There is then in the church, 1. A unity of order, as the apostle rejoiced when he beheld the order of the church at Colosse. And this consisteth,

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1. In variety of offices, and in the due and regular subordination of those one unto another, and of the body unto them all; as the apostle telleth us, that God hath set in the church, "first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers," &c. And that Christ when he ascended up on high, gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." And these the apostle requireth the rest of the body "to esteem very highly in love," to obey them, and submit themselves unto them, because they watch for their souls.

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2. In variety of ordinances, in which Christ is set forth before the eyes of his people. Such are Reading the Scripture for as in that church of the Jews, Moses and the prophets were read in the synagogues every sabbath-day "; so the apostle directeth the reading of his epistles in the Christian church." Preaching of the word "How shall they hear," saith the apostle, "without a preacher'? and how shall they preach except they be sent?" Prayer:-as the temple is called a house of prayer for all people; and Peter and John went up to the temple at the hour of prayer. Baptism:-"Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."-The supper of the Lord :-" The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ m? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ ?"

3. In variety of gifts, which the Lord doth severally divide as it pleaseth him ", for the profit and good of the whole body. in the administration of which ordinances, offices, and gifts, such decency and order is to be observed, as that it may appear, that, in all the churches of the saints, God is a God of

peace, and not of confusion;-ordaining in all of them, that as God hath distributed to every man P, and called every man, so he should abide with God within the precincts of his own calling; not running before he be sent, but serving the Lord in that rank and station wherein he hath set him. ¶

2. An integral unity, as between all the parts of an entire body, joined in due order together, unto the completing of the whole. And this unity presupposeth a double union; the one, of the body to the head; the other, of the members to one another of both which the apostle speaketh, Eph. iv. 15, 16.

1. There is a bond of union between Christ and his body the church. He that is joined unto the Lord, is one spirit'; and this bond is, on Christ's part, his spirit, whereby he joineth himself unto his body; we are a habitation of God through the Spirit ;-and on a believer's part, his faith,— whereby he joineth himself to Christ, and appointeth him for his head, by which means Christ dwelleth in the hearts of his people both which the apostle putteth together, calling it "The spirit of faith." "

2. There is a bond of union between the members of the body amongst themselves, viz. The mutual love of believers unto one another, called the band of perfectness, whereby they are knit together. For this grace is that cement which joineth the stones of this spiritual building into one temple, being shed abroad into their hearts by the Holy Spirit; and is therefore called the love of the spirit;' (Rom. xv. 30) as elsewhere the unity, the supply, and the fellowship of the Spirit.' For where this unity of spirit and love is, every member doth make a supply according to the measure which itself hath, for the increasing and edifying of the body 2; walking together in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

3. An essential unity, or as St. Hilary calls it, 'Naturalis Unitas; as the body and the soul, being joined together, maketh one man. And thus Christ is said to make in him

self of twain one new man, by the participation of that one spirit which was, without measure, poured out upon Christ the head; and, from his fulness f, shed abroad in such proportion upon his members, as he is variously pleased to dispense unto them. By which means Christ is formed in us", liveth in us, and is a quickening spirit unto us for the Spirit of Christ is that divine seed ", whereby we are regenerated unto his life and likeness, and, as St. Peter expresseth it, are partakers of the Divine nature."i

4. Consequent upon this essential unity, whereby all the mystical members of Christ are animated and enlivened by one and the same quickening spirit, doth follow a moral unity of hearts and minds between all of them; as it is said of the primitive Christians, "That the multitude of them that believed, were of one heart, and of one soul." And this moral unity is fourfold.

1. A unity of faith, in the great and necessary doctrines of salvation, or in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ', called by the apostle "The foundation ", the principles of the doctrine of Christ", the form of sound words°; the proportion or analogy of faith P, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and him crucified, the doctrine and truth which is after godliness; the faith of the gospel; the faith of Jesus'; the mystery of godliness "; the rule by which we should walk ";" called by the ancients, "The seed of doctrine; the character of the church; the rule which is common to small and great:" in one word, whatever doctrine there is, the knowledge whereof, and assent whereunto, is simply necessary unto salvation; in this all who shall be saved, do, first or last, most unanimously agree. Differences there may be, and usually are, in less necessary points, which are matters Quæstionum, non Fidei,' as St. Austin speaks: for we know but in part, and are not yet come to be perfect men; and

till the members have attained unto their full stature, there cannot be expected a universal consent, and harmony of judgements in all points, even among the best and most learned men. In which case notwithstanding we should receive one another in love and brotherly communion, because God himself receiveth even those who thus differ, into his favour; but the Spirit of God doth never fail to lead all that shall be saved, into all necessary truths, and to preserve them from any damnable and pernicious doctrines.

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2. Unity in obedience; wherein all holy men do agree, albeit some may much exceed others in their progress and degrees of holiness; as we may see by comparing the testimony given unto Asa, and unto Josiah. Such are repentance from dead works, without which we cannot be saved: reliance upon Christ alone by a sincere and unfeigned faith for life and salvation: a true love of the Lord Jesus, and of all that are his: a sincere regard unto all God's commandments, and a hatred of every false way: a desire to fear God's name, and a purpose of heart to cleave unto him, and follow him fully lastly, self-denial, submitting our will, and reason, in all things, to the word and will of God." There may be great differences in the spiritual growth and degrees of holiness between one Christian and another: some sick, others healthy; some strong, others weak; some little children, others young men; some bruised reeds and smoking flax, others bold as a lion. But this is "Obedientia parvis magnisque communis."

3. Unity in worship: for though different churches may have different observances in the external forms and modes of divine service, yet in the substantials of worship they all agree, viz. that God is to be worshipped in spirit and in truth, and to be sanctified in all those that draw nigh unto him': that we are to call upon God only in the name of Christ, as our alone advocate and mediator ", giving thanks

Rom. xiv. i. 3. xiii. 3, 5.

b 1 Kings xv. 11, 14. 2 Kings xxiii. 25. d Acts xvi. 30, 31.

c Luke e 1 Cor. xvi. 22. 1 John iii. 14. f Psalm lxvi. 18. cxix. 128. Rom. vi. 1, 2, 8. i. 13. g Nehem. i. 11. Isai. xxvi. 8. Psalm xvii. 3. cxix. 57. Acts xiii. 23. Numb. xiv. 24. h Mat. vi. 24. i Rom. xv. 1. Heb. v. 13, 14. 1 John ii. 12, 13. Matth. xii. 20. 1 Lev. x. 3. Job xi. 13, 14. Psalm xxvi. 6. n 1 Tim.

k John iv. 24. Phil. iii. 3.
lxvi. 18. Prov. xv. 8. Isai. i. 15-18.
ii. 5. 1 John ii. 1.

m John xvi. 23, 24.

unto God the Father by him: that we are not to worship creatures P, who cannot know our hearts, nor answer our prayers, nor supply our wants, in whom we are not required to believe, but are to hold the head and to keep ourselves from idols. q

4. Unity in ends and designs: for being brethren in the 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 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. iii. 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, 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, "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 Christ's 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. As 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 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.

These are those several unities, which Christ by his staff called "Bands" doth preserve in his church, thereby greatly beautifying and strengthening the same. Of this peace he is both the purchaser by the price of his blood, and the author by the efficacy of his grace, giving unto his people

P Col. ii. 18, 19.

• Col. iii. 17. Eph. iii. 15. ii. 19. iv. 4, 5, 6. Σίν. 26. u 1 Cor. xii. 26.

q 1 Cor. x. 14. 1 John v. 21. s Acts xx. 24. Phil. i. 20. + Luke * Eph. ii. 13, 16. Col. i. 20.