CHAP. VII.
Q. 7. If there be no true visible Church in the New Testa∣ment, but onely a congregation meeting in one place, and no Presbyteriall or representative Church (as they call it) at all.
OVr Brethren hold that the only true publick vi∣sible Church in the New Testament is a Congre∣gation of Believers joyned together by a voluntary pro∣fession of Faith, and meeting in one place to wor∣ship God. They deny 1. That the word (Church) doth ever signifie a Presbytery or Eldership. 2. They deny that there is any representative Church, proper∣ly so called, or that it hath the title of a Church in the New Testament. 3. They deny that there is any Pro∣vinciall or Nationall Church that can be called a visi∣ble politique body of Christ. 4. They deny any Church to have power of jurisdiction over a particular Con∣gregation. For the decision of the present questions, these distinctions are to be observed,
- 1. There be odds betwixt a Church visible, and a Church ministeriall.
- 2. There be odds betwixt a Cathedrall or mother Church (and this we deny) and a Church Nationall and pro∣vinciall, which cannot meet to the worship of God in all the particular members therof.
- 3. The Church is termed representative three wayes (as we shall heare) 1. properly, 2. commonly, 3. most properly.
- 4. Suppose the name of Presbyteriall Church be not in the New Testament, yet if the thing it selfe be in it, it is sufficient.