certainly know those that are such,
and by reason of their darkness and fallible judgments they may and do
admit others into the Church, and unto her privileges, yet in truth
these have no right unto them, and ought not to be there; for these
spiritual holy things are for, and only for, spiritual and holy persons.
Christ prepares men by his grace, word, and Spirit to make them fit
materials, and then he calls them to join together and become a
spiritual house, for his delight, service, and glory.[F] And therefore
holy persons, and such only, ought to be full members of the Church of
Christ.

This will appear by these following particulars:

1. Because God often declares his detestation and abhorrence of others
being there, and manifests his indignation against them. As to the man
that came to the marriage supper without the wedding-garment, Matt.
xxii. 11-13; and the five foolish virgins, chap. xxv.; and the dreadful
end of the tares, chap. xiii. 38-44, which were the hypocrites, that by
the devil's instigation had crept into the Church. It is true that such
were, and will be, in the best of churches, although their guides may do
all they can to prevent it, because they cannot make an infallible
judgment of persons' states; yet it is as certain these are usurpers and
ought not to be there. For, although they are in God's providence
permitted to creep in, yet we may be sure they are not there with his
approbation:--they are not all Israel that are of Israel; for, saith God
to all uncircumcised, What have you to do to take my covenant into your
mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast my words behind your back,
(as all hypocrites do,) Ps. l. 16, 17. And Christ says, that such as
will not have him to reign over him (and to be sure hypocrites will not)
shall be destroyed, Luke xix. 27. Now, as hypocrites are most loathsome
and abominable persons in the sight of God, as may be seen at large in
Matt, xxiii. 13-35, they have no right unto the spiritual privileges of
the Church of Christ, because, in the sight of God, the gospel Church
should consist only of new creatures and real members of Jesus Christ.

II. That all church members ought to be sincere-hearted believers
appears by the high titles which the Lord Jesus gives unto them in
Scripture: they are described to be like the king's daughter, all
glorious within. They are called saints, holy brethren, and beloved,
elect, dear children of God, the spouse of Christ, a h