50 The Duty of Believers who receive not fuch into complcat Communion with them, unto whom it is not a prefent duty to define that Communion. Yea, the admit ion of fuch perlons into Church-Societies, much more thecompellingof them to be Members of this or that Church, almoft whether they will or no , is contrary to the ruleof the Word , the ex- ample of the Primitive Churches , and a great expedient toharden men in their fins. We dotherefore avow, that we cannot admit any into our Church societies , as to compleat Memberfhip , and aétual Intereft in the Priviledgesof the Church, who do not, by a profeon ofFaith in, and obedience unto Jefus Chrift,noway contradiáed by fins of life, manifeft them- felves to be fuch , as whole duty it is, to joyn themfelves unto anyChurch. Neither do we injure any Baptized perfons hereby, or oppofe any of their Right unto , and Intereft in the Church, but only as they did univerfally in the Primitive Churches, after the deathof the Apoftles, we direú them into that way andmethod, wherein they maybe receivedunto the gloryof Chrift, and their own edification. And wedo therefore affirm,that we will ne- ver deny that Communion, unto any perfon, high or low, rich or poor, old or young, Male or Female, whofe duty it is to delre it. 2. It is added in the defcription of theSubjeC, That it isfuch an one who tales due care of his own salvation. Many there are whoprofefs themfelves to be Chriftians, who it may be hear the Word willingly , and domany things gladly, yet do not efteem themfelves obligedun- to a diligent enquiry into, and a precife obfervation of all thecommands of thrift. But it is fuch whom we intend, who conftantly fix their minds on theenjoyment ofGod, as their chiefeft good and utmoft end ; who thereon due- ly confider the means of attaining it, and apply them- felves
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