Chap.3 i . The Old and New Covenant. 235 thróugh the revolution of all times, after they were a vifi- ble body come out from Abrahams loihes, we may finde high titles given them of fingular glory by reafon of pri- viledges, which they enjoyed by their call into Church.fel- lowfhip, children of God, holy people, G ads peculiar ones, his portion,hte heritage. The apple of his eye,Deiat.14.t,2. and 32. 9. Zach. 2.8. and abundant the like Elogies in fundry other texts of Scripture, being a people racer unto God, Pfal. 148. 14. the adoption, and the glory, and the Covenants, and the giving of the Law, and the fervice, and the promifes did ap- pertain to them, Rom. 9.4. And therefore Prophets and righteous perlons kept their refidence among them, held communion with them, and law no ground of feparation from them, the words of eternall life being with them as Chrift teftifies in his fpeech to the Samaritan woman, Iohn 4. 22. Salvation is of the leaves, when in the mean time their qualifications were as low:. as their titles high, their con verfation no way anfwering their calling, but branded to be fl, fenecked, of an iron linen), adulterous, a fn ful Nation, a people f oolifh and unwire , as Sodom and Gomorrah to the Lord, Deut.9.6.:fai.48... Ezek.i 6.32.1fai. l.4 Deut.; 2.6. Ifai. t. 1 o. It is a great contradic`fion with Tome men, to name men at all Saints, beleevers, profeffours, when their lives evidence an unfuitablenefs to fuch a glory, yet we know the Churches to whom Epiftles are diret`}ed in Scri- ptures are fo honoured as we may fee in their frontifpieces, and among them the choiceft, and moft upright - hearted, had converfe and communion, when yet they did wrong, defraud, contended and difputed for Idol pollutions and defilements, prophaned the Lords Table, were fornicators, unclean, lafcivious, luke- warm,having onely a name to live, when they were dead, i Cor.3. 3. i Car. 6.7. 1 Cor . x. i o. 1Cor. 11.20. 2Cori2.2o.Rev.3.1 6.Rev.3.r, If we would know what the Prophets and Apoffles held concerning law - fulnefs of Communion in fuch Churches, we may enquire what was their pra&ice,they did not leave them,but made it their bufinefre by all wages in their power to liFclaim them, to work a change and converfion among them. The ad- vice that was fometimes given to a maid, that for Reli- H h z Lions
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