pima. XIII. Cf Stniiflcation. 279 « ed fledfaft in fellowfhip," r John ii. 19. And God binds his people to leave the fellow(hip and fociety of the wicked as much as may be, 2 Cor. vi. t 7. And fo far as we are neceflitated to accompanywith them, we ought to Phew charity to their fouls and bodies, Cor, v. 9. This communion with faints is to be exercifed in private converfe, Pfal. ci. 4, 5, 6, 7. And in public aífernbiies, Heb, x. 25. Zech, xiv. 16, 17. And doubtlefs it ought tobe ufed for theattain- ment of holinefs; as may be proved. tf, Ingeneral, Becaufe God communicates all fal- vation to a people ordinarily, by or in a church; ei- ther by taking them into fellove nip, or holding forth the light of truth by his churches to the world. A church is the temple of God, where God dwells, i Tim, iii. Is, He hash placed his name and falvation there, as in Jerufalem of cld, Joel ii. 32. 2 Chron. vi. S, 6. He hath given to his churches thofe officers and ordinances whereby he converts others, 1 Cor. xii. 28, His fprings are there, Pfahn lxxxvii, 7. He makes the feveral members of a church, inftruments for the conveyance of his grace and fulrefs from one toanother, as the members of a natural body convey to each other the fulnefs of the head, Eph. iv. 16. All the new born are brought forth and nourifhed by the church, Ifa. lxvi. 8, i r. xlix. 20. and lx. 4. and therefore all who would be Paved fhould join to a church: they hall profper who love the church, fo as to Rand in its gates, and unite as members, brethren andcompanions, Pfal,cxxii, 2, 4, 6. And wrath is de- nounced againft thofe who are not members of it, at leaft, of the myftical body: they cannot have God for their father, who have not that for their mother, Song i. 7, 8, This maketh thofe who defire fellow - thip with God, to take hold of the fkirts ofhis peo- ple, Zech. viii. 23. 2dly, In particular, Feliowfhip with the faints con- eluceth to holinefs many ways. r. By manifold helps to holinefs, which are re- ceived thereby; As,
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