Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

(262 ) Advice given unto Paul on this Occafion, ver. 23, 24.. Thofe who lived amongfl the Gentiles, knew that there was no Obligation on them, unto the Sacrifices and efpecial Duties of the Temple; but continued only in the obfervance of fuch Rites and Inftitutions, about Meats, Wathings, Days, NewMoons, Sabbaths, and the like, which the Gentiles were freed from. Hence there were two forts of Churches in thofe days (if not three) in Separation more or lef from the Apoftate Church of the Unbelieving Jews, which yet was not finally taken away. (i.) The Church ofHierufalem and thofe Churches of yudea which were of the fame Mind and Communion with them. Thfe continued in the Obfrvance ofall the Law, and ofthe Services ofthe Temple, being allowed them by the Apofties. (2.) Thofe of the yews, who lived in the Nations, and obferved all the Rites of the Law, which were not confined unto the Land of Canaan. And (3.) The Churches of the Gentiles which obferved none of thefe things, forbearing only their Liberty in one or two Inftances, not to give the other Offence. Some Differences and Difputes happened fometimes a- bout thefe things and the Pra&ife of them, whereon Peter himfelffell into a Miftake, Gal. 2. 14. And there fcemes to have beengreat Difputes about them at Rome, chap. 14. Yea it is judged that according unto their different Apprehenfionsof thefe things, there were two Churches at 'Nome, one of the Circumcifion, the other of the Gentiles, walking in diftin& Communion each by themfelves. However the different Rule, of this kind that was between the Churches ofHierufalem and 4ntioch is

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