and whereby the same spirit dwells in all, and works in all, the same christian graces.

Eph. iv, 3, 13. Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. 2 Cor. xi, 4. For he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit which ye have not received, or another gospel which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. Jude 3. Beloved, when I give all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. Gal. i, 8, 9. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 1 Pet. v, 9. Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. Col. i, 2, 7, 23. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse : Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ. ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof 1 Paul am made a minister.

If

SECTION VI.

Of True and False Churches.

29. Are we then to understand that all particular churches are equally churches of Christ?

All particular churches which agree in holding the truth as it is in Jesus,-which profess sound doctrine,—which maintain the preaching of the word, and administration of the sacraments-and which thus hold the truth in love

are justly distinguished by the name and authority, of true visible churches. Nevertheless, all churches are not true churches, but some are false.

30. What do you mean by a true church?

By a true church, or portion of the visible church, I mean a society whose confession of faith agrees with the doctrine of Jesus Christ and his apostles; and which is governed solely by the laws laid down in the word of God, or drawn from it by plain and necessary inference. What then are the signs of a true

31.

church?

The signs of a true church are soundness of doctrine, a lawful and regular ministry, the prevalence of love among its members and towards all saints, and the due administration of gospel ordinances, including discipline.

Eph. ii, 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Acts ii, 42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts xiv, 38. And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Matt. xxviii, 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Acts xx, 7. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

32. Is not antiquity, as it regards its visible form, one mark of a true church?

It is not, since judged by this standard, the Jewish would be the only true church: while

other forms of religion also lay claims to greater antiquity than the christian. Besides, the signs of all true christian churches must be those laid down in the bible, and must therefore be as ancient as christianity itself.

33. Is not universality in the extent of its authority and government, the mark of a true church?

Universality, in the sense of universal extent, is not a mark of a true church; for no church is, or ever has been, in this sense universal; and the assumption of any such authority by any one church over all others, is antichristian usurpation.

34. Is the possession of a clear and uninterrupted personal succession in its ministers, from the time of the apostles, the necessary mark of a

true church?

Such a personal succession cannot be the mark of a true church, because it cannot be shown by any church on earth-because if it had been essential, such a succession would have been preserved, free from doubt or interruption,-because it is no where laid down in the Scriptures and because the Scriptures shew that even when an unquestioned succession did exist, God withdrew his presence and forsook the apostate church.

Jer. vii, 4. Trust ye not in lying words, saying, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are these. Mal. ii, 1, 9. And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have

not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law. Rom. ix, 6-8. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall thy seed be called: That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

35. What then is the mark of a false church?

That is a false church, which,—however much it claims to possess the temple, the priesthood, antiquity or succession-lays any other foundation than Christ the Son of God, maintains doctrines contrary to Scripture, or which mutilates or corrupts the administration of divine ordinances.

Rev. ii, 9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich,) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

36. May that, then, be a christian church, which is not a true and pure church?

There are societies, which, though entitled to the name of churches of Christ, are by no means pure, either as it regards their doctrine or order.

37. May there then be true christians within the bosom of false and apostate churches?

We are certainly taught that within such churches there may be some who are true Christians, who are therefore members of the invisible church-and who, with more or less publicity, bear testimony against their errors,

1 Kings xix, 18. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal and every mouth which hath not kissed him. Isa. i, 9. Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Rom xi, 28. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sake, &c. Isa. x, 20, 22. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them, but shall_stay upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness. Ezek. ix, 4. And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 2 Pet. ii, 8. For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. Psa. cxix, 53, 136. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. Rev. xii, 6, 14. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Acts ix, 31. Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, ahd in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

SECTION VII.

Of the Perpetuity and Necessity of the Church.

38. Are we then to believe in the perpetuity of the church of Christ?

Our Saviour has declared that the church is built upon a rock-that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it—and that He will be with it always, even to the end of the world.