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, 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.

Thirdly, Hereby we have greater Titles, and more noble Dignity; Although it's true in the account of the world, nothing is more contemptible. The Church is called the Kingdom of God; we are hereby the children of God; the Covenant of Grace is made with us. So that all who are not of the Church, be they never such glorious, victorious, and wise Nations, yet they are without God, and they are under the Kingdom of Satan, whereas Gods Church is the Object of his love, there he is said to delight to dwell.

Use of Instruction to Believers, who are the Church of God, to consider ¹that title and relation they are in as such. Though great, though rich, though honourable, yet let it not be accounted equal to the being one of Gods Church. If the Devil should show thee the glory of all the world, promising to bestow it on thee, upon condition thou renouncest thy Church interest, and Church membership, with great indignation refuse it. What high esteem was put upon the being a Roman Citizen? Paul stood upon his Roman freedom in a particular case; but this is nothing to be of that free City, which is Jerusalem from above, even in this Earth. By meditating on this, thou wilt be more thankful to God, that he hath made thee one of his Church, than if he had given all the Turkish Empire to thee, for that is but as Luther said, Mica canny, a crumb to the dog, in respect of the children's bread.