tojoyn thernfelve,s in Church-Order. z 5 z (elves thereunto. And it is to be feared, that the number of fuch perlons will not be found to be verygreat in the world; which is fufficient to take off the reproach from Tome particular Congregations of the fmalnefs of their number. Such they ever were,and fuch is it foretold that they fhouldbe. Number was never yet efteemed a note of the true Church, by any but thole, whole worldly in- tereft it is that it thould fo be ; yet at prefent abfolutely in thefe Nations, the number of filch perlons is not fmall. 3. Of thefe perlons it is laid, that it is their dittyfo to difpofe of themfelves. It is not that which they may do, as a convenience,or an advantage; not that which others may do for them , but which they muff do for themlelves in a way of duty. It is an Obediential act unto thecom- mands of Chrift ; whereunto is required fubjetion of Confcience untohis Authority, Faith in his prorriiles , as all) a relpeâ unto an appearance before his Judgment- Throneat the IAday. The wayof the Church ofRome to compel men into their Communion, and keep them in it, byfire and fagot, or any other means of external force, derives more from the Alcoran than the Gofpel. either doth it anfwer the mind of Chrift in the Inttitu iTon, End, and Order of Church-Societies,that men fhould become Members of them , partly by that which is no way in their own power, and partly by what their wills are regulated in, by the Laws of men. For it is, as was Paid, commonly efteemed , that menbeing born and Bap- tized in fucha Nation, are thereby madeMembers of the Churchof that Nation ; and by living within fuch Paro- chial Precincts, as the Law of the Land hath Arbitrarily eftablifhed, are Members of this or that particular Con- gregation. At leaf} they are accounted fo far to belong unto thefe Churches , as to render them liableunto all outwardpump/eats , that thall be thought meet to be inflited
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=