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Now they break this bond of the Churches unity,* 1.1 that live in their own spirits, and not in Christs; for they that live in a dif∣ferent spirit from the true Church, what unity can they possibly
have with it? They then that live in their own humane reason, understanding, thoughts, councel, wils, ends, they live quite and clean out of the unity of this Church, yea, in direct enmity against it; seeing our own corrupt and earthly spirits, are most contrary to the Holy and Heavenly Spirit of Christ, in which the Church lives. Wherefore we may learn hence, what to judge of those men, that cry out much for the peace of the Church, and yet themselves, neither live in, nor are led by, the Spirit of the Church; but either by their own Spirits, or Antichrists.
2. They that labour to joyn men into one body with the Church, that are not one Spirit with it, do marr the peace of it: For as unity of Spirit in the Church is the bond of peace, so diversity of Spirit is the breach of peace, and therefore to preserve the peace of the Church, none are to joyn themselves to this one body, that are not of this one Spirit.
3. They that being of the Church, do any thing in it by their own Spirits, and not by Christs, prejudice the peace of the Church; for the true Church is such a body which is to have all its communion in the Spirit. And therefore when any pray or prophesie, or the like, in the strength of natural parts, or humane studies and invention onely, and do not pray and prophesie in the Spirit, they break the unity of the Church; for the faithful have com∣munion with one another; onely so far forth as the Spirit is ma∣nifested in each.
Now if any shall say,* 1.2 How may I know Christs Spirit in these acts and duties from a mans own?
I answer,* 1.3 That as by the Word of God we can judge of all other Words and Doctrines; and as by the Faith of Christ we can judge of all other beliefs, so by the Spirit of Christ we can judge of all other spirits; and can know where is the same spirit, and where is a different or a contrary spirit; as the members of the body can judge of the one-ness of Spirit that is among themselves.
Who break this bond of Unity.
Quest.
Answ.