4. Unity in Ends and Designs; for being Brethren in thei same Family, fellow-Citizens with one another, and of the household of Faith, having one Hope, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all; the same Enemies to oppose, the same interests and common ⟨p. 40⟩Salvation to look after, they consequently prosecute the same Ends, and do not only walk by the same Rule, but in so doing, do mind the same things, Phil 3. 16. It is true, being in part carnal, they do too much seek and serve themselves; but so far forth as they have the same spirit, they are of the same mind with the Apostle,k to prefer the honour of Christ, and the service of his Church, above their own dearest interest, according to what our Saviour hath taught us,l If any man come to me, and hate not his Father, and Mother, and Wife, and Children, and Brethren, and Sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my Disciple. The Glory of God, the progress of the Gospel, the advancement of Christs Kingdom, the subversion of the Kingdom of Satan, the comforts and concernments of the Church of Christ, are in their hearts and endeavours still to promote; asm the members of the Natural, so they of the Spiritual Body, have all a care one of another; the end of the parts is the safety ⟨p. 41⟩of the whole; they are all partakers of one spiritual Nature, and all heirs of one common Inheritance; and therefore as one principal fruit of the Communion of Saints, they aim at the same ends, and prosecute the same designs, joining together in all Christian Services of Love against their common enemies, the World, the Flesh and the Devil.
4. Unity in Ends and Designs; for being Brethren in thei same Family, fellow-Citizens with one another, and of the houshold of Faith, having one Hope, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptisme, one God and Father of all; the same Enemies to oppose, the same interests and common ⟨p. 40⟩Salvation to look after, they consequently prosecute the same Ends, and do not only walk by the same Rule, but in so doing, do mind the same things, Phil 3. 16. It is true, being in part carnal, they do too much seek and serve themselves; but so far forth as they have the same spirit, they are of the same mind with the Apostle,k to prefer the honor of Christ, and the service of his Church, above their own dearest interest, according to what our Saviour hath taught us,l If any man come to me, and hate not his Father, and Mother, and Wife, and Children, and Brethren, and Sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my Disciple. The Glory of God, the progress of the Gospel, the advancement of Christs Kingdome, the subversion of the Kingdome of Satan, the comforts and concernments of the Church of Christ, are in their hearts and endeavours still to promote; asm the members of the Natural, so they of the Spiritual Body, have all a care one of another; the end of the parts is the safety ⟨p. 41⟩of the whole; they are all partakers of one spiritual Nature, and all heirs of one common Inheritance; and therefore as one principal fruit of the Communion of Saints, they aim at the same ends, and prosecute the same designes, joyning together in all Christian Services of Love against their common enemies, the World, the Flesh and the Devill.
- iEph. 3. 15. 2. 19. 4. 4. 5. 6.
- kAct. 20. 24. Phil. 1. 20.
- lLuk. 14 26
- m1 Cor 12. 26.
