cause these trials arise, we should shew forbearance towards the offender, from a principle of love ; not being offended with him, not imputing evil intention to him, not suffering our regards towards him to be diminished ; but bearing with his infirmities, as we desire that God should bear with ours.
Now it is in preserving such a state of mind in ourselves, and manifesting it towards others, that we shall particularly adorn the Gospel of Christ : and therefore, in our endeavours to walk worthy of our high calling, we must particularly be on our guard, that no temper contrary to these break forth into act, or be harboured in the mind.]
2. The promotion of peace and unity in all around us —
[As belonging to the Church of Christ, we have duties towards all the members of his mystical body. There ought to be perfect union amongst them all : they should, if possible, be " all joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment1"." But, constituted as men are, it is scarcely to be expected that all who believe in Christ should have precisely the same views of every doctrine, or even of every duty. But whatever points of difference there may be between them, there should be a perfect unity of spirit : and to preserve this should be the constant endeavour of them all. All should consider themselves as members of one family, living under the same roof: if the house be on fire, they all exert them- selves in concert with each other, to extinguish the flames : they feel one common interest in the welfare of the whole, and gladly unite for the promotion of it. Thus it should be in the Church of Christ. Every thing tending to disunion should be avoided by all ; or if the bonds of peace be in any degree loosened, every possible effort should be made to counteract the evil, and re-establish the harmony that has been interrupted. A constant readiness to this good office is no low attainment ; and, when joined with the graces before spoken of, it constitutes a most useful and ornamental part of the Christian character. Attend then to this with great care. Shew that you " do not mind your own things only, but also, if not chiefly, the things of others." Shew, that the welfare of the Church, and the honour of your Lord, lie near your heart : and let no effort be wanting on your part to promote so glorious an object. Be willing to sacrifice any interest or wish of your own for the attainment of it; even as Paul " be- came all things to all men," and " sought not his own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved."]
r 1 Cor. i. 10.