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…

The Grounds why we are to give this preeminence to a Church-consideration, ¹are

The Grounds why we are to give this preheminence to a Church-consideration, ¹are

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

First, Because a Church-constitution is supernatural, all is of God in a more special manner, then in civil Societies. For although all civil Powers be of God, and the making of civil Societies, of making Nations and Kingdoms be in an extraordinary manner attributed to him in the Scripture, yet still this is in the course of Nature, but a Church is planted by the grace of God, and it's above the work of Nature, either ordinary or extraordinary, to be made such a Society.

Secondly, As we are a Church, we have the nearest relation and reference to God; not as a City, or a Corporation are, but as a Church are we his House, his Body, his Vineyard. Neither can we expect such presence of God in our civil Assemblies and Judicatories, as in Church-meetings. The power and grace of God is in a more powerful and special manner discovering it self there.

Secondly, As we are a Church, we have the nearest relation and reference to God; not as a City, or a Corporation are, but as a Church are we his House, his Body, his Vinyard. Neither can we expect such presence of God in our civil Assemblies and Judicatories, as in Church-meetings. The power and grace of God is in a more powerfull and special manner discovering it self there.