The Nature of a Gospel Church / A Confession of Evangelical Principles; and the Members' Covenant. Intended for the Use of the Church of Christ.

A CONFESSION OF EVANGELICAL PRINCIPLES:
AND
THE MEMBERS’ COVENANT .
Intended for the Use of
The Church of Christ.
By J. CHURCH, Minister of the Gospel, Obelisk Chapel.
EXODUS xxv, 40. Look that thou make all things according to the Pattern shewed thee in the Mount. JUDE. Contend earnestly for the Faith once delivered to the Saints. 1 COR. i, 10. That ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.
Southwark: Printed by R. THOMAS, Red Lion Street, Borough.
Eph. V. 23. Christ is the Head of the Church. Acts vii, 28. This is he that was in the Church in the Wilderness. Rev. ii, 27. All the Churches shall know I am he. Eph. iii, 21. To Him be glory in the Church.
To the congregational Churches of Jesus Christ , particularly that one over which the Holy Ghost hath made me an Overseer : Grace be to you all . Amen .—I thought it necessary to write to you on some Subjects which are very interesting, and to give you in sundry articles, the particulars of the Faith we profess, as believers in our most adorable Redeemer; with a few agreements which claim the conformity of all those who have given themselves up to the Lord, to walk in all well pleasing to him. I haw endeavored to keep close to the sacred pages, which are the grand standard of Faith and Practice, and as many as walk according this rule, peace be on them, and on the whole Israel of God.
The first Subject I wish my brethren well instructed in is the Church of God. It must be allowed that the ever blessed God, for the purposes of glorifying his grace, hath chosen a number of persons in Christ—that he gave them to Christ—that the Redeemer accepted them, and delighted in them as his Bride—and though he foreknew their fall in Adam, yet he covenanted with the Father to be their Surety, Righteousness, and Mediator—to deliver them from the hands of their enemies by his precious sacrifice, and in due time to call them by his holy Spirit, to the knowledge of himself; to preserve them in himself till called, and maintain them in the wilderness of this world till their glorification. All these things being planned before all worlds, in due time the Redeemer came, according to his engagement, and paid down his life for their Justification and Pardon—in consequence of which, Justice being satisfied, the Law honoured, Sinners redeemed, and the Holy Spirit, with all its blessing secured, the Church of God is called, one member after another, and will be so till the whole body is complete: hence the Apostle says, Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might save it with the washing of water, by the Word—the glorious Gospel of the blessed God is the means made use of, to bring poor sinners to the knowledge of Jesus—truth having an entrance into the heart, influences all the powers, enlightens the understanding, subdues and reconciles the will, sways the affections, captivates the thoughts, and quickens the conscience. Thus the entrance of God’s word giveth light, and God shines into the heart, sooner or later, to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, in the Person of Jesus. This is attended with love to God, as seen in Jesus—love to the Redeemer, in his Person, Work, and Offices—love to the Holy Spirit, who has done so much for the soul, and stands engaged to do much more. This love is led forth to ministers who are sent of God, especially to those whose ministry is most blessed to us, of whatever denomination they may be. This same principle of love is led forth to those who bear the image of Christ, who are divinely taught, whether they are Children, young Men, or Fathers—for, he that loveth is born of God , and knoweth God—Ye are taught of God to love one another— he that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten . This fire within catcheth itself wherever it is—in another—thus there is a unity of heart; this unity of heart is attended with a willingness to know, and do the will of God; to worship him according to his declared will, as laid down in the New Testament—to assemble together for Prayer, reading the Word of God, and hearing it faithfully preached by those whom God hath sent. It is to submit to all his Ordinances, Baptism , as we are led to see it right, and the Lord’s Supper , with the rest of the Lord’s people; and a walking in holy obedience to the revealed will of God. This appears to be the Church of God, which he purchased with his blood; that he always protects, and will maintain as long as the world lasts. This is called his invisible Church (not to himself) but to the work, they being attended with others in the same profession, though not the same possession ; and making this profession public in their non-conformity to the world, in being called from among them as well as redeemed from among them; in consequence of these things they are called the visible Church of Christ, which has been called Catholic , or general Church.