The effect therefore of that which St. Paul in express terms here delivereth, is the Communion of Saints: which consisteth of two parts, the fellowship which they have with the Body, laid down in the beginning; and the fellowship which they have with the Head, laid down in the end of the verse: both which are thus explained by St. John, That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, 1 John 1. 3. Let them therefore that walk in darkness, brag as much as they list of their good-fellowship: This blessed Apostle assureth us, that such only as do walk in the light, have fellowship one with another, 1 Joh. 1. 6, 7. even as they have fellowship with God, and Jesus Christ his Son, whose blood shall cleanse them from all sin. And to what better company can a man come, than to the general Assembly, and Church of the first born which are enrolled in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant: and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel? Heb. 12. 23, 24. No fellowship (doubtless) is comparable to this Communion of Saints.
The effect therefore of that which St. Paul in express terms here delivereth, is the Communion of Saints: which consisteth of two parts, the fellowship which they have with the Body, laid down in the beginning; and the fellowship which they have with the Head, laid down in the end of the verse: both which are thus explained by St. John, That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ, 1 John 1. 3. Let them therefore that walk in darkness, brag as much as they list of their good-fellowship: This blessed Apostle assureth us, that such only as do walk in the light, have fellowship one with another, 1 Joh. 1. 6, 7. even as they have fellowship with God, and Jesus Christ his Son, whose blood shall cleanse them from all sin. And to what better company can a man come, than to the general Assembly, and Church of the first born which are inrolled in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new Covenant: and to the blood of sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel? Heb. 12. 23, 24. No fellowship (doubtless) is comparable to this Communion of Saints.
