tojoyn themfelves in Church-Order. 149 own Spiritual Edification ,, andthe right difcharge of his Commands. I. This Duty is prefcribed (i'.) unto them only who profefs Faith in Chrifl 7efut 5 who own themfelves to be his Difciples , that call Jefus Lord. For this is the me- thodof the Gofpel, that first men by the Preachingof it be made Difciples , or be brought unto Faith in Chritt Jefus , and then be taught to do and obferve whatever he commands , Matth. 28. 18)19, 2o. fiat to believe, and then to be added unto the Church , AC/. 2. 41, 47, 46, 4,7. Men muff firstjoyn themfelves unto the Lord, or give up themfelves unto him , before they can give up themfelves unto the Church , according to the mind of Chritt, 2 Cor. 8. 5. We are not therefore concerned at prefent as unto them, who either not at all profels Faith in Chrift Jefus , or elle through ignoranceof the Funda- mental Principles of Religion, and wickednefs of lhfe,do deítroy or utterly render ufelef that Profeflion. Wedo not fay it is the duty of fuch perlons, that is, their imme- diate duty, in the gate wherein they are, to joyn them- felves unto. any Church. lay,, it is the duty of every Church, to refufe them their Communion, whiltt they abide in that Elate. There are other duties to be in the firft place preffed on them , whereby they may be made meet for this. So in the Primitive times, although in the extraordinary Converfions unto Chriftianity that were made among the jews., who before belonged untoGod, Covenant , they were all immediately added unto the Church ; yet afterwards , in the ordinary way of the Converfton of men, the Churches did not immediately admit them into compleat Communion , but kept them as Catechumeners , for theencreafe of their knowledge, and trial of their profeffion, until they were judged meet to be joyned unto the Church. And they are not toblame who ..
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