Thus much of the persons that write: now follow the churches to which the Epistle is sent [to the churches of Galatia]. At this time the Galatians had made a revolt, and were fallen §10from justification by the obedience of Christ: so as Paul was afraid of them, Chap. 4. and yet he called them churches still using great meekness & moderation. His example must we follow in giving judgement of churches of our time. And that we may the better do this and the better relieve our consciences: §15mark three rules. The first is, that we must rightly consider of the faults of churches. Some are faults in manners, some in doctrine. If the faults of the Church be in manners, and these faults appear both in the lives of ministers and people, so long as true religion is taught, it is a church, & so to §20be esteemed: and the ministers must be heard: Math. 23. 1. Yet may we separate from the private company of bad men in the church. 1. Cor. 5. 11. and, if it be in our liberty and choice, join to churches better ordered. If the error be in doctrine, §25we must first consider, whether the whole church err, or some few therein. If the error be in some and not in all, it remains a church still, as Corinth did, where some denied the resurrection, because a church is named of the better part. Secondly, we must consider whether the church err in the foundation or no. If the error or errors be beside the foundation of §30religion, Paul hath given the sentence that they which build upon the foundation hay and stubble of erroneous opinion, may be saved. 1. Cor. 3. 15. Thirdly, inquiry must be made whether the church err of humane frailty or of obstinacy. If it err of frailty, though the error be in the foundation, yet it is §35still a church, as appears by the example of the Galatians. Yet if a church shall err in the foundation openly, and obstinately, it separates from Christ and ceaseth to be a church, and we may separate from it & may give judgement that it is no church. ⟨p. 9⟩When the Jews resisted the preaching of Paul, and had nothing to say but to rail, Paul then separated the Church of Ephesus, and Rome from them, Act. 19. 8. & 28. 28. It may here be demanded, why Paul writes to the Galatians as brethren, and calls them Churches, seeing they have erred in the foundation, and are as he saith, vers. 6. removed to another Gospel. I answer, §5he could do no otherwise.
Thus much of the persons that write: now follow the churches to which the Epistle is sent [to the churches of Galatia]. At this time the Galatians had made a reuolte, and were fallen §10from iustification by the obedience of Christ: so as Paul was affraid of them, Chap. 4. and yet he called them churches still vsing great meekenes & moderatiō. His example must we follow in giuing iudgement of churches of our time. And that we may the better doe this and the better releeue our consciences: §15marke three rules. The first is, that we must rightly consider of the faultes of churches. Some are faultes in manners, some in doctrine. If the faults of the Church be in manners, and these faults appeare both in the liues of ministers and people, so long as true religion is taught, it is a church, & so to §20be esteemed: and the ministers must be heard: Math. 23. 1. Yet may we seperate from the priuat company of bad men in the church. 1. Cor. 5. 11. and, if it be in our liberty and choise, ioyne to churches better ordered. If the errour be in doctrine, §25we must first consider, whether the whole church erre, or some few therein. If the errour be in some and not in all, it remaines a church still, as Corinth did, where some denied the resurrection, because a church is named of the better part. Secondly, we must consider whether the church erre in the foundation or no. If the errour or errours be beside the foundation of §30religion, Paul hath giuen the sentence that they which build vpon the foundation haie and stubble of erronious opinion, may be saued. 1. Cor. 3. 15. Thirdly, inquiry must be made whether the church erre of humane frailty or of obstinacie. If it erre of frailty, though the error be in the foundation, yet it is §35stil a church, as appears by the example of the Galatiās. Yet if a church shall erre in the foundation openly, and obstinately, it seperates from Christ and ceaseth to be a church, and we may seperate frō it & may giue iudgement that it is no church. ⟨p. 9⟩When the Iewes resisted the preaching of Paul, and had nothing to say but to raile, Paul then seperated the Church of Ephesus, and Rome from them,
