72 A CHRISTIAN CHURCH. been always required even in scripture-times, and the word of God and the very nature of things seem to demand it. QUEST. IV.What is a Chúrch-covenant ? And whether it be necessary to Christian Communion? Besides the things that have been already mentioned, as in- cluded in a credible profession of christianity, it is worth our enquiry, whether any solemn covenant be needful in order to communion ? Now to answer this question we must distinguish between that communion which is fixed and constant in one church, or that which is only occasional. By fixed, constant, and complete communion, I mean the joining myself to a parti- cular church, .so as to become a complete member of that religi- ous society, engaging to perform at appointed times and places, my most usual public worship with that society rather than with others, to assist in all services necessary to support that society, and partake of all the privileges of it for mutual edification and comfort, and to maintain the publichonour of Christ inthe world. By occasional communion, I understand a mere participation of the general and special ordinances of the gospel with a parti- cular church for a time, under the general character and claim of christianity, anti so far as occasions of providencemay make it convenient aiddesirable. But not to become properly a diem- 'her of that particular society, nor to be interested in the affairs, regulation or management of it. Now for this occasional com- munion, there is no necessity that every suchcommunicant should enter solemnly into a covenant or agreement with that particular church, any farther than only to partake of those special ordi- nances for a season in a decent and regular way. It is sufficient for this sort of communion, that a person make such a credible profession of christianity as has been before described, or that he be recommended by some other church, or the elders thereof, be- forewhom he has made such a credible profession : or that it be some way ascertained to the church 'lose communion he desires, that he has done it. But where fixed and complet,. fellowship with a particular society is desired, the very naturs of things seems to require it, that there should be such a mutual agreement among the persons that intend to,practise this constant communion. This is part of the second thing requisite to make our profession credible, viz. a professed subjection to all the necessary duties of christianity, as will plainly appear .by what follows : A church is composed of such persons as agree to worship and walk together in all the ordinances of Christ, viz. to attend en the ministry or preaching of the word, on praying to God to-
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