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Church being adults, they were capable of making this folemn declaration, to found co fidence in the minds of thofe who received them.

The fyftem to which they affented was probably drawn up by fuch officers in the Church as received the candidates who offered. Thus, Paul drew up a FORM OF SOUND WO R D S for Timothy: Said he, "Hold faft the form of found words which thou haft heard of me,' &c.

THIRDLY, I fhall enquire if thefe engagements were, on fpecial occafions, renewed by the members of the Apoftolic Churches, and that with divine approbation. I conclude in the affirmative, for the following reafons.

I. THE Churches of Macedonia were brought into great trials, which they bore with cheerfulness and joy; and, at the fame time, to exercife their liberality for the relief of the faints, which they did with readinefs: But how did they atchieve thefe things? "And this they did, not as we hoped, but firft gave their own felves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God." This folemn dedication is not that which obtained at the admiffion of the members of thefe churches unto baptifm ; but fuch as took place a long time afterwards. It will not be improper, however, to take a more narrow furvey of this text.The duty performed, "They gave their own felves unBbbb 2

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to the Lord." The foundation of faith in fuch a duty lies in that, or the like promife, "One fhall fay, I am the Lord's." They dedicated themfelves unto him as his people. This is the only fenfe in which perfons, already in a church ftate, can be faid to give themfelves unto the Lord.The Apoftle adds, "And to us, by the will of God." Learned men haye viewed this teftimony in various lights, Some understand it of fubjecting themselves

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The folemnity of this profeffion Dr OWEN treats, EX PROFESSO, in another work befides his Commentary on the Epiftle to the Hebrews. It may not be improper to make a few oxtracts from it in this place, as it is not in the hands of every reader: "The way whereby per fons enter into a church state is, by MUTUAL CONFEDE RATION, or folemn agreement for the performance of all the duties which the Lord Chrift hath preferibed unto his difciples in fuch churches; and in order to the exercife of the power wherewith they are intrusted, according to the rule of the word. The things enfuing are clear and evident: 1. The Lord Chrift, by his authority, hath inflituted this church state. 2. That, by his word, he hath granted powers and privileges unto this church; and prefcribed duties unto all belonging to it. 3. That he doth require and command all his dif ciples to join themselves in a church relation; warranting them fo to do by his word and command. Wherefore, 4. This JOINING OF THEMSELVES, where on depends all their intereft in church powers and privileges, all their obligation unto church duties, is a voluntary act of the obedience of faith unto the authority of Christ, nor can it be any thing elfe. 5. Herein they GIVE THEMSELVES UNTO THE LORD, and to one another, acvarding to the will of God. 6. TO GIVE OURSELVES CNTO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST is, exprefsly to engage to

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to fuch as are over them in the Lord, to be guided by them in all the ordinances of the Gofpel. Others understand it of giving their contribution into their hand, to be diftributed according to their wifdom. The former, which is the most natural connection of the words, is moft generally received.

THE perfons who performed thefe duties are, as the connection intimates, the Churches

do and obferve all that he hath appointed and commanded in the church; as the phrafe every where fignifieth in Scripture; as alfo, JOINING OURSELVES UNTO THE LORD, which is the fame. 7. This refignation of ourfelves unto the will, power, and authority of Chrift, with an exprefs engagement made unto him of doing and obferving all his commandments, hath the nature of a covenant on our part; and it hath fo on his, by virtue of the promife of his fpecial prefence, annexed unto this engagement on our part, Matth. xxviii. 19. 20. 8. There are three things required unto a covenant between God and men: (1.) That it be of God's appointment. (2.) That, upon a prefcription of duties, there be a folemn engagement unto the performance of them on the part of man. (3.) That there be a fpecial promife of God annexed thereunto (I would rather fay prefixed), in which confifts the matter of confederation, whereof mutual ftipula tion is the form; all concur herein."--" 11. There are many mutual duties required of all who join themfelves in church focieties, and powers to be exercised and fubmitted unto, whereunto none can be obliged without their own confent. They must give themselves to one another by the will of God; that is, they must agree, confent, and engage among themfelves, to obferve ali thofe duties, to ufe all thofe privileges, and to exercife all thofe powers which the Lord Chrift hath prefcribed

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Churches in Macedonia. There were more than one church in Macedonia; and all of them feem to have concurred in this duty. The dedication was folemn and focial; and the practice appears to have been univerfal.

THE feafon in which they performed this duty. This was not at their firft erection. Independents have pleaded for church-covenants to conftitute fingle churches, of no greater ex

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and granted unto his church, Jer. 1. 4, 5."-" 14. Now, whereas thefe things, in themfelves, and for the fubftance of them, are known gofpel duties, which all believers are indifpenfibly obliged unto, the more exprefs our engagement is concerning them, the more do we glorify Christ in our profeffion, and the greater sense of duty will abide on our confciences, and the greater encouragement be given unto the performance of mutual duties; as alfo, the more evident will the warrant be for the exercife of church power. 15. The Lord Chrift having inftituted and appointed officers, rulers, or leaders in his Church, to look into the discharge of all church duties among the members of it, to administer and dispense all its privileges, and to exercise all its authority, THE CONSENT AND ENGAGEMENT infifted on, is exprefsly required unto the conftitution of this order, and the prefervation of it. 16. Wherefore, the formal caufe of a church confifleth in an obediential act of believers, in fuch numbers as may be useful unto the ends of the churches edification, jointly giving up themselves unto the Lord Jefus Chrift, to do and obferve all his commands. refling on the promife of his fpecial prefence therein, giving and communicating all the rights, power, and privileges of his Church unto them; and, in a mutual agreement among themfelves, jointly to perform all the duties required of them in that flate; with an especial fubjection

tent than one congregation; but this was by churches already conftituted; and it is extended to more congregations than one, on the occafion of their contributing to the relief of their brethren at Jerufalem. The churches of Macedonia confifted chiefly, if not wholly, of Gentile believers: At this time they intended a fpecial act of communion with the Jews. How shall they accomplish it? They dedicate their perfons unto the Lord, prior to the dedication of their substance for the relief of his people.

THE manner in which they performed this duty.They gave it a first place, as a moft proper prelude unto others; as it was a first, or principal duty.- It was unexpected. The Apostle expected, indeed, that they fhould attend unto the preaching of the gospel, and

fubjection unto the fpiritual authority of rules and rulers. appointed by Chrift in that state."- "21. The fame way for the erection of a church state, for the participation of the more excellent privileges of the gospel, and performance of the duties of it; for the fubftance of it is ftill continued, (viz. as under the Old Teftament): For the conftitution of fuch a fociety as a church is, entrusted with powers and privileges, by covenant, or mutual confent, with an engagement unto the performance of all the duties belonging to it,-hath its foundation in the light of nature, fo far as it hath any thing in common with other voluntary relations and focieties; was inftituted by God himself, as the way and means of erecting the church ftate of the Old Teftament; and confifteth in the performance of fuch duties as are expressly required by all believers."-True Nature of a Gospel Church, chap. ii.

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