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 fifth bond of the true Churches Ʋnity, is, ONE FAITH.

The true Church of God hath but one Faith,* 1.1 wrought by one Spirit, apprehending the same Christ, or the same living and eternal truth of God. So that Abraham, and Moses, and David, and all the Prophets, and all the Apostles▪ and we who now be∣lieve, and all that shall believe hereafter, all have, and do, and shall live in the same mystery of faith, that is, Believers in all Ages, do not live their own lives, but all live the life of Christ in their own souls and bodies, each one receiving equally from Christ; the life of Christ, which they all live alike in him, being one with him; as the branches live equally, the life of the Vine; and one brnch, lives it not more then another. Through faith then every Christian is carryed out of himself, and all his own things into Christ, whom he apprehends with all his fulness, for his own; and in this faith, all Christians are equal, and none hath a better or worse faith then another.

So that in regad of faith also, there is among the true Church unity and equality.

For all Believers have one and the same faith, of the operation of God, wrought by the same Spirit, which raised up Christ

from the dead; and that faith which the Spirit works, neither sin, death nor the devil can possibly prevail against; and so the faith of the operation of the Spirit, is altogether invincible in all the faithful.

Among true Christians, some are not justified by faith, and some by works, but all are saved through faith, without the works of the law.

Among true Christians, one Believers faith doth not appre∣hend one word, and anothers, another word; but the faith of each, and of all apprehends one and the same word of truth and life, which is Christ himself, Yesterday, and to day, and the same for ever.

Among Believers, one doth not live his own life, and another Christs, which indeed would make them very different and une∣qual, but all live Christs life alike, and none their own.

And thus is the whole Church knit together in Ʋnity of Faith.

Now this unity of faith is mightily able to preserve peace among Believers,* 1.2 notwithstanding diversity either of inward gifts, or outward works.

1. Ʋnity of Faith preserves peace,* 1.3 notwithstanding diversity of inward gifts, inasmuch as we are not made members of Christs body, through such and such gifts, but meerly through faith; and so he that hath one or a less gift, is equally a member of Christ, through his faith, with him that hath another or a greater gift; and so unity of faith, which makes us all one body in Christ, is to keep us one, notwithstanding diversity of gifts and operations; and di∣versity of gifts are in no wise to divide where there is unity of faith. Further, among them that believe, where there is the more gift, there is only the more labour; but there is not another, or a better Christ; and where there is the less gift, there is the same Christ, equally enjoyed through faith: He that had five Talents given him, brought in five that he had gained; and he that had ten, ten: but he that brought in most Talents, had not more of Christ then he that brought in fewer; and he that brought in fewer, had not less of him, then he that brought in more; but each having Christ alike by faith, brought in the exercise of his several gifts. And so unity of Faith is to keep us one, notwith∣standing diversity of inward gifts.

And secondly,* 1.4 it is to keep us one, notwithstanding diversity of outward works. For unity of Faith makes all believers righteous alike, though they differ in outward work; For in Christs King∣dom each ones righteousness is reckoned by his faith, not by his out∣ward works. And therefore Paul, Heb 13. 7. having reckoned up many excellent works of the Fathers, doth not enjoyn us to follow their works, but their faith, saying, Whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation; seeing the unity of the Church stands in unity of faith; and there may be unity of faith in diversity of works; for faith uses freely any outward laws, manners, forms, works, so farr as they may tend to the mortifying of our bodies, and the edifying of our neighbours; wherein faith also will judge for it self, and will suffer no body to judge for it: and in all change of works, faith is the same, and changes not; and the Church still re∣mains, one, through unity of faith, in the midst of variety, and di∣versity of outward works. And therefore where men are account∣ed Christians for such and such outward works sake, and this unity of faith is not taught and received, there the gates of hell do cer∣tainly prevail.

And this is the fifth bond of the true Churches unity, Ʋnity of Faith.

Now they break this bond of the Churches unity,* 1.5 that live out of this faith of Gods Elect, seeing it is written, That the just shall live by faith: And therefore they that live by sense in the things of the world, or by form in the things of God, they live out of this faith and unity of the Church.

1. They that live by sense in the things of the world, break this bond of the Churches unity; even such as minde, and affect, and love, and desire earthly things, and have all their joy, comfort, sweet∣ness, satisfaction, support and confidence in the creature; these live out of the unity of the Church; seeing the life of sense is clean contrary to the life of faith: Faith carrying us to live in God out of the creature, and sense carrying us to live in the creature out of God.

2. They that live by form in the things of God, whether it be called Conformity, as the Prelates called it; or Ʋniformity, as the Rhemists, do also break this bond of the Churches unity. For to live

upon this or that form of religion, or worship, so as to think our selves good Christians therefore, and others evil, that shall live otherwise, is to fall apparently from the faith of the Church, seeing faith doth not live upon this or that form of Religion, but it lives on Christ only in every duty; and whatsoever form it may use for a help to the infirmity of the flesh, yet in the use of forms it lives above forms in Jesus Christ, and his fulness.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The right Church hath one faith.
• * 1.2

  Unity of preserves peace.
• * 1.3

  1. Notwith∣standing di∣versity of in∣ward gifts.
• * 1.4

  2. Notwith∣standing di∣versity of out∣ward works.
• * 1.5

  Who break this bond of the Churches Unity.