An Exhortation to Peace and Unity

Transcribed from the “Works of the Puritan Divines (Bunyan)”, 1845 Thomas Nelson edition, by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace .—Ephesians iv. 3.
Beloved, religion is the great bond of human society; and it were well if itself were kept within the bond of unity; and that it may so be, let us, according to the text, use our utmost endeavours “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
These words contain a counsel and a caution: the counsel is, That we endeavour the unity of the Spirit; the caution is, That we do it in the bond of peace; as if I should say, I would have you live in unity, but yet I would have you to be careful that you do not purchase unity with the breach of charity.
Let us therefore be cautious that we do not so press after unity in practice and opinion as to break the bond of peace and affection.
In the handling of these words, I shall observe this method.
I. I shall open the sense of the text.
II. I shall shew wherein this unity and peace consist.
III. I shall shew you the fruits and benefits of it, together with nine inconveniences and mischiefs that attend those churches where unity and peace is wanting.
IV. And, lastly, I shall give you twelve directions and motives for the obtaining of it.
1. As touching the sense of the text, when ye are counselled to keep the unity of the Spirit, we are not to understand the Spirit of God, as personally so considered; because the Spirit of God, in that sense, is not capable of being divided, and so there would be no need for us to endeavour to keep the unity of it.
By the unity of the spirit then, we are to understand that unity of mind which the Spirit of God calls for, and requires Christians to endeavour after; hence it is that we are exhorted, by one spirit, with one mind, to strive together for the faith of the gospel; Phil. i. 27.