mail can be a soldier of Christ, unless lie wears their uniform, and fights in their regiment. They have been ready to say of every Christian who does not see every- thing with their eyes, " Forbid him ! Forbid him ! for he foUoweth not with us."
Hie solemn remark of our Lord Jesus Christ, on this occasion, demands our special notice. He pronounces no opinion Upon the conduct of the man of whom John speaks. He neither praises nor blames him for following an independent course, and not working Irith His disci- ciples. He simply declares that he must not be forbidden, and that those who work the same kind of work that we do, should be regarded not as enemies, but allies. " He that is not against us is for us."
The principle laid down in this passage is of great importance. A right understanding of it wiU prove most useful to us in these latter days. The diviaons and varieties of opinion which exist among Christians are undeniably very great. The schisms and separations which are continually arising about Church-government, and modes of worship, are very perplexing to tender consciences. — Shall we approve those divisions? We cannot do so. Union is strength. The disunion of Christians is one cause of the slow progress of vital Christianity. — Shall we denounce, and hold up to public reprobation, all who will not agree to work with us, and to oppose Satan in our way? It is useless to do so. Hard words never yet made men of one mind. Unity was never yet brought about by force. — What then ought we to do P We must leave alone those who do not agree with us, and wait quietly till God shall