Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 4 · Verse and explication 5
Vers. 5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
IN this verse are other three of these unities, which are also so many bonds of, and incitements to, that unity exhorted unto, ver. 3. First, there is but one Lord: which title, though it belong to all the three Persons in the blessed Trinity by right of creation, and accordingly is given to God under the name of Master, Mal. 1. 6. yet, seing the unity of the Spirit is spoken to, ver. 4. and of God the Father, ver. 6. therefore it ought in this place to be astricted to Christ, the second Person, to whom it is in a peculiar manner due by right of Redemption; in so far as He hath redeemed the Elect from their naturall slavery and bondage under sin, Satan and Gods wrath, to be a peculiar people unto Himself, 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. and hereby hath purchased a right to rule over them, as Mediator, Lord-depute, and Administrator under the Father, Philip. 2. 9, 10, 11. And He is said to be but one Lord, there being none, to whom, either as partner, or substitute, He will communicate this His glory of dominion and lordship over His Church, either in whole, or in part, 1 Pet. 5. 3. Secondly, there is but one faith, where, by faith may be meaned the grace of faith, for that is also one, in respect of the author God, Col. 2. 12. of the object, which it apprehendeth, the whole Word of God, (Act. 24. 14.) and especially Christ, and the promises, Philip. 3. 9: Yet, by faith is mainly here meaned the Doctrine of faith, proponed by God to be believed, as Gal. 1. 23. and this Doctrine is but one, because, though in the severall ages of the Church it was proponed diverse wayes, and with considerable variation in some weighty circumstances, Eph. 2. 14, 15. yet in substance it hath been, is, and ever shall be the same, Act. 15. 11. Heb. 13. 8. and from Christs coming in the flesh, even to the end of the world, it is to remain the same, both for substance and circumstance, Heb. 12. 27, 28. and though there be different opinions in the Church about divine Truths revealed in the Scripture, which occasioneth different faiths, (See ver. 13.) Yet, there is only this one faith allowed by Christ, neither is there any other faith but this one in true Believers, if we look to those Truths which are of absolute necessity to salvation; there is an agreement in those, and one and the same faith of those in all, whatever may be their differences about other inferiour Truths, Act. 4. 12. Thirdly, there is but one Baptism, whereby is meaned neither the Baptism of affliction, Mat. 20. 22. nor of the extraordinary gifts of the holy Ghost, Acts 1. 5. but the ordinary Sacrament of Baptism, the practice whereof is enjoyned by Christ under the Gospel, Matth. 28. 19. And it is said to be one, not in respect of the persons administrating, or receiving this Ordinance, but of its nature and substance, as having the same author, Christ, Matth. 28. 19. the same outward element for kind, Act. 8. 36. the same way of administration enjoyned, Matth. 28. 19. the same ends and uses towards those who are baptized, Rom. 6. 3. 4. Doct. 1. All these, who are of this one body, animated and acted by this one Spirit, and have well-grounded hope of glory, they must, and do subject themselves to Christ, as Lord, in so far as they are ruled by His Laws, Acts 9. 6. and patiently submit to His corrections and chastisements, Heb. 12. 6, 7. for, He maketh their being of one body, having one spirit and one hope, and their subjection to this one Lord, of equal extent; one Lord, saith he. 2. The consideration of this, that the whole Church, and all the Members thereof, are subject to the dominion of one Lord and Master, Christ Jesus, is a strong argument for inforcing this duty of keeping unity and peace among themselves; this being a duty, which not only he did presse most vehemently upon His followers, when He was about to leave the world, and depart from them, Joh. 13. 34, 35. but also did most earnestly intreat the Father for, even that they might be all made one in Him, Joh. 17. 21, 22. Besides, what a shame is it for the Servants of one Master to fall at odds among themselves, and thereby neglect their Masters work committed to them? for, he presseth the study of unity from this, that there is one Lord. 3. The Law, by which the Lord Christ will have His subjects ruled and governed, is not searched out, and known by sense or naturall reason, but, being revealed in the Word, it is laid hold upon by faith, and credit given to it, because of His authority who hath revealed it: for, so much may be gathered from his making mention of faith, or the Doctrine of faith, immediately after he had spoken of the Lord Christ; one Lord, one faith, saith he. 4. The consideration of this, that the whole Church, and all the true and lively Members thereof, do professe one and the same fundamentall Truths revealed in Scripture, as the only object of saving faith, and way to salvation, ought to be a strong motive for keeping concord and unity in all other things, which otherwise might occasion dissention and strife. This agreement in the main, in the journeys end, and the necessary way, which leadeth to it, should make them ashamed to fall at odds and strife about other things of lesse importance and moment: for, he presseth unity from this, that there is one faith. 5. The wise Lord hath judged it fitting to add the Sacraments, as seals unto the Doctrine of faith and salvation, contained in Scripture; that hereby we may be the more enabled to take up and understand that Doctrine, and be the more affected with it, as having the purpose of it, not only exhibited and represented to our ear in the Word, but to our eye also in the Sacrament, and that we may be the more confirmed in the truth of that Doctrine, as having not only His word and writ for it, but also His seal and pledge: for, after mention made of the Doctrine of faith, he presently addeth there is one Baptism. 6. The Lord hath added Sacraments to the doctrine of faith, not only for the reasons mentioned, but also for engaging the party receiver unto such duties as the Doctrine of faith doth presse upon him; a Sacrament being as a military oath, whereby we bind our selves to fight under the Lords banner, and in all things to be for Him: for, he doth presse them to duty, even to keep unity, from this, that they were partakers of this one Baptism. 7. The consideration of this, that the Church and all the Members thereof are dedicate to God, in one and the same Sacrament of Baptism, unto the receiving whereof, all do accord, is a strong motive to make them keep peace and unity in other things, seing this onenesse in Baptism doth imply our communion in all other things, which are signified and sealed unto us by that Sacrament, which are all those things wherein our salvation is most nearly concerned, and that by Baptism we are solemnly engaged to go about our Master's work, Rom. 6. 4. and so to eschew all renting, and falling out among our selves, by which His work is much retarded: for, he maketh this another argument to enforce unity, that they did all partake of one Baptism. Only know, that though we are not to re-baptize those who are baptized by schismaticall and hereticall Churches, even though they err in some fundamentall truths, so long as the substantiall parts of Baptism are preserved, though mixed with much of their own superstitious trash, and therefore in some respect we may be said to have one common Baptism with them; yet, it doth not follow hence, that we are tied to keep unity with them simply and in all respects. We are only hereby tied to seek union with them, not by joyning in their schism, or damnable heresies, but by labouring to reclaim them from those: and if they be one in all the other essentiall ties and bonds of union here mentioned, as of having one Lord, one faith, &c. this onenesse of Baptism doth engage to be willing, and endeavour, for our part, to keep the bond of peace with them in other things: for, those seven unities, or bonds, and arguments, are not to be taken separately, but joyntly, as to the pressing of unity: yea, and though they be not one in all the rest, yet it engageth us to own them in those things wherein they are right and owned by God, providing always we touch no unclean thing, 2 Cor. 6. 17. In these respects, and with those limitations we deny not but unity should be keeped with hereticall Churches, even the Church of Rome her self.