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

From him as from the Head, the whole Body and every Member thereof, hath all those spiritual supplies, whereby their Union with him is expressed, and their Communion among themselves is acted and carried on. For the Union and Communion of the Church doth not consist in things of outward Order, and supposed Decency, but in the fit joining and compacting of all the Members in the same Body, by an effectual communication of spiritual Supplies from Christ the Head which do naturally cast every part of the Body into that place and use which is designed unto them. But what do the Saints themselves as Members of this Body? why every joint, every principal person on the account of Gifts, Grace, or Office, yea every part, every member, contributes to the Edification of the whole, and the increase of Grace in it, which is the end of all this Communion. But how is this done, how is their part acted? saith the Apostle, it is done by Love. The foundation of it lies in their speaking the Truth in Love, [Greek or Hebrew], holding, believing, professing the Truth, so as to exercise mutual Love thereby. In whatsoever we manage the Truth, in all that we have to do in the Profession of it, in speaking, preaching, conference, instruction, it is all to be managed in Love to the whole Body, or we had as good let it alone. And the End of all is Edification in Love; that is, either by Love, [Greek or Hebrew] for [Greek or Hebrew], which is frequent; or in Love, seeing in the increase or enlargement thereof doth our Edification principally consist. For as Love edifieth, 1 Cor. 8. 1. is the principal means of the Edification of the Church; so it is it self in its increase a principal part of Edification. A Church abounding in Love, is a Church well built up in its Faith. And this also farther evinceth the necessity of this Duty and Grace. The Communion of Saints in any thing else without this is a deceitful figment.

From him as from the Head, the whole Body and every Member thereof, hath all those spiritual supplies, whereby their Union with him is expressed, and their Communion among themselves is acted and carried on. For the Union and Communion of the Church doth not consist in things of outward Order, and supposed Decency, but in the fit joyning and compacting of all the Members in the same Body, by an effectual communication of spiritual Supplies from Christ the Head which do naturally cast every part of the Body into that place and use which is designed unto them. But what do the Saints themselves as Members of this Body? why every joynt, every principal person on the account of Gifts, Grace, or Office, yea every part, every member, contributes to the Edification of the whole, and the increase of Grace in it, which is the end of all this Communion. But how is this done, how is their part acted? saith the Apostle, it is done by Love. The foundation of it lies in their speaking the Truth in Love, , holding, believing, professing the Truth, so as to exercise mutual Love thereby. In whatsoever we manage the Truth, in all that we have to do in the Profession of it, in speaking, preaching, conference, instruction, it is all to be managed in Love to the whole Body, or we had as good let it alone. And the End of all is Edification in Love; that is, either by Love, for , which is frequent; or in Love, seeing in the increase or inlargement thereof doth our Edification principally consist. For as Love edifieth,