A53678:538
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. 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; Ephes. 4. 15, 16. But speaking the Truth in Love we may grow up into him in all things which is the Head even Christ; from whom the whole Body fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the Body unto the edifying of it self in Love. There is not a more eminent description of the Communion of Saints, especially as united in Church Order, in the whole Scripture. And we see that it begins and ends in Love, and so is carried on from first unto last. The ⟨p. 106⟩Spring and Fountain of it lies in our Relation unto, and Union with Christ the Head. And we are said to grow up into him in all things, when we expressly derive all from him, and direct all to him, when in the increase of every Grace, our Union with him is more express and confirmed, and our likeness with, nearness to him is enlarged.