[7.] It is the end of his ordinances and appointments in the church. Baptism and the Lord's supper are to keep the saints together. It is sad indeed that the world maketh them apples of strife, when Christ made them bonds of love : ' We are all baptized by one Spirit into one body, and have been all made to drink into one spirit,^ 1 Cor. xii. 13. It notes our union with Christ and one with another. And 1 Cor. x. 17, ' We being many, are one bread and one body ; for we are all partakers of that one bread.' The sacraments are banners, under which we do encamp, and profess our union and brotherhood in the army of Christ.
Use 1. How contrary are they to Christ that love strife and sow dis- cord among brethren ; they are the devil's factors, agents for the king- dom of darkness ; they wholly frustrate the design and undertaking of Jesus Christ. He was incarnate, preached, prayed, died, &c., that his people may be one. Yea, they do not only what in them lieth to frustrate Christ, and make void his aim, but do also disparage him before the world ; he holdeth out to all the world that his people are one body, one family, one house, and yet they are crumbled into factions. Divisions in the church beget atheism in the world. Oh ! let it not seem a small thing to rend the unity of the church. But where shall this be charged ? Every one will excuse himself from the guilt of the present breaches. Certainly we have all cause to reflect upon our own hearts, and not make application for others. It is usual with us to do as Judas ; when Christ told his disciples somewhat that concerned him, he looked round about upon the disciples. So we look about upon others, when we should smite upon our own thigh. One of the bellows of strife is crimination and recrimination ; therefore let us see a little who is guilty. The unity is twofold — one in mind, one in heart ; one in judgment, one in affection. Now what hast thou done contrary to either of these unions ?
1. If thou hast been a stickler in novel opinions, whereby division hath been caused in the church, thou hast dis-served the aim of Christ. Christians are bound to be of one mind: 1 Peter iii. 8, ' Finally, be ye all of one mind,' &c. ; PhiL ii. 2, 'Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like- minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;' 1 Cor. xiii. 2, ' Though I have all faith, so as I can remove mountains, and have no charity, I am nothing.' But you will reply. Will you enforce judgment or impose belief, and make me an hypocrite and yourself a usurper ? And what are novel opinions ? You condemn others, and they you ; you preach against them, and they against you. Yea, but yet christians should strive, as much as is possible, to be all of a mind; and it should trouble thee if forced to differ from the general judgment of the church. In doubtful matters, take not up an
330 SERMONS UPON JOHN XVII. [SeR. XIX.
opinion which will offend : ' Beware of doubtful disputations.' He that dissents had need have plain evidence, and that the truth should be brought with much demonstration to the conscience, arguments had need be express and clear, and he had need pray much, and consult and confer with others. But when singularity and diversity of opinions is afiected, liomini congenitum est magis 7iova quam magna inirari, and without any fear and jealousy, men let loose their hearts to novel- ties, this is blameworthy. . When we have the consent of the church, a less light will serve the turn than for a dissent.
2. Hast thou done anything to hinder the church from being of one heart ?
[1.] By professing principles of separation ; certainly it is a crime. It is against love, as error is against faith ; it cuts asunder the bands and sinews of Christ's mystical body. In these times, the charge of this sin is so frequent, that the sin is little regarded. Every modest dissent and unconformity is branded with the name of schism, that men think schism no such matter, or no such crime : Jude 19, ' These be they who separate themselves,' airohiopl^ovTe'i. Now it is dangerous to separate, and hard to discern when it is lawful. The question of separation lieth in the dark, but the enforcements of love are plain and open. Divers allow but three grounds of separation — intolerable persecution, damnable heresy, and gross idolatry. We should hold com- munion as long as Christ will. Scandal is a ground of mourning, but not a ground of separation, and whenever it is done, it must be with grief.
[2.] They that prosecute controversies in such a way as will not stand with love, viz., with passion, bitterness of spirit, damning all opposites, suppressing them by the power of the sword. Wrath, exul- ceration, and bitterness of spirit, are opposite to love. Michael durst not bring a railing accusation. The worst adversaries are overcome with soft words and hard arguments. Bailing and reviling makes men deaf to the tenders of reconciliation : Pe. cxx. 7, ' I am for peace ; but when I speak, they are for war.' So is damning all optposites, casting them out of Christ, urging things beyond the weight and con- sequence of the opinion, censuring others as not spiritual, 1 Cor. xiv. 37. Interest makes men passionately and irregularly zealous: 1 Cor. i. 2, ' To all that in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours ;' not as a party impropriating Christ, ' I am of Christ.' So is domineering over men's consciences, and obtruding opinions by force ; these are said ' to go in the way of Cain,' Jude 11.