The epistle of the blessed apostle Saint Paule which he, in the time of his trouble and imprisonment, sent in writting from Rome to the Ephesians. Faithfully expounded, both for the benefite of the learned and vnlearned, by Nicholas Hemming ... Familiarlie translated out of Latine into English, by Abraham Fleming. Heerein are handled the high mysteries of our saluation, as maie appeare by the table of commonplaces necessarilie annexed by the same A.F. Perused and authorised.

Verse. 16.

16 By whom all the bodie beeing coupled and knit toge∣ther, by euerie ioint, for the furniture thereof, (according to the effectuall power, which is in the measure of euerie part,) receiueth increase of the bodie, vnto the edifieng of it selfe in loue.

By whom the whole bodie bee∣ing coupled and knit together, by euerie ioint, wherewith one mini∣streth (or serueth) another, ac∣cording to the operation (or wor∣king) in measure of euerie part, causeth (or maketh) the increase of the bodie, vnto the edifieng of it selfe through loue.

THe Apostle giueth a reason, why he calleth Christ the head of the Church: and the Church the bodie of Christ. Although this place appeareth at the first blush verie obscure and darke: yet notwithstanding, the meaning shall be verie easie, when the words are made plaine, and the similitude, which the Apostle doth not expresse héere, is also declared. He calleth the Church (A bodie,) howbeit not anie bodie, what ye will: but (A bodie knit together,) or (as Saint Paule speaketh more pithilie) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to saie, so knit and coupled together, that it maie well and fitlie be ioined to the head: euen as an house built and raised vpon the foundation, by the rule and square of the workeman. Vnder this word therefore, the relation of the bodie to the head, that is to saie, of the Church vnto Christ, is meant, and vnderstood.

Afterwards, the Apostle saith, that the Church is (A bodie knit together by ioints:) the Gréeke word is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that is to say, so coupled & fastened, that the members of the same hang one vpon another in due proportion, and agrée verie well together. And thus the relation and proportion of the members betwéene themselues, one with another, is signified (as you sée,) vnder this word. He saith this bodie is (Knit toge∣ther by euerie ioint, for the furniture thereof:) that is to saie, by ioints, which carrie breath and life from one limme to another: which breath and life is dispersed from the head, through all and euerie member of the bodie, euen by the benefite and good seruice of the ioints, by whose meanes the members of the bodie, hang one by another, (According to the effectuall power of eue∣rie part,) that is to saie, of euerie member. For some members receiue, and haue more breath and life from the head than other some, whereby the whole bodie ta∣keth increase.

Now, the similitude shalbe easier to vnderstand. As the bodie of man is to the head, euen so is the Church of Christ vnto Christ her head: but the bodie of man ioined vnto the head, & knit together by ioints in euerie mem∣ber, by due proportion and order, receiueth all breath and life from the head: Ergo the Church of Christ ioined vn∣to Christ her head by faith, and made fit by sundrie sorts of seruices & vses of loue betwéene themselues, as it were members, draweth all ablenesse, and life from her head, euen Christ Iesus. Or if you please, frame the simili∣tude in this manner.

As breath and life descending or comming downe from the braine, by and through the sinewes, veines, and artires, bringeth féeling and liueli∣nesse vnto all the members, according to the propor∣tion of euerie one in his kinde: euen so Christ giueth vnto vs, who are his members, his gifts, and that not at

happe hazard or rashlie, but according to the measure of euerie member: that is to saie, as euerie member is a∣ble to receiue and take: and thus he maketh the whole bodie to be builded vp, and growe together into him. This point of doctrine deliuered vnto vs by Saint Paule, offereth vnto vs manifold lessons for our learning. For first of all, we haue to gather héerehence, that all and e∣uerie of them are out of the Church, how manie soeuer, which submit not themselues vnto Christ, in the true knowledge of Christ, and in faith: and which setting light by loue, are at daggers drawing one with another, so excéeding great is their hatred betwéene themselues.

Furthermore, a true and euident description of the Church maie heerehence be taken, that it is An assem∣ble of such as beleeue in the Gospell, who cleaue so close vnto Christ their head, and are so knit and ioined together betweene themselues, according to the measure of euerie ones faith, according to the diuersitie of the giftes of the holie Ghost, & according to the condition of callings, that they all, & euerie of them liue and are lead by one and the selfe same spirit, and that they suc∣cour and maintaine one another in mutuall goodwill, charitie, and loue.

Moreouer, this place also sheweth vs the trimme, handsome, and neate order of Christes Church. For, such is the order of the Church, as of the members of one and the same bodie, vnder one and the same head. Againe, this present place teacheth vs, what manner of like-suf∣fering & consent, or agréement, there ought to be among Christians one with another. For, as in one bodie, when one member is pained and suffereth, the rest of the mem∣bers, all and euerie of them, are partakers of that paine, and suffer therewithall: euen so Christians, who are members of the same bodie, ought to be like minded one towards another, that as well in aduersitie, as in pro∣speritie, one should take part with another. To this

serueth the precept of S. Paule, Gaudete, &c. Reioice with them that reioice, & weepe with them that weepe.

Finallie, and lastlie, we must marke, that the Apostle placeth (The edification of the bodie of Christ,) chiefe∣lie in (loue.) For, by (loue) the knowledge of Christ is made fruitfull, and faith effectuall: yea, both of them are made more notable and excellent. For, where (loue) is not, there doubtlesse the knowledge of Christ is but small and slender: as for faith, it is so little, that there is ne∣uer a whit. For, according to the measure of faith, (loue) is more or lesse.

Notes

• Rom. 12. 15.