8 Mutual Edification, the Duty of Chriflians. SERM. parts, by performing their feveral appointed I. functions concur to the promoting of their v`^-' own nouritiment, and the ftrengthening of the whole, * From zeíborn (fefus Chrifi) the whole body fitly joined together, and compabled by that which every joint fùpplieth, according to the e f 'hlual working in the meafure of every part, maketh encreafe of the body to the edify- ing itfèlf in love. Another difference arifing from the diver- fay of the fubjets in their nature and condi- tion, is this, that whereas edification, in the litteral fenfe, means only the relation of the parts as fuch, or, as they conftitute one whole, fo that it cannot be faid, properly, that the ftones and timber are, but the houfe, which is an aggregate of them, is built ; in the fpi- ritual fenfe, it belongs to every particular part, or member. And thus in the apoftle's ufe of the word, every fingle perfon receives edifi- cation ; as well as the whole fociety, as you will foon fee more fully ; for, Upon the grounds already laid down, we may apprehend the point before us after this manner. The foundation being the doc- trine of the gofpel, which is a doctrine ac- cording to godlinefs, the fubjet being men, * Evh. iv. 16. i{telligent
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