A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

(2) The Lord Christ hath by his Institution secured us as to a certain rule of this persuasion and love by the disposal of his Disciples into Church Societies upon such grounds as are a sufficient warranty for it. Thus our Apostle in all his Epistles unto the Churches, Salutes, Esteems, Judgeth them all to be Saints and called in Christ Jesus. For although some of them might not be so really, and in the sight of God, yet his persuasion, and his Love being directed according to the Rule, were acceptable unto Christ. And whereas our Lord Jesus hath commanded that all his Disciples should join themselves unto, and walk in such Societies, were there not great confusion brought into the world in and about Gospel institutions, we should not be at a loss about this persuasion and love; for we should be obliged unto them towards all that are called Christians, until they had openly declared themselves to be Enemies of the Cross of Christ. But we are yet suffering under the confusion of a fatal Apostasy, which God in his good time will deliver his Churches from.

(2) The Lord Christ hath by his Institution secured us as to a certain rule of this perswasion and love by the disposal of his Disciples into Church Societies upon such grounds as are a sufficient warranty for it. Thus our Apostle in all his Epistles unto the Churches, Salutes, Esteems, Judgeth them all to be Saints and called in Christ Jesus. For although some of them might not be so really, and in the sight of God, yet his perswasion, and his Love being directed according to the Rule, were acceptable unto Christ. And whereas our Lord Jesus hath commanded that all his Disciples should joyn themselves unto, and walk in such Societies, were there not great confusion brought into the world in and about Gospel institutions, we should not be at a loss about this perswasion and love; for we should be obliged unto them towards all that are called Christians, until they had openly declared themselves to be Enemies of the Cross of Christ. But we are yet suffering under the confusion of a fatal Apostasie, which God in his good time will deliver his Churches from.

(3) As we cannot direct our Love aright without this persuasion, no more can we exercise any of the Duties or Fruits of it in a due manner. The Fruits of mutual love among Christians are either in things Spiritual which concern Edification, or in things Temporal which concern outward Relief. Of the first sort, are Admonition, Exhortation, Instructions, and Consolations mutually administered. Now how can any man order or make use of these in a right manner unless he have some directive persuasion of the Spiritual condition of them unto whom he doth administer? It is true he may sometimes be therein mistaken, yet it is far better so to be, than never to consider what is meet and requisite with respect thereunto. And as for the Fruits of the same Love in outward things, although they ought to be brought forth in the temporal supplies of all according to our Opportunities and Abilities, yet without this persuasion they will want the quickening form and soul of them, which is a design to place our love in them ultimately on Jesus Christ.