The churches resurrection, or, The creating of the new heavens written by an unworthy gospel-minister, John Bryan.

Clem. Alex. Lib. 7. Stro. p. 790.

Nam ante mysteriorum quo{que} seu Sacramentorum traditionem ex∣hiberi oportere quasdam expiationes iis qui sunt initiandi mysteriis; utpote quod oporteat impia deposita opinione ad veram converti tra∣ditionem.

Herein that this was done to those were to be initiated, at their initiating (by the mysteries) that is, at their Baptism; before which they were to promise the denyal of themselves, and the forsaking their old Conversation, and a subjecting themselves to the Gospel,

and promise to live the life of Christ, in society with the Saints.

Now in these do I suppose begins the bonds and tyes spoken of Ephesians 4.16. Colloss. 3.19. in which, the member is bound to Christ, to the Minister, the members by Promise, by Sacraments, by Profession of Faith, &c. and Christ unto the Christian.

Application of this is, That seeing the collection of Churches was in this maner set down in the Gospel, and practised for Two hun∣dred years after in the Church, sure the same way is still to be ob∣served, or the constitution of our Churches cannot be said to be ac∣cording to Christ in the Gospel, or the Churches in the Primitive pa∣tern; but must resemble the estate of Churches as they were set up under Antichrist, or that Form which made way for him, and con∣tributed to the inthronizing of him.