Mutual Edification, the Duty of Chrians. 7 the author, and which centers in him, being SERM. the chief corner ftone, the fupport of the I. whole building, this clearly leads us to un- .'"`^° derftand the allufion. How is it that a fo- ciety of men can be built upon a doctrine or Inftitution ? It is when that do ±nine or In- ftitution is received by them, and has it pro- per efleft upon them ; when their conduct is regulated by it, and they reap the benefit of it ; when the intention of it is anfwered in their practice, and the advantages they enjoy. But, here a difference in the fimilitude will obvioufly occur, I mean between the out- ward fenfible figure, and the fpiritual fubjed it is intended. to reprefent. Every one knows that the materials of an earthly edifice can contribute nothing to the difpofing of them - felves in the proper form ; they are wholly paffive, and their order, harmony, and ufe- fulnefs, are intirely owing to the (kill and labour of the workman. Not fo are the fe- veral parts in the fpiritual houfe of God; they are not like inanimate and unintelligent or- gans, but work together with him, to their own and to the common edification, And, therefore, the apoftle fupplies the defe i of this image by another very elegant one, of the natural human body, in which the a hve B 4 parts,
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