and things of less moment, eat up our zeal for the more indisputable
and practical things in religion which may give us cause to fear,
that this will be the character by which our age will be known to
posterity--that it was the age that talked of religion most, and
loved it least.

Look upon those churches where peace is, and there you shall find
prosperity. When the churches had rest, they were not only
multiplied, but, walking in the fear of the Lord and the comforts of
the Holy Ghost, they were edified; it is when the whole body is knit
together, as with joints and hands, that they increase with the
increase of God.

We are at a stand sometimes, why there is so little growth among
churches, why men have been so long in learning; and are yet so far
from attaining the knowledge of the truth; some have given one
reason, and some another; some say pride is the cause, and others
say covetousness is the cause. I wish I could say these were no
causes; but I observe, that when God entered his controversy with
his people of old, he mainly insisted upon some one sin, as
idolatry, and shedding innocent blood, &c., as comprehensive of the
rest; not but that they were guilty of other sins, but those that
were the most capital are particularly insisted on: in like manner,
whoever would but take a review of churches that live in contentions
and divisions, may easily find that breach of unity and charity is
their capital sin, and the occasion of all other sins. No marvel
then, that the Scripture saith, the whole law is fulfilled in love:
and if so, then where love is wanting, it needs must follow the
whole law is broken. It is where love grows cold that sin abounds;
and therefore the want of unity and peace is the cause of that