God. This appears to be the Church of God, which he purchased with his blood; that he always protects, and will maintain as long as the world lasts. This is called his invisible Church (not to himself) but to the work, they being attended with others in the same profession, though not the same _possession_; and making this profession public in their non-conformity to the world, in being called from among them as well as redeemed from among them; in consequence of these things they are called the visible Church of Christ, which has been called _Catholic_, or _general_ Church. This Church is variously set forth in Scripture, which is worthy our attention, with its present and future glory. Permit me to remark, that many persons suppose a Church to be nothing but a large building: this is not called a Church in Scripture—it does not mean the _Place_ but the _People_—the professors of the Gospel, whether called effectually or not, yet walking together in the Ordinances, and appearing to serve the same Master, the whole body is called a Church. There is no pure or perfect Church this side Heaven; in this great House there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but of wood and stone; the wise and foolish virgins must be together till the midnight cry is made—the tares and the wheat must grow together till the harvest—the net will contain good and bad fish, till the final separation takes place. This Church of Christ is not Parochial, men do not become church Members by living in the Parish, for Jews and Turks may live in the same Parish; nor is it Diocesan, for we never read of more than one Church under one Bishop or Pastor—nor is it Provincial, for we read of more Churches than one in a Province—nor is it National, for we not only read of more than one in a Nation, but of Churches in private houses—nor is a Presbyterian, for we never read of a Church of Presbyters or Elders, no; but only of Presbyters and Elders ordained in Churches; this must plainly prove that Churches existed before the Presbytery or Elders were in them—then it appears plain that the visible Church of Christ is congregational—so the Church of England has justly defined it—“The Church of God is a Congregation of faithful men, in which the pure Word of God is preached and the Sacraments duly administered;” for only the Lord’s faithful people can have fellowship with each other—they must be regenerated by the Spirit, called out of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son—they are called Saints because of their Sanctification, faithful men to God and truth, such as should be saved. They are spiritual men, understanding spiritual things; men of holiness, whose lives and conversation are becoming the Gospel—baptized into Christ, invisibly, by the Spirit, and outwardly by Water, if God is pleased to shew them that it is right, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. These are the Persons who have a right to chuse their Ministers, their Officers, and to