Verf bE l hR 4,5, t e pifi e and Chriffian charity, and by the out ward band of the Word and Sacra- ments; as our flefhly members by fi- newes and arteries are joyned to our head, and one to another : and this is that communion which is among the Saints.Llnto which,nothing is more re- pugnant then pride and ftrite. Let nothing (faith Paul) be done through contention or vaine-glory, it be any communion of the Spirit, or comfort of love, Phil. 2. t. Wherein we learn, that contention and àrrogancy cannot Rand with Chriffian communion. The third thing to be obferved in this fitnilitude is,that the faithful which are as many members,having every one a feverall fun &ion, and a particular gift for ordering and doing their fun &ion. As in our naturali body, there is no member but hath its own office pecu- liar to it (elfe, the eye to fee, the eare to hear, the mouth to (peak, the feet to walke, &c. and to every one belong - eth his owne gift and faculty ; as of feeing to the eye, &c. So amongf the faithfull, force have one fun &ion, force another; one was a Do&or, another a r Gec4n. Pafeor; one an Elder, another wás a PAT Deacon ; one a fu rtourand ruled an- i P other obeyeth as an inferiour; and every one of thefe have fingular and fpeciall gifts for the performance of their work. Here is moreover to be obferved, that as in our naturall body, no one member incrocheth upon the gift or office of another, fo in the Church of God, one Chriffian fhould not ufurpe the office of another, each is bound peaceably to do his own duty without hindrance unto, or diffurbance ofothers, by proud ctari- olily and bufie medling. LaRiy as the head, or eye, or ear, doe not proudly infult over meaner mem- bers which have leffe graces and offices in the body; fo a man of great gifts may not con temne one of a leflfer; but every Chriflian with humbleneffe turne his gifts unto the common good. As all the members of the body labour together joyntly for the prefervation and good plight of the whole. The want of this hath brought fuch Schifmes and fa &i- tote ,otttans. - ons as we now fee with much grief; to be too rife both inCommon- wealth and Church ofGod. T r na. What doththe flpoffle performe in verfes 6,7,8? S t L. He amplifieth that part of the companion touching divers members, and different gifts and funttions. As in a naturali body there be many members, and thefe have fundry faculties and ope- rations ; fo amongff the faithfull, they have gifts and duties one divers from another, [ Seeing we have gifts which are divers] that is; We Chrilfians (which be as many members) have divers gifts. Some the gift to teach, fome the gift to exhort, Come to tule,fome to diffribute, Ionic to thew mercy, each have their proper work, and proper gift. Let every one in the ufe of his gift be wife unto fobriety,(for this mutt be added to fup- ply the fenfe,) and not, letus be comer- Pant (as Beza would have it) or, let us attend and wait, as the Syrian Interpre- ters, and Gwalter do thinke: but the words in the third verfe [ Let us fader!), thinke, or,Be reif a to febriety,] muff in com- mon be applyed to all thefe parts and branches foilowing,which do al depend upon that precept, and ferve to expound it by the particulars. T t M. But what are thole gifts fpo- ken of in verfe fevers? i and what is meant by [Grace giaen,] and by the [proportion of Faith ?] S I L. Paul fpeaketh not of mira- culous and extraordinarygifts, fuch as he reckoned up, t Cor. t a. 6, 8, 9, i ó. for then this exhortation fhould not be perpetualland pertaine to the prefent Churches which lack thole miracu- lous gifts. Secondly, the fun&ions and gifts here mentioned be ordinary, fuch as the Church of Chrift !lath need of, to the end of the world. As man confaffeth offoule(which hath underfanding and will,) and a body ; God willing to have the whole man faved, appointed for the underffanding part, Do &sines to teach it,and for the wil exhortations to quicken it, andfor the body certaine outer officers, to looke to the welfare and carriage of it beforemen. Y y The 519
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