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21 In vvhom all the building coupled together, grovveth vnto an holie Temple in the Lord,
22 In vvhom ye also are built together, to be the habitation of God, by the spirit.
In whom the whole building (or frame) coupled together accordinglie, groweth vnto an holie Temple in the Lord, in whom also ye are built together to be Gods dwelling in the spi∣rit.
THe Apostle enlargeth his conclusion, by a translation, or turning of the specialties into a generalitie, & by an
exhortation. He said that the Ephesians were built vpon the foundation of the Apostles & Prophets: now he appli∣eth this to all the faithfull in generall. For, he saith, that (The whole building,) that is, the whole Catholike Church, and all the members thereof, being builded vpon this one corner stone, (Groweth into an holie temple:) that is to saie, that the whole building is made one holie temple, & that in the Lord, as the onelie foundation of the temple. Now, S. Paule in this place vseth a verie full, significant, and pithie word: namelie, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: that is (coupled together) wherby is ment, that ye building of the Church is so knit and couched together, so framed, I saie, and wrought, that all and euerie part thereof is fitted and fastened, in such méete proportion, euen mea∣sure, and apt agréement, with such sound & strong ioints, that they hang one by an other verie orderly, as the mem∣bers and lims of the bodie. Now, this knitting or con∣pling of the ioints is done in this manner. First, all the faithfull cleaue vnto Christ their head by faith, and vpon him, as their onelie foundation, state themselues. Then they cleaue together among themselues, one wt another, according to the measure of faith in euerie one of them, and according to the diuersitie of gifts, which God hath giuen them: that they might all make one bodie, & one holie temple of God, of which temple, all the faithfull are liuelie stones, in such excéeding comelie order and agrée∣ment knit together, & wrought in one, that there is not a corporation or companie of men to be found in all the world, linked in like loue, concord, and vnitie among themselues. Furthermore, when we heare either the whole Church, or the seuerall members thereof, cal∣led (The holie temple of God,) let vs thus suppose with our selues: First, That the Church is Gods building. Secondlie, That God dwelleth, in this temple, which is appointed and ordeined for his glorie. Thirdlie, That as it is a fowle and hainous offense▪ to defile this
temple with anie vncleannesse, so it becommeth all the gooue, to bend their endeuours euerie waie, that they maie lead their life in holinesse & vnblameablenesse, least through their default it come to passe, that the Maister builder cast them out, and throwe them awaie, as rotten and mooldering stones seruing to no good vse. I would to God this could sinke into their hearts, which either with their owne priuate lewd dealings blemish the Church: or with their vnprofitable quarelings, cut in péeces the v∣nion or agréement of the Church.
Heere the reason must be marked, why the whole Church of God is called (One temple:) and why euerie seuerall beleeuer, is named (The liuelie temple of God) in like case. The whole Church is therefore called the temple of God, both because it is reared vp and built vpon one foundation: and also because all the faith∣full being ioined together in the vnitie of faith and loue, haue God dwelling in them, whom they serue and wor∣ship. Euerie seuerall Christian is therefore called the liuelie temple of God, both for that euerie of them is buil∣ded vpon one onelie foundation, which is the Lord Iesus Christ: and also, for that God dwelleth in euerie of them, whose mightinesse is to be praised and magnified of all generallie, and also of euerie one particularlie.
The exhortation of the Apostle doth folowe. (In whom (saith he) ye also are built together to be the habitation of God, by the spirit.) (In whom.) to wit, the corner stone, (ye also are built together:) namelie, by the faith of Christ, and loue among your selues one with another, renouncing and forsaking all vnholinesse, heathenishnesse, and vncleannesse. After this manner the Apostle speak∣eth elsewhere, in an exhortation, drawing his argument or proofe from the dignitie or worthinesse of Gods tem∣ple. For these are his words, Ah: Non scitis, &c. Ah: Know ye not, that your bodie is the temple of the holie Ghost, which is in you, whom ye haue of God?
1. Co. 6. 9