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.

The second bond of the true Churches unity, is, ONE SPIRIT.

There is one body,* 1.1 and one Spirit, saith Paul; and through unity of Spirit, they become one body. Now as the body of man consists of many members, and but one soul comprehends, quickens, moves, and governs all these members, making the eye to see, the hand to work, the foot to walk, &c. So the body of Christ, which is the Church, consisting of many members, hath yet but one and the same HOLY SPIRIT, which comprehends, quickens, moves and governs them all, and brings them into a most near and intimate society together, and inables each member, to its several office, according to its place and use in the body of Christ.

And as a member, being cut off from the body, the soul doth not follow it, to cause it to live out of the unity of the body: So he that is divided from the true body of Christ, the Spirit, doth not follow him to make him live single by himself; and so neither is the body of Christ without the Spirit, nor the Spirit of Christ without the body.

And as the same soul in several members, acts severally, and yet is but one and the same soul in all; so the same holy Spirit in several Believers, works severally, as it pleaseth, and yet is but the same holy Spirit in them all.

So that the whole body of Christ, that is all Believers in the world, have but one and the same holy Spirit in them, and this unity of Spirit in the Church, is one strong bond of its peace. Among mankinde in general, and more nearly among kindred, there is unity of flesh, but because there is difference of spirit, there is much envie, hatred, strife and variance in that unity of flesh; but now the members of the body, are not only one flesh, but one soul or spirit too, and so there is always peace and agreement between them. And so the true Church of Christ is not only one body, but one Spirit too, and this makes it one indeed. For as this Spirit, is the love and connexion of the Father and the Son; so it is also our love and connexion in the Father and the Son; and as the Father and the Son live in unity of Spirit, so all Believers live the unity of the same Spirit in them.

Now they on whom the Spirit was first given, after Christ was glorified, had also with the Spirit the gift of tongues, the Spirit given being for the communion of the Church, & so they spake with the tongues of all, the Church having through the communion of the Spirit, its society and consociation: For he that speaks by the Spirit in the Church, where all are one Spirit in Christ; he speaks with the tongues of all; and when a Believer hears another speak, it is, as if he himself did speak; and when one speaks, it is, as if all spake; for he speaks in the unity of Spirit with them, and so speaks the same doctrine of the Gospel and minde of Christ, which they all have equally heard and learned from God.

Hence it is evident, that it is nothing to have the outward from of a Church, even as our souls could wish; except there be, inwardly in that Church, the Spirit of Christ; for it is not unity of form will ever make the Church one, but unity of Spirit: That Church then that is destitute of the Spirit, in its laws, orders, con∣stitutions, forms, members, officers: what true unity can that have, in all its uniformity?

And this is the second bond of the true Churches Ʋnity: Ʋnity of Spirit.

Now they break this bond of the Churches unity,* 1.2 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,* 1.3 How may I know Christs Spirit in these acts and duties from a mans own?

I answer,* 1.4 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.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The right Church is one Spirit.
• * 1.2

  Who break this bond of Unity.
• * 1.3

  Quest.
• * 1.4

  Answ.