2 Corinthians 13:11-14 Finally, brothers, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace… ITS NATURE, here recommended, appears to be sufficiently expressed by the word concord, or unanimity. 1. So necessary is this agreement that bad men cannot execute their schemes without a temporary concord, founded, for want of better principles, either upon the mutual interest of all parties, or a fantastical kind of honour, which answers its purpose if it keep them together, till the deed of darkness be done and the prey divided. If Satan's kingdom were divided against itself, it must presently fall. 2. If we take a view of discord at its introduction into the world, we shall find that it was threefold. (1) Between God and man, occasioned by man's transgression, which estranged him from his Maker, whom from thenceforth he feared. (2) Between man and himself, caused by the accusations of conscience thereupon. (3) Between man and man, owing to unruly desires and passions, continually interfering, and never to be satisfied. 3. In opposition to this threefold discord, introduced into the world by the evil spirit, the concord effected in the Church by the good Spirit of God is likewise threefold. Man is reconciled to God by the righteousness of Christ, through faith; to himself by the answer of a conscience thus purged from sin; and to his brethren by Christian charity shed abroad in his heart. 4. All these operations worketh one and the same Spirit; whence the unity, of which we are now speaking, is styled "the unity of the Spirit," which is represented as encircling all things in heaven and earth with a bond of peace. And is not the Spirit to the Church, or body of Christ, what the breath is to the body natural? II. TO INDUCE BRETHREN TO "DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY," GOD SEEMETH TO HAVE EMPLOYED EVERY KIND OF ARGUMENT. He hath erected both worlds upon the basis of concord, and made harmony to be, as it were, the life and soul of the universe. 1. In contemplating the scenes of nature, where indeed there is neither voice nor language, yet it is impossible not to observe how the elements conspire to serve God, and to bless mankind. 2. From a survey of nature, proceed we to inspect the make and constitution of man himself, who subsisteth by a union of two very different parts, a soul and a body, between which there is a kind of marriage not to be dissolved "till death them do part." Nor less observable is the union which obtains between the members of which the body is composed, and by whose mutual good offices it is supported and preserved. 3. It is not more necessary that the members should be joined together in the body, than that mankind should be united in civil society. Man comes into the world helpless. And therefore it is that an all-wise Providence has implanted in our nature that affection which is found to prevail between parents and children, brethren and sisters, those of the same family, kindred, house, city, nation, age, or vocation. Such are the means used to invite and almost force men to live in peace and concord. 4. Let us now see how the ease stands in that spiritual world. (1) And here, if we look up and behold by faith the glory of the eternal Trinity, we must presently fall down, like the elders, before the throne, and in the power of the Divine majesty worship the unity. And as they are one, so all the angels and blessed spirits in the courts of heaven make their sound to be heard as one in blessing them for ever and ever. Not a discordant note is heard in all that celestial choir. (2) From heaven we descend again to earth with Him who did so, for us men, and for our salvation, to the end that as body and soul are one man, so God and man might be one Christ who was to live and to die for us, to suffer and to save; as man to suffer and as God to save. (3) By the union of God and man in the person of Christ, another union was effected between Christ and the Church. For is the vine united to the branches that spring from it? — "I am the vine, ye are the branches." Is the head joined to the body? — "God hath made Him head over all things, to the Church, which is His body." Is there a strict union between man and wife? — "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church."(4) One more consequence should follow from this, viz., a union among Christians. Joined to one common head, they should be joined likewise to each other. "Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." By concord in the Church, the kingdom of Christ is established on earth, as it is in heaven, where there is no rebellion or opposition to the will of God, but all are unanimous in doing it. By the gospel, enmity was abolished, and never should have been heard of more. II. HOW SHALL WE BEST PERFORM THIS DUTY. 1. "Acquaint thyself with God, and be at peace"; be at peace with Him and thine own conscience, and then thou shalt be at peace with all around thee. 2. Endeavour, by the grace of Christ, to moderate desires of earthly things. "Whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts, which war in your members?" (Bp. Horne.) Parallel Verses KJV: Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. |
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