The president and example of our holy Apostle compared with, and confirmed by other Scriptures, will notably evince the truth of this assertion.1 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. One great end, why God bestows the graces of his Spirit upon us, is, that we should spend the savour thereof upon others. Our discourse must he seasoned with the salt of grace,2 that it may minister edification to others. Our speech should never overflow in abundance, but like the waters of Nilus, to render the neighbouring Plantations fruitful. Grace is sometimes compared to Light, by reason of its diffusive nature; that our shining conversations night illustrate others in the paths of Truth and Holiness.3 Sometimes Grace is likened to Spikenard, to perfumed ointment, which must not be shut up in a box, though of purest Alabaster, but opened, that the whole house may be filled with the fragrant odour thereof.4 To Oil, to the costly sacred Oil that ran down not only upon the beard of Aaron, but to the skirts of his garments. To Talents, which must be industriously traded with, and not laid up in napkins. To Dews, Showers, Waters, because of their fructifying virtue.5 To a generative Principle, because of it's begetting power and influence. We are therefore commanded, exhorted, directed to edify one another, to exhort one another, to admonish one another, to turn one another, as that phrase in Ezekiel seems to import [& converti facite] and make others, to be converted as well as our selves; to provoke one another to love and to good works. When converted, we are enjoined to strengthen our Brethren, that we may save their souls from death,6 and hide a multitude of sins.
The president and example of our holy Apostle compared with, and confirmed by other Scriptures, will notably evince the truth of this assertion.1 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall. One great end, why God bestows the graces of his Spirit upon us, is, that wee should spend the savour thereof upon others. Our discourse must hee seasoned with the salt of grace,2 that it may minister edification to others. Our speech should never overflow in abundance, but like the waters of Nilus, to render the neighbouring Plantations fruitful. Grace is sometimes compared to Light, by reason of its diffusive nature; that our shining conversations night illustrate others in the paths of Truth and Holiness.3 Sometimes Grace is likened to Spikenard, to perfumed ointment, which must not bee shut up in a box, though of purest Alabaster, but opened, that the whole house may bee filled with the fragrant odour thereof.4 To Oil, to the costly sacred Oil that ran down not onely upon the beard of Aaron, but to the skirts of his garments. To Talents, which must bee industriously traded with, and not laid up in napkins. To Dews, Showers, Waters, because of their fructifying virtue.5 To a generative Principle, because of it's begetting power and influence. Wee are therefore commanded, exhorted, directed to edifie one another, to exhort one another, to admonish one another, to turn one another, as that phrase in Ezekiel seems to import [& converti facite] and make others, to bee converted as well as our selves; to provoke one another to love and to good works. When converted, wee are injoyned to strengthen our Brethren, that wee may save their souls from death,6 and hide a multitude of sins.
- 11 Cor. 12.7.
- 2Col. 4.6. Ephes. 4.29.
- 3Cant. 1.12. Prov. 27.9. John 12.3.
- 4Psal. 133.2.
- 51 Thes. 5.11. Rom. 14.19. Heb. 3.13. Col. 3.16. [Greek or Hebrew] Ezek. 18.30. Heb. 10.24.1 Thes. 5.11. Rom. 14.19. Heb. 3.13. Col. 3.16. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Ezek. 18.30. Heb. 10.24.
- 6James 5.20.
