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

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.

¹First, Let this be considered, That the Ʋnity 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 wayes, his commands. So that whatsoever unity doth not begin there, and afterwards diffuse it self to those things, is a sinfull 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 possesse one man: So that if we look into hell, we shall finde nothing but unity and agreement amongst them, yet all is in their work against Christ and his Church. Thus there is also an Antichristian Ʋnity, 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 Aarons 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 heresie, 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.