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…

4. The last corrupt opinion, by which men may not join to a Church, may be from a superstitious conceit, whereby men thinking it impossible to have salvation in the world, have imprisoned themselves, as it were, in Cells, and holes of Rocks, thereby to give themselves wholly to divine Contemplation. Thus the Monks, Hermits and Anchorites of old. For though some of the most ancient are excused, as being driven thereunto by persecution, yet the latter seemed to be transported wholly with superstition; and therefore in that they lived solely, not coming to the public Ordinances of God in a Church way, it was not justifiable by Scripture. Indeed if they took their times, to come to public Societies, and receive Sacraments, as Rivet affirmeth against Grotius, Dialys. pag. 106. pleading their example for being of no Church, then they are to be excused à tanto, though not à toto.

4. The last corrupt opinion, by which men may not joyn to a Church, may be from a superstitious conceit, whereby men thinking it impossible to have salvation in the world, have imprisoned themselves, as it were, in Cells, and holes of Rocks, thereby to give themselves wholly to divine Contemplation. Thus the Monks, Eremites and Anchorites of old. For though some of the most ancient are excused, as being driven thereunto by persecution, yet the latter seemed to be transported wholly with superstition; and therefore in that they lived solely, not coming to the publick Ordinances of God in a Church way, it was not justifiable by Scripture. Indeed if they took their times, to come to publick Societies, and receive Sacraments, as Rivet affirmeth against Grotius, Dialys. pag. 106. pleading their example for being of no Church, then they are to be excused à tanto, though not à toto.

The second unlawful ground of keeping from Communion with Church-assemblies, is, A profane Atheistical disposition, that look upon a Church, and ¹a Church-assembly, as humane devices, to keep men in awe; or if they be not so eminently Atheistical, yet their love to their lusts and pleasures, to the world and contents thereof, make them weary of the Sabbaths, and public Ordinances;