A Peacemaker Without Partiality and Hypocrisy, Discourse · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. Concerning the neceſſitie of Brotherly unitie in the Miniſtery.
IF then we ſhould take into conſideration the abſolute neceſſitie of this dutie, it will appeare that the preſent evills whereinto theſe Churches, and the ſtate of this kingdome are fallen, and which threaten all with unavoydable ruine, are mainely brought upon us through the neglect of that miniſteriall unitie and correſpondencie, which is ſutable unto Chriſtianitie.
For whoſoever in the feare of God ſhall lay to heart the wofull condition of the Churches of Chriſt in this land, will perceive that amongſt the manifold cauſes of our miſerable breaches and ſinfull diſtractions,The cauſe of all one miſeries. the originall and conſequently the greateſt of all the reſt is this; That ſuch as are called to bee the Miniſters of the Goſpel, who by their owne confeſſion are Brethren and fellow-labourers in the ſame imployment, doe not maintaine thoſe duties of Brotherly love, fellowſhip and communion, which by the nature of their work, and by the appointment of their Lord and Maſter are made neceſſary for the manifeſtation of his glory, and for their own mutuall edification. For ſeeing by that which hath been hitherto ſhewed, it muſt needs be acknowledged, that they ought to ſtand together and looke upon each other as Brethren begotten of the ſame Father, as fellow-ſouldiers in the ſame fight and warfare, and as fellow-members in the ſame body of Chriſt: Seeing (I ſay) this is confeſſed and cannot bee denied to bee ſo, it will follow alſo undeniably, that they ought in conſcience to diſcharge the duties belonging to theſe relations, which are not onelyonly to profeſſe a Brotherhood, but to bee knit together in fervent love, to have the ſame care one for another, and joyntly to communicate in things belonging to the kingdome of Chriſt. But that theſe duties, notwithſtanding all theſe relations, are neither really thought upon, nor at all proſecured to any purpoſe almoſt by any, is no leſſe undeniable, and muſt needs (although to our great ſhame) be plainly and ingenuouſly confeſſed. Seeing then the guilt of this their fault is ſo great and ſo apparent, that no colour of excuſe can bee pretended to extenuate it, therefore the judgement is ripe for them, and the puniſhment hath now in the ſight of all the world moſt juſtly overtaken them: For whereas they were lately in a capacitie to bee as happy within themſelves, and as profitable to the Kingdome of Chriſt abroad, as any of all the Miniſters on earth if they had continued in their unitie, now they are like to bee more unſetled and more miſerable within themſelves, and leſſe reſpected by others, and leſſe uſefull both at home and abroad towards the cauſe of Chriſt, then any that are elſewhere in all the Churches, & this onelyonly, becauſe they have ſuffered themſelves in their profeſſion to bee divided, and have not regarded nor doe they yet regard the duties of their Chriſtian Brotherhood ſo much as outward concernments.The guilt of the Miniſtery. For by this meanes they have corrupted the Covenant, and are become partiall in the Law, and cauſed many to ſtumble at the Law,Mal. 2.8, 9. and therefore the Lord hath made them contemptible, and cauſed all their adverſaries to prevaile againſt them, ſo that they have juſt cauſe to give glory unto him, to lay their hands upon their mouths, to be ſenſible of their guiltineſſe, and to accept of the puniſhment of their tranſgreſſions.Ephe. 4.1, 2, 3. For if the very vocation wherewith all the profeſſors of the Goſpel are called unto God, doth oblige them to keepe the unitie of the ſpirit in the bond of peace one with another; farre more doth it oblige the Miniſters, to intend before others this great and fundamentall dutie in the vocation wherewith they are called. And if all the members of the myſticall body of Chriſt are by Gods appointment fitly joyned together, and ought to bee compacted in their ſtations to make the increaſe of the body unto the edifying of it ſelfe in love, by that which every joynt ſupplieth, then it muſt needs alſo be granted, that the chief joynts of theſe members are more eſpecially appointed by God, and obliged in conſcience to bee united in their relations, and compacted in the duties of their miniſteriall imployments. But how farre they are not onelyonly diſtant from this conjunction, but have even an averſion unto it, I need not at all to mention (the thing is cleere as the Sunne at noone day) nor ſhall I ſearch at whoſe dore the fault doth principally lie, whether here or there (for I know that every one will juſtifie his owne proceedings). But this I ſhall freely ſay, and I ſay it with grief of heart; and therefore I hope without offence to either ſide; that this is the great ſinne of the Miniſtery, and the miſery of this Nation, that at this time, when a concurrence of affections and of endeavours, is ſo abſolutely neceſſary for the preſervation of the truth in the very fundamentals thereof,The ſinfull miſery following upon this guilt. and when we all are called forth to fight in the ſame cauſe as it were for our life, that (I ſay) at this time there is ſo much of animoſitie prevailing, and ſo ſmall a ſenſe of Chriſtianitie in common duties and of imminent dangers found in mens hearts, that it is almoſt impoſſible to move any to compaſſionate one anothers calamities; farre leſſe to draw any to riſe up and ſtand united, for each others conſervation, that (I ſay againe) it is ſo with us at ſuch a time, this is the great ſinne of the Miniſtery and the miſery of this Nation. For where is the man to bee found that doth truely mourne, and not rejoyce rather at his oppoſites parties failings and miſcarriages; and yet wee know that charitie doth not rejoyce at iniquitie? where is hee that doth ſeeke to heale breaches upon common principles and without a particular intereſt?1 Cor. 13.6. 1 Cor. 13.5. and yet wee all know that charitie doth not ſeeke it ſelfe; and who is hee that doth blow a …trait from the battell and ſeeke for a ceſſation from needleſſe and injurious controverſies? who is hee that doth endeavour a through and unprejudicate reconciliation? and who dare owne a Treatie for mutuall condeſcenſion, without a feare of being caſt off, or fallen upon by his Brethren? and yet wee all know; that wee are ſeriouſly exhorted, even becauſe the Lord is at hand, to let our moderation bee known to all men; Phil. 4.5. 1 Pet. 3.11. 1 Cor. 9.22. Rom. 12.18.and that wee are expreſly commanded to ſeeke peace and follow after it; and that it is our dutie to become all things unto every one for their edifications ſake; and, if it bee poſſible and ſo farre as in us lyeth, to have peace with all men.
What ſhall wee ſay then to theſe things? ſhall wee ſtill juſtifie our ſelves notwithſtanding the manifeſt tranſgreſſion of all theſe rules? No ſurely, for to cover or to excuſe this fault would aggravate the guilt thereof; and to diſcover or condemne it, is the way to gaine pardon for it; but to reforme and remove the cauſes thereof, is that onelyonly which in this caſe will make us happy: for it will availe nothing to confeſſe our ſinne, except it bee forſaken. Let us then looke upon it ſo, as to reſolve effectually upon a courſe of reformation. Our ſinne, in a word, is this breach of Chriſtian unitie. The chief cauſes thereof are carnall ſelf-ſeeking, diſorderly controverſies, and the want of true brotherly inclinations, notwithſtanding the manifold bonds, and the name of brotherhood taken up amongſt us. The remedies of theſe cauſes are, that wee ſhould learne ſelf-deniall from Chriſt, that wee ſhould not ſtrive nor cry, nor let our voice bee heard in the ſtreets, Matth. 12.19, 20.nor quench the ſmoaking flax, nor breake the bruiſed reed, but that wee ſhould in truth and ſincerity, as in the preſence of God, conſider one another, to exhort and provoke each other unto love and to good workes. Heb. 10.24.Now to move us effectually hereunto (next unto the expreſſe and known will of God, which is before all others the greateſt of inducements) I know nothing that ſhould bee more powerfull with us, then the diſcovery of the dolefull and pernicious effects of our diviſions and diſtempers.The dolefull effects of our diviſions as puniſhments of the ſinne. Upon all in generall. For whilſt wee are thus at a diſtance for points of outward order, the inward ſubſtance of the profeſſion is not regarded. Whilſt wee contend for circumſtantials, concerning the wayes of going about our worke, the maine of the worke is left undone; and whilſt for temporall jealouſies about ſmall matters, Brethren uphold no ſpirituall correſpondency, Satan in matters of the greateſt concernments hath gotten this advantage againſt us, that the whole doctrine of truth is become doubtfull unto very many; and the Goſpel it ſelf, and in it the wayes of peace (the chief object of comfort) are made a matter of ſtrife and contradiction unto all. And if wee will obſerve particulars, wee ſhall perceive that amongſt other things by this way of ſtrife and contradiction, hee hath prevailed chiefly in this, that the very being of an orderly Miniſtery is called in queſtion, and oppoſed moſt univerſally: For to aboliſh the work, and the office of the ordinary miniſtery, is that about which under ſeverall pretences all his agents on all hands, are moſt earneſtly imployed, and by their meanes all the fundamentals of order and ordinances in the Church are already unſetled, and all the grounds of authoritie in the State are almoſt quite overthrown: For by and upon ſome principles of that, which is called a new light, it is free for every one to doe what ſeemeth good in his owne eyes without controule, or giving account thereof unto any. This licentious freedome doth leade them that follow it to the fulfilling of all their fleſhly deſires, and doth confirme them in all manner of confuſion, wherein the ſpirit of railing, of bitterneſſe, of envy, of contradiction and of uncharitableneſſe in oppoſing and cenſuring others, doth increaſe ſtrife and hatred, and multiplieth ſcandals infinitely, all which bring forth the woes that lie upon us. For to raile and calumniate without ſhame is become the very trade of many; nor is there any way left almoſt either in Church or Commonwealth to redreſſe the injuries of this kind, though never ſo groſſe and palpable. All this breaketh the hearts of the godly, ſtaggereth the weake, gladdeth the adverſaries, openeth a dore to all profaneneſſe, and cauſeth the Name of God to bee blaſphemed, and the way of truth to bee evill ſpoken of in the world, at which Atheiſts and Papiſts triumph and exult with joy, expecting in the end, that the effect of all this will bee the utter ruine and deſolation of all Proteſtants.
Hee that cannot ſee theſe evills to riſe originally from the misbehaviours of Brethren in the Miniſtery of the Goſpel about their differences, is wholly blind; hee that doth not feele the inconveniences thereof is ſenſeleſſe, and hee that cannot grieve for the ſame, is hardned in ſinfulned.
Now becauſe all theſe inconveniencies reach unto all the Profeſſors in ſome ſort alike, therefore every one (though chiefly the Miniſters, as chief of the Profeſſors) ſhould bee moved thereby to contribute their whole ſtrength towards the ſpeedy removall thereof.
But beſides theſe common evils, there is in this neglect (whereof the Miniſtery is moſt of all guiltie) ſomething which doth more eſpecially reflect, (and that juſtly) upon themſelves, more then others,More eſpecially upon the Miniſtery. and from them upon their Miniſteriall function, as tending to make void the authoritie, and wholly fruſtrate the end of their ordinary vocation. For although perſonal faults ought not to prejudice the vocation & the credit of the function; yet becauſe it is very naturall to all men to make a conſequence from the one to the other, therefore the Apoſtle will have even the meaneſt of the profeſſion to behave themſelves ſo, as it may not ſuffer any diſeſteeme for their ſakes. For ſpeaking of ſervants profeſſing Chriſtianitie to Titus and to Timothy, Tit. 2.10.he will have them to ſhew all good fidelitie unto their maſters, that they may adorne the dectrine of Chriſt our Saviour in all things, 1 Tim. 6.and to honour their maſters, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blaſphemed, through their misbehaviour. If then Chriſtianitie it ſelf will ſuffer in the opinions of men, and bee diſcredited by the faults of the meaneſt that take the name thereof upon them, how ſhall it not bee diſcredited by the miſcarriages of thoſe that are the chiefeſt of the profeſſion? and how ſhall the credit of the miniſtery be upheld in mens opinions and affections, if thoſe to whom the charge thereof is committed, diſhonour their adminiſtration? and how can they bee thought to honour their adminiſtration, if they walke not anſwerable unto the end thereof? Now there is nothing more oppoſit unto the true end of the Miniſteriall calling, then this very neglect of dutie, whereof they are at this time found guilty: For the end, uſe and effect of the Miniſteriall worke is, to reform the world;Epheſ. 4.1…, 13. To perfect the Saints, and to edifie the body of Chriſt, till we all come in the unitie of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man; but this effect muſt needs be made void, and this end fruſtrate, as long as the Miniſters maintaine no Brotherly communion one with another, but ſtand at their diſtances, and are ſingle by themſelves; ſo as to have no familiaritie of concurrence about their Maſters worke, even although he hath therein ſtrictly commanded them to bee united. For how can they reforme others, that are not reformed themſelves? How can they bee thought fit to perfect the Saints ſo long as they ſeek not one anothers perfection? how can they be ſaid to advance the unitie of Faith who doe all things belonging to the profeſſion of faith within themſelves dividedly? How can they in the work of the Miniſtery be able joyntly to build up the ſame body of Chriſt, who in that work maintain no communion one with another in reference unto his body; but rather ſet themſelves to make up every one a ſeparate body for himſelfe? and how can they be able to bring all unto the unitie of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man through love, whoſe imperfection in love is ſuch; that they doe value no common relations unto Chriſt and his ſervice further then theſe ſet up ſome private intereſts; nor do mind the unitie of the ſpirit through the love of Chriſt which is common unto all, ſo much as to entertain either commemberſhip, or miniſteriall fellowſhip, or true Goſpel-work-acquaintance with any, that are not either ſetled in the circumſtantiall courſes of their way, or willing to come up unto them therein? Wee ſee then upon theſe grounds, that except this neglect of dutie be reformed, and the true end of the Miniſteriall work without humane aimes, be heartily entertained by thoſe to whom it is intruſted, the effects thereof will never proſper in their hands; but Satan (as hitherto he hath done ſince they were divided) will continually prevaile againſt them all, till hee hath brought them unto finall deſtruction and irrecoverable deſolation.
This then is the danger whereinto wee are fallen, and to lay this to heart is that matter of abſolute neceſſitie, which by all ſhould be apprehended, but chiefly by thoſe that are called to the Miniſtery, that they in doing their principall dutie, which is to ſtudie unitie in the truth in Chriſtianity, may uphold the holy profeſſion, and thereby intend their mutuall preſervation. For without all doubt their very being in this kingdome, if they take not this courſe, will be very ſhortly in a moſt deſperat condition; becauſe as it is undeniably apparent, that hitherto nothing but their own diſunion about matters extrafundamentall, hath made Satan and their enemies to prevaile againſt them.The application to exhort to unitie. So it is cleerly manifeſt that henceforth nothing but their mutuall union will bee effectuall to maintain what they yet hold, or reſtore what they have loſt in the minds of men, and of their ſtanding in the profeſſion; hee then that doth decline to concurre in the wayes of ſpirituall unitie with thoſe that offer and ſue for the ſame unto him, and being convicted of this danger doth not endeavour to prevent it, ſhall bee found guilty of all the evils that follow upon our breaches, of all the ruine that befalleth unto theſe Churches, of all the confuſions that from thence ariſe unto the Commonwealth, of all the diſhonor done to the name of Chriſt for want of order in his houſe, and of all the ſhame and reproach which this Nation is either now aſperſed withall abroad amongſt their Neighbours, or will in after ages cleave unto it. If then there is any love to the Fundamentall truths of the Goſpel, if there is any zeale for righteouſneſſe and againſt damnable hereſies, if there is any juſt hatred due to Blaſphemies, and to the wayes of profaneneſſe and licenciouſneſſe, whereby the kingdome of Satan is erected, and ſetled upon the ruines of Chriſts kingdome amongſt us; and if there is any faithfulneſſe and conſtancie to bee expected from thoſe that profeſſing Chriſtianitie, have entred into ſolemne proteſtations, vowes and covenants to ſtand united according to the will of God, for the advancement of a common reformation, and the ſettlement of our union therein: if I ſay there bee any ſuch thing as love to truth, zeale for righteouſneſſe and faithfulneſſe of Chriſtian Covenants; I may adjure ſuch as pretend thereunto, to ſhew themſelves at this time therein, for their owne and their Brethrens preſervation, that by the duties of Brotherly unitie in the holy profeſſion, they may bee found to keepe faith and a good conſcience without blame.
For as it is not poſſible, that the Faith once given to the Saints can bee maintained by any, without a good conſcience, ſo the integritie of a good conſcience cannot bee kept without obſerving the end of the holy Commandement, which is the practiſe of love out of a pure heart. Now this practiſe amongſt Mininiſters in their Miniſteriall charges, can bee none other but a conſcionable concurrence of their ſpirits in that aime, wherein the all relate unto Chriſt, to ſtrengthen one anothers hands in the works of his ſervice. For their unity and love to each other can have no truth, but as it relates unto him, nor can it relate otherwiſe unto him, then by fulfilling his will, in doing the works of his ſervice; and if this aime be loſt in any, let them pretend what they will, their conſcience is not ſound, their performance is not acceptable, nor will their indeavours be for ever eſtabliſhed; hence it is, that becauſe many have left off to aime ſincerely at this (who either delight to ſtand wholly by themſelves, and give way to dividing principles and practiſes; or thinke it more expedient to ſtand wholly aſſociated, but give way to the meanes of humane power to truſt more thereunto then to the duties of Chriſtian love and ſerviceableneſſe) therefore it is juſt with God to withdraw from ſuch of both ſides that walke in theſe wayes, and from their undertakings, the bleſſing of his preſence. So that by reaſon of the want of his ſtrength to goe along, and conduct, to guide them, all their hands are weakned, nothing which is undertaken doth proſper, the ſervice of Chriſts houſe is not advanced, the ſtewards thereof are either divided by themſelves, or ſcattered by others, and generally they are as men without a heart, afraid one of another: and through theſe their breaches, a whole deluge of damnable errors, and a full current of all unrighteous, wicked and ſcandalous practiſes, hath overwhelmed and almoſt drowned the Churches; ſo that the very floodgates of hell ſeeme to bee opened upon us, and have covered us with the proud waves of all licenciouſneſſe.
And although it cannot bee denied, but that it is juſt with God, to ſuffer Satan thus farre to prevaile againſt all for the ſinnes of all, and to make this breach upon the Leaders for their failing in the Miniſtery; yet it is farre from mee to thinke,A doubt anſwered concerning the office of the Miniſtery. (as ſome doe) that the promiſe of God is failed in this our age; at if there were neither true Church nor Miniſtery any more amongſt us, or any where in this world, but that the gates of hell, having prevailed againſt the Church, which Chriſt did once inſtitute by his Apoſtles; a new miſſion muſt be expected, and a new foundation laid for the erecting of his kingdome. I ſay God forbid that I ſhould thinke ſo. Yea, let God bee true but every man a liar: for I beleeve that heaven and earth ſhall paſſe away, Rom. 3.4. Matth. 24.35. Matth. 16.16, 17, 18, 19.but the word that is gone out of Chriſts mouth ſhall not paſſe away. Now Chriſt upon a ſpeciall occaſion ſaid diſtinctly unto his Diſciples three things, which are theſe.
1 That his Church ſhould bee built upon the rock of that truth, whereof the Apoſtles made confeſſion, which was, that Jeſus was the Chriſt, the ſonne of the living God.
2 That the gates of hell ſhould not prevaile againſt that Church.
3 And laſtly, That the keyes of the kingdome of heaven with authoritie to bind and looſe on earth, whatever ſhould be bound and looſened in heaven, ſhall be given to this Church. Theſe promiſes I beleeve to bee ſo ſure that they ſhall never faile: Therefore I muſt conclude, that neither the foundation of the Church, nor the Church which is builded thereupon, nor the Miniſteriall authoritie of the keyes given to that Church, ſhall faile ſo long as this world doth laſt. For what although ſome doe not beleeve, and are diſobedient to the will of God; ſhall their unbelief and diſobedience make the faith and truth of God without effect? God forbid, yea all men are to bee found liars, that God may bee found true; for he hath concluded all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all: therefore in his ſayings he ſhall be juſtifified, and when he is judged overcome. Wee muſt therefore acknowledge that by our unrighteouſneſſe the righteouſneſſe of God is to be commended; and that although we of this Nation ſhould utterly faile him, and bee no more worthy to be counted his Church, yet that he will never faile to doe what hee hath ſaid unto the ſeed of Chriſt amongſt men, and never recall the word which hee hath ſpoken concerning his Church. But this we are bound to beleeve,Iſa. 59.21. that whereſoever there is a ſocietic of men beleeving with their heart, and with their mouth making openly profeſſion of this truth, that Jeſus is the Chriſt the Sonne of the living God, there is a Church exiſtent; and whereſoever a Church is exiſtent, there the authoritie of the keyes is not wanting; becauſe Chriſt hath ſaid that the gates of hell ſhall not prevaile againſt it. I ſhall then confidently conclude from theſe premiſes two things, firſt, ſeeing there are ſocieties of beleevers which are here exiſtent and known to bee built upon that truth, which is the foundation, that therefore notwithſtanding all theſe failings in particular duties, whereof they are guiltie, that yet Gods promiſe for the main will never be wanting to them, as to his Church. Secondly, I may infer this alſo, that notwithſtanding all the advantages which Satan ſeemeth to have gotten, both againſt the Miniſtery of this Church, and againſt their adminiſtrations therein (whereby hee doth blaſt them, and the fruit of their labours) yet wee may bee ſure, that he ſhall never prevaile ſo farre as to make void the priviledge of the Church, which is to have a right to the keyes of the kingdome of heaven, and thereby to the adminiſtration of all Chriſts Ordinances.
Now then although indeed it is very ſad and lamentable, that the Builders themſelves ſhould be ſo far wanting to their dutie, as by their diviſions to give ſuch an advantage unto Satan, that hee ſhould bee able, viſibly to pull down more then they are able to build up: yet we know that all things, even theſe ſame and ſuch like failings,The comfort of beleevers againſt theſe evils. Pſal. 76.10. will worke together for the beſt towards thoſe that love God, and that all the advantages which Satan hath gotten againſt the kingdome of Chriſt, will tend together to Gods greater glory and Satans owne overthrow at laſt. For as the wrath of man ſhall ſurely praiſe the Lord, ſo the plots of Satan and all his prevailing upon the infirmities of his Saints, when he ſhall have mercy upon Zion, will redound exceedingly to the increaſe of his glory, by the manifeſtation of the riches of his grace, and of the ſtabilitie of his purpoſes, in ſetting up the kingdome of Jeſus Chriſt through a finall and totall deſtruction of all the enemies thereof. Seeing then I have cauſe to hope for ſuch an iſſue of this warfare, I ſhall not feare that the diſcovery of this failing in the Miniſtery will bee taken as a reproach to diſcredit them towards others in their function (which I acknowledge in its own way and degree to be of God & not of man) but rather as an admonition of love to ſhow to thoſe that are conſcionable the neceſſity of laying their owne condition to heart, and of ſeeking the remedy thereof, in that way wherein it may bee found. And that I may not bee wanting unto this deſigne, I ſhall adde one thing more,The neceſſitie of unitie further preſſed. for the demonſtration of the neceſſitie of this dutie of brotherly unitie, which is ſo much neglected amongſt us, that afterwards I may come to ſpeake more fully of the uſefulneſſe and excellency thereof.
In the profeſſion of Chriſtianitie the Apoſtle ſaith, that neither circumciſion availeth any thing nor uncircumciſion, Gal. 6.15, 16.but a new creature. And as many as walke by this rule, Peace (ſaith bee will) bee upon them and mercy, and upon the Iſrael of God. Here then wee ſee that the fruits of Peace and of mercy are Gods bleſſings upon the life of the new Creature; and where theſe fruits are not at all apparent, but on the contrary a ſpirit of ſtrife, of bitterneſſe, of hatred and of mercileſſe affection doth prevaile, there wee needs muſt ſay, that the old creature is ſtill alive, becauſe the wiſedome which is earthly, Iam. 3.14, 15, 16, 17, 18.ſenſuall and devilliſh, which is the old mans rule, brings forth ſuch effects. Now it is the proper worke of the true Miniſters of the Goſpel, to perſwade all men to live the life of the new Creature, and to mortifie the members of the old man, Col. 3.5.8.which are upon the earth, whereof theſe are a part. But if through the ſpirit of diviſion and variance, the Miniſters themſelves are intangled in theſe paſſions, and that even one againſt another; ſo that they doe not ſhew forth all meekneſſe with all long-ſuffering and forbearance, wherein they ought to receive each other to the glory of God, as Chriſt received us, how can they performe this worke? how can they perſwade others to walke by a rule which they mind not, and wherein they themſelves are not exerciſed? It is cleer then, that to doe the proper worke of their Miniſtery, it is neceſſary for them to intend the dutie of brotherly love and unitie.
Moreover it is ſaid here, that neither circumciſion nor uncircumciſion doth availe any thing in Chriſt Jeſus, and if this is ſo, then the diviſion and diſtraction, which is amongſt us for things of ſuch a kind is ſinfull and neceſſary to bee left off; for I am ſure that circumciſion to the Jewes, and uncircumciſion to the Gentile was a matter of greater concernment, then any thing about which wee at this time are divided. And if that ought not to have made a breach between them, farre leſſe theſe things amongſt us. Now that which by the new Creature is available in Chriſt Jeſus, Gal. 5.6.is faith onelyonly which worketh by love. If then the Miniſters of the Goſpel are appointed by God to beget faith and love in their hearers (that is, to perſwade the unbeleevers thereunto, and to build up and confirme and increaſe the beleevers therein) by the teſtimony of Jeſus, and by their unitie and love amongſt themſelves, how ſhall they bee able to doe this, except they bee firſt agreed to hold forth the ſame teſtimony, and except there be ſome amiable concurrence amongſt them in the workes of their Miniſtery? Therefore as faith and love are inſeparably neceſſary to make a true Chriſtian: ſo the teſtimony of Jeſus, and the ſpirit of unitie are inſeparably requiſite for the worke of the Miniſtery. For as there is an abſolute neceſſitie lying upon the Miniſtery to beare witneſſe unto the truth, towards the manifeſtation thereof, for the ſaving of their own ſoules: So they are alſo no leſſe neceſſitated to maintain the profeſſion of their unitle, for the edification of their hearers. For without this profeſſion, that manifeſtation will never in reaſon be found a truth fit to convict the world, which otherwiſe it may be; becauſe as it is juſt, that when witneſſes doe not agree, their teſtimony ſhould not be received, ſo it is equitable that when they doe agree, their teſtimony ſhould not be rejected. And if by this onelyonly default, they make their teſtimony without effect, it is evident, that to eſtabliſh the truth and not to diſcredit it, to uphold the Miniſtery and not to make it contemptible, to build up the Churches and not to ruine them, and to confirme the faith of the Profeſſors and not to ſtagger them, the profeſſion and practiſe of Brotherly unitie amongſt the Miniſters of the Goſpel, is abſolutely neceſſary. For all may ſee, that are not blind and ſenſeleſſe; that originally nothing but the neglect of this dutie, hath deprived us of all our hopes and bleſſings, and brought us under the yoake of all theſe miſeries. Upon all which this conſequence doth manifeſtly follow; that the onelyonly way to preſerve the remnant which is left entire, to reſtore that which is not utterly decaied in the Church, and to helpe this diſtracted State unto ſome ſettlement (if there be any poſſibility of attaining it) is this. That the Miniſters of the Goſpel ſhould ſet themſelves to concurre and correſpond together, that they may hold forth unto the world in the teſtimony of Jeſus Chriſt, the lovelineſſe, the peaceableneſſe, the meekneſſe and the unitie of his ſpirit, to the end that both they and their hearers may follow therein his footſteps, as hee is gone before us to leave us an example. For this is a path of the new and the living way, which hee hath conſecrated for us; and out of this way no man can come unto the Father, it is therefore abſolutely neceſſary, that ſuch as will enter into the holieſt, become followers of God as deare children, and walke in love as Chriſt alſo hath loved us, and made himſelfe as one of us, even our Brother, to gaine us unto God.