Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added,…

II. The Reasons.

1. From the Necessity, Excellency, and Utility of Union: What more clear in the Scriptures, than that Christians should endeavour to be united. Christ prayed for it, Joh. 17. 21, 22, 23. That they all may be One; that they may be One as we are One; that they may be perfect in One. And the Apostle enforceth it, by the most vehement Entreaties that can be used. Phil. 2. 1, 2. If therefore there be any Consolation in Christ, if any Comfort of Love, if any Fellowship of the Spirit, if any Bowels of Mercy, fulfil ye my Joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same Love, being of one Accord, and of one Mind. Who can withstand such an adjuration and powerful beseechings as these? that if ever they found any comfort by his Ministry, and ever had any Hope by Christ, ever any Influence of the Spirit, ever any Pity and Compassion over Souls, that they would look after Unity in Judgment, Love, and Affection, and lay aside their Differences, and Carnal ⟨p. 199⟩Emulations? Again, they caution us against those that cause Divisions; Rom. 16. 17, 18. Now I beseech you, Brethren, mark them which cause Divisions and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them; for they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own Belly; and by good Words, and fair Speeches, deceive the Hearts of the Simple. They press Unity upon us by very cogent Arguments, that carry the highest Reason with them; Ephes. 4. 4, 5, 6. There is one Body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one Hope of your Calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1. From the Necessity, Excellency, and Utility of Union: What more clear in the Scriptures, than that Christians should endeavour to be united. Christ prayed for it,