CHRISTIAN UNITY DOCTRINALLY AND

HISTORICALLY CONSIDERED,

IN

EIGHT SERMONS

PREACHED BEFORE

THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD,

IN THE YEAR MDCCCXVI,

AT THE

LECTURE

popxved by
THE LATE REP.JOHN BAMPTON, M. A.

cațoș OF SALISETRY

JOHN HUME SPRY, M. A. $.D.
VICAR OF HANBURY, STAFFORDSHIRE, AND MINISTER OF

CHRIST CHURCH, BIRMINGHAM.

OXFORD:

AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS FOR THE AUTHOR.

SOLD BY J. PARKER, OXFORD; MESSRS, RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL's
CHURCH YARD; AND J, HATCHARD, PICCADILLY, LONDON.

00T

18454:

CONTENTS.

SERMON I.

Introductory Observations on the Disunited

State of the Christian World. The Nature

of Christian Unity. Some erroneous notions

of it examined. General View of its Essen-

tials. One great purpose of Christianity to

produce and secure the Union of its Pro-

fessors. Plan of the following Discourses.

Johp xyği, 20, 21, 22,

Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which

shall believe on me through their word ; that they all

may be one ; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee,

that they also may be one in us.

SERMON II.

The Christian Priesthood. Its Utility and Im-

portance as an Instrument of Unity.

EPHESIANS iv. 11, 12.

And he gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets; and

some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for
the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry,
for the edifying of the body of Christ.

SERMON III.

Agreement in Faith or Doctrine essential to

Unity.

EPHESIANS iv. 13.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the

knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto

the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

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SERMON IV.

Agreement in Modes of Worship—how far it is

'to be considered as essential to the Preserva-

tion of Unity.

Acis.h4211

And they continued stedfastly ix.the Apostles? doctrine and

fellowship, and in-breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Causes of Disunion.

1 Cor. iii. 3.

Whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and

divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men ?

SERMON VI.

The Church of England guiltless of the Schism

by which her peace has been disturbed.

MATTHEW xviii. 7.

It must needs be that offences come, but woe unto that

man by whom the offence cometh.