OF THE co:m]viunion of churches. 193
the same Spirit, given unto tliem as a Spirit of grace and supplica- tions to make intercession for them; and all of them continually offered unto God by the same High Priest, who adds unto it the in- cense of his own intercession, and by Avhom they have all an access unto the same throne of grace, — they have all a blessed communion herein continually. And this communion is the more express in that the prayers of all are for all, so as that there is no particular church of Christ in the world, — not any one member of any of them, but they have the prayers of all the churches in the world and of all the members of them every day. And however this communion be in- visible unto the eyes of flesh, yet is it glorious and conspicuous unto the eye of faith, and is a part of the glory of Christ the mediator in heaven. This prayer, proceeding from or wrought by one and the same Spirit in them all, equally bestowed on them all by virtue of the promise of Christ, having the same object, even God as a Father, and offered unto him by the same High Priest, together with his own inter- cession, gives unto all churches a communion far more glorious than what consists in some outward rites and orders of men's devisincr.
But now if there be any other persons or churches which have any other object of their prayers but God even the Father, and as our Father in Christ, or have any other mediators or intercessors by whom to convey or present their prayers unto God but Christ alone, the only high priest of the church, or do renounce the aid and assist- ance of the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of grace and supplications, they cut themselves off from all communion with the catholic church herein.
4. The unity of faith in all churches effecteth communion among them in the administration of the same sacraments of baptism and the supper of the Lord. These are the same in, unto, and amongst them all; neither do some variations in the outward manner of their administration interrupt that communion. But wherever the continuation of these ordinances is denied, or their nature or use is perverted, or idolatrous worship is annexed unto their administration, there communion with the catholic church is renounced.
5. They have also by faith communion herein, in that all churches do profess a subjection unto the authority of Christ in all things, and an obligation upon them to do and observe all whatsoever he hath commanded.
Other instances of the like nature might be given, but these are sufficient to manifest how unscriptural the notion is, that there is no proper communion with or among churches but what consists in a compliance with certain powers, orders, and rites, the pressing whereof under the name of " uniformity"' hath cast all thoughts of real, evan- gelical church-communion into oblivion.
Secondly. Churches ordained and constituted in the way and manner, and for the ends, declared in our former discourse on this
VOL. XVI. 13
19-t TRUE NATURE OF A GOSPEI, CHURCH.
subject, and, by virtue of their union unto Christ and among them- selves, living constantly, in all places of the world, in the actual ex- ercise of that communion which consists in the performance of the same church-duties towards God in Christ, unto their own continua- tion, increase, and edification, have also an especial union among themselves, and a mutual communion thence arising.
The bond of this union is love; not the common regulated affec- tion of human nature so called, not merely that power and duty which is engraven on the hearts of men by the law of creation to- wards all of the same kind and blood with themselves, but an espe- cial grace of the Holy Spirit, acting in the church as the principle and bond of its union unto itself; whence the command of it is called a " new commandment," because in itself, as unto the only example of it, in the person of Christ, the causes and motives unto it, with its peculiar ends and proper exercise, it was absolutely new and evan- gelical. An explanation of the nature of it belongs not unto this place; although it be a grace and a duty of so much importance, — wherein so much of the life, power, and peculiar glory of Christian religion doth consist, — and is either so utterly lost or hath such vile images of it set up in the world, that it deserves a full consideration ; which it may receive in another place.
I say, the Holy Spirit of grace and love being given from Christ, the fountain and centre of all church-union, to dwell in and abide with his church, thereby uniting it unto himself, doth work in it and all the members of it that mutual love which may and doth animate them unto all those mutual acts which are proper unto the relation wherein they stand, by virtue of their union unto Christ their head, as members of the same body one with another.
Herein consists the union of every church in itself, of all churches among themselves, and so of the whole catholic church, their com- munion consisting in regular acts and duties proceeding from this love, and required by virtue of it.