Study Desk

who by his spirit has likewise made you a part of this divine mansion.

which preceeding was not discover'd to men, as now it is to his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit; to wit,

of this I was made a minister, according to the gracious gift God bestowed on me, by the effectual operation of his influence:

that the manifold wisdom of God, in ordering his heavenly kingdom, might by his church be now made known, to princes and magistrates,

from whom the whole family in heaven and earth are denominated his children:

that by his immense power he would strengthen the faculties of your minds by his spirit:

and be sensible of his exceeding love, in giving you the knowledge of Christ, that you may be filled with all the supplies of divine bounty.

Now unto him that is able to do infinitely above what we ask or comprehend, by his power operating in us,

now his having ascended, what does it mean, but that he had descended into the lower parts of the earth?

thus fitly qualifying his servants for their respective offices, in order to build up the body of Christ:

Wherefore leave off the practice of lying, and let every man speak truth to his neighbour: for we are all members of one society.

let him that stole, steal no more: but rather let him labour, to encrease his fortune with his own hands, that he may have wherewithal to relieve the needy:

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as his dear children; live together in love,

and this the burthen of the song, "thanks be to God, even the father, for his son Jesus Christ our Lord."

for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.

You husband, love your spouse, even as Christ loved the church, and laid down his life for her:

to sanctify and purify her by the ablution of his word,

that he himself might make her appear illustrious to his own eye, a church without spot, or any thing like a defect; so as to be holy and irreprehensible.

in like manner ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies: "he that loves his wife, loveth himself."

no man was ever yet averse to his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as the Lord doth the church: