Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

( 63 ) Wórfhip. And this is declared tobe theEnd of the Churches inflituted by Chrift. All. 2. 42. i Cor. i I. 20 i Cot'. 5. 4, 5. s Tim. z.. 1, z. as alfo of the Inftitution of Officers in the Church, for the Solemn Adminifiration of the Ordinances of this. Worfhip. And the Reafons of this Appointment are intimated in the Scripture; as (i) That it might be a way for the joyntF_xercife of the Graces and Gifts ofthe Spirit; as was in general before mentioned. The Lord Chrift gives both his Grace and his Gifts in great variety of meafilres. Ephef. 4. 7 But the manifeflationof the Spirit is given unto every man toprofit withal; i Cor. 1 z. 7, 8. He gives neithcr of them unto any meerly for themfelves. Saving Grace is firflly given for thegood of him that receives it ; butrefped is had in it unto the good of others ; and the Lord Chrift expe&s fuch an exercife of it, as maybe to others advantage. And the firft Endof Gifts is the Edification of others ; and all that do receive them are thereby, and fo far, Stewards of the manifold Grace of God. i Pet. 4. 10. Wherefore for the due exercife of thefe Gifts and Graces unto his Glory , and their proper ends, he hath appointed particular Congrega- tions, in whole Affemblies alone, they can be duely exerci- fed, (z) Hereby all his Difciples are mutually edified ; that is, encreafed in Light, Knowledge, Faith, Love, Fruitfulnefs in Obedience, and conformity unto himfelf. This the Apo- file affirms to be the efpecial End of all Churches, their Of- fices, Officers, Gifts, and Order. Ephef 4. i z, 13, 14, 15', 16. And again; z. 19. No Church-State that is not immediately fuited unto this End, is of his Inftitution And though others may in general pretend unto it , beíides that of particular Congregations, it were to be wifhed that they were not ob- ftrutive of it , or were any way fitted or ufeful unto it. (3) That he might hereby exprefs and teftify his promifed Trerence with his Difciples unto the end of the World; Matth. z8. zo. Match. 18. zo. Rev. 1.13. It is in the r , hurch Afiemblies, and in the Performance of his Holy W3rf i p that he

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