( 69 ) State and Rule; that is, by Ecclefaflical Courts, with Yuri¡' dit/ion over all Perfons or Congregations belonging unto them, it will not help their Caufe. For (ï) Thole Particu- lar Congregations wherein thefe things are to be obferved, are Churches, or they are not. If they are Churches, they are of Chrifts Appointment, and we obtain what we aim at; nor is it in the Power of any man to deprive them of any thing that belongs unto them-as fuch; if they are not, but Inventions and Appointments of their own, then that which they fay is this; that what is abfolutely neceJfary unto the due Obfervation of the i/orfhip ofGod, and unto all the Ends of Churches, being not appointed by Chrift, is by there provided for appointed and ordained; which is to exalt themfelves in Wifdom and Care above him , and to place themfelves in a nearer Relation to the Church than he. To grant that ma- nyof thofe things which are the Ends forwhich any Church - State under the Gofpel is appointed, cannot beperformed or attained but in, and byparticular Congregations, and yet to deny that thofe particular Congregations are of Chrifts In- ftitution , is to fpeak contradi&ions, and at the fame time to affirm, that they are Churches, and are not Churches. (2.) A. Church is fuch a Body or Society, as hath Spiritual Power, Priviledges and Promifes annexed unto it , and ac- companying of it. That which hath not fo, as fuck, is no Church. The particular Congregations mentioned have this Power,withiPriviledges,and Promifes,belonging to them,or they have not. If they have not, they are no Churches, at leaft no compleat Churches,and there are no Churches in the Earth, wherein thofe things canbe done,for which the Being of Churches was Ordained, as namely the joynt Cele- bration of Divine Worshipby all the Members of them. If they have fuch Power, I define to know from whence or whom they have it; if from Chrift then are they of his Iz- flitution ; and w-ho can diveft them of that Power, or any part of it That they have it from men,. I::fuppofe will not be_
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