The true nature of a Gospel church and its government

1. THE Analysis of the place directs unto this Interpretation. Three sorts of Duties are prescribed unto the Church in this Chapter. (1.) Such as are Universal, belonging absolutely unto all, and every one that appertains unto it; which are declared ver. 1.2. (2.) Such as are peculiar unto some, by virtue of that especial place which they have in the Church, ver. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. This can be nothing but Office. (3.) Such as are general or common, with respect unto occasions, from ver. 8. to the end of the Chapter. Hence the same Duty is doubly prescribed; to some in way of especial Office, to others in the ⟨p. 154⟩way of a Gracious Duty in general. So here, He that gives, let him do it with simplicity, Vers. 8. is the same Duty or Work for the substance of it, with Distributing unto the necessity of the Saints, Vers. 13. And the Apostle doth not repeat his Charge of the same Duty in so few words, as required in the same manner, and of the same persons. But in the first place, he speaks of the manner of its Performance, by virtue of Office; and in the latter of its discharge as to the Substance of it, as a Grace in all Believers. The Design of the Apostle lies plain in the Analysis of this Discourse.

1. THE Analysis of the place directs unto this Interpretation. Three sorts of Duties are prescribed unto the Church in this Chapter. (1.) Such as are Vniversal, belonging absolutely unto all, and every one that appertains unto it; which are declared ver. 1.2. (2.) Such as are peculiar unto some, by virtue of that especial place which they have in the Church, ver. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. This can be nothing but Office. (3.) Such as are general or common, with respect unto occasions, from ver. 8. to the end of the Chapter. Hence the same Duty is doubly prescribed; to some in way of especial Office, to others in the ⟨p. 154⟩way of a Gracious Duty in general. So here, He that gives, let him do it with simplicity, Vers. 8. is the same Duty or Work for the substance of it, with Distributing unto the necessity of the Saints, Vers. 13. And the Apostle doth not repeat his Charge of the same Duty in so few words, as required in the same manner, and of the same persons. But in the first place, he speaks of the manner of its Performance, by virtue of Office; and in the latter of its discharge as to the Substance of it, as a Grace in all Believers. The Design of the Apostle lies plain in the Analysis of this Discourse.