Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

(50) Whereas therefore the Lord Chrift in the Exercife of his Right and Power on the grant of the Father of a perpetu- al vifible Kingdom in this World ; and the Difcharge of his own promife ; hath (i) Appointed the ordinary Offices which he will have continue in his Church by an unaltera- ble Inftitution ; (z) Ordained that Perfons thall be called and fet apart unto thofe Oces , and for the Difcharge of that Work and thofe Duties , which he hash declared to belong thereunto; (3) FurniJhed them with Gifts and Agi. lities for this Work , and declared what their fpiritual Qua- lifications and moral Endowments ought to be ; (q.) Made it the Duty of Believers , to obferve all his Inftitutions and Commands , whereof thofe which concern the Eretlion and Continuance of this Church-State are the principal ; and (5) Hath in their fo doing, or theirObfervance of all his Commands , promifed his prefence with them, by which as by a Charter of Right he hath conveyed unto them , an In- tereft in all the Power, Priviledges, and Promifes that be- longs unto this State; it is evident that its perpetual continu- ation , depends hereon ; and is fecured hereby. He hath not left this great concernment of his Glory unto the Wills of men, or any Order they Mall think meet to appoint. Laftly ; As a means of it , it depends on three things in Believers themfelves. (i) A due fenfe of their Duty to be found in Obedience unto all the Commands of Chrift. Hereby they find themfelves indifpenfbly obliged unto all thofe things which are necefiary un:o the continuation of this State; and that all Believers Mould abfolutely at any time live in a total neglec`l of their Duty , though they may greatly miflake in the manner of its performance, is not to be fuppofed , (z) The In(linll of the newCreature and thofe in whom it is , fo aflòciate thetnielves in hoi: Communi- on , for the joynt and mutual exercife of to ,fe Graces of the Spirit which are the fame, as unto the . Eliènce of them, in

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