siastical union of his followers, which the Redeemer was authorized to appoint and require, is to be sustained and perpetuated? And it might be answered in general terms, that it is to be done by the presence and love of Christ operating in the hearts of his people, for he hath said of his disciples, "Lo I am with you always, even to the end of the world," Matt. 28: 20. But then it ought to be remembered, that the operative principle of the love of Christ, like the mysterious agency of God the Father, acts by means, and in concert with the established principles of our nature. Look then, for a further illustration of the general nature of the Christian Church, at that instructive declaration of the Apostle, (Eph. 2: 19-22,) whom we are bound to consider as speaking the mind of Christ; Now therefore ye are no more strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God, and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord, in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

In this passage, we have obviously these general views ; (1) Christ himself is the head of the Church; the beginning, the foundation, the chief corner-stone, without whom it does not and cannot exist. And this agrees with what has been shown more at length in the preceding section.— (2) It is further very clearly implied in this passage that there is an analogy between the Church as remodelled and completed in the New Testament, and households and cities; a truth, which lets us at once into its internal constitution. For the light of nature teaches us, as all will allow, that, in households or families, there must be imperative regulations or laws; and that there must be both government and subordination. It is the same in cities; there must be a magistracy, laws, and obedience; it being

impossible, that cities, or other civil communities, or corporations of any kind, should exist without them.

Hence the constitution of a Christian Church implies not only the association together of inviduals for express purposes,but also that Christ's house,which is only another name for such ecclesiastical or church association, has its principles of government and action, its laws and officers, not less than families and civil communities. Christ is the founder and lawgiver; and in the exercise of his character as such, he requires of the members of his household, the citizens of his New Jerusalem, the recognition and observance of such laws, as are suitable and necessary; whether we gather them from the light of nature, from the covenants and church state of the Old Testament, from the example and the epistles of the Apostles, or from his own holy example and instructions.And here comes the answer to the question at the head of the section, viz. That the Church under Christ is to be sustained and perpetuated by its covenants, principles, and laws; by the due appointment of officers, and the subordination of members, and the conscientious discharge of duties in all stations; in a word, by enabling the holy principle of evangelical life to grow up, and flourish, and multiply through the medium of an authorized and appropriate organization.

§. 11. Of the characteristics of a true Church.

In view of what has been said, it will perhaps not be difficult to indicate some, (not professing to go into a minute examination of the subject,) of the general characteristics of a true Church state; such as naturally and necessarily flow out from its very nature, from its origin, its design, and tendencies; and are not dependant on the name that is borne, nor necessarily involved in the minor, and nonessential arrangements of outward organization.-(1) It must, in the first place, be deemed an admitted and fixed

principle with all persons, that every true church adopts the doctrines of the Word of God. The church, as we have had ample occasion to see, is founded on Christ as its head and chief corner stone; but Christ assures us, he came not to destroy the Law and the Prophets, but to fulfil. The Word of God, therefore, (not a part, but the whole,) the Law, the Prophets, and the Apostles must furnish its Creed; Christ himself, as in matters of mere form and discipline, being the foundation. It is said at the close of the Apocalypse, if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this Prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the holy city. And the spirit of this denunciation undoubtedly embraces associations, as well as individuals; leaving no man and no body of men at liberty to take from, annul, or alter, either directly or indirectly, the doctrines of the Divine Word. (2) A second mark of a true Church, is the maintenance of discipline, and of religious instruction. In respect to the article of discipline, it must be sufficiently obvious, that no Church can be regarded as a true Church, unless it sets itself strictly and effectually against all persons outwardly vicious, such as drunkards, swearers, blasphemers and sabbath breakers, and also against all others who are not found to sustain such a character, as may justly be expected of a professed follower of Christ. "Ye are a chosen generation (says the Apostle Peter 1. Ep. 2: 9) a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people."

And also the neglect of the suitable and appointed means of religious instruction will not less imply forfeiture of the character of a true Christian Church. This position is equally obvious with what has been stated in respect to matters of discipline; inasmuch as all allow one great object of the union of believers in a church state to be mutual support and edification. "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another even as also ye do;"

Thess. i. Ep. v. 11. "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done to edifying;" Cor.i. Ep.xiv. 26.

Let it be noticed, however, although there be a distinction between a true and a false Church, every communion of Churches, or in other words, every religous sect must judge for itself as to this thing. All religious communities have the Bible before them, the code of the eternal God; and they are at liberty, and it is their duty to interpret it rightly, and to apply the results, at which they arrive, to their own state and conduct, and that of others. But the right is reciprocal, and all other religious bodies possess it equally. The day, when one religious sect could bind its interpretations of scripture upon another, however candidly made, except in the way of friendly advice, persuasion, and admonition, has happily passed away.

§. 12. Concluding remarks on this subject.

We indulge the conviction, that we have now arrived at the true sources of a Church-state, especially of an Evangelical Church-state, including not only the author and objects, but the methods of its perpetuation. At least, we think we have not failed to give the sentiments of Congregationalists in reference to this subject, as we find them written in their ancient books, and as they have been disclosed to us in various ways from one generation to another. And we may safely take it upon ourselves to say, that the principles, at the foundation of our ecclesiastical structure, were carefully examined by men of great experience and prudence, and also of undoubted learning, especially in the Scriptures. The venerable wisdom of John Cotton, and the logical acuteness of Mr. Hooker of Hartford, stood, side by side, with the learning and sagacity of

Robinson and Owen; not to mention many other celebrated names, that had a share in framing its goodly proportions. And we may confidently aver of such an edifice, erected with great labour, sanctified by prayer, and now rendered venerable by age, that it is not to be lightly esteemed, still less wantonly abandoned. But it becomes us, as in the days of Jeremiah, "To stand in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and we shall find rest for our souls.”

CHAPTER SECOND.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

§. 13. Distinction between the visible and invisible church.

It seems suitable here, to allude very briefly to the distinction, which has sometimes been made between the Visible and Invisible Church.-(1) The word CHURCH, when qualified by the epithet INVISIBLE, includes the whole body of the faithful; to whatever land they belong, and to whatever Christian sect they attach themselves. Whoever truly possesses the elements of Christian character, is a member of the Invisible Church; and as such possession is neither restricted by party names, nor circumscribed by geographical boundaries, it may confidently be assumed, that the limits of Christ's unseen household are known only to God, the searcher of hearts.

who

(2) The Visible church is any number of persons, give credible evidence of Christian character, by professedly and apparently endeavoring to walk in the way of the divine commandments, having associated themselves to