are all called into one blessed hope of obtaining the Kingdom and
glory of God. And no one is called to this hope more then ano∣ther,
or hath more interest or share in it then another. Fishes that
live in the Sea, though some be greater, and some less, yet none
hath more interest or share in it then another; but all being alike
produced in it, enjoy it alike: and creatures that live on the earth,
though some be greater, and some less, yet all enjoy the Sun and
Ayr alike; and yet nearer, the members of the body, though of
different quantity, form and office, yet all have alike interest in
the head and all its senses, and in the soul and all its faculties: So
all the faithful enjoy Christ alike, and in him the Spirit and the
Father; and no Believer hath more interest in Christ and God,
then another.
So that all the faithful are called to the same things, and God
gives not more, nor better things to one then to another, but he
gives immortality, glory, eternal life, the Kingdom of Heaven.
which is the inheritance of the Saints, or which is all one, himself,
alike to all, and makes all to sit alike in heavenly places in Christ▪
and in the Father.
All the faithful then are equally called to an Ʋnity of hope, and
none can hope for greater or better things then another. It was
a very carnal thing in the Mother of Zebedee's children, to desire
of Christ, That one of her Sons might sit at his right hand, and
another at his left hand, in his Kingdom, where all alike sit at his
right hand, and none at all at his left. Indeed in the Kingdoms of
men, some have greater estates then others, and are in higher Ho∣nour
and Authority; and this breeds envie, and emulation, and
strife, and distances, &c. but in the Sons Kingdom, and in the Fa∣thers,
all that are counted worthy to dwell therein, do alike in∣herit
all things; All things are yours, saith Paul: And he that
overcomes shall inherit all things; saith John: And the least be∣liever
hath no less, and the greatest hath no more; and this causes
unity and peace among them. We see what a strong bond of
peace and agreement, unity of hope is in them that travel together,
that fight together, that labour together; and so much more in
them who are equally called by God to the Kingdom of God.
And this, is the third bond, of the true Churches
Ʋnity:
Ʋnity of Hope.