Christ’s promise and presence only makes an assembly blessed.
Truth. Doubtless there is a strong conviction in their souls of a professed promised presence of the Lord Jesus in the midst of his church, gathered after his mind and will, more than unto such kind of assemblies, though consisting of far more able persons, even the flower and cream of all the churches.
Peace. It is generally conceived, that the promise of Christ’s presence to the end of the world, Matt. xxviii. [20,] is made to the church.
The promise of Christ’s presence, Matt. xviii., distinct from that, Matt. xxviii.
Truth. There is doubtless a promise of Christ’s presence in the midst of his church and congregation, Matt. xviii. [20;] but the promise of Christ’s presence, Matt. xxviii. [20,] cannot properly and immediately belong to the church constituted and gathered, but to such ministers or messengers of Christ Jesus whom he is pleased to employ to gather and constitute the church by converting and baptizing: unto which messengers, if Christ Jesus will be pleased to send such forth, that passage, Acts xv., will be precedential.
14th position examined.
Peace. The fourteenth general head is this, viz., What power particular churches have particularly over magistrates.
“First,” say they, “they may censure any member, though a magistrate, if by sin he deserve it.
“First, because magistrates must be subject to Christ; but Christ censures all offenders, 1 Cor. v. 4, 5.
“Secondly, every brother must be subject to Christ’s censure, Matt. xviii. 15, 16, 17. But magistrates are brethren, Deut. xvii. 15.