THe first is, bycause They enioy, and ioyn together in the vse of those outward means, which God in his word hath ordeyned for the gathe∣ring* 1.1 of an invisible Church, which are, preaching of the gospell, and admi∣nistration of the sacraments: which they will prove by the vnf••yned con∣version of many: & by the scriptures, Math: 28. 18. 20. Eph. 4. 11. 14.* 1.2
First the Church of Engl: namely the nationall Church, under a* 1.3 nationall government, and Ministery, is a popish devise: the Lord having appointed none other Church, vnder the new testament but a particular congregation (as these Ministers truely vnder∣stand.* 1.4 Mat: 18. 17.) with a government, & Ministery correspōdent.
2. Before men joyne together (as a Church in the fellowship of* 1.5 the gospell, and communion of Saynts) in the ordinances of God, they should be prepared by the preaching of the word, and fitted as spirituall stones for the Lords building, & so joyn in covenant, by voluntary, & personal profession of faith, & confessiō of sinns: from which how far the body of the nationall Church of Engl: both is, and ever hath been, all know.
3. As the sacraments are no meanes to gather eyther the* 1.6 visible, or invisible Church, but do praesuppose a CHVRCH