A53678:528
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…
A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews viz, on the sixth, seventh, eight, ninth, and tenth chapters : wherein together with the explication of the text and context, the priesthood of Christ ... are declared, explained and confirmed : as also, the pleas of the Jews for the continuance and perpetuity of their legal worship, with the doctrine of the principal writers of the Socinians about these things, are examined and disproved / by J. Owen ...
London: printed for Nathaniel Ponder, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Believers are knit together in an entire Affection. This is that Cement whereby the whole mystical Body of Christ is fitly joined together and compacted, Ephes. 4. 16. This mutual adherence is by the uniting, cementing efflux of Love. It is but an Image of the Body, or a dead carcass that men set up, where they would make a Bond for Professors of Christianity, consisting of outward Order, Rules, and Methods of Duties. A Church without it, is an heap of dead stones, and not living stones fitly compacted and built up a Temple unto God. Break this Bond of Perfection, and all spiritual Church Order ceaseth; for what remains is carnal and worldly. There may be Churches constituted in an outward humane Order, on supposed prudential Principles of Union, and external Duties of Communion, which may continue in their Order, such as it is, where there is no Spiritual Evangelical Love in exercise among the Members of them. But where Churches have no other Order, nor Bond of Communion but what is appointed by Christ, wherever this Love faileth, their whole Order will dissolve.
3. Believers are knit together in an entire Affection. This is that Cement whereby the whole mystical Body of Christ is fitly joyned together and compacted, Ephes. 4. 16. This mutual adherence is by the uniting, cementing efflux of Love. It is but an Image of the Body, or a dead carkass that men set up, where they would make a Bond for Professors of Christianity, consisting of outward Order, Rules, and Methods of Duties. A Church without it, is an heap of dead stones, and not living stones fitly compacted and built up a Temple unto God. Break this Bond of Perfection, and all spiritual Church Order ceaseth; for what remains is carnal and worldly. There may be Churches constituted in an outward humane Order, on supposed prudential Principles of Union, and external Duties of Communion, which may continue in their Order, such as it is, where there is no Spiritual Evangelical Love in exercise among the Members of them. But where Churches have no other Order, nor Bond of Communion but what is appointed by Christ, wherever this Love faileth, their whole Order will dissolve.