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, When we speak of a Church being Gods true Church, though greatly corrupted, we must take heed of two extremes, the first of those, who therefore would have no Reformation, though there be never so many disorders, but say, It's wisdom and prudence to let all things be, as they have been, for it may be Gods Church, though there be divers abuses. Take heed of such carnal indulgence as this, because it's the Church of God, therefore make no more stir, let errors and profaneness alone, let disorders continue; and this many times is palliated with fair specious pretences, that such endeavours to reform, will breed great discontents and divisions, in stead of having a pure Church, it may be made no Church at all, especially this is the more difficulty obtained, if it be a Reformation in worship and manners; for we are more willing to sit down under an Orthodox Church, then a pure Church. We can more easily endure to have sound Doctrine established, then pure and holy Order, because this doth so directly contradict our lusts, and pleasures. Hence Malachi prophesieth of Christs repurgation of his Church, as a very dreadful time, even like the day of judgement, Mal. 3. 2, 4. Christ is there said to sit as a refiner, and as a purger to take away dro•, but who shall abide the day of his coming? Christs coming being thus like the Refiners fire, and the Fullers soap, was as terrible as the day of judgment to them, Who may abide it (saith he?) You see then orthodoxy is sooner received than godly and holy order; but we are to know, that though we have many things to glory in, that we are a true Church, that we have excellent preaching, and many learned Officers in it, yet if there be not an endeavour to take away all offences and scandals, there is great matter of humiliation. The Apostle speaketh notably in this matter to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. 5. 6. Your glorying is not good, &c. The Corinthians they gloried and boasted in many things, but as long as they did not cast out the old leaven, or the wicked man, but this leaven was in danger to leaven the whole lump, therefore he telleth them, Their glorying was not good, there was greater cause to be deeply humbled, because of such disorders amongst them.

Secondly, When we speak of a Church being Gods true Church, though greatly corrupted, we must take heed of two extreams, the first of those, who therefore would have no Reformation, though there be never so many disorders, but say, It's wisdome and prudence to let all things be, as they have been, for it may be Gods Church, though there be divers abuses. Take heed of such carnal indulgence as this, because it's the Church of God, therefore make no more stirre, let errours and prophaneness alone, let disorders continue; and this many times is palliated with fair specious pretences, that such indeavours to reform, will breed great discontents and divisions, in stead of having a pure Church, it may be made no Church at all, especially this is the more difficulty obtained, if it be a Reformation in worship and manners; for we are more willing to sit down under an Orthodox Church, then a pure Church. We can more easily endure to have sound Doctrine established, then pure and holy Order, because this doth so directly contradict our lusts, and pleasures. Hence Malachy prophesieth of Christs repurgation of his Church, as a very dreadfull time, even like the day of judgement,