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The CRY of a STONE.
Of the essentiall marks and notes of the visible Church.
THere is nothing that can rightly be described by any * 1.1 speciall Ornaments or priviledges thereof, but hee that will make a true and proper definition of any thing, must describe it by such properties as are so essentiall to the thing, as that being there, they make it to be that it is, and being absent, it ceaseth to be any more the same.
The Church is often compared to a house, yea, called Gods * 1.2 House: Now, no man can describe a house by the ornaments and fur∣niture thereof, but onely by the matter and forme; both which being together, there is indeed a house, but if either be absent, the house cannot be.
Indeed, when materials are framed, wee sometimes say, there is a house, though no forme appeare; but such speaking is improper, and it may rather be said, there is stuffe for a house, then a house indeed: so in regard of the true materials of the Church, the people of God. whose hearts are framed to holinesse and sanctitie, dwelling here and there in the world, and never combining into a body, nor, perhaps, knowing they should so doe, may yet be said in an improper kind of speaking, to be the Church of God; but this cannot be said, but of the Church in generall and universall, combined and knit together by one spirit, partakers of one hope, and expecters of one glory.
For touching the visible Church, which presents it selfe to the out∣ward eye, the case is otherwise; and we may not account all visible Christians a visible Church; for by a visible Church▪ wee meane a company or congregation assembling together. Now, a man may be a visible Christian▪ and never come at such an assembly, much lesse be a joyned member in the policie thereof.
Neither doe we meane that every assembly or congregation is the Church of God, though the word be indifferently used; for there is * 1.3 the Church of evill doers, and there is a Church of tumultuous railers.