Part 1
Transcribed from the 1846 John Snow edition by David Price, email [email protected]
[Picture: Public domain book cover]
THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH ESSENTIAL TO THE CONVERSION OF THE WORLD.
A SERMON, PREACHED BEFORE THE DIRECTORS AND FRIENDS OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, DURING Their Anniversary IN MAY, 1846, IN THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY, SPITAL SQUARE, LONDON,
BY J. H. GWYTHER, M.A. VICAR OF MADELEY, SALOP.
* * * * *
LONDON: JOHN SNOW, PATERNOSTER-ROW; THE SOCIETY’S OFFICES, BLOOMSBURY HOUSE, FINSBURY SQUARE. GEO. M. SMITH, IRONBRIDGE, SALOP.
1846.
_Price Sixpence_.
SERMON.
“_Neither pray I for these alone_, _but for all who shall believe in me through their Word_: _that they all may be one_: _that the World may believe that thou hast sent me_.”—JOHN xvii. 20, 21.
The last earthly act of one we love and honour, is often referred to with deepest interest, and revolved with the most thoughtful attention. It is then that the dying Parent delivers his solemn counsels, and unbosoms his most sacredly cherished feelings. If ever the tenderest and earnest workings of the heart are laid open, it is as the scene draws near and yet nearer to its close.
And as our beloved SAVIOUR approached the termination of His earthly history, the strong commanding feelings of his soul were displayed, and then especially he taught his disciples what sentiments he would have them cultivate, and what objects he would have them propose; whilst by his example, he taught them in _what spirit_, and by _what means_ to _seek those_ high and holy ends.
It was then, assembled with his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, that He as the Great High Priest of Our Profession, breathed forth in earnest prayer, the words before us:—
“The _last acts_ of the Great Mediator, were _acts of prayer_.”
HE prayed! that he might impress his people with the importance of prayer. He made them _witnesses_ of his prayer, that when they hereafter might follow him their divine intercessor, _by faith_, within the veil, they might know for what ends, and in what spirit, his intercession is carried on. HIS LAST ACTS _were prayer_. It was in _prayer_ that he closed his last interview with his Apostles. It was in this exercise that he passed his hour of agony in the Garden; and when on the Cross, His dying breath was spent in repeated and solemn application.
Oh! beloved brethren! ’twas a solemn scene;—the adorable Mediator with the shadows of death deepening around him, employed in earnest addresses to his FATHER. The Garden—the Judgment Seat—the Scourge—the Cross, were full before him. On what now is His spirit bent? On what subjects does he meditate? His prayer will tell, and tell how fully his heart was occupied with the work of mercy—the well-being of his church—the honour of his Father—the salvation of the world. It was then he uttered the prayer in which he sought for his people, that they all may be one, that the world may be converted to him. He had _charged_ them “to love one another.” He had shown them that they were _virtually_ “all one:” By the sacred supper, he had sought to cherish their love and union, and now by his example he taught them to make it the burden of their prayer. And even still his heart longs for this! He looks down from his exalted throne, upon that church which he so much regards, and which he “has purchased with his own blood;” that church to which he has entrusted such a high and glorious work; big with the richest blessings for a ruined and wretched world. He sees that church divided, torn, distracted, alienations and strifes prevailing, whilst the world’s millions are waiting, _uninstructed_, _unenlightened_, _unblest_; and then, having connected the conversion of the world with the unity of the church, he again pours forth the intercession, “Father, may they all be one, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”
In the endeavour to fulfil that duty, which the Directors of the London Missionary Society have assigned me, I feel I need your sympathy, and your prayers. I stand before you “in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.” From a sense of my own insufficiency to perform this duty aright, as well as from the conviction that I may be standing in the room of some more qualified and acceptable advocate of the cause, I was naturally reluctant to leave the quietude of a country village and place myself in this public situation: on the other hand, believing that this was a call from GOD, to bear my humble testimony to His truth in this great Metropolis, and that in endeavouring to do his will, we shall not fail of his grace; I have come beloved brethren, and would seek to offer a few remarks upon the interesting subject now introduced to your notice. The subject I am fully aware, is now one of those to which so much attention has been given of late years, that I cannot hope to present it more clearly or forcibly than it has already been placed in your view: all I can attempt is to bring these things again to your remembrance, and again to urge them upon the attentive consideration of the Christian Church.
In doing so, I propose to consider three things—
I. The object, which in this Petition, the SAVIOUR seeks.
II. The means by which it is to be promoted.
III. The reasons why it should be most earnestly desired.
We must proceed to notice:—
I.—_The object_, _which in this petition the Saviour seeks_.
It is the unity of all _believers_ upon Earth. Not indeed that CHRIST is indifferent to the peace and love which ought to bind together _all mankind_ as one great family. He purposes to secure _this_; but he seeks to bless His Church, that thro’ it he may bless the world. Yes! beloved brethren,—Men ought to “_be one_” in the bonds of love and kindness. We are Brethren, all “one man’s sons,” and where there is a man, there is one who has a claim upon the thoughtfulness, the care, the kindness of his fellow man; and in order to promote the general well-being of our species, we should be _as one_. To us there cry the poor in their destitution—the ignorant in their darkness—the oppressed in their wrongs—the victims of war, murderous and impious war—the slaves in the chains, which tyranny has thrown around their persons, or set on their intellect and conscience; _these_, and sufferers in every other form of woe, appeal to _man_, the _family_, the _fraternity_ of man, for sympathy, pity, and relief. They are Men; they are Brethren; and these are outrages against our common claims, which should rouse all that hear the cry, to succour the suppliants. We have all one FATHER, and happy will be the time, when His divided and distracted household, shall again “love as brethren;” when the oppressor shall cease; when “violence shall not be heard in our borders;” when the clangor of war shall give place to the melting sounds and celestial song of “Peace on earth, and good will towards men;” when truth shall fill all intellects, and love reign in every heart. Bright! Glorious Day!—And shall this happy consummation ever bless this afflicted, burdened, groaning world? It shall! The Gospel _purposes it_, and to secure its accomplishment, the Gospel is daily putting forth its heavenly energy, and ere long, earth in love shall be the very emblem of the heaven of heavens. The fierce passions of the human spirit shall be subdued. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid”; “the cow and bear shall feed”: “they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”—ISAIAH xi, 6–9.
But another work must precede this. The Church must first be _made one itself_. The universal harmony predicted, and eventually to be realized in the world, must first pervade the elements of CHRIST’S Visible Church, and therefore as a means to that great end, even that the world may believe in, fully recognize, and submit to the authority of Him, whom GOD has sent, the Redeemer here prays, that His disciples may “be one;” implying thereby that the unity of the Church, is the great pre-requisite for the conversion of the world.
1.—_And who are His Church_, _His People_, _the subjects of this prayer_?
None but those who rest upon His atonement, and rely upon His grace, as the one foundation of their hope for eternity. It is not the bearing of a Christian name; it is not an enrolment in any society, however scriptural in doctrine and apostolic in discipline that constitutes men Christians. There may be loud profession—an orthodox creed—ceaseless activity—large sacrifices, without _faith_ in JESUS or _love_ to his name. But _these_ are indispensible; without _them_ there is no interest or fellowship with CHRIST, and no part, or lot in His Church. Without _faith_, there is no salvation; and “if any man love not our LORD JESUS CHRIST he must be accursed.” The possessors of these alone, are the true “living stones built up a spiritual house.”
But the Church includes _all who believe on the Son of God_, among whatever community they may be found. Each christian may _have_, and ought to hold _dear_, his convictions, as to the truths the bible teaches, and the church principles which are there developed.
The Bible is ever to be his standard, and his conscience binds him to receive _all_ that it teaches. We plead for no latitudinarian indifference. We have _our_ convictions, nor dare we yield them, unless GOD should, by His Spirit, afford us another view of truth; nor will any candid christian, who differs from us, call for such a sacrifice. We ask not for such unwarranted concessions from any. Nor dare we judge the LORD’S servants; to their own Master they stand or fall. To Him they are amenable, and it cheers the spirit to think that our minor errors and imperfections hinder not Him from receiving any who rest on Him for mercy, and yield to Him their hearts.
_All these are His people_—they are parts of His universal Church; though severed from each other, they are one with Him; members of His mystical body; branches in Him the Living Vine!
And where shall we seek them? They are found adorning fellowships of varied names, and each possessing features of peculiar beauty, and sacred excellence. We dare not say that a connexion with any system of itself can make men Christians; nor of Episcopacy, Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, nor Methodism, that it is exclusively THE CHURCH OF GOD, so as to monopolize all sacred relations and existing piety. But we believe that genuine disciples of CHRIST are to be found amongst them all.
The churches which have numbered among them a Fletcher, a Henry Martyn, a Cary, a Williams, a Wesley; will furnish their portion towards the one great assembly, “the church of the first born written in heaven.”
The genuine disciples of the SAVIOUR, are to be found in various ranks, and among different denominations of Christians; from these many have been gathered already, and swell the throng around the throne of GOD above. Even now the multitude collected from among them, is greater than any man can number; they have lost their party badges and sectarian titles. This is their only distinction, “They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,”—and they need no other—this is their great _title_—this secures them a happy, blissful place before the throne of GOD and the Lamb; and they desire no more.
And many yet are found _below_. True our minds are distracted by the differing names and varied distinctions which exist among us. But be of good cheer, beloved brethren, upon a goodly company, though widely scattered, CHRIST looks down with joy, seeing in each of the throng, a trophy of his love; a soul saved by his sacrifice, and transforming to his image.
The SAVIOUR’S prayer contemplated _all these_, and sought that they may _all be one_. And indeed they so far are even now _one_.
There is a bond which binds them to each other, which no power can sever. It is that spiritual tie which unites them to CHRIST; in Him they are all one. They were ONE in _ruin_—in separation from GOD—in captivity to Satan—in exposure to eternal death. They now are partakers in a common salvation—redeemed by the same blood—renewed by the same Spirit—relying upon one Saviour—Children of one Parent, they form one holy family, and will spend an eternity together in their “Father’s House.” Thus real, substantial, and indissoluble is their union. They are one, as CHRIST is in the FATHER and the FATHER in Him.
But, alas! this ill accords with the aspect they present to the world, and the attitude in which they stand to each other; nor can the prayer of CHRIST be silent, until the _one-ness_ of his people shall be _felt_, and their union shall be manifest to all.
2.—Then we may further enquire—_Wherein must such union consist_? It is clear, not in the adoption of _one common name_; for such may be, and the aim be entirely lost, and the object of the SAVIOUR unattained. Something of this kind was realized in the dark ages. The Church of Rome then contained within itself well nigh all existing nominal Christianity. But did this, think you, brethren, realize the prayer of our LORD? _One_ name embraced men of every varied creed, and covered every form of abomination. A one-ness, where except for the title “Christian,” and for the form of godliness, no religion seemed to exist; life and soul were lost, the frame-work alone remaining. This one-ness was that of the tenants of the sepulchre and the grave yard, where the fellowship was that of an universal corruption, and the calm was the stillness—the silence of death, only broken by here and there a mourner, weeping that the dry bones were so many, and that they were so very dry.
No, this is not the peace we long for, and for which CHRIST prays. Better, a thousand fold better, is our present state, than such an unity as that. It is at least replete with _life_, though disfigured by diversities. We have spirit, and we have power; though that spirit is too frequently expended in strife, and that power in warfare.
The _first thing essential_ to the attainment of Christian Unity is, that Christians should be brought to _feel_ that real one-ness, which even now exists between them.
There is a principle which is inseparable from the existence of vital godliness, and that is faith in CHRIST. Now if all who look to the work of CHRIST for justification, and confide in the HOLY SPIRIT for sanctification, are really Christians, why should they not be felt to be such, and loved as brethren? CHRIST loves them,—let them love each other. To all of them JESUS is precious; then let our hearts embrace with ardour all “who love our LORD JESUS CHRIST, in sincerity;” and if we can do this, there will be but little difficulty in rendering that unity visible. How can it be concealed? For where there is true love, there must to some extent be friendly intercourse—sympathy will be engendered—in spite of existing distinctions, love will draw us together into kindly greetings, and social fellowship. Nor will there be wanting opportunities of co-operation in efforts to diffuse the Bible, extend the Gospel, and convert immortal souls.
And even where this may not be, there will be witnessed a cordial interest in each other’s labors of love; we shall rejoice when prosperity attends the work of others employed with us in the same holy enterprize, and mingle our tears with those which disappointments cause to flow from the eyes of our beloved and devoted brethren; and only let this but be realized, and all bitterness, and envy, and malice, will speedily disappear. If Christians differ in opinion, yet they will agree in heart; if they are constrained to exhibit their views strongly, they will aim to do so with “the meekness of wisdom,” and with the kindness of charity.
Oh, for this consummation! Believers, labour and pray for it—sacrifice for its attainment your party jealousies—mortify carnal prejudices, and crucify the spirit of bigotry; and thus hasten the accomplishment of the SAVIOUR’S prayer, when we shall all be one—_one_ in love—_one_ in our great aim for reviving the church, and saving the world—_one_ in fervent prayer—and shall all value, more than any other title, the _one_ new name given to the disciples at Antioch.
Having considered somewhat at length _the object which in this_ petition of the SAVIOUR, he more _especially seeks_; namely, the unity of his Disciples; a one-ness in his Church; let us in the second place, advert to _the means by which it is to be promoted_.
And here I need scarcely remark, that _coercion_ can do nothing: neither ecclesiastical canons, nor authoritative edicts, can sway the conscience, or influence the affections. Nor can even much reliance he placed on moral suasion, or controversial discussion. We may acknowledge the importance of the object, but be after all undecided as to the method of its attainment, or indifferent to its ultimate success. The great means are with GOD; yet all of us can do something towards the promotion of Christian Union, and I would humbly suggest the following hints:—
1.—_By personally cherishing_, _and prominently keeping in view those great truths upon which the Church of Christ has agreed_.
For after all, to use the admirable language of a Christian author upon this subject; “The unity which the Church of CHRIST should maintain within, and promote without, even in our present circumstances exists, and that substantially, though imperfectly. Its existence is proved by an identity of motives and aims; proved by that similarity of sentiment, which makes the Christian find a new brother in every converted man; proved by petitions and praises, like in matter and in manner, and offered to the same throne of grace; proved by the general correspondence of our forms of worship. Were some enlightened heathen, such as Cicero, to rise up and come among us, he would perceive little difference among the purest Christians, unless his attention were called to it by some formal partisan. The grand and glorious features of the Christian faith, would stand out before him in bright contrast with those of heathenism, if our paltry animosities did not obscure them.”
Let us then set before us, and steadfastly gaze upon the great soul-elevating, and spirit-uniting doctrines of the Gospel. The atonement of CHRIST—His perfect work—finished redemption—spotless righteousness—all prevailing intercession, and final conquest. The work of the Spirit in the regeneration, sanctification, and perfection of believers. These are the great master-truths; let them be to our souls, what they are to the Gospel, the Alpha and Omega, the foundation of all; and much will be done in enlarging our views, refining our judgments, breaking down prejudice within, and concentrating our affections upon points of general agreement. In addition to this, let the mind of CHRIST be ours. His mind was absorbed with love to his FATHER, and compassion for souls. Cherish the same; let this predominant passion occupy and control our spirits, and there will then be but little space found, and less taste felt for those trifles which distract, divide, and embitter.
2.—We may promote this Christian Unity further, _by seeking to form_, _and convey a right impression of our own excellence_, _in comparison with the worth of others_ “_who follow not with us_.”
We are too prone to dwell with much of sectarian gratulation, upon the peculiar advantages of _our own_ communion, or the evidences of divine favour we have been blessed with; to the disparagement of others, from whom we differ. That spirit, whilst it leads us to vain boasting, as infallibly leads to a despising of our brethren. Rather let as mourn over our own imperfections and short-comings; let us recall to mind how feeble and often futile have been our efforts; how our piety has mingled with much _of earthliness_, our love with much _of selfishness_, our zeal with much _of partiality_, and our devotedness with much _of self exaltation_.
On the other hand, let us be willing not only to allow, but even to rejoice in the excellencies of others—to ponder their worth and their works—to cast the sin-covering mantle of true christian charity over the infirmities of our brethren, and to rejoice with them in their success, weep with them in their discouragements, and aid them in their necessity. Thus we shall, as saith St. Paul, “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Each preferring his brother in honour and in love. The bonds of christian union will be strengthened, and the dove-like spirit of peace condescend to dwell in the hearts of christians, constraining even the world, as of old, to confess—“see how these disciples love one another.”
3.—_Christian Unity is to be promoted by co-operation in those wise schemes of christian effort_, _which may consistently embrace all who love the Saviour_.
Co-operation has ever been found very powerful in producing and sustaining unity. In such christian efforts, there is a common object proposed; a measure of agreement in the means to be employed, in order to its attainment; a participation in responsibility; a sympathy in trials; an interest in success; all which bind kindred hearts; unite in holy brotherhood those who share in the same common-wealth and privilege; and allay those feelings of envy and jealousy which have so fearfully agitated and divided the body of CHRIST.
Thanks be to GOD, we live in an age, when such efforts are put forth, in which we may conscientiously co-operate with our brethren, in the great and glorious designs they contemplate. By so doing, we shall help much to complete the unity of the Church.
Yet, beloved brethren, why enumerate more means? There is one influence, which adequately employed, would secure the whole. What want we, but a large and universal effusion of the Holy Spirit? Oh, yes! this would do it all.
It would fix our gaze upon ourselves, until we sank abased in the dust. It would attract us all to the cross; that whilst drawn to one common centre, all would be drawn closer to each other. Such would appear the transcendent glories of that object, that all others would in comparison lose their power to charm or interest us. The ruin, guilt, danger, wants, and woes of a perishing world, would awaken our tenderest compassion and ever watchful solicitude.
Eternity unveiled—heaven in its peerless glories—hell in its hopeless torment, would so bring our spirits under the “powers of the world to come;” that we should be blind, and deaf to all things of inferior moment. Were this gracious influence but felt and cherished, all would indeed be one. Divisions would be healed. Stumbling blocks be removed. Hearts joined to hearts. Joys mingled with joys; and the blessed SAVIOUR’S prayer, receive its full accomplishment, and His people be one, even as He and the FATHER are one.
It remains for me in the Third place, to direct your attention _to the reasons_, _why this Christian Unity should be so earnestly desired_.