Part 3 › Chapter 8: Directions for the Union and Communion of Saints, and the avoiding unpeaceableness and…, A Christian Directory by Richard Baxter (1673) | AskReformation

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§. 48. I. A true Christian that hateth fornication, drunkenness, lying, perjury, because they are forbidden in the Word of God, will hate Divisions also when he well observeth how frequently and vehemently they are forbidden, and Concord highly commended and commanded. ⟨p. 738⟩John 17. 21, 22, 23. That they all may be One, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee: that they also ¹may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be One, even as we are One: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in One; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as ²thou hast loved me. Here you see, that the Unity of the Saints must be a special means to convince the Infidel world of the truth of Christianity, and to prove Gods special Love to his Church, and³ also to accomplish their own perfection. 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions (or Schisms) among you, but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgement. For it hath been declared to me of you, my brethren,—that there are contentions among you—⁴ 1 Cor. 3. 3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, (zeal) and strife, and divisions, (or parties, or factions) are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4. If there be any consolation in Christ: if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit; if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same Love, of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Rom. 16, 17, 18. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions (or parties) and offences (or scandals) contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. Abundance more such Texts may be recited.

§. 48. I. A true Christian that hateth fornication, drunkenness, lying, perjury, because they are forbidden in the Word of God, will hate Divisions also when he well observeth how frequently and vehemently they are forbidden, and Concord highly commended and commanded. ⟨p. 738⟩John 17. 21, 22, 23. That they all may be One, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee: that they also ¹may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them, that they may be One, even as we are One: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in One; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as ²thou hast loved me. Here you see, that the Unity of the Saints must be a special means to convince the Infidel world of the truth of Christianity, and to prove Gods special Love to his Church, and³ also to accomplish their own perfection. 1 Cor. 1. 10. Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Iesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions (or Schisms) among you, but that ye be perfectly joyned together in the same mind, and in the same judgement. For it hath been declared to me of you, my brethren,—that there are contentions among you—⁴ 1 Cor. 3. 3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, (zeal) and strife, and divisions, (or parties, or factions) are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal? Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4. If there be any consolation in Christ: if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit; if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same Love, of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves. Rom. 16, 17, 18

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§. 49. II. The great Benefits of the Concord of Christians are these following. 1. It is necessary¹ to the very Life of the Church and its several members, that they be all One Body. As their Union with Christ the Head and Principle of their life is principally necessary, so Unity among themselves is secondarily necessary, for the conveyance and reception of that Life which floweth to all from Christ. For though the Head be the Fountain of Life, yet the nerves and other parts must convey that life unto the members: And if any member be cut off or separated from the Body, it is separated also from the Head, and perisheth. Mark well those words of the Apostle, Ephes. 4. 3. to 16. [Endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one Hope of your calling: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all: But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.—And be gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers: For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the Edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come in the Unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that—speaking the truth in Love, we may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ; From whom the whole Body fitly joined together, and compacted by every joint of supply, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the Body to the edifying of it self in Love:] See here how the Churches Unity, is necessary to its life and increase, and to the due nutrition of all the parts.

§. 49. II. The great Benefits of the Concord of Christians are these following. 1. It is necessary¹ to the very Life of the Church and its several members, that they be all One Body. As their Union with Christ the Head and Principle of their life is principally necessary, so Unity among themselves is secondarily necessary, for the conveyance and reception of that Life which floweth to all from Christ. For though the Head be the Fountain of Life, yet the nerves and other parts must convey that life unto the members: And if any member be cut off or separated from the Body, it is separated also from the Head, and perisheth. Mark well those words of the Apostle, Ephes. 4. 3. to 16. [Endeavouring to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one Hope of your calling: One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all: But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.—And be gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangeli•ts, and some Pastors and Teachers: For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the Edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come in the Unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, that—speaking the truth in Love, we may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Christ; From whom the whole Body fitly joyned together, and compacted by every joynt of supply, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the Body to the edifying of it self in Love:] See here how the Churches Unity, is necessary to its life and increase, and to the due nutrition of all the parts.

1The Benefits of Concord.

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§. 50. 2. The Unity of the Church and the Concord of Believers, is necessary to its strength and safety; for Christ also strengtheneth as well as quickeneth them by suitable means. Woe to him that is alone: But in the Army of the Lord of Hosts we may safely march on, when stragglers are catched up or killed by the weakest enemy. A threefold cord is not easily broken. Enemies both spiritual and corporal are deterred from assaulting the Church or any of its members, while they see us walk in our Military Unity and Order. In this posture every man is a blessing and defence unto his neighbour. As every Soldier hath the Benefit of all the conduct, wisdom and valour of the whole Army, while he keepeth in his place; so every weak Christian hath the use and benefit of all the Learning, the Wisdom and Gifts of the Church, while he keepeth his station, and walketh orderly in the Church. The hand, the eye, the ear, the foot, and every member of the Body, is as ready to help or serve the whole, and every other particular member as it self: But if it be cut off, it is neither helpful, nor to be helped. O what a mercy is it for every Christian, that is unable to help himself, to have the help of all the Church of God? their directions, their exhortations, their Love, their prayers, their liberality and compassion, according to their several abilities and opportunities? As infants and sick persons have the help of all the rest of the family that are in health.

§. 50. 2. The Unity of the Church and the Concord of Believers, is necessary to its strength and safety; for Christ also strengtheneth as well as quickneth them by suitable means. Wo to him that is alone: But in the Army of the Lord of Hosts we may safely march on, when straglers are catcht up or killed by the weakest enemy. A threefold cord is not easily broken. Enemies both spiritual and corporal are deterred from assaulting the Church or any of its members, while they see us walk in our Military Unity and Order. In this posture every man is a blessing and defence unto his neighbour. As every Souldier hath the Benefit of all the conduct, wisdom and valour of the whole Army, while he keepeth in his place; so every weak Christian hath the use and benefit of all the Learning, the Wisdom and Gifts of the Church, while he keepeth his station, and walketh orderly in the Church. The hand, the eye, the ear, the foot, and every member of the Body, is as ready to help or serve the whole, and every other particular member as it self: But if it be cut off, it is neither helpful, nor to be helped. O what a mercy is it for every Christian, that is unable to help himself, to have the help of all the Church of God? their directions, their exhortations, their Love, their prayers, their liberality and compassion, according to their several abilities and opportunities? As infants and sick persons have the help of all the rest of the family that are in health.

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§. 51. 3. Unity and Concord as it proceedeth from Love, so it greatly cherisheth and increaseth¹ Love: even as the laying of the Wood or Coals together is necessary to the making of the fire, which the separating of them will put out. Holy Concord cherisheth holy converse and communion: And holy communion powerfully kindleth holy Love. When the servants of Christ do see in each other the lustre of his Graces, and hear from each other the heavenly language which floweth from a Divine and heavenly mind, this potently kindleth their affections to each other, and maketh them close with those as the sons of God, in whom they find so much of God, Yea, it causeth them to ⟨p. 739⟩Love God himself in others, with a reverent, admiring, and transcendent Love, when others at the best, can Love them but as men. Concord is the womb and soil of Love, although it be first its progeny. In quietness and peace the voice of peace is most regarded.

1Peace containeth infinite blessings: I strengtheneth faith: It kindleth Charity: The outward peace of the Church, distilleth into peace of conscience: and it turneth the writing and reading of Controversies, into treatises of Mortification and Devotion. Id. ibid. Against procuring Unity by sanguinary persecutions, see Lord Bacon Essay 3. Surely there is no better way to stop the rising of new Sects and Schisms, than to reform abuses, to compound the smaller differences, to proceed mildly, and not with sanguinary persecutions, and rather to take off the principal authors by winning and advancing them, than to enrage them by violence and bitterness. Lord Bacon in his Essay 58. Ita hominis non implet justitiam Dei: And it was a notable observation of a wise Father, that those which held and persuaded pressure of Consciences, were commonly interested there in themselves for their own ends. Id. Ess. 3. p. 19.Peace containeth infinite blessings: I strengtheneth faith: It kindleth Charity: The outward peace of the Church, distilleth into peace of conscience: and it turneth the writing and reading of Controversies, into treatises of Mortification and Devotion. Id. ibid. Against procuring Unity by sanguina•y persecutions, see Lord Bacon Essay 3. Surely there is no better way to stop the rising of new Sects and Schisms, than to reform abuses, to compound the smaller differences, to proceed mildly, and not with sanguina•y persecutions, and rather to take off the principal authors by winning and advancing them, than to •nrage them by violence and bitterness. Lord Bacon in his Essay 58. Ita hominis non implet justitiam Dei: And it was a notable observation of a wise Father, that those which held and persuaded pressure of Consciences, were commonly interessed there in themselves for their own ends. Id. Ess. 3. p. 19.

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§. 52. 4. Unity and Concord is the Churches Beauty: It maketh us amiable even to the eye of nature, and venerable and terrible even to the eye of malice. A concord in sin is no more honour, than it is for conquered men to go together in multitudes to prison or captivity: or for beasts to go by droves unto the slaughter. But to see the Churches of Christ with one heart and soul acknowledging their Maker and Redeemer, and singing his Praise as with one voice, and living together in Love and Concord, as those that have one Principle, one Rule, one nature, one work, one Interest and Hope, and End, this is the truly beauteous symmetry, and delectable harmony. Psal. 133. Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell even together in unity? It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the heard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garment: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. The Translators well put this as the Contents of this Psalm [The benefit of the communion of Saints].

§. 52. 4. Unity and Concord is the Churches Beauty: It maketh us amiable even to the eye of nature, and venerable and terrible even to the eye of malice. A concord in sin is no more honour, than it is for conquered men to go together in multitudes to prison or captivity: or for beasts to go by droves unto the slaughter. But to see the Churches of Christ with one heart and soul acknowledging their Maker and Redeemer, and singing his Praise as with one voice, and living together in Love and Concord, as those that have one Principle, one Rule, one nature, one work, one Interest and Hope, and End, this is the truly beauteous symmetry, and delectable harmony. Psal. 133. Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell even together in unity? It is like the pretious oyntment upon the head, that ran down upon the heard, even Aarons beard, that went down to the skirts of his garment: As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. The Translators well put this as the Contents of this Psalm [The benefit of the communion of Saints].