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النشر الإلكتروني

sadors for Christ, as though God, &c. -2 Cor. v. 11. 14. 18-20.

Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in necessities, in distresses, &c. by pureness, by knowledge, &c. 2 Cor. vi. 3-10.

We have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man, &c. though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, &c. I do rejoice; not that you were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance, &c. that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.-2 Cor. vii. 2.8-10.

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The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, &c. -2 Cor. x. 4, 5.

Paul (being forced to it for the gospels's sake) justifies and commends himself.-2 Cor. xi. xii.

I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you; for the children, &c. and I will very gladly spend, and be spent for you; though, &c. we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying: for I fear, &c. lest when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned, and have not repented.-2 Cor. xii. 14. 17.

19-21.

We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth, &c. I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to your edification, &c.-2 Cor. xiii. 8-10.

Do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, &c.-Gal. i. 10, &c. Paul blamed Peter for dissembling, openly.-Gal. ii. 11-14.

Paul had a holy jealousy of the Galatians and after he had written largely to them about their turning back to the law, he saith, Ye observe days, and months, and years: I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed labour upon you in vain.-Gal. iii. iv. 10, 11.

When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men, &c. and he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, &c.-Eph. iv. 8. 11-13.

Praying, &c. for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly.-Eph. vi. 18, 19. 2 Thess. iii. 1, 2. Col. iv. 3, 4.

God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus, &c. some indeed preach Christ even of envy, &c. what then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. -- Phil. i. 8. 15-18. Luke ix. 50.

If I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, &c. I have no man likeminded; all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.-Phil. ii. 17. 19-21.

Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.-Phil. iv. 17.

Christ, whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man, in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.-Col. i. 27-29.

I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, &c. that there hearts might be comforted.-Col. ii. 1, 2.

Our exhortation was not of deceit, &c. but as we were allowed of God, &c. even so we speak: not as pleasing men, but God, who trieth our hearts for neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness, God is witness; nor of men sought we glory, &c. but we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children; so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, &c. labouring

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night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God: ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily, and justly, and unblameably we behaved ourselves, &c. What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?

1 Thess. ii. 3-12. 19.

I could no longer forbear: I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter, &c, for now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord. 1 Thess. iii. 5. 7—10.

Brethren, pray for us.-1 Thess. v. 25. We behaved not ourselves disorderly among you: neither did we eat any man's bread for nought: but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us, &c. 2 Thess. iii. 7-10. Acts xviii. 1, &c. Refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. These things command and teach, &c. Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine; neglect not the gift that is in thee, &c. meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all (or in all things); take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine, &c.-1 Tim. iv. 7. 11-16. Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father, and the younger men as brethren.-1 Tim. v. 1.

Stir up the gift of God which is in thee, &c. hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love, &c.-2Tim. i. 6. 13. The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also; thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ: no man that warreth entangleth himself with the

affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier, &c. I endure all things for the elect's sake, &c. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed; rightly dividing the word of truth, &c. foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do engender strifes: and the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient (or forbearing), in meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance, &c.-2 Tim. ii. 2-4. 10. 15, 16. 23-25.

Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering, and doctrine, &c. But watch thou in all things; endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of (or fulfil) thy ministry. -- 2 Tim. iv. 2. 5.

There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, &c. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.— Titus i. 10, 11. 13, 14.

Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine; in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine, shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.-Titus ii. 1. 7, 8.

Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and striv ings about the law, for they are unprofitable and vain.-Titus iii. 9.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God, &c. that God in all things may be glorified.—1 Pet. iv. 11. I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be

established in the present truth; yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off my tabernacle, &c. Moreover, I will endeavour that you may be able, after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance: for we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.-2 Pet. i. 12-16.

That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, &c.

1 John i. 3.

I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth. 2 John 4. 3 John 3, 4.

CHAP. XXV.

OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, UNDER
THE SEVERAL NOTIONS THEREOF,

AND THE THINGS BELONGING TO
THE SAME IN GENERAL; AND ALSO
WITH REGARD ΤΟ PARTICULAR

CHURCHES.

FIRST. The several Acceptations of the Church mentioned in Scripture.

I. General, or Universal, UPON this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.-Matt. xvi. 18.

Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Saviour of the body, &c. Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, &c. that he might present it to himself a glorious church. -Eph. v. 23. 25. 27.

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.-Heb. xii. 23.

II. Universal, Visible. The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.-Acts ii. 47. That now, &c. might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, &c. unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, &c.-Eph. iii. 10. 21.

I, Paul, &c. rejoice in my sufferings, &c. for his body's sake, which is the church.-Col. i. 24.

III. Particular visible Churches, who are joined together as one Body, and usually meet together in one Place, for the Participation of the same Ordinances, and exercising Duties as a Church, and one to another, as Members thereof.

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?-Amos iii. 3.

They all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, &c. The number of the names together were about an hundred and twenty.-Acts i. 13-15.

And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls; and they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers, &c. And all that believed were together, &c. And they continuing daily with one accord in the temple, &c.-Acts ii. 41, 42. 44. 46.

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea, and Galilee, and Samaria. Acts ix. 31.

Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem, and they sent forth Barnabas, &c. At Antioch they assembled themselves a whole year with (or in) the church, and taught much people.-Acts xi. 22. 26.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, &c. they went to Antioch, &c. when they had gathered the church together, &c.Acts xiv. 23. 27.

Paul and Barnabas came to Jerusalem: they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, &c. then pleased it the apostles, and elders, with the whole church, to send, &c. being assembled with one accord, they gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle, &c. Paul went through Syria, &c. confirming the churches.- Acts xv. 2-4. 22. 25. 30. 41. xxi. 17, 18..

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Unto the church of God which is at Corinth.-1 Cor. i. 2. 2 Cor. i. 1. As I teach every where, in every church.-1 Cor. iv. 17.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, &c.-1 Cor. v. 4. When ye come together in the church, &c. when ye come together therefore into one place, &c. despise ye the church of God? &c. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. -1 Cor. xi. 18. 20-33.

If therefore the whole church be come together in one place, &c. let him keep silence in the church, &c. as in all churches of the saints. Let your women keep silence in the churches, &c. It is a shame for a woman to speak in the church.1 Cor. xiv. 23. 28. 33-35.

As I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. The churches of Asia.-1 Cor. xvi. 1. 19.

The churches of Macedonia, &c. throughout all the churches, &c. and chosen of the churches, &c. brethren, the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ, shew ye to them, and before the churches the proof, &c. 2 Cor. viii. 1. 18, 19. 23, 24. Rom. xvi. 16.

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To the church of the Thessalonians which is in God.-1 Thess. i. 1.

The churches of God, which in Judea, are in Christ Jesus.-1 Thess. ii. 14.

So that we ourselves glory in you, in the churches of God.-2 Thess. i. 4. The church at Babylon, &c. saluteth you.-1 Pet. v. 13.

Borne witness of thy charity before the church, &c. I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes receiveth us not, and, &c. casteth them out of the church, &c.-3 John 6. 9, 10.

The seven churches of Asia, &c. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, &c.Rev. i. 4. 11. ii. 7. 11. 17. SECONDLY. The Dignity, Privileges

and Blessings belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ in general as such.

It is said of Joseph, that though he should be persecuted, &c. yet his bow should remain in its strength.Gen. xlix. 23, 24.

The angel of the Lord appeared out of the midst of the bush, and though the bush burned, yet it was not consumed.-Exod. iii. 2.

I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you; and I will walk among you; and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.- Levit. xxvi. 11, 12. Ezek. xxxvii. 26-28.

There is no enchantment against Jacob, nor divination against Israel. Numb. xxiii. 23.

The cloud filled the house of the Lord, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord had filled the house. · 1 Kings viii. 10, 11. ix. 3. Exod. xl. 34.

Why do the heathen rage? &c. the Lord shall have them in derision, &c. yet have I set my king upon my holy hill, &c.-Ps. ii. 1. 4. 6.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High: God is in the

midst of her, she shall not be moved: God shall help her, &c. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob, &c.-Ps. xlvi. 4, 5. 7. xlviii. 1. 8. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.-Ps. 1. 2.

The hill of God is as the hill of Bashan, an high hill; why leap ye, ye high hills? This is the hill which God desireth to dwell in, yea, the Lord will dwell in it for ever.-Ps. lxviii. 15, 16. lxix. 35, 36. lxxiv. 2. Deliver not the soul of thy turtledove unto the multitude of the wicked. -Ps. lxxiv. 19.

In Judah is God known, his name is great in Israel; in Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Sion.-Ps. lxxvi. 1, 2.

He delivered his strength into captivity, and his glory into the enemies' hand he gave his people over also unto the sword, and was wrath with his inheritance.-Ps. lxxviii. 61, 62.

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How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! &c. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will still be praising thee, &c. they go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.-Ps. lxxxiv. 1. 4. 7.

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob: glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God, &c. and of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her, and the Highest himself shall establish her.. - Ps. lxxxvii. 2, 3.5.

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish, &c. they shall still bring forth fruit.-Ps. xcii. 13, 14.

Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.-Ps. xciii. 5.

The Lord is great in Zion, and he is high above all people.-Ps. xcix. 2. xlviii. 1, &c.

The Lord hath chosen Zion, he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever, here will I dwell, for I have desired it: I will abundantly bless her provision, I will

satisfy her poor with bread, &c.— Ps. cxxxii. 13—17. xlviii. 14.

The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations.-Ps. cxlvi. 10.

Praise thy God, O Zion, for he hath, &c. blessed thy children within thee. He, &c. filleth thee with the finest of the wheat, &c. He sheweth his word unto Jacob; his statutes and his judgments unto Israel: he hath not dealt so with any nation, &c.-Ps. cxlvii. 12-14. 19, 20.

The mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, &c. out of Zion shall go forth the law.-Isa. ii. 2-4. Micah iv. 1-7. Ps. xlviii. 8, 9.

The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be a defence.-Isa. iv. 5, 6.

The Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in Mount Zion.—Isa. viii. 18.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, &c. they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain.Isa. xi. 6-9.

Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.-Isa. xii. 6.

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The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.-Isa. xiv. 32.

The moon shall be confounded, &c. when the Lord of hosts shall reign in Mount Zion.-Isa. xxiv. 23.

In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, &c. and he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, &c.-Isa. xxv. 6, 7.

A vineyard of red wine, I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it: I will keep it night and day.-Isa. xxvii. 2, 3.

As when an hungry man dreameth, and behold he eateth; but he awaketh and his soul is empty, &c. so shall

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