1 Cor. xii. 13. By one Spirit are we all baptized into one hody, whether we he Jews or Gentiles, tvhether we be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Sjnrit.
IT has been said, to the reproach of Christianity, that the professors of it have no union amongst them- selves, either of sentiment or affection. And this charge, we must confess, is true, so far as Christia- nity prevails in name only. But, where vital piety exists, there is found an union which obtains in no other society under heaven. Men feel some degree of union with each other, as belonging to the same
country, or town, or society, or calling in life. There are some who boast that they are brothers to all who belong to their fraternity ; which relation they discover by certain signs unknown to the world at large. But theirs is a vain pretence : they may ex- tend a little relief to one in distress, because of his standing in that relation to them (which yet is a very narrow and selfish ground of preference), but as for union of heart with each other, they know no more of it than other people; no more of it, than the greatest strangers in the universe. But Christianity brings men not only into one body, but into a oneness of heart and affection ; insomuch that, in their collec- tive capacity, they bear the sacred name of " Christ %" as the members of the human body do of the indivi- dual to whom they belong. Of this union my text gives a very clear and accurate description. Accord- ing to the Apostle, this union is,
I. External and visible —
By baptism we are all brought into one body —
[Whatever may have been the former profession of any man, whether he have been a Jew (a worshipper of the true God) or an idolatrous Gentile ; and whatever be his present condition in society, a freeman or a slave ; he is no sooner baptized into the faith of Christ, than he becomes a member of Christ's mystical body. Let the disparity between them be ever so great, it makes no difference, as it respects their relation to Christ, or to each other. The least honourable members of the body are as much a part of the body as the eye or hand ; and as much dependent on the head, by which they subsist, and to which they minister. And this is pre- cisely the connexion in which the lowest as well as the most exalted Christian stands to Christ, and to the collective body of his Church and people.]
Whatever part in that body we sustain, we should cheerfully perform the duties of it —
[There should be no envying of those who occupy a higher station than we ; nor any despising of those who are^ beneath us. Every member is useful in his place, and neces- sary to the good of the whole. Indeed, if all were to sustain
^ The name "Christ," in ver. 12. means the Society who belong to him.
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