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…

Hence Rom. 1. 7. we have that expression, called Saints, that is, either called to be Saints, holiness being the term to which of their vocation; or Saints by calling, as Paul was by his calling an Apostle. Both these tend to the same thing, and all oblige to holiness.

First, Let us consider, how much this Church-Saintship doth comprehend, ¹what degrees and steps it hath. And

1. 1What is comprehended under Church Saintship.

1. It doth imply, Their being under the external dispensation of Gods Covenant of Grace. All that are under the Covenant administration, are thereby Saints, and holy, though all are not regenerated. Upon this account it is, that the children of one, or more believing Parents are called holy, 1 Cor. 7. 14. where to be under the Covenant is enough to give this denomination of holy. And hence it is, that all the people of the Jews among whom there were many profane and unholy persons, in respect of inward Sanctity, are yet called all of them Saints, because the Covenant-dispensation was towards them. Psal. 77. 2. The Psalmist complaineth, That the enemies had given the flesh of his Saints to the beasts of the earth, where the Nation of the Jews, destroyed by their enemies, are all called Saints. So Psal. 89. 5, 7