(3.) The life and formal reason of this communion, which derives strength from the fountain, and communicates it into that expression and profession, lies in love.
Truly, I have a little jealousy upon my spirit, that churches have been apt to place their communion too much, if not solely, in the participation of the same ordinances, depending upon the same pastor and teacher, — joining together in the celebration of the same sacred institutions. Friends, this is but the expression of our communion, and it may be without any real communion. There may be a com- munication in the same ordinances, without any communion of saints; you know it is too much [so] in the world. If we be not acted and influenced by this love in all we do, there is no communion. So far you are faithful unto your station in the church of God, so far you discharge your duty, and act as living members of the church, as you find love acting in you towards one another, and no farther. Your utmost diligence in attending unto order,— your constant attendance at the celebration of ordinances,— your dependence on the doctrine and instructions afforded in the church, — may all be without com- munion of saints. When you have all this, it is love makes this com- munion : that is the life and formal reason of it; as you may see in the place before quoted, Eph. iv. 15, 16, " But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by
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that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." It is the greatest and most glorious de- scription of the communion of saints that we have in the Scripture. It begins in love, — " Speaking the truth in love ;" and it ends in love, — " Edifying itself in love." And it is also carried on by love. There is the fountain and spring of this communion, that lies in the head, — in our relation unto, and dependence upon, Christ, the head. If we hold not the head, we can have no interest in this communion. But it is not enough there be a head ; there must be a " growing up into him in all things, who is the head." We shall never cany on the work of communion unless we grow up into Christ, by express de- pendence on him ; deriving life and strength from him, and returning all unto his praise and glory as our head: being thereby brought nearer, and made more like unto him. The exercise of faith in these things, is our growing up into Christ. Suppose, then, we go thus far in the business of communion : — we hold the head by faith ; and by the exercise of faith and obedience grow up into the head ; what is next? " From whom the whole body is fitly framed together." There will be such supplies from the bead, Christ, being thus held and grown up into, as will communicate such variety of gifts and graces as shall suit the body, and every member one to another. But how are be- lievers cast into church union and order? I will not say how they are not : I know what attempts there are in the world. I will plainly tell you how they are. It is by the various communications of Christ, the head, unto them all, fitting and suiting them to one another. What do they, then, themselves herein? They are of two sorts; either joints or other parts. May be they are joints; that is, either officers or principal members, who, by reason of their gifts, yield a supply to the communication of the effects of those gifts and graces they have received, carrying on farther this supply that is received from the head. What shall become of the other members? Not only the joints, but every part doth so, according to the measure of each. The graces and gifts of Christ cast every member into what part it bears. Let none of us choose our oavu part in the house of God. The graces and gifts of Christ cast us into each part, or joint, and from thence do we supply, according to the measure of that part ; and no more is required of us. But how shall we do this? Why, saith he, 'AXrr fcbovTig bl sv ayavrp, — " Speaking the truth in love." The plain mean- ing of which is, that whatever we do, in declaring or obeying the truth. — in preaching, or in a way of duty, — we do it all in love. It is not merely speaking, or declaring; but it is a doing whatever we do in obedience to the truth. Whatever your concern is in the truths of the gospel, let love be acted in it ; and that is the means whereby
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you convey your supplies from every joint and part unto the whole. Truth requires our pity, compassion, admonition, exhortation, forbear- ance, and the like. " Do it all in love/' saith he. How then? " The body will be increased, and edify itself in love." It is all love. I have sometimes thought that Iv uydTp, " in love," may be taken for dia uyairm, " by love, — " Shall edify itself by love." But take it as we have rendered it,- — " Edify itself in love;" that is, love in the body shall be increased ; and where love is increased, there the body is edi- fied. A church full of love, is a church well built up. I had rather see i church filled with love a thousand times, than filled with the best, the highest, and most glorious gifts and parts that any men in this world may be made partakers of. Could they go beyond and exceed all we aim at or desire, — could they " speak with the tongues of men and angels," — it is ten thousand times more for the glory of God and our own comfort, to be a company of poor saints, who are filled with love, than [to be] with those of the highest attainments without it. We neither give testimony unto the world that God sent Christ, nor evidence that we are his disciples, nor do we contribute any thing to the edification of the church, unless God give us to act this grace of love in an abundant measure. Whatever our gifts and parts are, and whatever our wisdom is, such things are apt to puff us up. If this love abound not in us, we shall be thorns in the sides of one another, and shall contribute nothing unto the real spiritual edification of the church. The apostle hath not only laid this down, but so disputed it, in the 12th and 13th chapters of the First Epistle to the Co- rinthians, that I shall not insist upon it. " Though I could," says he, " speak with the tongues of men and of angels, yet if I have not love, I am but as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal," that make a little pleasant noise that comes to nothing. I would wind up all arguments with this, — If we have not love, we have no grace. He that loves Him that begets, will love them that are begotten. If we love not the brethren, the love of God doth not dwell in us. It is not our outward order and form, nor our duties, nor any thing we do or can do, will evidence that we have any thing of the grace of God m us, if we want this grace of love.