In the exercise of the authority which has been entrusted to him, the Lord Jesus calls to himself from out of the world, through the ministry of his word, by his Spirit, those who are given to him by his Father, so that they may walk before him in all the ways of obedience which he prescribes to them in his word. Those who are thus called, he commands to walk together in particular societies or churches, for their mutual edification, and for the due performance of that public worship, which he requires of them in the world.