An expository comment, doctrinal, controversial, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…An expository comment, doctrinal, controversal, and practical upon the whole first chapter to the…

First, There is a most perfect and absolute consent and agreement, and that not only in matters of Religion, but also in all civil ordinary things. So that all the Officers of the Church have the same veil, and the same nolle, which the Heathen said was true friendship indeed. Now such a consent as this, is not to be expected in this life. That glorious privilege will be in Heaven, where not ⟨p. 47⟩only several sects and opinions shall cease, but also there shall be no more diversity in their wills and affections. The Apostolical Church could not be thus happy. For we read of the Apostles twice contending, who should be the greatest amongst them? and this came from pride and carnal affections: afterwards we read, Act. 25. 39. of a paroxysm, or a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas, which was so great, that they departed one from another, who before had been companions in a fruitful manner to publish the Gospel of Christ. If such spots can be found in these Suns, no wonder if they be in the Moons, the lesser lights of the Church. Yea Gal. 1. there we may read of an high contest, and that was not indeed about a doctrinal matter of Religion, but in practice, which did relate to Religion: for there Paul resisted Peter to the face, and blamed him before them all. Thus you see, that though there were none, but Pauls and Barnabasses, none but Pauls and Peters, and such eminent Apostles in the Church of God, yet we could not look for such an absolute and perfect concord, that there should not be the least difference in any thing. The Church never was, or will be like the upper region, that is not molested with the least turbulent vapour.

First, There is a most perfect and absolute consent and agreement, and that not only in matters of Religion, but also in all civil ordinary things. So that all the Officers of the Church have the same velle, and the same nolle, which the Heathen said was true friendship indeed. Now such a consent as this, is not to be expected in this life. That glorious priviledge will be in Heaven, where not ⟨p. 47⟩only several sects and opinions shall cease, but also there shall be no more diversity in their wils and affections. The Apostolical Church could not be thus happy. For we read of the Apostles twice contending, who should be the greatest amongst them? and this came from pride and carnal affections: afterwards we read, Act. 25. 39. of a paroxysme, or a sharp contention between Paul and Barnabas, which was so great, that they departed one from another, who before had been companions in a fruitfull manner to publish the Gospel of Christ. If such spots can be found in these Sunnes, no wonder if they be in the Moons, the lesser lights of the Church. Yea