r Pet. 2.5. well. How are we called to thispublick confeJon by aMagiftrate ? .Anfw. Whenwe are brought before Rulers, andGovernours for Chrifis fake, and examined about our religion , then we ought to bear witneflé to Chrift,and his truth, as Chrift, and his Apolllesdid, Sohn 18.37. i 7im.6.'. Luke 22.70. Mark,i4.6t,6z. So_,4t1.4.5, to s6. and 5.2.7, to 33. AH.6.12.15. and 24.14. to z2. and z6.z,&c. and24.25,&c. Quell-. when are we called to it privately? Anfw. Firll, when, we are asked by a tingle perfon, who defires information); and lays not a fnare for us, 1 Pet.3.55. fo did Chrifl, °h.4.' 5,26, and Io. 24, &c. and 7. 35, &C. Secondly , when we are engaged in reafonings and difputes withothers a- bout the matters ofChrift, and hisGofpel , Yude 3. we are fet for the defence eftheCofpel, Phil,i.i7, Aû. T9.29. and 17.18,24, &c. and 5.2, and6. 9,5o, &c. Hence, Phil.i,27. Thirdly, when we are in companywhere thename of Chrift is blafphemcd, or his truths ,vvayes, fervants areevil fpokenof ; thenwe ought to (land up for Chrift,and his truth,&c. and to fpeak as muchfor them as othersdoagainit them, yea,ro outfpeak them,and put themto filenee. Quell.
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