§. 7. II. And as Efficiently, so Objectively and Morally the Union of Christians tendeth to convert the World, as it is notorious that their divisions have hindered their Conversion. Men commonly suspect ⟨p. 70⟩them to be deceived or deceivers, that do not agree among themselves. They that reverence united Christians, despise them when they see them fall into divisions, and learn of themselves to condemn them all, by hearing them revile and condemn each other. Christ had never made it so great a part of his prayer to his Father, that his disciples might be One, even as the Father and he were One, to this end [that the world may know that the Father sent him] if this their Union had not been a special means of convincing unbelievers. And this was not by a Political Union of the rest of his Disciples under some One of them as the Governing Head of all the rest: For no such Head was set over them by Christ, nor ever claimed or exercised any such authority: But it was a holy Union of Minds in knowledge and faith, and of Hearts in Love, and of Life in their published Doctrine and their Communion and Conversation. The common Sun-light maketh all mens sight (whose Organs and Vi•ive faculty are sound) to agree: and though a man hath two eyes, they see unitedly as if they were one▪ The more united fuel make one fire, the more powerful it is to kindle on all other combustible matter near it. When many Ministers of the same or several Churches agree, it much availeth to procure the belief and obedience of their flocks. And when Pastors and people agree, it strongly inviteth the reverence and consent of those without. By wilful dissensions we are scandals and snares to unbelievers, and if Christians live not in Unity, Love and Peace, they rob the world of a great appointed means of their conversion: And they who for so doing do justly exclaim against persecutors and hinderers of the Gospel, should also remember how much they participate in that guilt, while the Love ⟨p. 71⟩of Christians to one another is made almost as needful as preaching to the winning of mens Love to faith and holiness.
§. 7. II. And as Efficiently, so Objectively and Morally the Vnion of Christians tendeth to convert the World, as it is notorious that their divisions have hindered their Conversion. Men commonly suspect ⟨p. 70⟩them to be deceived or deceivers, that do not agree among themselves. They that reverence united Christians, despise them when they see them fall into divisions, and learn of themselves to condemn them all, by hearing them revile and condemn each other. Christ had never made it so great a part of his prayer to his Father, that his disciples might be One, even as the Father and he were One, to this end [that the world may know that the Father sent him] if this their Union had not been a special means of convincing unbelievers. And this was not by a Political Union of the rest of his Disciples under some One of them as the Governing Head of all the rest: For no such Head was set over them by Christ, nor ever claimed or exercised any such authority: But it was a holy Union of Minds in knowledge and faith, and of Hearts in Love, and of Life in their published Doctrine and their Communion and Conversation. The common Sun-light maketh all mens sight (whose Organs and Vi•ive faculty are sound) to agree: and though a man hath two eyes, they see unitedly as if they were one▪ The more united fuel make one fire, the more powerful it is to kindle on all other combustible matter near it. When many Ministers of the same or several Churches agree, it much availeth to procure the belief and obedience of their flocks. And when Pastors and people agree, it strongly inviteth the reverence and consent of those without. By wilful dissensions we are scandals and snares to unbelievers, and if Christians live not in Unity, Love and Peace, they rob the world of a great appointed means of their conversion: And they who for so doing do justly exclaim against persecutors and hinderers of the Gospel, should also remember how much they participate in that guilt, while the Love ⟨p. 71⟩of Christians to one another is made almost as needful as preaching to the winning of mens Love to faith and holiness.
