A repairing OF THE BREACH. WHEREIN, Is shewed the benefit that comes by a Christian Communion among the Saints.  1 Cor. 1.10. 
I beseech you Brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you: but that ye bee perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgement.  
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Printed in the year 1639.   

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COR VNVM▪ VIA VNA  A repairing of the Breach. Wherein is shewed the benefit that comes by a Christian Communion among the Saints.  
Worthy Sir:  
THe receipt of your benevolence, did give me cause the last week to express unto you my thankfulness for the same, in declaring how farte, through the consideration of the same, as proceeding from the hand of God; I did find myself obliged for his sake, to persevere in this kind of public Service, which I have undertaken hitherto, with approbation and consent of all parties, to further the Communion of Saints, in matters of mutual Edification. My heart is still full of this subject, and I am glad to take any opportunity to utter myself in it.  
Therefore I must discourse once more with you, to represent unto you, and to such as you shall bee pleased to acquaint the matter, withall, the necessity and usefulness of these endeavours, wherein Mr. Comenius and Ilabour, as Agents of the public welfare of Gods Church.  
If then we consider Gods will, if we consider our own felicity, if wee reflect upon the state of our dearest Brethren, if wee take to heart the things intended in this negotiation, if wee look upon the times whereinto we are falue, and lastly, if we observe the practices of the adversaries of Religion and truth, wee shall see a most urgent necessity of this study, which many yeares ago by a certain providence of God, wee have been moved to undertake, and with much difficulty through many favourits have until this day continued.  
The thing which we aim at is, a serious endeavour to bee brought into the mindes of all godly and learned men, whereby the fruit of holy communion may bee ripened and made useful to all such, as are capable of the same, both within and without the Church of God, that in the mutual Communication of Gods good gifts, the body of Christ may bee built up within itself, when every joint receiveth from another the communicable virtue which it hath, and such as are without that body, may have a way prepared for them, to become Citizens of the Commonwealth of Israel. For this is the will of God, that his goodness should appear through his Children into the world, that he may shine forth in them, and that it may appear, that they are called out of this evil and crooked generation, whereby they shine as lights in the world. holding forth the word of life to others, that if it bee the will of God, by their means they may bee saved.  
I say this is the will of God, even the manifestation of his own love to us, and in us, whereby we are constrained in him to love one another, and all those that are created after his Image, that wee all may bee in him, and made perfect in that unity of the spirit, wherein he hath called us.  
For let a man consider the words of the Apostle, Ephes. 4.1. till 17. he shall see, that the end of our calling, is nothing else but the manifestation of this love of God, and that the means to attain unto this end, is none other but the unity of Gods Children in one spirit, to advance holy endeavours in the sight of the world.  
For this end he hath sanctified and separated his Church from the world, that it may bee a Tabernacle of of him by the spirit, and for this end hath he ordained the Communion of Saints, that all such as live by one Spirit, should bee obliged to a mutual conjunction of endeavours, through the operation of that Spirit. joh. 17. 1 till. 7.  
For Christ in the solemn request which he made before his death unto his heavenly Father, when he had made first request for himself, and then for his Disciples, lastly he prayeth for the whole Church, that should believe through the ministry of their word, Vers. 7. till 20. And in this part of the Prayer, the chief thing which he doth insist upon, and urgently with much repetition requireth, is this; That they( saith he) may bee one, as thou, O Father art in me, and I in thee, even that they may bee one also in us, that the world may believe, that thou hast sent me; and the glory that thou gavest me, I have given them, that they may be one as wee are one, I in them, and thou in me, that they may bee made perfect in one, and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.  
By which it appeareth, what the intention and will of God is, in the Communion of Saints, even to work a perfect Union of his Children in his onely well beloved Jesus Christ, that by this union of all the members of his Body to him, that is the Head and root of this conjunction of all souls unto God; the glory of Gods goodness may appear in this, that Christ is sent into the world, and that the Father loveth, that believe in him, as he hath loved Christ himself, by which means the world shall be moved, both to believe and to know, that the Father hath sent his son for the Salvation of mankind.  
Thus then, as wee are bound in conscience to glorify, and manifest the glory of Gods goodness unto the world, so wee are bound to study and endeavour through godly love, for an holy conjunction of mens spirits, and a spiritual communion in all manner of loving and godly endeavours, because in these Gods love doth appear unto mankind, and without these, the world shall never know, that the Father hath sent his onely begotten unto the World for our Redemption.  
If wee consider this truly, and lay it to heart, wee cannot but resolve to live in the Communion of Saints, that is to say, not to live unto ourselves, but unto the welfare of others.  
For Christ sought not himself, but sought us, and renounced himself for us, that he might receive us into the glory of God, even then when wee were his enemies.  
Therefore the Apostle Phil. 2. having exhorted us with much entreaty, vers. 1, 2, 3. to have one mind, one love, and to avoid all occasions of disunion, he biddeth us not to look every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of other men, and to persuade us to this, he willeth us to follow Christs example, in letting the same mind to bee with us, which was in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, for our sake through love, became like one of us, and was in the form of a Servant, obedient unto his Father in our stead, even unto the death.  
Love is strong like death, Love doth affimilate those in whom it dwelleth one to another. It did assimilate Christ unto us, and now if wee will entertain it, in letting the same mind which was in him to us, bee in us to him again, it will assimilate our souls to his, and bring us unto the perfect state of true felicity.  
For herein is our felicity, that the same mind may bee in us, which was in him, for similitude of mindes is true love, and where the same mindes are, there will bee the like actions.  
Now wee know if wee follow the footsteps of Christ through faith in love, and obedience, that wee shall bee happy; because he is gone before us into the rest that is prepared for the children of God, and hath chalked out a new and living way unto us, whereby we may draw near unto the most holy, and so rest under the shadow of his wings, through the evidence of his love. For herein is the love of God evident, when by it, we are brought to set up our rest in this resolution, that wee will not live unto out selves, but unto the Communion of Saints. For he that liveth herein doth live in God, and God in him, which in the true and onely felicity of the soul, so long as it is in this world. For in this holy Communion, is the true use of the spirit, and whatsoever is done in this state to this end by us is a part of that treasure which Christ willeth us to lay up in heaven where the Moth and Canker doth not corrupt our substance.  
It is then the Communion of Saints, which is the storehouse where the Apostle willeth the rich of this world to lay up to themselves a good foundation that they may obtain eternal life. I say the state of this communion is the storehouse of heavenly treasure, and a sure resting place for the soul to know that it shall inherit eternal live, because the Apostle saith, that wee know wee are translated from death to life, because wee love the brethren, and he that loveth not the brethren abideth in death.  
So then if we respect the will of God, and in that will, if we seek the true state of happiness unto our own souls. Let us resolve to enter into the course of life, whereby we may become partakers of the communion of Saints, not intending to live unto ourselves, but as one member is created in our natural body to serve another member, so we should set our mindes to bee servants unto others for their good, as being members one of another in the body of Iesus Christ.  
For if a man will partake of the spirit whereby that body is animated, he must keep close unto his fellow members, and in his own calling and function be painful in serving the same.  
Consider I pray you the 12, 13, 14, chap. of the first to the Corinthians. There the Apostle intending to show the way to attain to spiritual gifts, declareth, that in respect of every man by himself, there was none other way for him, then to endeavour the communion of Saints. Chap. 12, and to exercise charity. Chap. 13. And in respect of the whole congregation, there was no better means, then to labour for the gift of prophesying, whereby he may bee able to edify many.  
For the more a man can enlarge himself in the means of doing good to his brethren, the more happy he is.  
For he that soweth much in such a ground, shall not fail to reap the fruit of his labour in due time.  
The spirits of Gods children are a rich soil, the man therefore is happy that helpeth to labour it, and sow good seed in it.  
Now then is the time wherein we should bee diligent. Let us consider the state of our brethren. Are they not those Protestants, by whose means God hath derived the knowledge of his truth unto us? Are they not such as have suffered, and do suffer the brunt of the battle? Are they not members of our head Iesus Christ?  
Hath he not given his life for them and us together's to make us one in himself?  
Hath he not begotten us by one word of life, and sealed us with one spirit, and called us by one calling to one hope?  
Hath he not appointed us to be helpers one to another, that in so doing our own stock may be increased?  
And can we refuse to have a faithful and brotherly care of those that are linked to us by so many respects? If wee have no such care.  
It is not an evident token, that the life whereby Christs body is animated is not in us?  
For how can one member in a lively body bee affencted, and the other not at all sympathise with it? Or can the head say to the eye, I have no need of you, or any one member to another, I care not for you? If this then be the state of brethren, of those that are begotten in the bosom of one Church, by the heavenly seed of the same lively word, and call with one mouth upon one father?  
It must needs follow, that whosoever doth reflect upon his own conscience in respect of his brethren, must find himself obliged in an high degree, both for Gods sake and his own sake, and for their sake, to procure their good, and to say with David. For my brethren and neighbours sake, I will wish thee now prosperity, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will procure thy wealth. Psal. 122.  
But this is not yet all, there is more to move us, to a real conjunction in these endeavours.  
For consider, I pray you, what the thing is to which we should contribute our talents one for another. Is it not for the advancement of Gods kingdom in truth, peace, ousnes; and holinesse? Is it not to set forward the means of heavenly knowledge of comfort and hope, with joy in the holy Ghost? Is it not to banish ignorance and confusion out of mens understanding, and to bring their affections into the frame of Gods will in the beauty of holinesse? Is it not to cast down the inventions of mens brain in the pride of earthly imaginations, that all high things that lift themselves up against the knowledge of Jesus Christ may be lead captive under his obedience? Is it not to root out scandals, to overthrow antichristianism, and to strengthen the children of God against the man of sin?  
Now how can these things bee brought to pass, except wee endeavour, upon the grounds of Gods word and covenant the counsel of. Reformation both in Church and schools, both in the minds and in the manners of young and old that are not unwilling to tend unto perfection.  
For we are called to aim at perfection itself, because our father that is in heaven, who calleth us is perfect, and we are commanded to strive to be like unto him. Matth. 5, 48.  
Therefore if these endeavours be in the very best things that can bee thought upon, and in the most necessary objects, for the good of: Church and Commonwealth, and in the most useful and profitable for the fundamentals of all states which seem to bee shaken by the confusions and disorders of this later age of the world, and in the most delightful matters that can satisfy the hungry souls with wisdom and righteous directions.  
I say if these endeavours tend only to ripen and bring to maturity such things by the means of an unbleamable 
Note that the next page. follows not in order as thou mayst see by looking on the number. For direction Therefore leave the page. following, and red the next to it, and afterwards come back and red the same, and so the rest in order.  communication of godly counsels, and such guists as God hath bestowed upon men in his Church for mutual edification.  
Then we see that he cannot bee said to love the prosperity of Jerusalem, who knowing these intentions and objects to be in agitation, and hath no zeal nor warming of bowels to concur with some help to further the same, as God doth give him ability, to join in the communion of Saints. And this so much the rather, because the zeal of many is become now a dayes so could, and charity is so much decayed amongst the professors of Religion.  
For who can sufficiently deplore the miserable distractions of these times, wherein every man is led in a private way for himself? What will become at last of us, if we have no common aim, if wee take not up some infallible rule to walk by, and rid ourselves of private and partial intentions.  
certainly the gospel of Christ, and whatsoever is in Christ, and tending towards the life of Christianity: is of an universal nature, and cannot be subject to bee blamed by any, of what side and party soever they be.  
For to seek after the grounds of true godly love and holinesse, and to search for the grounds of knowledge which may reform scandals and abuses in all mens understandings and affections, and to gather up the consenting advice of all able men concurring in these thoughts upon infallible clear principles, cannot bee liable to any reproach, although all or most men seek after a particular aim in their singular affections, and labour to oppose one another for matters of supposed difference, wherein they mix commonly most batefull passions and practices, by which the end of all religious worship is overthrown in their own spirits, and with those with whom they have to do.  
For the end of the preaching of the gospel in according to the Apostls saying. Love unfeigned proceeding from true faith in a good conscience.  
But now alas the times are such, that nothing is less thought upon or intended then the work of godly and simplo love to do good unto all, and especially to such as are of the household of faith, but one brother doth persecute another, and helpeth destroy, overthrow, and betray another, and all together( except some few that mourn for the afflictions of Joseph here and there) labour to maintain for this or that opinion a several party.  
I do not blame all zeal for one opinion or doctrine more then another. But I deplore this. That the zeal to maintain particular truths, doth hinder us from the true aim and scope of our heavenly calling, which if wee did truly intend in the communion of Saints, and did not arrogate to much, unto ourselves in a private way, or would not indiscreetly and too peremptorily vent our opinions, and impose them as laws upon the conscience of other men, but would in the meekness of an humble spirit seek for means tending to the manifestation of fundamental truths by way of amiable communication.  
Then wee should bee able to riddour souls of all this confusion which now doth overwhelm us. And the pestilent jealousies and evil surmises of different parties would cease and come to some end.  
Therefore it importeth those that will not bee guilty of the evils of these times, and deserve the judgements which partial aims draw upon this generation, to take truly universal thoughts to heart, which tend to advance and perfect love and peace in truth and holinesse, by such means as are fit to rectify the faculty both of reason and conscience, and facilitate learning in after ages.  
For in the mad humour of contradictions, both reasons and conscience are lost and neglected, and from these losses all other evils proceed, and God doth in his justice suffer the adversaries of true religion to prevail and bring again upon the Churches a vail of darkness, and a yoke of papal jurisdiction, by which the conscience is captivated under the power of men, and made voided of the light of spiritual knowledge.  
What shall we say then? Shall we not take to heart our heavenly calling? Shall we not intend the means of true edification?  
If neither the will of God, nor the happiness of our own soul, nor the state of our brethren afflicted, nor the excellency of matter to be thought upon, nor the miseries of the times, and the evils arising from the divisions of mens intentions,& want of godly communicaton can move us, at least, let us for outward respects, even for fear of prevailing adversaries, that aim at an universal overthrow of all Protestants, take to heart the true means of mutual preservation, which can bee none other, then a real conjunction of spirits in the fundamentals of the gospel, and in the principles of true learning, If we join in these, and help forward the real manifestation of all truths belonging thereunto.  
We may be sure, that the more our adversaries prevail with outward might, and bring our bodies in subjection, the more our spirits shall bee strengthened in godliness and knowledge, and in bearing witness thereof unto those that shall persecute us, we shall haply by the grace of God conquer their souls, and make them become our loving brethren in stead of adversaries.  
Is it not a wonder to see worldly men for worldly ends to bee so constant, and to keep so closely together, and prosecute jointly one common aim in the ignorance of superstitious zeal, whiles those that are endued with knowledge, and are fit to reprove their ignorance and superstition are all divided and shaken to pieces every one standing for himself?  
They have a worldly head, in a worldly manner, they profess themselves under him, and for his sake they aim at a worldly dominion over us, with most effectual and joint endeavours.  
But wee that have a spiritual head, and in a spiritual manner do profess ourselves united to him, and for his sake do aim to manifest his spiritual dominion over all mens souls, yet wee cannot come to any effectual and joint endeavours to prosecute this aim.  
But wee stand every one in a several way, and strain for by-matters, whiles the main scope is not regarded.  
Now the Lord remedy the great evil, and stir up more faithful coadjutors in this work, and preserve those that do undertake, and you in particular, and reward you for the good will you have testified to me in particular, who am for his sake.  
Your faithful Servant in Jesus Christ.