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

JOHN 17.21. That they may be One, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee.

The next thing in order to be treated on concerning this Unity, is the Cautions that are to be attended unto about it: For the name of Unity, like that of peace, is very specious and fair, yet as Hierom said, Cursed be that peace which forsakes the truth: So cursed be that unity which shall prejudice the Kingdom of Christ. Conspiracy and a sinful confederacy in ways of sin, may be painted over, as if it were this glorious unity commended by Christ. And

THe next thing in order to be treated on concerning this Unity, is the Cautions that are to be attended unto about it: For the name of Unity, like that of peace, is very specious and fair, yet as Hierom said, Cursed be that peace which forsakes the truth: So cursed be that unity which shall prejudice the Kingdom of Christ. Conspiracy and a sinfull confederacy in ways of sinne, may be painted over, as if it were this glorious unity commended by Christ. And

¹First, Let this be considered, That the Unity which Christ commends and prayeth for, is originally from Christ, and terminated in him, and afterwards in those things that are his, his truth, his ways, his commands. So that whatsoever unity doth not begin there, and afterwards diffuse it self to those things, is a sinful and wicked unity. The Devil hath unity in his Kingdom; all the Devils, though full of malice and envy to man, yet agree in their wickedness. Though one wicked man may fall out with another, yet one devil doth not with another. There is order amongst them. There is the prince of the devils, a legion of them could possess one man: So that if we look into hell, we shall find nothing but unity and agreement amongst them, yet all is in their work against Christ and his Church. Thus there is also an Antichristian Unity, the Papists glory in their unity, that they all acknowledge one way, yea they make it a mark of their Church: And in the world, we see all wicked men are as one man in opposing what is godly. Now such unity as this, is matter of shame and mourning. For, 1. It's not terminated on Christ; they are not first united to the true Head, this oil is not first on Aaron's head; but they are of the devil, who doth move and reign in their hearts. And, 2. It's not an unity in the Scripture way, not an union in the true Doctrine, but heresy, not an union in the instituted worship of God, but idolatry and superstition, an union to overthrow Christs Kingdom, if it were possible. Look we then to the cause and object of our unity, else it will afford no true comfort.