CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Fourthly, Unity is necessary, because hereby a serviceable and beneficial helping of one another in spiritual things is preserved. ¹The people of God are compared to living stones built up together, while the stones keep in the building; they bear one another, but if once removed, it falls down; They are compared to members in the body, while they are joined together; There is a mutual ministration to each other, but when divided from the body, no part can receive any nourishment: Thus it is here, while the people of God are in union: Oh the wonderful help they are to one another, they provoke one another, they stir up one another's graces, but take these coals from one another, and then the fire goeth out! And this may be the reason, why our Saviour doth not mention the Sanctification and holiness of believers, but their unity, because this is a special means to preserve and increase holiness, Two are better then one, because of heat and of help, saith the Wise-man, Eccles. 4.10. and so it's in this work of Grace, two are better then one to warm one another; How may thy zeal help against another's lukewarmness, thy faith against another's diffidence? If it be so great a sin to see thy brother in temporal want, and not relieve him, How much more in spiritual, and so for help, Gal. 6.1. If any be overtaken, ye that are spiritual restore such an one; Put this bone in joint again: Now doth not experience tell us, that where divisions and discord are, there is no love, no compassion, no watching over one another, if this unity were established, a man would then endeavour the growth of grace in others, as in his own self; and therefore observe, whether the power of godliness doth not much abate, when differences do arise: There is not that heavenly communion, nor hearty concurrence in the ways of holiness. There is not that mutual helping of one another, as at other times.

Fourthly, Ʋnity is necessary, because hereby a serviceable and beneficiall helping of one another in spiritual things is preserved. ¹The people of God are compared to living stones built up together, while the stones keep in the building; they bear one another, but if once removed, it fals down; They are compared to members in the body, while they are joyned together; There is a mutual ministration to each other, but when divided from the body, no part can receive any nourishment: Thus it is here, while the people of God are in union: Oh the wonderfull help they are to one another, they provoke one another, they stirre up one anothers graces, but take these coals from one another, and then the fire goeth out! And this may be the reason, why our Saviour doth not mention the Sanctification and holinesse of believers, but their unity, because this is a special means to preserve and increase holinesse, Two are better then one, because of heat and of help, saith the Wise-man,