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That it is the dutie of all Christians, having renounced all false wayes of idolatrous, Antichristian, and superstitious worship, and of sin, and the world (as to instruct and govern their own families according to God, so) to joyn willingly together in Christian communion and orderly covenant, and by free confession of the
faith, and profession of their subjection to the Gospel of Christ, to unite themselves unto peculiar and visible Congregations, wherin as members of one body, whereof Christ is the head, they are to worship God according to his Word: To this Church he hath given royall priviledges, as the holy Oracles, the Promises, the seals of the Covenant, his presence, love, protection, and blessing in a speciall manner, here all that acknowledge him to be their Prophet, Priest, and King, are to be inrolled amongst his houshold servants and to present their bodies, and souls, and gifts, and so∣lemne services for a spirituall sacrifice acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Being thus united, they to whom God hath given gifts to interpret the Scriptures, being approved by the Church, and ap∣pointed thereunto, may, and ought to teach publikely the Word of God, by prophecying according to the proportion of faith for edification, exhortation, and comfort of the Church, till such time as men may be had fit to such office or offices as Christ hath ap∣pointed to the publike Ministery of his Church; and then they are upon due triall to proceed to the choice, and ordination of those officers according to God: and then the officers are to dispense the seals of the covenant, viz. Baptisme to the seed of the faithfull in their infancy, and to others not yet baptized, when by profession of their faith they are added to the Church: And all of the Church that are of yeers, and are able to examine themselves, must com∣municate also in the Lords Supper in both kinds, viz. bread and wine.