(§ 5.) 3. Herein also they agree, that both sorts of them are designed unto the Good, Benefit, Ornament and Glory of the Church. The Church is the proper Seat and Subject of them, to it are they granted, and in it do they reside. For Christ is given to be Head over all things unto the Church, which is his Body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all, Ephes. 1. 22, 23. But this Church falls under a double Consideration. First, as it is Believing; Secondly, as it is Professing. In the first respect absolutely it is invisible, and as such is the peculiar subject of Saving Grace. This is that Church which Christ loved and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it, and present it unto himself a Glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be Holy and without Blemish, Eph. 5. 26, 27. This is the work of Saving Grace, and by a participation thereof do Men become Members of this Church and not otherwise. And hereby is the professing Church quickened and enabled unto Profession in an acceptable manner. •or the Elect receive Grace unto this end in this World, that they may glorify Christ and the Gospel in the Exercise of it, Col. 1. 6. John 15. 8. ⟨p. 119⟩But Gifts are bestowed on the professing Church, to render it visible in such a way as whereby God is glorified. Grace gives an invisible Life to the Church; Gifts give it a visible Profession. For hence doth the Church become Organical and disposed into that Order which is Beautiful and Comely. Where any Church is Organized merely by outward Rules, perhaps of their own devising, and makes Profession only in an attendance unto outward Order, not following the leading of the Spirit in the Communication of his Gifts, both as to Order and Discharge of the Duties of Profession, it is but the Image of a Church wanting an animating Principle and Form. That Profession which renders a Church visible according to the Mind of Christ, is the orderly Exercise of the spiritual Gifts bestowed on it, in a Conversation evidencing the invisible Principle of Saving Grace. Now these Gifts are conferred on the Church in order unto the Edification of it self in Love, Ephes. 4 16. as also the propagation of its Profession in the World, as shall be declared afterwards.
(§ 5.) 3. Herein also they agree, that both sorts of them are designed unto the Good, Benefit, Ornament and Glory of the Church. The Church is the proper Seat and Subject of them, to it are they granted, and in it do they reside. For Christ is given to be Head over all things unto the Church, which is his Body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all, Ephes. 1. 22, 23. But this Church falls under a double Consideration. First, as it is Believing; Secondly, as it is Professing. In the first respect absolutely it is invisible, and as such is the peculiar subject of Saving Grace. This is that Church which Christ loved and gave himself for it, that he might sanctifie and cleanse it, and present it unto himself a Glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be Holy and without Blemish, Eph. 5. 26, 27. This is the work of Saving Grace, and by a participation thereof do Men become Members of this Church and not otherwise. And hereby is the professing Church quickened and enabled unto Profession in an acceptable manner. •or the Elect receive Grace unto this end in this World, that they may glorifie Christ and the Gospel in the Exercise of it, Col. 1. 6. John 15. 8. ⟨p. 119⟩But Gifts are bestowed on the professing Church, to render it visible in such a way as whereby God is glorified. Grace gives an invisible Life to the Church; Gifts give it a visible Profession. For hence doth the Church become Organical and disposed into that Order which is Beautiful and Comely. Where any Church is Organized meerly by outward Rules, perhaps of their own devising, and makes Profession only in an attendance unto outward Order, not following the leading of the Spirit in the Communication of his Gifts, both as to Order and Discharge of the Duties of Profession, it is but the Image of a Church wanting an animating Principle and Form. That Profession which renders a Church visible according to the Mind of Christ, is the orderly Exercise of the spiritual Gifts bestowed on it, in a Conversation evidencing the invisible Principle of Saving Grace. Now these Gifts are conferred on the Church in order unto the Edification of it self in Love, Ephes. 4 16. as also the propagation of its Profession in the World, as shall be declared afterwards.
