A practical commentary, or an exposition with observations, reasons, and uses upon the first…

1 They say there must be entering into a Covenant, that was done in King Edward and Queen Elizabeths days; and whereas they say our Church is but a Parliament constitution, that doth not weaken, but establish our Church.

1 They say there must be entring into a Covenant, that was done in King Edward and Queen Elizabeths dayes; and whereas they say our Church is but a Parliament constitution, that doth not weaken, but establish our Church.

2 But they say that our Church consists of a mixed multitude, so was that 2 Chron. 20.13. when Jehoshaphat assembled all Judah before the Lord, Num. 11.4 there was a mixed multitude, and they did it out of fear, and yet it was a true Church, and so is ours, though there be a mixed multitude. And yet this falling off, because it is not from the main Doctrine, but from the skirts, and some circumstantials, therefore they do not fall utterly from Christ, but yet it is not possible but they weaken their faith.

2 But they say that our Church consists of a mixt multitude, so was that 2 Chron. 20.13. when Jehosaephat assembled all Judah before the Lord, Num. 11.4 there was a mixt multitude, and they did it out of fear, and yet it was a true Church, and so is ours, though there be a mixt multitude. And yet this falling off, because it is not from the main Doctrine, but from the skirts, and some circumstantials, therefore they doe not fall utterly from Christ, but yet it is not possible but they weaken their faith.

3 This refutes the Anabaptists, that fall off from our Church, because we baptize Infants before they come to knowledge.

2 We say our children have as much right to Baptism, as Isaac to circumcision, but they were circumcised the eight day, and if the Covenant belong to them, then the Seals of the Covenant, Act. 2.39. Mark 10.

2 We say our children have as much right to Baptisme, as Isaack to circumcision, but they were circumcised the eight day, and if the Covenant belong to them, then the Seals of the Covenant, Act. 2.39. Mark 10.

Use 4. Lastly it may teach us all, if it be a sign of Antichristianism to withdraw from the church, then it is a mark of true Christianity to stick close to the fellowship of the Saints; in love, in Christian duties, in admonishing one another, in counselling, in comforting, in reproving one another; therefore take heed you forsake not this fellowship, for so you loose your grace and strength, if you sit loose from them, They that follow lying vanities, forsake their own mercies, all that ointment that was poured on Christs head, descends to the lowest skirt of his garment, Psal. 133. to the meanest Christian, therefore if you sit loose from Christ and his members, how can you look for any drops of his oil, the valleys receive the showers from the Mountains, there God hath commanded a blessing, and it comes with power and authority; a man that gets a blessing any where else, gets it but precario, and as it were by stealth, but in public communion, God hath commanded a blessing.

Ʋse 4. Lastly it may teach us all, if it be a sign of Antichristianisme to withdraw from the church, then it is a mark of true Christianity to stick close to the fellowship of the Saints; in love, in Christian duties, in admonishiog one another, in counselling, in comforting, in reproving one another; therefore take heed you forsake not this fellowship, for so you loose your grace and strength, if you sit loose from them, They that follow lying vanities, forsake their own mercies, all that oyntment that was powred on Christs head, descends to the lowest skirt of his garment, Psal. 133. to the meanest Christian, therefore if you sit loose from Christ and his members, how can you look for any drops of his oyle, the vallies receive the showrs from the Mountains, there God hath commanded a blessing, and it comes with power and authority; a man that gets a blessing any where else, gets it but precario, and as it were by stealth, but in publick communion, God hath commanded a blessing.

Now we come to the last point, the end of the departing of these men out of the church, they went out, that it might appear they were not all of us.

Whose end was this? who propounded this end? it was not their intention to manifest themselves, not to be of the church, but all heretics pretended that they aimed at a better church, they never intended it to manifest themselves to be enemies to the church, neither was it the end of the church; the church did not cast them out, but it was voluntary defection, they went out of themselves, therefore the church did not look at that end, whose end was it then?

Whose end was this? who propounded this end? it was not their intention to manifest themselves, not to be of the church, but all heretiques pretended that they aimed at a better church, they never intended it to manifest themselves to be enemies to the church, neither was it the end of the church; the church did not cast them out, but it was voluntary defection, they went out of themselves, therefore the church did not look at that end, whose end was it then?

Surely it was Gods end, who over-ruled their Apostasy to the benefit of his church, when he saw them warp from the Fellowship of the church; God gives them up to Apostasy, that he might make it appear they were not of the church, 1 King. 12.24. fight not against them, for this separation is from me, so this Apostasy of these first teachers is from God, and his end is to manifest that they were not of the church.

Surely it was Gods end, who over-ruled their Apostacy to the benefit of his church, when he saw them warp from the Fellowship of the church; God gives them up to Apostacy, that he might make it appear they were not of the church, 1 King. 12.24. fight not against them, for this seperation is from me, so this Apostacy of these first teachers is from God, and his end is to manifest that they were not of the church.

Doct. 5. It is the holy end that God aims at, in giving up seducing corrupt spirits to Apostasy from the Church, that he might discover them that they were Hypocrites whilst they lived in the Church.

Doct. 5. It is the holy end that God aims at, in giving up seducing corrupt spirits to Apostacy from the Church, that he might discover them that they were Hypocrites whilst they lived in the Church.

God punisheth Hypocrites with Apostasy.

God punisheth Hypocrites with Apostacy.

What should move God to discover the Hypocrisy of men by Apostasy? a fearful sin to forsake the Ordinances of God, the Covenant of the church; and what should be the cause moving God thus to work?

What should move God to discover the Hypocrisie of men by Apostacy? a fearfull sin to forsake the Ordinances of God, the Covenant of the church; and what should be the cause moving God thus to work?

1 By this means God manifests the integrity, and sound-heartednesse of his own servants; God would have his name sanctified by his servants, and it is never more sanctified, than when their sincerity is approved, when others fall off, 1 Cor. 11.19. it is needful that heresies arise, that those which are approved, might be made manifest among you; as in winnowing time, when there comes a good wind, it carries away the chaff, but the wheat lies on a heap more clean, Mat. 3.12. so Christ hath a fan to winnow his church and cleanse out the chaff, that it may be more clean.

1 By this means God manifests the integrity, and sound-heartednesse of his own servants; God would have his name sanctified by his servants, and it is never more sanctified, than when their sincerity is approved, when others fall off, 1 Cor. 11.19. it is needful that heresies arise, that those which are approved, might be made manifest among you; as in winnowing time, when there comes a good wind, it carries away the chaff, but the wheat lyes on a heap more clean, Mat. 3.12. so Christ hath a fann to winnow his church and cleanse out the chaff, that it may be more clean.

2 That so he might prevent the corrupting and seducing of his weak servants, least any should be mislead by them, therefore God timely discovers them, 2 Tim. 3.9. they shall proceed no further though they had led away some simple women, laden with many lusts, yet they shall proceed no further, they shall glean no more then some weak judgments, or corrupt hearts, but they shall be discovered, their folly shall be manifest to all men, so careful is God, that when his church is negligent in casting out such, why God in a special care to his Vineyard, gives up such to defection voluntarily.

2 That so he might prevent the corrupting and seducing of his weak servants, least any should be mislead by them, therefore God timely discovers them, 2 Tim. 3.9. they shall proceed no further though they had led away some simple women, laden with many lusts, yet they shall proceed no further, they shall glean no more then some weake judgments, or corrupt hearts, but they shall be discovered, their folly shall be manifest to all men, so carefull is God, that when his church is negligent in casting out such, why God in a speciall care to his Vineyard, gives up such to defection voluntarily.

3 He gives them up to Apostasy, that he may preserve the purity of his ordinances and law, Mal. 3.3, 4, 5. as if he should say, as long as corrupt teachers live among men, they so pollute Gods Ordinances, that they are not so pure and sweet, therefore God takes a course to refine them from their dross, that is, not only Ministers, though when their spirits are refined, their Ministry is more savoury and fruitful, but further he will make a difference between Hypocrites, and those that are sincere that so his ordinances may be refined, and this was fulfilled in John Baptists time, who came before Christ, Mat. 3.7, 8, 9, who discovered the Pharisees to be Hypocrites that should renounce Christ; and Christ himself said, Mat. 23. Woe be to you Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites; so that by their defection, the Christian Congregations, and the Ordinances, were more pure and refined, Prov. 25.4, 5. so take away the dross from the Ordinances, they come forth more pure.

3 He gives them up to Apostacy, that he may preserve the purity of his ordinances and law, Mal. 3.3, 4, 5. as if he should say, as long as corrupt teachers live among men, they so pollute Gods Ordinances, that they are not so pure and sweet, therefore God takes a course to refine them from their drosse, that is, not only Ministers, though when their spirits are refined, their Ministry is more savoury and fruitfull, but further he will make a difference between Hypocrites, and those that are sincere that so his ordinances may be refined, and this was fulfilled in John Baptists time, who came before Christ, Mat. 3.7, 8, 9, who discovered the Pharisees to be Hypocrites that should renounce Christ; and Christ himselfe said, Mat. 23. Woe be to you Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites; so that by their defection, the Christian Congregations, and the Ordinances, were more pure and refined,

4 To exempt his people from many scandals and aspersions, that would be cast upon the Church, if these corrupt persons should live among them, Jude 12. therefore that these spots might appear to be corrupt humours, and not members of the body, it pleaseth God that they depart, and so carry away these spots and scandals with them, that so his Church may not be defamed.