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 first is occasioned by Calvin's Question upon the place, How is it (saith he) that he distinguished Saints from the Church? Did not these Saints embody themselves, that lived in the Province of Achaia? Was it lawful for them to live dispersed, and single lives, not entering into Church communion? To which he answers, That the times might be then so turbulent, and persecution so hot, that they could not gather into a Church, nor have any such public meetings. Now this Interpretation is not necessary. For the Apostle writing to the Church at Ephesus and Coloss, yet doth not use that name, but speaks in the general, To the Saints and faithful Brethren; when yet without question they were in a Church-state there. Yea in his Epistle to the Romans, he makes no mention of them as a Church, but styleth them Saints; which puts Salmeron upon his guesses, Why he doth not give the name of a Church to them? As also, Why he doth not salute Peter their supposed Bishop? Neither may we think that when James and Peter inscribe their Epistles, to the Believers scattered in several Regions, but that they might have occasionally their public meetings to worship God in. Yet though this Exposition be not necessary, we may well ¹receive Calvins conjecture as probable. For there have been times when the Saints have been forced to hide themselves in Dens and Caves, not having opportunity to meet together, though even that was an heavy burden, and trouble to them. This being granted, we may observe,

The first is occasioned by Calvin's Question upon the place, How is it (saith he) that he distinguished Saints from the Church? Did not these Saints imbody themselves, that lived in the Province of Achais? Was it lawfull for them to live dispersed, and single lives, not entring into Churchcommunnion? To which he answers, That the times might be then so turbulent, and persecution so hot, that they could not gather into a Church, nor have any such publick meetings. Now this Interpretation is not necessary. For the Apostle writing to the Church at Ephesus and Colosse, yet doth not use that name, but speaks in the general, To the Saints and faithfull Brethren; when yet without question they were in a Church-state there. Yea in his Epistle to the Romans, he makes no mention of them as a Church, but styleth them Saints; which puts Salmeron upon his guesses, Why he doth not give the name of a Church to them? As also, Why he doth not salute Peter their supposed Bishop? Neither may we think that when James and Peter inscribe their Epistles, to the Believers scattered in several Regions, but that they might have occasionally their publick meetings to worship God in. Yet though this Exposition be not necessary, we may well