The sum of the three first is thus much: viz: that Christ, & his* 1.1 Apostles preaching the gospell, such as beleeved the same, and made profes∣sion of it, and of their faith, were without stay, or let, received into the Church as true matter.
We are as farr from denying this order of gathering Churches,* 1.2 as you are from enjoying it, Mr B: you needed not to have made three distinct proofs of this, which no man denyes: nor to have brought so many scriptures as you do, for the confirmation of that, which wee graunt with you, and practise without you. But herein you deceive the simple reader in that you separate, and dis∣ioyn those things, which then were, and alwayes should be ioyned together: and they are faith, and repentance. These two ioyntly did Christ himself preach, and Iohn Baptist before him, and the A∣postles after him: and these two were preached to, and required of every one both man, and woman, which was admitted into the Church, Mat. 3. 2. 6. Mark. 1. 15. Act. 19. 4. Luke 13. 3. 5. & 24. 47. Act. 2. 28. & 8. 37. & 19. 18. But now bycause faith, & repentance are inward graces resydeing in the hart, and known to God alone, which knoweth the hart, and that the profession, and confession of them are the ordinary meanes by which these hid∣den, and invisible graces are manifested, & made visible vnto men, there was no cause, but they, which made this profession to men, in sincerity, so far as men could judge, should by men be deemed, and acknowledged for true members of Christ, and fit matter for