The doctrine of instituted churches explained and proved from the word of God

Two things especially have hindered those that have been studious in these points, from giving satisfaction to others: One of them is, that some of them have been exceeding tenacious of the Traditions and Ancient usages of the Church, not considering how dismal a Corruption and Degeneracy did in a little time prevail: whereby it comes to pass that those things are obtruded upon us as Rules, which were the Blemishes and Errors of the Ancient Church: They have a Veneration for antiquity and adopt the sayings of Ancient ⟨p. 2⟩Fathers for Canonical. The other is, that some have attempted to compile a complete Platform, out of the Books of the New Testament alone, looking on all Old Testament Rules, relating to Church Affairs, as out of Date: but if we would have a right understanding of the mind of God in these things, must not be our dependence upon traditions, neither must we confine our selves to one part of Scripture, but search into the whole Word of God impartially.

Two things especially have hindred those that have been studious in these points, from giving satisfaction to others: One of them is, that some of them have been exceeding tenacious of the Traditions and Ancient usages of the Church, not considering how dismal a Corruption and Degeneracy did in a little time prevail: whereby it comes to pass that those things are obtruded upon us as Rules, which were the Blemishes and Errors of the Ancient Church: They have a Veneration for antiquity and adopt the sayings of Ancient ⟨p. 2⟩Fathers for Canonical. The other is, that some have attempted to compile a compleat Platform, out of the Books of the NewTestament alone, looking on all Old Testament Rules, relating to Church Affairs, as out of Date: but if we would have a right understanding of the mind of God in these things, must not be our dependance upon traditions, neither must we confine our selves to one part of Scripture, but search into the whole Word of God impartially.

It is certain that God does fully direct us in the Scripture, concerning the Affairs of his House; as the Word of God doth perfectly direct us how we should behave our selves in the Family and in the Common-wealth, so in the Church: There is no need of any Addition to the Scriptures: There needs an Interpretation of the Word, but nothing at all to be added to it: God doth not give us some broken pieces of a Platform; but hath revealed his whole will in that matter: We are not left under a necessity of missing the Rule or guessing at it. God hath described to us the whole Body of Church Affairs: For the Scripture is a perfect Rule of Life,