Christian Unity Doctrinally and Historically Considered

CHRISTIAN UNITY DOCTRINALLY AND
HISTORICALLY CONSIDERED,

EIGHT SERMONS

PREACHED BEFORE

THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD,

IN THE YEAR MDCCCXVI,

AT THE

LECTURE

FOUNDED BY

THE LATE REV. JOHN BAMPTON, M. A.

CANON OF SALISEURY.

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.

1817.
B.

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.

JOHN xvii. 20, 21

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,