XIII.

Christ's Government among his people, no kind of CHAP corporal punishment is, or can be inflicted on any person, by or among those who stand in the first or der of gospel liberty.*

41. Neither Ministers, Elders, nor Deacons, nor any others, either in spiritual or temporal trust in the Church, are appointed to their several callings by their own individual choice, nor by a majority of votes among the people; but by a spontaneous spirit Eof union, which flows through the whole body, by =which every created talent, and every special gift of God, given to individual members, is mutually preserved in the Church.

42. Unto every member of the body is given a measure of the Spirit of Christ to profit withal, in which, by a faithful improvement of their created talents, every member becomes prepared, and grows up into a fitness to fill that place and order, in the spiritual house of God, for which they were created; and their real qualifications appear visible and manifest to the whole body, who jointly unite in promoting every improved talent and gift of God, given to individuals, and which, thereby, becomes a real gift of God to the whole.

43. As there can be no arbitrary appointment of members in the human body, to which the body of Christ is compared, and no one member can be appointed to fill the place or office of another, but each member fills its proper place and office, by a spontaneous influence and a mutual concurrence of every other member; so is the appointment of members in the Church of Christ.

44. But as the human body has a leading part, which is the head, by which all the other members of the body are directed, and as the head directs and governs by the free and mutual consent of all the members; so it is with the Church or body of Christ.

45. The revelation and gift of God is given to the Ministry, as the head of the body, in relation to lots

In families which have not attained to the first order of gospel liberty, and where there are parents or guardians who have children under their care; such parents and guardians are required to bring up their children in the way of holiness, to teach them every virtue according to the will of God, and to correct them in such a manner as they may judge most prudent for their wel fare.

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CHAP. of office and trust, and other matters of importance; and through these, communicated to the other members. Yet nothing is considered as established in the Church until it receives the free and mutual consent, and united approbation of the whole body; and thus, by the body, in union with the head, every thing important is established.

21, 22.

146. And each member of the body throughout, is 1 Cor. i also dependent on another.-The eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee; nor again, the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.

Mark

vin 34.

26, 27.

47. Such as are intrusted with the greatest care, are the greatest servants; and such as feel care, concern, and labour for the welfare of the whole, are verily the servants of all, and are the more highly beloved and esteemed for their works' sake, and counted worthy of double honour.

48. Those little, simple, and very comprehensive words of Christ Jesus, Whosoever will come after me, Luke xiv let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me, were received and established among the people of God, as a foundation and lovely principle, from the time they first heard and received the gospel of Christ's second appearing, unto the present day.

49. Hence no one member of the body sought to obtain the pre-eminence, or to usurp authority over another; but each to build up, and support the welfare and comfort of the other, and consequently all were busy, peaceable, and happy; and every blessing, spiritual and temporal, ensued, as naturally as rays of light flow from the sun, or the fruits of harvest from the heat and moisture of the summer.

50. From the year 1780, until the present time, 1808, including a period of twenty-eight years, there never has been an instance of any brother going to law with brother, in any case. Nor has there been any such thing as a general council, or even a Churchmeeting, to settle any difference among the members; because there never were any differences, or debates, or divisions in the Church, that ever required any such thing.

t

51. The very Spirit of the gospel, which was received from God, through our Mother, and through the first witnesses by her appointment, was that from the beginning, by which all the true and honesthearted who received it, became of one faith, of one heart, and of one soul; and which in its certain consequences, was productive of peace and good will, humility and temperance, condescension and obedience, order and harmony, with every fruit of righteousness and eternal life.

52. Such in reality, is the nature and consequence of that testimony which we received and obeyed from the heart, and have, according to our understanding, carefully and conscientiously maintained and supported from the beginning, and in the practice of which we now live, at this present day.

53. And such is the nature of the present work of God, in all its corresponding parts, both visible and invisible, and such the certain effects, which are manifest in all its fruits, that it cannot be imitated, so as to stand, by any human wisdom or power on earth, separate from the Spirit and power of the living and true God.

54. Since the testimony of the gospel of Christ's second appearing, was first opened in America, from the year 1780, to the present period, there never has been any such thing as a Church Creed, or Confession of Faith, or form of Church government, nor any thing of the kind committed to writing, by which the affairs of the Church were to be jointly transacted, or by which any individual member could be bound.

55. All the affairs, in the order, government, or regulation of the Church, are transacted according to present circumstances, or an immediate and present gift of God; and every thing is strictly observed from a principle of faith, implanted in the heart of every individual, jointly and severally.

CHAP.

XIII.

sij

56. Their Confession of Faith, if it may be so called, is to shew their faith by their works, in doing James i justice and loving mercy being fully persuaded, 18. that where there are no doers of the very works of righteousness, there is neither a true faith nor a true

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CHAP Church, nor any fruits or evidence by which the true Church may be known or distinguished from the false, by those who are without.

31, 33.

Heb. viii.

57. It may be observed, that the Covenant which was entered into by the Church, was kept and maintained as an internal law, during seven years; and it was afterwards committed to writing in form, on account of those who were without, and to convey an understanding of the faith of the Church in relation to a joint interest; and to confirm it beyond dispute, as the mutual faith and practice of the Church, to all whom it might concern, it was signed by the members at large.

58. But this form of the Covenant, is not the Covenant itself. The internal spirit and substance of the Covenant is more than ever was, or ever will be written with paper and ink, being the fulness of the law of Christ, written by the Spirit of God, in the heart, and on the mind of every true member of his Church; and is by them kept and maintained as an internal law of liberty, justice and equity. And although the spirit and substance of the Covenant is not contrary to the form, yet it is exclusive of, and entirely distinct from any written form whatever.

59. Thus the promise of God by his prophets, Isai. xlii. concerning Christ, is fulfilled: I will give thee for a 4. Jer. xxxi. covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.Behold the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Isreal-I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

8, 10.

60. Christ, in his first and second appearing, hath made manifest the whole spirit and substance of the law, in The Two tables of the New Covenant; and the Two Anointed Ones, or Two first-born in the new creation, have finished their work, between whom the covenant of eternal life is established; hence the spirit and substance of this new Covenant, in its fulness, is written in the hearts, and on the minds of all their spiritual children.

61. And therefore, in the gathering, building, increase and establishment of God's spiritual house,

all the members of the Church, both male and fe- CHAP. male, as his Sons and Daughters, Brethren and Sisters of one family, according to their lots and several abilities, possess and enjoy one mutual interest, and one joint inheritance, both in regard to the things of time and eternity.

62. However humiliating to the pride of fallen man, the present work of God may be, in disannulling their human systems, and forms of worship; yet the work has commenced, and will be accomplished. Already have we ourselves suffered the wreck of all our own works and inventions; yet we have had, and still have, the greatest cause of thankfulness to Almighty God, for that work which is accompanied with the real and abiding treasures of salvation and eternal life; and have therefore received joyfully the spoiling of our goods, and have received, even in this life, an hundred fold, according to the promise of Christ.

63. And certain it is, that by those means which seemed foolish to the wisdom of this world, hath God, according to his own unchangeable purpose, completed the foundation of his spiritual building, and established that law of order, harmony, peace, and righteousness in the earth, that will stand forever; and which, in its increasing operations, will, in the end, be an everlasting blessing to all nations.

CHAPTER XIV.

Prophecies and Promises fulfilling in the present increasing Work of Christ.

K

NOWN unto God are all his works from the

foundation of the world; and as far as possible, invisible spiritual things have been revealed by the things that are made; therefore said the Lord by the prophet Hosea, I have multiplied visions, and used yo similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

10.