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…

Thirdly, Only when we give these three Notes, we do not make all of the same equal necessity. Discipline and holy Order is for the well-being of a Church. This Church of Corinth was a Church, though that was neglected. It is true, this is greatly to be pressed for, and the introducing of Christs order into a Church, is like the bringing of the Ark into Obed-Edoms family. So that without this, manifest impiety being suffered, God will be so highly provoked, as to give a Bill of Divorce to it, and take away his Gospel from such an unworthy, people; yet this is not made essential to the being of a Church. So also the administration of Sacraments. There was a time, when the Church had none, viz. before Circumcision was appointed; but since Christs appointment of them, there they ought to be used, where the way and manner he hath appointed can be attained. For the dispensers of those holy Mysteries must take heed, That they give not pearl to swine, nor encourage profane men in their impieties, by giving them the testimonies of Gods love, whom yet he abhorreth. Therefore that which is infallibly necessary, and always accompanying a true Church, is the preaching of the Word in a right manner, with the public receiving and profession of this. I add, the public profession; because the Word may be purely taught to a people, who yet are not the Church, because they do ⟨p. 60⟩refuse and reject the Gospel tendered to them, as the Jews did, and many Heathens; so that there must be a manifest and public profession of it. And besides the true preaching of the Word is only a sign of a true Minister, not of a true Church, unless they give their consent thereunto. So that when our Divines say, The pure preaching of the Word is a Note of the Church; They include and suppose the public receiving of it by the people; yea some do clearly express it. By this pure and true preaching of the Word, we may discern the true Church from Jews and Pagans, as also from Heretical and Idololatrical Societies, yet pretending to a Church.

Thirdly, Only when we give these three Notes, we do not make all of the same equal necessity. Discipline and holy Order is for the well-being of a Church. This Church of Corinth was a Church, though that was neglected. It is true, this is greatly to be pressed for, and the introducing of Christs order into a Church, is like the bringing of the Ark into Obed-Edoms family. So that without this, manifest impiety being suffered, God will be so highly provoked, as to give a Bill of Divorce to it, and take away his Gospel from such an unworthy, people; yet this is not made essential to the being of a Church. So also the administration of Sacraments. There was a time, when the Church had none, viz. before Circumcision was appointed; but since Christs appointment of them, there they ought to be used, where the way and manner he hath appointed can be attained. For the dispensers of those holy Mysteries must take heed, That they give not pearl to swine, nor encourage prophane men in their impieties, by giving them the testimonies of Gods love, whom yet he abhorreth. Therefore that which is infallibly necessary, and alwayes accompanying a true Church, is the preaching of the Word in a right manner, with the publick receiving and profession of this. I adde, the publick profession; because the Word may be purely taught to a people, who yet are not the Church, because they do