The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

CHAP. I.

The Text opened, and the Doctrines and Method proposed.

EPHES. 4. 3. [Greek or Hebrew]. Endeavouring (or carefully or diligently studying) to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.

EPHES. 4. 3. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Endeavouring (or carefully or diligently studying) to keep the Vnity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace.

HAD not the distempers of the minds even of Religious persons, and the long and sad divisions and distractions of Christians assured me that this Text is not commonly understood and regarded, as the Apostles vehement Exhortation, and the importance and reason of the matter do bespeak; yea had not the long bleeding wounds of the Church, made by its Pastors ⟨p. 2⟩and most zealous members, still cried out aloud for pity and help, I had not chosen this subject at this time. But after the complaints, and exhortations and tears of the wisest and best men since the days of Christ, after the long miseries of the Church and the long and costly experience of all ages, the destroying Spirit of division still possesseth the most, and maketh some of the possessed to rage and foam & tear themselves and all that are in their power; it haunteth the holy assemblies and disquieteth the lovers of unity and peace, and by the scandals which it raiseth it frighteneth children and unstable persons out of their religion and their wits. And therefore after the many books which I have written for Unity, Love and Peace, and the many years preaching and praying to that end, I find it yet as necessary as ever to Preach on the same Subject, and to recite the same things, and while I am in this Tabernacle which I must shortly put off, to stir you up, that after my decease you may have it in remembrance (