William Perkins on True and False Churches (from his commentary on Galatians): "Now follow the churches to which the epistle is sent: "to the churches of Galatia." At this time the Galatians had made a revolt, and were fallen from justification by the obedience of Christ; so as Paul "was afraid of them" (ch. 4), and yet he called them churches still, using great meekness and moderation. His example must we follow in giving judgment of churches of our time. And that we may the better do this, and the better relieve our consciences, mark three rules. The first is that we must rightly consider of the faults of the churches. Some are faults in manners; some in doctrine. If the faults of the church be in manners, and these faults appear both in the lives of ministers and people, so long as true religion is taught, it is a church and so to be esteemed, and the ministers must be heard (Matt. 23:1). Yet may we separate from the private company of bad men in the churc...
Thoughts on the Reformed faith, preparation for ministry, and doing all to the glory of God.