The Samaritan Showing Healing, Section 3
SECT. III.
SOmething having been ſaid of the Cauſes of Union and Peace, let me add ſome few words of the Effects thereof, and but a few; for I intend no large or elaborate Diſcourſe. Union would make the Church ſtrong and impregnable, were the Members thereof united in and among themſelves. Were they of one mind, and one heart, they would ſtand firm like a Rock, againſt all the Aſſaults of their Enemies. For beſides their own proper ſtrength, which would be conſequent to their Union, God would ſtand by them, and be their Protector and Defender. 'Tis Faction and Diviſion that weakens the Church, and cauſes God to withdraw his defence and guardianſhip from it; and then it becomes a prey to the Enemies thereof.
Moreover, were the Church of God at Union and Peace within it ſelf, it would be beautiful and lovely in the Eyes of the World. Did the Members thereof agree together; were they of one judgment in the Doctrines of Religion, and of one practice in the duties and actions thereof, how comely and decorous would the proſpect be? And how would it raviſh thoſe that behold and conſider it? even the very Enemies thereof would cry out and ſay, How beautiful are thy Tents O Jacob, and thy Tabernacles O Iſrael!
Were the Church of God at Peace and Unity with it ſelf, it would be a mighty means to Convert the World, and bring it over to the Chriſtian Religion. Were there a great and mutual Friendſhip and Amity among the ſeveral Parts and Members of it, it would be a mighty Evidence of the Truth of Chriſtianity, and almoſt all Mankind would fall under the ſorce of it: The Authority thereof would be irreſiſtible; 'tis the Factions, the Feuds, the Diviſions, the Strifes, Hatreds and Contentions that are in Chriſtendom, and among the Churches thereof, that makes them a ſcorn and abhorrence to Turks and Infidels, as well as to the Atheiſtical and prophane that are among them. 'Tis the everlaſting Quarrels, and mutual Cenſures and Condemnations of each other, that makes Chriſtianity a poor languid thing, and takes off all the convincing power thereof in the apprehenſion of its Enemies.
Again, were the Church of God united, and at Peace in it ſelf, the mutual offices of Love and Kindneſs, of Charity and Compaſſion, which would be exerciſed by the Members thereof, would very much ſweeten and abate the Miſeries and Calamities of the preſent Life and State. The Rich would miniſter to the wants and neceſſities of the Poor, and the Poor would chearfully ſerve, and miniſter to the advantages of the Rich. According to their capacities they would mutually help and aſſiſt each other; and by theſe mutual offices of endearment and kindneſs, much of the miſeries and infelicities of Life would be removed, prevented, and ſweetened, and the World be a much more happy place than now it is.
The holineſs of mens hearts and lives, would be very much encreaſed and advanced by Union and Peace. Quarrels and Contentions do heat mens ſpirits, and fill them full of rancour, ſpite, malice and bitterneſs. It makes them fearful, jealous, and ſuſpicious of each other, and theſe kind of unhallowed paſſions do drink up their ſpirits, and poſſeſs their ſouls, inſomuch that they have no room or leiſure for the introducing of pious affections, holy habits, and a divine frame and temper of mind; whereas, were men at Union and Peace, they would be free of theſe Diabolical Paſſions, and would be at leiſure to trim and adorn their own Souls with the Ornaments and Perfections of Chriſtians: They would have time and opportunity to impreſs the Image of God upon them, and their communion in the Publick Worſhip of God would contribute great aſſiſtance to it.
In fine, the Church of God on Earth would be ſome ſmall figure and reſemblance of the Church of God in Heaven, were it united, and did the Members of it live in Love and Peace together. There are no Diviſions or Separations; There are no Enmities, Variances, or Strifes. All love and ſerve God with one heart, and one conſent; all have a mutual love and kindneſs for each other. And ſomething like this would be ſeen upon Earth, if Chriſtians and Churches would, or could unite and live in Amity and Peace. But alas, Unity and Peace ſeem to have forſaken the Earth; and ſome men ſeem reſolved, that they ſhall never return again, the conditions they propoſe for the reſtauration of it, being utterly impracticable, as ſhall be ſaid and proved anon.