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…

In the next place, Let us demonstrate this, that a Church may be Gods Church, ¹though it be greatly corrupted. And

1. 1Reasons showing the truth of it.Reasons shewing the truth of it.

First, It may be seen from the induction of several Churches; as for example, the Church of the Jews, they were Gods people, and God did own them as his; yet, as appeareth by the Prophets complaints and daily reproofs, they were full of Idolatries and all moral impieties; and for all this, there were many repentings and turnings in Gods bowels, to speak after the manner of men, before he would call them Lo-ammi, a people no more to him. But you may say, That was in the Old Testament, when the Spirit of God was not poured out so effectually. Consider then besides, this Church of Corinth, the Churches of Galatia; were not they far infected with doctrinal pollutions and vicious lusts of the flesh? That the Apostle mentioneth not any where, such zeal and sharpness as he doth to them, threatening them with Apostasy from Christ, and that having begun in the Spirit, they would end in the flesh. We might instance also in several other Churches: But as the Father said elegantly, We need not drink up the whole Sea, to know whether the water be saltish; a drop or two will suffice.

First, It may be seen from the induction of several Churches; as for example, the Church of the Jews, they were Gods people, and God did own them as his; yet, as appeareth by the Prophets complaints and daily reproofs, they were full of Idolatries and all moral impieties; and for all this, there were many repentings and turnings in Gods bowels, to speak after the manner of men, before he would call them Lo-ammi, a people no more to him. But you may say, That was in the Old Testament, when the Spirit of God was not poured out so effectually. Consider then besides, this Church of Corinth, the Churches of Galatia; were not they farre infected with doctrinal pollutions and vicious lusts of the flesh? That the Apostle mentioneth not any where, such zeal and sharpness as he doth to them, threatning them with Apostasie from Christ, and that having begun in the Spirit, they would end in the flesh. We might instance also in several other Churches: But as the Father said elegantly, We need not drink up the whole Sea, to know whether the water be saltish; a drop or two will suffice.