19. What concerns the word _ecclesia_, or Church, originally it signifies the same thing that _concio_ or a congregation does in Latin; even as _ecclesiastes_ or churchman, the same that _concionator_ or preacher, that is to say, he who speaks to the congregation. In which sense we read in the Acts of the Apostles, of a _Church confused_, and of a _lawful Church_ (Acts xix, 32-39): that, taken for a concourse of people meeting in way of tumult; this, for a convocated assembly. But in holy writ by a _Church of Christians_, is sometimes understood the assembly, and sometimes the Christians themselves, although not actually assembled, if they be permitted to enter into the congregation and to communicate with them. For example, _Tell it to the Church_, (Matth. xviii. 17), is meant of a Church assembled; for otherwise it is impossible to _tell_ any thing to the Church. But _He laid waste the Church_, (Acts viii. 3), is understood of a Church not assembled. Sometimes a Church is taken for those who are baptized, or for the professors of the Christian faith, whether they be Christians inwardly or feignedly; as when we read of somewhat said or written to the Church, or said, or decreed, or done by the Church. Sometimes for the elect only, as when it is called _holy and without blemish_ (Ephes. v. 27). But the elect, as they are militant, are not properly called a Church; for they know not how to assemble; but they are a _future Church_, namely, in that day when severed from the reprobate they shall be triumphant. Again, a Church may be sometimes taken for all Christians collectively; as when Christ is called _the head of his Church_ (Ephes. v. 23); and _the head of his body the Church_ (Coloss. i. 18). Sometimes for its parts; as _the Church of Ephesus_, _the Church which is in his house_, _the seven Churches_, &c. Lastly, a Church, as it is taken for a company actually assembled, according to the divers ends of their meeting, signifies sometimes those who are met together to deliberate and judge; in which sense it is also called a council and a synod; sometimes those who meet together in the house of prayer to worship God, in which signification it is taken in the 1 Cor. xiv. 4, 5, 23, 28, &c. [Sidenote: What a Church is, to whom we attribute rights, actions, and the like appellations proper to a person.]