The Gospel Church differed from that of the Jewish Church.
Church 61
It is but too common a thing for men to value themselves most on what is least worth; and it is of great use to bring them to a sober mind by letting them know how much they are mistaken. Moreover, every member of the body is to preserve its own rank, and do its own office. All are to minister to one another, and promote the good of the body in general, without envying, or despising, or neglecting, or ill-using any one particular member. How blessed a constitution were the Christian Church if all members did their duty!
In the last resort, true charity is greatly to be preferred to the most glorious gifts. To have the heart glow with mutual love is vastly better than to glow with the most pompous titles, offices or powers.
14. THE EvILS OF THE JEWISH CHURCH
The Gospel Church differed from that of the Jewish Church. It resembles the state of the Church in heaven (Heb. xi. 18/ff.).
(a) The Jewish Church was a gross, sensible state. Mount Sinai on which that Church state was constituted, was a "'mount that might be touched"', a gross, palpable place. So was the dispensation. It was very much external, earthly and sensitive, and so more heavy. The state of the gospel Church on Mount Sion is more spiritual, rational and easy.
(b) The fewish Church was a dark dispensation. Upon that mount there was "blackness and darkness'"'. The Church state was covered with dark shadows and types. The Gospel state is much more clear and bright.
(c) The Jewish Church was a terrible and dreadful dispensation. The Jews could not bear the terror of it. The thunder and the lightning, the trumpet-sounding, the voice of God Himself speaking to them, struck them with such dread, that they '"'intreated the word should not be spoken to them any more"'. Yea, Moses himself said, ''I exceedingly fear and quake." The best of men on earth are not able to converse immediately with God and His holy angels. The Gospel state is mild, and kind, and condescending, suited to our weak frame.
(d) The Fewish Church was a limited dispensation. All might not approach to the mount, but only Moses and Aaron. Under the Gospel we have all access with boldness to God.
(e) The Fewish Church was a very dangerous dispensation. 'The mount ''burned with fire'', and whatever man or beast touched