Vér. í i. the I nth Cháptér of fit. J 0 H what in them Beth to frultrate Chrift, and make void his Aim, but do alto difparage him before the World ; he holdeth out to all the World, that his People are one Bo- dy, one Family, one Houfe, and yet they'are crumbled into Fafticins. Diviftons in the Church beget Atheifm in the World ; Oh let it not teem a fuiall thing to rend the Unity of the Church ! But where (hill this be charged ? Every one will excufe him- felf from the guilt of the prefent Breaches : Certainly we have all caufe to relied up- on,our own Hearts, and not make Application for Others. it is ufual with us to do as Judas, when Chrift told his Difciples fomewhar that concerned him, he looked round about Upon the Difciples. So we look about upon others, when we lhould finite upon our own Thigh. One of the Bellows of Strife, is Crimination and Recrimination ; therefore let us fee a little who is guilty. The Unity is two -fold, One in Mind, One in Heart ; One in Judgment, One in Affe &ion., Now what haft thou done contrary to either of thefe Unions ? t. If thou haft been a (tickler in Novel Opinions, whereby Divifion bath been can - fed in the Church, thou haft differved the Aim of Chrift. Chrillians are bound to be of One Mind. t Pet. 3. 8. Finally, be ye all of one Mind, &c. Phil. 2. 2. Fxil ye my Joy, that ye bè li(e. minded, having the fame Love, being of one Accord, of one Mind. s Cor. 13. 2. Tho I have all Faith, fo as'I can remove Mountains, and have no Charity, I am Nothing. But you will reply, Will you inforce Judgment, or impofe Belief? and make me an Hypocrite, and your felf an Ufurper ? And what are Novel Opinions You condemn others, and they you ; you preach againft them, and they againft you. Yea, but yet Chriftians (hould (trive, as much as is poffible, to be all of a Mind ; and it should trouble thee, if forced to differ from the general Judgment of the Church. In döubtful Matters, take not up an Opinion which will offend; beware of doubtful Difptitations. He that diflènts, had need have plain Evidence, and that the Truth (hould be brought with much demonftration to the Confcience : Arguments had need be exprefs and clear, and he had need pray much, and conlult, and confer with others. But when fingularity and diverlity of Opinions is affefled, Homini congenitum ell mi- gis -nova giàm magna mirari, and without any fear and jealoufy,Men let loofe their Hearts to`Novelties; this is blame - worthy. When we have the Confent of the Church, a a leis Light will ferve the turn than for a Diffent. 2. Haft thou done any thing to hinder the Church from being of one Heart ? (t.) By profefling Principles of Separation, certainly it is a Crime. It is againft Love, as Error is againft Faith ; it cuts afunder the Bands and Sinews of Chrift's My- ítical Body. In thefe Times, the Charge of this Sin is fo frequent, that the Sin is lit- tle regarded. Every modelt Diffent and Unconformity is branded with the Name of Schifm, that Men think Schifm no fuch Matter, or no fuch Crime. Jude tg. thefe be they who feparate themfelves, &irniloego.Tts. Now it is dangerous to feparate, and hard to difcern, when it is lawful. The Queftion of Separation lieth in the dark, but the Enforcements of Love are plain and open. Divers allow but three Grounds of Sepa- ration, Intolerable Perfecution, Damnable Herefy, and Grofs Idolatry : We (hould holdCommunion as long as Chrift will. Scandal is a Ground of Mourning, but not ri Ground of Separation ; and when-ever it is done, it muff be with Grief. (2.) They that profecute Controverfies in Etch a way as will not Hand with Love, viz. with Paffìon, bitternefs of Spirit, damning all Oppofites, fuppre(fing them by the Power of the Sword; Wrath, exulceration and bitternefs of Spirit, are oppofite to Love. Michael duxft not bring a railing Accufation. The worfi Adverfaries are overcome with loft Words, and liard Arguments : Railing and Reviling, makes Men deaf to the Tenders of Reconciliation. Pfal. 120. 7. I am for Peace: but when 1 fpeak, they are for War. So is damning all Oppofites, calling them out of Chrift, urging things beyond the.weight and confequence of the Opinion, cenfuring others as not Spiritual, t Cor. 14. 37. Intereft makes Men palftonately and irregularly zea- lous. t Cor. I. 2. To all that in every place call on the Name of Jefis Chrift our Lord, both theirs and oars ; not as a Party impropriating Chrift, I am of Chrift. So is domi- neering over Mens Confciences, and obtruding Opinions by Force ; there are raid to go in the way of Cain, Sude 1 t. V fe s. Let us be as camel for Unity, as Chrift ; let us think of Charity more than we have done, how to preferve Peace, as wSjl as Truth. Certainly we that have one Father, are born of one Mother, acknowledg one Elder Brother, even Cheift, whobmy
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