2. The joint celebration of all Gospel Ordinances and Worship, is the great and principal End of the Evangelical Church State. How far this is directed unto by the Law of Nature was before declared. Man was made for Society in things natural and civil, but especially in things Spiritual, or such as concern the Worship of God. Hereon depends the n•cess••y of particular Churches, or Societies for Divine ⟨p. 63⟩Worship. And this is declared to be the End of the Churches instituted by Christ. Act. 2 42. 1 Cor. 11.20 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. as also of the Institution of Officers in the Church, for the Solemn Administration of the Ordinances of this Worship. And the Reasons of this Appointment are intimated in the Scripture; as (1) That it might be a way for the joint Exercise of the Graces and Gifts of the Spirit; as was in general before mentioned. The Lord Christ g•ves both his Grace and his Gifts in great variety of measures. Ephes. 4.7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given unto every man to profit withal; 1 Cor. 12.7, 8. He gives neither of them unto any merely for themselves. Saving Grace is firstly given for the good of him that receives it; but respect is had in it unto the good of others; and the Lord Christ expects such an exercise of it, as may be to others advantage. And the first End of Gifts is the Edification of others; and all that do receive them are thereby, and so far, Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. 1 Pet. 4.10. Wherefore for the due exercise of these Gifts and Graces unto his Glory, and their proper ends, he hath appointed particular Congregations, in whose Assemblies alone, they can be duly exercised, (2) Hereby all his Disciples are mutually edified; that is, increased in Light, Knowledge, Faith, Love, Fruitfulness in Obedience, and conformity unto himself. This the Apostle affirms to be the especial End of all Churches, their Offices, Officers, Gifts, and Order. Ephes. 4.12, 13, 14, 15, 16. And again; 2.19. No Church-State that is not immediately suited unto this End, is of his Institution. And though others may in general pretend unto it, besides that of particular Congregations, it were to be wished that they were not obstructive of it, or were any way fitted or useful unto it. (3) That he might hereby express and testify his promised Presence with his Disciples unto the end of the World; Matth. 28.20. Matth. 18.20. Rev.
2. The joynt celebration of all Gospel Ordinances and Worship, is the great and principal End of the Evangelical Church State. How far this is directed unto by the Law of Nature was before declared. Man was made for Society in things natural and civil, but especially in things Spiritual, or such as concern the Worship of God. Hereon depends the n•cess••y of par•i•ular Churches, or Societ•es for Divine ⟨p. 63⟩Worship. And this is declared to be the End of the Churches instituted by Christ. Act. 2 42. 1 Cor. 11.20 1 Cor. 5.4, 5. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. as also of the Institution of Officers in the Church, for the Solemn Administration of the Ordinances of this Worship. And the Reasons of this Appointment are intimated in the Scripture; as (1) That it might be a way for the joynt Exercise of the Graces and Gifts of the Spirit; as was in general before mentioned. The Lord Christ g•ves both his Grace and his Gifts in great variety of measures. Ephes. 4.7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given unto every man to profit withal; 1 Cor. 12.7, 8. He gives neither of them unto any meerly for themselves. Saving Grace is firstly given for the good of him that receives it; but respect is had in it unto the good of others; and the Lord Christ expects such an exercise of it, as may be to others advantage. And the first End of Gifts is the Edification of others; and all that do receive them are thereby, and so far, Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. 1 Pet. 4.10. Wherefore for the due exercise of these Gifts and Graces unto his Glory, and their proper ends, he hath appointed particular Congregations, in whose Assemblies alone, they can be duely exercised, (2) Hereby all his Disciples are mutually edified; that is, encreased in Light, Knowledge, Faith, Love, Fruitfulness in Obedience, and conformity unto himself. This the Apostle affirms to be the especial End of all Churches, their Offices, Officers, Gifts, and Order.
