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…

Secondly, There is a full conformity or agreement in the substantials and necessaries of Religion; and also in all the accessories and circumstantials therein. And this is the next perfect Unity to the former; and this was in the Apostolical Church. Those that were the true Officers of Christ, had no difference either in Doctrine or Church-government, or worship of God; but they were all unanimous, as far as may be observed. Indeed Act. 15. 1. we read of some Pharisees who were said to believe, That they taught a necessity of circumcision and observation of Mosaical Rites to the converted Gentiles, which made a very great rupture and schism in the Churches, while newly planted. And although there was a Council gathered together to stop this breach, and Decrees made to regulate the Church herein, yet it should seem that their Authority and Interest did not pluck up this division by the root. For Paul in some of his Epistles, makes this his great doctrinal scope, to establish them in their Christian liberty; but for the Apostles themselves, and the faithful Officers in the Church, they seemed as to teach the same thing, so to walk in the same order, and ways of Christ.

Secondly, There is a full conformity or agreement in the substantials and necessaries of Religion; and also in all the accessories and circumstantials therein. And this is the next perfect Unity to the former; and this was in the Apostolical Church. Those that were the true Officers of Christ, had no difference either in Doctrine or Church-government, or worship of God; but they were all unanimous, as farre as may be observed. Indeed Act. 15. 1. we read of some Pharisees who were said to believe, That they taught a necessity of circumcision and observation of Mosaical Rites to the converted Gentiles, which made a very great rupture and schisme in the Churches, while newly planted. And although there was a Councel gathered together to stop this breach, and Decrees made to regulate the Church herein, yet it should seem that their Authority and Interest did not pluck up this division by the root. For Paul in some of his Epistles, makes this his great doctrinal scope, to establish them in their Christian liberty; but for the Apostles themselves, and the faithfull Officers in the Church, they seemed as to teach the same thing, so to walk in the same order, and wayes of Christ.