iii. 7. We
see then want of unity and peace, either in families or churches, is
a hinderance of prayers.
8. It is a dishonour and disparagement to Christ that his family
should be divided. When an army falls into mutiny and division, it
reflects disparagement on him that hath the conduct of it. In like
manner, the divisions of families are a dishonour to the heads, and
those that govern them. And if so, then how greatly do we dishonour
our Lord and governor, who gave his body to be broken to keep his
church from breaking, who prayed for their peace and unity, and left
peace at his departing from them for a legacy, even a peace which
the world could not bestow upon them.
9. Where there is peace and unity, there is a sympathy with each
other; that which is the want of one will be the want of all. "Who
is afflicted," saith the apostle, "and I burn not?" We should then
"remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which
suffer adversity, as being ourselves also of the body;" Heb. xiii.
3. But where the body is broken, or men are not reckoned or
esteemed of the body, no marvel we are so little affected with such
as are afflicted. Where divisions are, that which is the joy of the
one is the grief of another; but where unity and peace and charity
abound, there we shall find Christians in mourning with them that
mourn, and rejoicing with them that rejoice; then they will not envy
the prosperity of others, nor secretly rejoice at the miseries or
miscarriages of any.
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