EPHESIANS iv.4.& 5% There is one body, and one fpirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling-One Lord, one faith, one baptifm. THESE words remind us of the union of the true church of Chrift, Tho there are, and have been fome different opinions imbibed by the profeffed churches of Christ, and by thofe whom, in a judg ment of charity,,we may view, as belivers in Jefus. But while there may be fome dif ferent ideas received by believers in Chrift, yet there is an effential union, or in other words, there is an union in the effentials of Christianity. And it becometh all profeffed.. Christians, in all ages, to cultivate the knowledge of Christianity,, to feek the spirit of Chrift, to live in the exercife thereof, and cultivate harmony among themfelves. And in this way, they would have far more true enjoyment, and do far more for the glory of God, in cherishing the fpirit and intereft of true religion, than in a paffionate contending with, and reviling of each other, relative to thofe things which are not ef fential to Christianity. While men protefs to be the followers of the meek and lowly Jefus, if they cherif an haughty, an imperious fpirit, which A.2. would lord it over others, it appears there is fomething wanting of great worth. "If any man have not the spirit of Chrift, he is none of his." Rom. 8, 9. Hence we may perceive, that all true faints partake of the fpirit of Chrift. Therefore it may be faid of them, they partake of one fpirit, let them be of what particular fect or denomination foever. The fpirit of Chrift is one, he is not divided against himself. And his fpirit in his followers is one spirit. Hence there is an important union of the followers of Chrift. Yet the remains of fin in them may, at times, occafion variance, in fome refpects, which may be followed by many pernicious conlequences. There is therefore, need of caution, to guard against fuch evils. Where there is a pretence of Chrif tianity without the reality, no wonder, if the thorns and briars of variance and reviling advance with a rapid growth. 2 But thefe things, being true, do not con-found the ideas conveyed by the Apostle in our text. Nay, if the ideas of profeffed Christians were more different than they now are, yet it would remain true, that there is an important union, or likeness, fubfifting in the true people of God in the world. They all partake of the fame fountain of life, the love of God and holinels. dwelleth in their hearts, they believe in. Chrift made known to them, they love his name, and trust in his falvation. They ex ercife a spirit of brotherly kindness and charity toward their fellow men; and, in particular, they regard thofe as brethren in Christ, who appear to be his followers in the effentials of religion, whether they are Jews or Gentiles bond or free. True religion is the fame in all ages. All the true faints who have lived, thole who now live, and thofe who fhall live, in ages yet to come, will make one family, one church, and will meet, hereafter, in the general affembly and church of the First born. "As many as are led by the fpirit of God, they are the fons of God." If the followers of Chrift, or the fons of God, are fed on here by the fpirit of God, let them travel on in harmony, as brethren, bound to their Father's houfe. Let them not labour to build up new walls of feparation, feeing Chrift has broken down the middle wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles, fo that all his followers might unite, as in one affembly, in the fervice of their God and Saviour. Can we reafonably believe, that the faints in heaven are placed in as many divifions, as there are fects upon earth of thofe whom, in a judg ment of charity, we may view as poffeffed of the effentials of true religion? For my my own part, I believe that all true faints will unite in heaven in one affembly.. But while we contemplate that all true faints will be one in Chrift, and will re jofee, hereafter, before him, in a state of harmony, notwithstanding the partial fep-. erations which take place here, yet we may reflect that, the conduct of the profeffed followers of Chrift,, and even of those who appear to be men of piety, ferves to fhow the imperfections of faints in the present life. The Apoftle faith, 1 Cor. 13. 9. "For we know in part, and we prophefy in part," and in the next verfe, he adds, But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part fhall be done away." While the Apostle was mindful of the imperfection of faints in the prefent ftate, yet, while he drew to a clofe of the chapter containing the words just cited, he faid, "And now abideth faith, hope, cha rity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Though the Apostle was aware that faints are in a state of imperfec-. tion, in this life, yet he maintained that, they partake of thefe graces, faith, hope; and charity, that is, in fome meafure. And he fays, "But the greatest of thefe is cha rity." This, we may obferve, carries the image of God. True love to God and his creatures, is truly a Chriftian spirit. It tends to lead men in the paths of righteoufnefs, peace, and friendship; while a selfish; proud, and bigoted fpirit tends to lead on in darknets, error, contention, and confufion. But let the profeffed followers of Chrift attend to the idea, that the Redeemer hata prepared the way that his followers may draw near to God in the fame affembly, in tire fame temple. The believing Gentiles are not to be reputed as ftrangers, or foreigners, but "they are made nigh by the blood of Chrift."Eph. 2. 13. And in 19th verse, the Apoftle reprefents the believing Gentiles as fellow citizens with the faints, and of the household of God; and he goes on in the following verfes thus. And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Proph-. ets, Jefus Chrift himself being the chief corner stone in whom all the building fitly framed together, groweth into an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye alfo are builded together, for an habitation of God through the fpirit." 2 The believing Gentiles are built on the fame foundation which the Apostles and Phrophets flood upon; that is Christ, who is the foundation laid-in Zion. A building may be compofed of many. parts, yet when they are compacted togeth er they become one building. Though the human frame hath many members, and thofe members confift of fmaller component parts, yet being combined in their places and or der, they com pofe one body. The Apoftle, fpeaking of the church of Chrift, might reprefent it figuratively, as a building, which groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord; or he might compare it to a |