(46) fecond confderation , as vifibly profeiling fubje&ion unto the Rule of Chrift and Faith in him, may exprefs that fub- je&ion in Adis and Duties of his Woríhip , in the Obfer. vance of his Laws and Commands , according unto his Mind and Will. For this alone can be done in particular Churches , be they of what fort they will, whereof we íhall fpeak afterwards. Hence it follows that it belongs unto the Foundation of thefe particular Churches, that thofe who joyn in them , do it on a publick Trafefion of Faith in Chrifl, and Obedience unto him, without which this end of them alfo is loft. Thofe I fay who makea vifible Pro- feflion of theName of Chrift and their fubje&ion unto him, have no way to exprefs it regularly and according to his mind, but in thefeparticular Churches, wherein alone thofe Commandments of his, in whole Obfervance our Profellìon confifteth, do take place; being fuch Societies, as wherein the folemn Duties ofhis Woríhip are performed, and his Rule or Difcipline is exercifed. Wherefore this State of the Church alfo, without which both the other are imperfe&, belongs unto the grant of the Father, whereby a perpetual Continuation of it is fecured. Nor is it of any weight to obje&, that fuch hath been the Alterations of the State of all Churches in the World, filch the vifible Apoflafy of many of them unto falfe Wor- íhip and Idolatry, and of others into a worldly carnal con- verfation , with vain Traditions innumerable, that it can- not be apprehended where there were any true Churches of this kind preferved and continued , but that there were an atlieal Intercition of them all. For I anfwer. (z) No _In- dividual man, nay, no company of men that come together, can give a certain Account of what is done in all the World, and everyplace of it , where the Name of Chrift is profef- fed ; fo as that what is affirmed of the State of all Church- es, univerfally, is weer conjedture and furmize. (z) There is
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