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…

We can bless God for the world, and the comforts thereof, that the Earth brings forth food for us, that we have the Air to breath in, the glorious Sun to be a daily light to us, yet we are not thus affected with Church-mercies and Church-ordinances. David indeed upon the former consideration, cried out, Lord, what is man, that thou art thus mindful of him, &c? But we may much rather from these supernatural respects.

We can bless God for the world, and the comforts thereof, that the Earth brings forth food for us, that we have the Air to breath in, the glorious Sunne to be a daily light to us, yet we are not thus affected with Church-mercies and Church-ordinances. David indeed upon the former consideration, cried out, Lord, what is man, that thou art thus mindfull of him, &c? But we may much rather from these supernatural respects.

Secondly, It's supernatural, in respect of the purchase given for them, the price paid to make them the Lords. For you must know, upon Adams fall all mankind was excommunicated, unchurched, as it were; and therefore cast out from Paradise, and Gods gracious presence: and hence it is, that we are said naturally to be without God; yea the Devil is said to be the god of the world. Thus until God makes us a Church, we are under the power of Satan wholly; and therefore to be cast out of the Church, is to be delivered to Satan. Thus then being fallen off from the Lord, and now become the Devils, in whom he reigneth, we could not be purchased from this thraldom, but by the death of Christ; and therefore we are called the Church of Christ, as well as of God, because though conquered by Gods Spirit, yet we are bought by his blood; and this the Apostle urgeth, That therefore we are none of our own, but are to live to him. We are to be his peculiar people, zealous of good works, Tit. 2. 15. Thus it cost more to be Gods Church, then to be the world at first; for he spake, and it was made, but here, Christ died, and so it was purchased. What a powerful engagement is this, for all of a Church to walk holily? What did Christ die, that you should wallow in the filth of your sins? What will you deny ⟨p. 66⟩