Owen - BX5085 O84x 1681

(66) 2. The fecondEndof itwas topreferve Loveentire among his Difciples. This was that which he gave inefpecial charge unto all that fhould believe in his Name , taking the Com- mand of it to be his own in a peculiarmanner, and declaring our Obfervance of it, to be the principal Pledge and Evidence of our being his Difciples. For although mutual Love bean oldCommandment, belonging both unto the Moral Law, and fundry Injunctions under the Old Teflament; yet the De- grees and Meafure of it,the Ways and Duties of its exercife, the Motives unto it, and Reafons for ir, were wholly his own, whereby it becomes anew Commandment, allo. For the prefervation and continuance of this Love, which he lays fo great weight upon, was this Difcipline appointed, which it . is feveral ways efie&ual towards. As (i) In thePrevention or Removal of Offences that might' arife amongBelievers, to the 'impeachment of it ; Matti). 18. is', 16, 17. (z) In that Watchover each other with mutual Exhortations andAdmo- nitions, without which this Love let men pretend what they pleafe , will not be preferved. That which keepeth either Life or Soul in Chriflian Love , confifls in the exercife of thofe Graces mutually and the Difcharge of thofe Duties, whereby they may be Partakers of the fruits of Love in one another. And for the molt part, thofe whopretend highlyun- to the Prefervation of Love, by their coming to the fame Church who dwell in the fame Parifh, have not fo much as thecarcafe,, nay not a íhadowof ir. In the Difcipline ofthe LordChrifi itis appointed that this Love, fo ftri&tly by him enjoyneduntous, fo exprefliveof his own Wifclorn and Love, lhouldbe preferved, continued and encreafed, by the due and confiant Difcharge ofthe Duties of mutual Exhortation,Ad- monition, Prayer, and watchful care over one another. Rom. r5.x4. s Thef.S ir,rz.z Thef3 .15. Neb. 3.rz,x;.Ch.rz.z5,,6. 3. A third End ofit, is, that it might be a due Reprefenta- tion of his own Love, Care, Tendernefs, Patience, Meeknefs, in the a&ingof his Authority in the Church. Where this is net

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