Question 11 — How are mutual love and communion among believers testified and confirmed in their observation?
John Owen A Brief Instruction in the Worship of God body unto the edifying of itself in love." Whence, also, is that prayer of the apostle for the blessing of God upon the church, in the use of them: Eph. iii. 16–19, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." For these ends, and with a design to have them accomplished in and upon their souls, ought they to attend unto them: James i. 21, "Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." 1 Pet. ii. 2, "As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Unto the effecting of these ends, especially the increase and establishment of our faith, are they suited and appointed of God; whereon all their efficacy doth depend. In their due observation doth God give out that supply of grace which he hath promised, Eph. iii. 16–19. And thus also is faith exercised in an especial manner; which is the only ordinary means of its growth and increase.
Habits, both acquired and infused, are increased and strengthened by frequent acts on suitable objects: Hos. vi. 3, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." In the celebration of gospel ordinances, God in Christ proposeth himself in an intimate manner to the believing soul as his God and reward; and his love in Christ, in an especial manner, in some ordinances. So doth
Christ also exhibit himself thereunto: Rev. iii. 20, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Faith, therefore, directed by the word to rest in God, to receive the Lord Christ in the observation of his ordinances, is excited, increased, strengthened, and that in answer unto the appointment and promises of God.
Question 11 — How are mutual love and communion among believers testified and confirmed in their observation?
Answer — In that they are appointed by the Lord Christ for that end, and in their own nature, as attended unto in their assemblies, are in an especial manner suited unto that purpose.
John xiii. 35; 1 Cor. x. 16, 17, xi. 18, 19; Eph. iv. 3–6.
Explication — The principles of mutual, spiritual love among believers arise from their relation unto one Father: Matt. xxiii. 9, "One is your Father, which is in heaven," who giveth unto all them that believe in Christ "power to become the sons of God," John i. 12; and their being all children of the same family, — that family in heaven and earth which is called after the name of God, the Father of it, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph. iii. 14, 15; — and unto Christ Jesus as their elder brother, who "is not ashamed to call them brethren," Heb. ii. 11, being by him born of God;
— and from their participation of one and the self-same Spirit, which dwelleth in them, as they are
"the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in them," 1 Cor. iii. 16; as also in all the fruits of that one Spirit, 1 Cor. xii. 4–8, and in that one faith and hope whereunto they are called: Eph. iv. 3–6, "Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." And that love which is not built on these principles and foundations is not evangelical, whatever other ground it may have, or