IV. Last of all, I now come to give you twelve directions and
motives for the obtaining peace and unity.
1. If ever we would live in peace and unity, we must pray for it.
We are required to seek peace: of whom then can we seek it with
expectation to find it, but of him who is a God of peace, and hath
promised to bless his people with peace? It is God that hath
promised to give his people one heart, and one way; yet for all
these things he will be sought unto: O then let us seek peace, and
pray for peace, because God shall prosper them that love it.
The peace of churches is that which the apostle prays for in all his
epistles; in which his desire is, that grace and peace may be
multiplied and increased among them.
2. They that would endeavour the peace of the churches, must be
careful who they commit the care and oversight of the churches to;
as (1.)--Over and besides those qualifications that should be in all
Christians, they that rule the church of God should be men of
counsel and understanding. Where there is an ignorant ministry,
there is commonly an ignorant people, according as it was of old--
Like priest like people.
How sad is it to see the church of God committed to the care of such
that pretend to be teachers of others, that understand not what they
say, or whereof they affirm. No marvel the peace of churches is
broken, when their watchmen want skill to preserve their unity,
which of all other things is as the church's walls; when they are
divided, no wonder they crumble to atoms, if there is no skilful
physician to heal them.
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