Now, with the help of these two preliminary distinctions, it is not difficult to gather from Scripture what constitutes a Church of Christ, and what are to be accounted the real criteria or distinguishing marks of a Church. In the first place, what is the great object for which the Christian Church was instituted, apart from those secondary and subordinate ones, which it may attain, but for which it was not primarily established? There can be no doubt that Scripture represents the one great object