But all this notwithstanding, The examination of our justifica- tion by our sanctification, is not only a lawful, and possible, but a very excellent and necessary work and duty. It is the course that Christians have taken in all ages, and that which God hath abundantly blessed to the joy and encouragement of their souls.
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He hath furnished our soul^ to this end with noble, self-reflect- inw- powers and abilities. He Rath answerably furnished his word with variety of marks and signs, for the same end and use. Some of these marks are exclusive^ to detect and bar bold presumptuous pretenders, 1 Cor. vi. 9- Rev. xxi. 8, 27. Some are inclusive marks, to measure the strength and growth of grace by, Rom. iv. 20. And others are positive signs, flowing out of the very essence of grace, or the new creature, 1 John iv. 1;'3. " Hereby we know that ** we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his « Spirit;'
He hath also expressly commanded us to examine and prove our- selves ; upbraided the neglecters of that duty, and enforced their duty upon them by a thundering arguraent, 2 Cor. xiii. 5. " Exa- " mine yourselves whether ye be in the faith, prove your own *' selves; know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ " is in you, except ye be reprobates.*" In a word, for this end and purpose, amongst others, were the scriptures written, 1 John V. 13. " These things have I written to you, that believe on the " name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal *' life."" And therefore, to neglect this duty is exceeding danger- ous ; but to deny and deride it, intolerable. It may be justly feared, such men will be drowned in perdition who fall into the waters, by making a bridge over them with their own shadows.
For my own part, I verily believe, that the sweetest hours Chris- tians enjoy in this world, are when they retire into their closets, and sit there concealed from all eyes, but him that made them ; looking now into the bible, then into their own hearts, and then up to God ; closely following the grand debate about their interest in Christ, till they have brought it to the happy desired issue.
And now, reader, for a close of all, I call the Searcher of hearts to witness, ' That I have not intermeddled with these controver- ' sies of Antipaedo-baptism, and Antinomianism, out of any delight
* I take in polemical studies, or an unpeaceable contradicting hu- ' mour, but out of pure zeal for the glory and truths of God ; for ' the vindication and defence whereof I have been necessarily en- ' gaged therein. And having discharged my duty thus far, I now
* resolve to return (if God will permit me) to my much sweeter, ^ and more agreeable studies ; still maintaining my Christian cha- ' rity for those whom I oppose; not doubting but I shall meet ' those in heaven, from whom I am forced, in lesser things, to dis- ' sent and differ upon earth,'
CHURCHES OF CHRIST, A SERMON.
Now I beseech ijou, hreihren, hy the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all sj^eak the same thing, and that there he no divisions among you ; but that ye he perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.
W HEN I consider this healing and uniting text, and the scan- dalous divisions of the congregations to which I recommend it ; I could chuse rather to comment thereon with tears than words ; It is just matter of lamentation to think what feeble influences such divine and pathetical exhortations have upon the minds and hearts of professed Christians. But it is not lamentations, but proper counsels, and convictions obeyed, must do the work.
The primitive and purest churches of Christ consisted of im- perfect members, who, notwithstandinfj they were knit together by the same internal bond of the Spirit, and the same external bonds of common profession, and common danger, and enjoyed extraordinary helps for uniting, in the presence and doctrines of the apostles among them; yet quickly discovered a schismatical spirit, di\'iding both in judgment and affection, to the great injury of religion, and grief of the apostle"s spirit. To check and heal this growing evil in the church at Corinth, the apostle addresses his pathetical exhortation to them, and to all future churches of Christ, whom it equally concerns in the words of my text ; Now I beseech you, brethren, 4'C. Where note,
1. The duty exhorted to,
2. The arguments enforcing the duty.
1. The duty exhorted to, namely, unity; the beauty, strength, and glory, as weU as the duty of a church. This unity he describes two ways, 1. As it is exclusive of its opposite, schism, or division : all rents and rash separations are contrary to it. and destructive of it ; / beseech you, brethren, that there be no divisions [or schisms] among
A SERMON ON GOSPEL-UNITY. 59$
you. 2. As it is inclusive of all that belongs to it, namely, the harmony and agreement of their judgments, hearts, and language. (1.) That ye all speak the same thing. (2.) That ye be perfectly joined together in one mind. And, (3.) In the same judgment. This threefold union in judgment, affection, and language, includes all that belongs to Christian concord, makes the saints ^uiM-^vx/Hy men of one heart and Soul, the loveliest sight this world affords. Acts ii. 46, 47.
2. The arguments enforcmg this duty upon them, come next under consideration. And these are three ; (1.) / beseech you. (2.) I beseech you, brethren. (3.) I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. These arguments are not of equal force and efficacy ; the first is great, the second greater ; the last the most efficacious and irresistible of all the rest : but all together should come with such power, and irresistible efficacy upon the judgments, consciences, and hearts of ChristiaiiB as should perfectly knit them together, and defeat all the designs of Satan, and his agents without them, or of their own corruptions within them, to rend asunder their affections or communion.