z Mutual Edification, the Duty of Chrillians. SERM. the end cannot be anfwered without a due I. ufe of the means, and therefore the Apoftle wU prefcribes a diligent and regular attendance on the public offices in Chriftian affemblies defcending to a very minute circumftantial regulation of them, fo as they might have their proper defigned effeét, to promote the common edification, as you may Tee in the iq.th chap. of the ift epiftle to the Corin- thians: But, let no one imagine that this im- portant affair is devolved intirely upon men in Rations of publick miniftry ; every fingle member of the body of Chrift has it in charge to contribute in the belt manner he can to the edification of the whole, and of every part. To this purpofe our facred author gives many particular direátions ; he would have us to pray for, to inftru t and exhort one ano- ther, to avoid all corrupt communications, to give examples of fobriety, meeknefs, patience, and all other virtues, adorning the do5lrine of God our Saviour, and to abound in all the offices of charity, that fo the body may be edified in love. And having in the 5th chap- ter of his ift epiftle to the TheJalonians men- tioned fome of the molt important duties of the chriftian life, fuch as that they fhould be vigilant and fiber, putting on the brea/t -plate
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