Several sermons and discourses of William Dell Minister of the Gospel; sometimes attending both the generals in the army: and now Master of Gonvil and Caius Colledge in Cambridge. Heretofore published at several times, and on several occasions; and now gathered in one volumn, for the benefit of the faithful, and conviction of the world.

And this now is the first bond of the true Churches unity, Ʋnity of body.

Now they break this first bond of unity, that either live out of this one body of Christ, or else live in it, but not as members.

1. They that do content themselves, in joyning to some outward and visible society and corporation of men, though called a Church, and think that by being knit to them in wayes of outward worship, and ordinances, they live in the unity of the Church, when as yet all this while they live out of that one body, that is born of the Spirit, which is the onely true Church, and body of Christ: he that lives out of this spiritual body, though he live in the most ex∣cellent society in the world, yet he breaks the unity of the Church, not living in one body with it. And thus many break the Churches unity, that never think on it.

2. Again, they break this bond of the Churches unity that live in this one body, but not as members; And such are they, who having got the advantage of the Magistrates power, will needs lift themselves up above their fellow-members, and exercise authorita∣tive, coercive, domineering power over them, whereas the very A∣postles themselves, were not Lords of the Church, but fellow-mem∣bers

with the faithful; living in one body, and under one head with them, and so did all by love and perswasion, and nothing by force and violence. Now those members that exalt themselves above their fellow and equal members, what do they else but usurp the place of the Head? and so break in sunder the unity of the body, which stands in the unity of the Head? He that in a single or com∣bined unity sets himself up above other Believers, by giving Laws, and by prescribing and commanding Forms and Rules to those that are every way his equals, he advances himself as another head be∣sides Christ; and so Anti-christ is nearer to us then we are aware; and many men that are so forward and fierce, to make and enforce Rules and Orders, colourably to procure the Churches peace, they are the first men that do themselves break this first bond of the Churches Ʋnity, to wit, Ʋnity of Body, which makes all Believers equal members, equally subject to one Head.

Notes

• Who break this bond of the Churches Unity.