[5.] ' One faith,' jldes quce credUur : he meaneth the doctrine of faith in the gospel. We agree in the same fundamental truths of the gospel as the only object of saving faith, and shall we strive about things of less importance and moment? Tliere is but one gospel, wliich is the seed of our new birth, the rule of our faith and lives, the foundation of our hope, the food of our souls.
[G.] ' One baptism,' that is, the same new covenant sealed and con- firmed by baptism ; and when our Father's testament is clear, do we quarrel ahout petty and mean things ?
[7.] ' One God and Father of all, who is above all, and througli all, and in you all' Wc have one conmion God and Father, whose eminency is ahove all creatures, whose presence and powerful pro- vidence runneth through all creatures ; but his 8i)ecial presence, by the gracious operations of his Holy Spirit, is in the regenerate. Surely this is a strong bfind of union, to he one in God. He is the common Father of all believers, through Jesus Christ. Some are weak, some strong, some rich, some poor, but they have all an C(pial interest in God. Now, for us, who are so many ways one, to be rent in pieces, how sad is that ! All these i)l;ices, jind many more, show how every Christian should, as far as it is possible, be an esteemer and promoter
PllIL. III. 15.] IN THINGS INDIFFEUENT. 75
of unity among brethren, and not only make conscience of Pin'ity, but of unity also, which, next to purity, is the great badge of Cliristianity.
2. From the consideration of our mutual frailties, who have all in part a corrupt will, guided by a blind mind. Now, as the apostle saith of the high priest, who is taken from men, Heb. v, 2, that he is ' one that can have compassion of the ignorant, and them that are out of the way, for that he is compassed about with infirmities ; ' this should be verified in every one of us. One sinner ought to have com- passion of another. The word is fxerpioiraOelv Bwdfjievo'i, can reason- ably bear with the ignorance of brethren, because of the common rela- tion : Gal. vi. 1, ' Ye which are spiritual, restore him with meekness ; ' so ' him that is weak, receive,' Kom. xiv. 1. The apostles, being im- mediately inspired, were more infallible than we are.
[1.] Oh, do but consider what we were, and what we are : 'For we ourselves were sometimes foolish and disobedient/ Titus iii. 3. Did not we all sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death ? Were we not all ignorant of the ways of God, and the things which belong to our peace ? Hath God merely by his grace brought us to the knowledge of his truth ? and shall we contemn and disdain our weak brother, or insult over him, and determine and judge rashly of him? 'Who maketh thee to differ ? ' 1 Cor. iv. 7.
[2.] What we are — weak creatures, not infallible. Now after we are light in the Lord, we have our errors in knowledge and practice, some more, some less, according to the degree of our growth, Ps. xix. 12. God revealeth to his saints all necessary truth, but not every par- ticular truth, out of wise dispensation.
3. From the consideration of the probability of divine illumination.
[1.] This illumination cometh from God only. It is he that power- fully revealeth it, and settleth the heart in the belief of it : Acts xvi. 4, and 1 Cor. iii. 6, 7, 'I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.' The best means may be disappointed, till God co- operate with them. Let us, then, with patience, use the means, and refer the issue to God : 2 Tim. ii. 25, ' In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if, peradventure, God will give them repent- ance unto life.' If we seek to force men to our opinion, before men are convinced, that is a tyranny which will do little good ; it may make hypocrites, but it will never make real converts.
[2.] This illumination is given by God by degrees. The apostle prayeth for the converted Ephesians, that ' God would give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation,' Eph. i. 17. They had it before, but he meaneth a greater measure. Therefore, weak Christians are not to be discouraged though they see not as far as others. Some see more, some less, according to the state and condition wherein God will employ them. Some need more light than others, as ministers more than people, governors more than inferiors ; but all have sufficient. Some at first see men walking like trees, Mark viii. 24, 25, but after- wards the light groweth more clear and more distinct. In short, he doth not reveal his mind to his children all alike, nor all at once, but here a little and there a little, as narrow-mouthed vessels can take it in.
[3.] Those who are not for the present, may be afterwards instructed in the truth. The apostle proceedeth in the hopes of that: —
7G A PERSUASIVE TO UNITY [i'illL. 111. 1.").