And here since our God is a God of Peace, Our Saviour a Prince of Peace, His Gospel 1a Covenant of Peace, His Church a City of Peace, compacted within it self, wherein, in the purest Age thereof, the Members were all of one Heart and one Soul, since we have 2all but one Spirit, one Faith, one Hope, one 3Baptism, one Common Salvation, as Saint Jude 4calls it; How should we all bewail the never enough-lamented Divisions which still Continue and woefully increase in the midst of the most considerable Protestant Nation in the Christian World? How should all of us besiege Heaven with United Prayers, with Unceasing Importunities for the peace of Jerusalem? How should All whom the God of Peace hath entrusted with the care of his House, looking strait forward, with a ⟨p. 11⟩single Eye, and Unbiased aim, to the Glory of God, the Interest of Religion, and Salvation of Souls, put forth their utmost and most Zealous Endeavours to close up these doleful Breaches which are amongst us? Rulers, by the Prophet, are called Healers, Isa. 3. 7. and it is recorded for the honour of Jehoash King of Judah that he took care for the repairing of the breaches of the House of God, 2 Reg. 12. 5. The Church of Christ in Heaven shall have no Divisions in it, and he hath taught us to Pray, that his will may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Why should we not with all Seriousness and Sincerity endeavour, as far as possibly may be, to Effect that, which we hope for in Heaven, which we Pray for on Earth? We read of Wise-hearted Men that they made several Curtains with Loops and Taches, and so Coupled them to one another, that they became one Tabernacle, Exod. 36. The Lord thereby teaching us, that it is a work of special wisdom from Above, so to procure Order and Unity in his Church, that the Interest and Beauty thereof may be strengthened and preserved, that it may become Beautiful as Tirrah, comely as Jerusalem, ⟨p. 12⟩5Terrible as an Army with Banners. For certainly next to Truth of Doctrine, Purity of Worship, and Holiness of Life, there is nothing more necessary for promoting God's Honour, and Mens Salvation, for preventing all Atheistical prejudices against Religion, and departures to a common Adversary, for strengthening the Interests of all both Governors and Governed in the Church, than the Peace and Unity thereof is.
And here since our God is a God of Peace, Our Saviour a Prince of Peace, His Gospel 1a Covenant of Peace, His Church a City of Peace, compacted within it self, wherein, in the purest Age thereof, the Members were all of one Heart and one Soul, since we have 2all but one Spirit, one Faith, one Hope, one 3Baptisme, one Common Salvation, as Saint Jude 4calls it; How should we all bewaile the never enough-lamented Divisions which still Continue and wofully increase in the midst of the most considerable Protestant Nation in the Christian World? How should all of us besiege Heaven with United Prayers, with Uncessant Importunities for the peace of Jerusalem? How should All whom the God of Peace hath entrusted with the care of his House, looking strait forward, with a ⟨p. 11⟩single Eye, and Unbiassed aime, to the Glory of God, the Interest of Religion, and Salvation of Souls, put forth their utmost and most Zealous Endeavours to close up these dolefull Breaches which are amongst us? Rulers, by the Prophet, are called Healers, Isa. 3. 7. and it is recorded for the honour of Jehoash King of Judah that he took care for the repairing of the breaches of the House of God, 2 Reg. 12. 5. The Church of Christ in Heaven shall have no Divisions in it, and he hath taught us to Pray, that his will may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Why should we not with all Seriousness and Sincerity endeavour, as farr as possibly may be, to Effect that, which we hope for in Heaven, which we Pray for on Earth? We read of Wise-hearted Men that they made several Curtaines with Loops and Taches, and so Coupled them to one another, that they became one Tabernacle, Exod. 36. The Lord thereby teaching us, that it is a work of special wisedom from Above, so to procure Order and Unity in his Church, that the Interest and Beauty thereof may be strengthened and preserved, that it may become Beautifull as Tirrah, comely as Jerusalem, ⟨p. 12⟩5Terrible as an Army with Banners. For certainly next to Truth of Doctrine, Purity of Worship, and Holiness of Life, there is nothing more necessary for promoting God's Honour, and Mens Salvation, for preventing all Atheistical prejudices against Religion, and departures to a common Adversarie, for strengthening the Interests of all both Governors and Governed in the Church, than the Peace and Unity thereof is.
- 1Isai. 9. 6. Isai. 54. 10. Psal. 122. 3.
- 2Act. 4. 32
- 3Eph. 4. 4, 5.
- 4Jude 8. 3.
- 5Cant. 6. 4.
