Likewife the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit it felf maketh Interceffion for us, according to the Will of God. b We are justified in the Name of the Lord Jefus, and by the Spirit of our God; whereby we are fealed unto the Day of Redemption. God giveth the Holy Ghoft to them that obey him; and our Souls are purified in obeying the Truth, through the Spirit. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God, being fanctified by the Holy Ghoft. d We are faved by the washing of Regenera tion, and renewing of the Holy Ghoft; which is fhed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour. For except a Man be born again, of Water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. e The Wind bloweth where it lifteth, and we hear the Sound thereof, but cannot tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; fo is every one that is born of the Spirit. By one Spirit we are all baptized into one Body: and thofe that feed the Church of God, are made Overfeers over the Flock, by the Holy Ghost. Rom. 8. 26, 27. b1 Cor. 6. 11. Eph. 4. 30. ₫ Tit. 3. 5, 6. John 3. 3, 5. f 1 Cor. 12, 13, AЯs 20. 28, e The KINGDOM and CHURCH of CHRIST. a To this end Chrift both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the Dead and Living; who is gone into Heaven, and is on the right-hand of God; Angels, and Authorities, and Powers being made fubject unto him. b He spoiled Principalities, and Powers, and made a fhew of them openly, triumphing over them in it and through Death, he hath deftroyed him who had the Power of Death, that is the Devil. The Prince of this World is now judged and the God of Peace hath bruifed Satan under our Feet. The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Chrift. All Kings fhall fall down before him, all Nations fhall ferve him; and unto him fhall the gathering of the People be. d He is the Head of all Principality and Power. At the Name of Jefus every Knee fhall bow, of things in Heaven, and things in Earth, and things under the Earth. And every Tongue fhall confefs that Jefus Chrift is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father. e He must reign till he hath put down all Rule, and all Authority, and Power; and hath put all Enemies under his Feet. The laft Eneny that fhall be destroyed is Death. And, when all things fhall be fubdued unto him, then fhall the Son also Rom. 14. 9. 1 Pet. 3. 22. Col. 2. 15. Heb. 2. 14. Rev. 11. 15. Pl. 72. II. Phil. 2. 10. II. I Cor. 15. 25, 24, 25, 26, 28. himself himfelf be fubject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. a Jefus kaving preached the Gospel of the Kingdom; and all Power being given unto him, in Heaven and in Earth; he faid unto his Difciples, Go ye into all the World, and preach the Gospel to every Creature; baptizing all Nations, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghoft; and teaching them to obferve all things, whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the World. b Now, when the Apoftles, and other Difciples, that were scatter'd abroad, went every where preaching the things concerning the Kingdom of God, and the Name of Jefus Chrift, many of them which heard the Word, believed, and were baptized, both Men and Women, and they gave themselves to the Lord; and continued ftedfaftly in the Apostles Doctrine and Fellowship, and in breaking of Bread, and in Prayers. And the Multitude of them that believed, was called the Church of God, and of Chrift. c Chrift is the Head of the Church, which is his Body, the Fulness of him that filleth all in all. d As the Body is one, and hath many Members, and all the Members of that one Body, being many, are one Body; fo we, being many, are one Body in Chrift, and Members in particular: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into 1 Cor. 15. 28. 16. 15. Mat. 28. 19, 20. Acts 8. 12. 2 Cor. 8. 5. 28. Rom. 16. 16. C ‹ Eph. 5. 23. Eph. 1. 23. 41 Cor. 12, 12. Rom. 12. 5. 10or, 12, 27, 13. 1 one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be Bond or Free. a Both Jews and Gentiles are Fellow-Citizens with the Saints, and of the Houfhold of God; and are built upon the Foundation of the Apoftles and Prophets, Jefus Chrift himself being the chief Corner-ftone; in whom all the Building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an Holy Temple, in the Lord. In whom, we alfo are builded together for an Habitation of God, through the Spirit. b There is one Body and one Spirit, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptifm, one God and Father of all. There is one Fold, and one Shepherd, even our Lord Jesus; who laid down his Life for his Sheep being put to Death, not for the Nation of the Jews only, but that also he fhould gather together in one, the Children of God, that were fcatter'd abroad. d Chrift loved the Church, and gave himself for it; that he might fanctify, and cleanse it, with the washing of Water by the Word; that he might prefent it to himself, a glorious Church, not having Spot or Wrinkle, but Holy, and without Blemish. e Jefus, the great Shepherd, and Bishop of our Souls, gave fome Apofties, and fome Prophets, and fome Evangelifts, and fome Paftors, and Teachers; for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniftry, for the edifying of the Body of Chrift; that we, henceforth, be no I Cor. 12. 13. 21, 22. a Rom. 3. 29. Eph. 2. 18, 19, 20, John 10. 16. Heb. с b Eph. 4. 4, 5, 6. 13. 20. John 10. 15, 14. John 11. 53, 52. d Eph. s. 25, 26, 27. Eph. 4. 11, 12, 14. Heb. 13, 20. 1 Pet. 2. 25. more more Children, toffed to and fro, and carried about with every Wind of Doctrine, by the fleight of Men, and cunning Craftinefs, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but fpeaking the Truth, in Love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Chrift; from whom the whole Body, fitly joined together, and compacted, maketh Increase, unto the edifying it felf, in Love. Jefus chofe twelve of his Difciples, whom alfo he named Apoftles: And he ordained them, that they should be with him, and that he might fend them forth to preach. And accordingly while he lived, He fent them to preach the Kingdom of God. And after his Resurrection, he said unto the Difciples, as my Father hath fent me, even fo fend I you. And he breathed on them, and faith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghoft. -Vide p. 1OI 2. b The Work, whereunto theft, and other Apofiles afterwards were called, and separated, by the Holy Ghoft, was to minifter the Gofpel of God; to teach, and preach Jefus Chrift; to baptize in his Name, for the Remiflion of Sins; to break the Bread, which is the Communion of the Body of Chrift, and to bless the Cup, which is the Communion of the Blood of Chrift, and to do this in remembrance of him. Moreover of those whom God hath fet in the Church, the Apoftles are Firft, and to them alfo the Lord gave Authority for Edification and not for Deftruction. For He faid unto them; what Eph. 4. 14, 15, 16. 9. 2. John 20. 21, 22. Luke 6. 13. Mar. 3. 14. Luke bActs 13. 2. Rom. 15. 16. A&ts s. 42. A&s 2. 38. 1 Cor. 10. 16. 1 Cor. 11. 25. I Cor. 12. 28. 2 Cor. 10. 8. Mat. 18.. 18, F 4 foever |