And now, let me, like the Apostle, make this the subject of my most earnest and affectionate entreaty. Consider, " I beseech you,"
1. Its aspect on your own happiness —
[It is the consistent Christian only that can be happy. If there be pride, anger, or any hateful passion indulged, " it will eat as doth a canker," and destroy all the comfort of the soul ; it will cause God to hide his face from us, and weaken the evidences of our acceptance with him. If then you consult nothing but your own happiness, I would say to you, " Walk worthy the vocation wherewith ye are called ; and especially in the constant exercise of humility and love."]
2. Its aspect on the Church of which you are members —
[It is impossible to benefit the Church, if these graces be not cultivated with the greatest care. In every Church there will be some, who, by unsubdued tempers, or erroneous notions, or a party-spirit, will be introducing divisions, and disturbing the harmony which ought to prevail. Against all such persons the humble Christian should be on his guard, and oppose a barrier. And it is scarcely to be conceived how much good one person of a humble and loving spirit may do. If " one sinner destroyeth much good," so verily one active and pious Christian effects much. Let each of you then consider the good of the whole : consider yourselves as soldiers fighting under one Head. Your regimental dress may differ from that of others; but the end, and aim, and labour of all, must be the same ; and all must have but one object, the glory of their common Lord.]
3. Its aspect on the world around you —
[What will the world say, if they see Christians disho- nouring their profession by unholy tempers and mutual ani- mosities ? What opinion will they have of principles which produce in their votaries no better effects ? Will they not harden themselves and one another in their sins, and justify themselves in their rejection of the Gospel, which your incon- sistencies have taught them to blaspheme? But if your deportment be such that they can find no evil thing to say of you, they will be constrained to acknowledge that God is with you of a truth, and to glorify him in your behalf. Especially, if they see you to be one with each other, as God and Christ are one, they will know that your principles are just, and will wish to have their portion with you in abetter world8.]
s John xvii. 21—23. VOL. XVII. Z