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

but principally because it was now founded, established, and animated by the Example of the Love of Christ himself, which gave it a new life and nature, making it a new Commandment. And the first Observation of it is the first Evidence of the Renovation of all things by Jesus Christ. He came to restore and renew all things; but the work whereby he doth it, is for the most part secret and invisible in the Souls of men. What Evidence and Token of this great work is there given unto the World? It is principally this, the bringing forth of the practice of that Love, which is in a manner the fulfilling of that Original Law of our Creation which we broke and from which we fell. For so he adds, By this shall all men know that you are my Disciples, if you have Love one for another, The great Example which I have set you being that of Love, the new Commandment which I have given you being that of Love; the design I have to accomplish in and by you being the Renovation of Love, how shall or can men otherwise know you to be my Disciples but by your mutual love? Without this therefore we can no way evidence our selves to be the Disciples of Christ. And this one consideration is of more weight with me, than a thousand wrangling Disputes that would furiously drive men into such outward forms and compliances which they call Love.

3. This mutual Love is that wherein the Communion of Saints doth consist. How great a thing that Communion is, appears from the place which the acknowledgement of it hath always had in the ancient Creeds of the Church. I do not say this Communion doth consist solely therein. There belongs unto it a common participation of the same sanctifying Spirit, and a common Interest in the same spiritual Head Christ Jesus, as to its principles, and common participation of the same Ordinances as to its exercise. But herein doth this Communion among themselves principally consist. That it hath no concernment in an outward compliance with certain Rites and Ceremonies that are invented not for the life of Unity, but for a show of Uniformity, I suppose all men are well enough satisfied. But this is the Order of the Communion of Saints. The foundation of it is laid in a joint participation of the same quickening Spirit, and Union with Christ thereby. It is acted and exercised by Love arising from this Spring; and it is expressed in our joint participation of the same Ordinances of Worship. Hence it is apparent that where this Love is not, there is no Communion of Saints nor any thing belonging thereunto. For our participation together in the same Ordinances is no part thereof, unless the influence of our Original Communion in the participation of the same Spirit, be conveyed thereunto by Love, by which alone it is acted. This the Apostle fully expresseth;