The sum of sacred divinity briefly & methodically propoundedThe summe of sacred diuinitie briefly & methodically propounded

Of the Church in the time of the Gospel.

Of the Church in the time of the Gospell.

THE Church is one, and cannot be divided.¹ But according to the difference of times, it is to be distinguished into the Church under the Law (I mean the Ceremonial Law, whilst the promise was afoot) and the Church in the time of the ⟨p. 388⟩Gospel; differing only by the diversity of dispensation before and since his coming.

THE Church is one, and cannot bee diuided.¹ But according to the difference of times, it is to bee distinguished into the Church vnder the Law (I meane the Ceremoniall Law, whilest the promise was afoot) and the Church in the time of the ⟨p. 388⟩Gospell; differing onely by the diuersitie of dispensation before and since his comming.

1. 1The Church is one, and cannot be divided: but having regard to the diversity of Gods dispensation, it may be distinguished into the Church under the Old Testament, and the Church in the New. That under the Old Testament had divers Rites, Ceremonies and Sacrifices: Figures of Christ, and of the good things we have in him. Especially among the Jews, his then peculiar people, whereby the dispensation of those times was more obscure, and less accompanied with Knowledge and other Graces. But of all these things, as also of their Sacraments (which in regard of the outward Signs were a part of the Legal Pedagogy) and likewise of the Ministries that were among them, both that of Prophets (inspired, by whom were written the Books of the Old Testament) and of other, I have written at large in a Treatise entitled, The Old Testament, or The Promise. To the Church of the New Testament, the dispensation is in all clearness and perfection.