Preface.

4. Redemption, as one who has not only redeemed the Church from the power of the Devil, but especially, as her eternal King, delivers her from all miseries to which she is subject in the world, even according to the body, and brings her to the full enjoyment of eternal salvation and glory. Of this redemption it is spoken in Luke 21:28: When these things begin to happen, look up, and lift up your eyes, because your redemption is near. Also Romans 8:23: We who have received the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption as Children, namely the redemption of our body.

And to share these gifts with the Church, He accompanies her and sends her His Holy Spirit, who teaches and enlightens her, Joel 2:28. Acts 2:17, 18. Acts 23:9. according to the promise of Christ: He shall teach you all things (John 14:26), and He shall lead you into all truth. 2. He unites her with Christ, enriching her with His benefits. 1 Corinthians 6:11: You are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and in the Spirit of our God. 3. He governs her (Romans 8:14). 4. He comforts her in crosses|A common Reformation-era term for the trials, persecutions, or sufferings endured by a believer and suffering (John 14:16). 5. He regenerates her and awakens in her Faith and conversion (John 3:5, Matthew 3:11). And therefore, since these are the most principal parts of Sanctification|The process of being made holy and set apart for God's use, He is called the Spirit of Sanctification. Romans 1:4

2. Externally, He adorns her with the Church Ministry, as Ephesians 4:11, 12. an outward means through which the internal beauty is promoted, worked, and sealed.

1. Through the proclamation of the word of God, which is given and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17. Romans 15:4. John 10. Matthew 28. profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for all good works.

2. Through the administration of the Sacraments which are granted by Christ to His Bride as tokens of marriage, seals, pledges, and assurances of the internal beauty and gifts of grace with which He adorns and enriches her. Romans 4:11.

3. Through Christian discipline; for by this it is promoted that everything in the house of the Lord proceeds in an orderly fashion, and by this, that which is rotten and deformed is separated. And so it happens through these three parts of the Church Ministry that the Church shines through the knowledge, faith, and confession of her Bridegroom and Savior Christ Jesus, and through the practice of godliness and works of faith, surpassing all other...