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, 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⟩the Lord that bought you? If thou wilt be ignorant, and profane, Why doest thou not go out from the Church of God? Why doest thou not turn Heathen and Pagan again? For certainly the Churches of Christ have no such profane customs.

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 untill 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 bloud; 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,