Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

( 205 ) fuppofe molt men think, that if' they had a Warning from Chrift charging their defection, and calling for Reformation, as thole Churches of .4a had , they would Repent and Reform themfelves. But whereas it doth not appear that Come ofthem did fo, whereon they were not long after deferted and deftroyed ; it is like that there are others who would follow their fteps, though one fhould rife from the dead to warn themof their danger. But this Infcruecion that Churches who lofe their firft Faith, Love, and Works, who are negligent in Difcipline, and tolerate offenfive Evils in Doftrines and Manners among them, who are Luke- warm as unto Zeal, and dead for the greateft Part of their Members, as unto the Life of Hoinfs, are difap- proved by Chrift, and in danger of being utterly de- ferted by him, is given unto all Churches, no lefs divine- ly, then ifthey had an immediate Meffage fromHeaven about thefe things. Thofe therefore who being under the Guilt of them, and do not reform themfelves, can- not claim the Necefiity of a continuance in their Com- munion, from any Difciples of Chrift, as we (hall fee afterwards. 3. Reformation refpe&s either Doecrine and Wor(hip or Obedience becoming the Gofpel. The Debates a- bout fuch a Reformation as concerns the retaining or re- moving ofcertain Ceremonies, we concern not ourfelves at prefent. Nor fhall we in this Place infift on what concerns Doeírine and Worfbip, which may afterwards be fpoken unto. But we fhall confine our felves here, unto the confideration of Gofpel Obedience only. And we fay, That

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