were, into its very mould : and those who affect not a conformity to its doctrines, will deny the doctrines themselves ; having no alternative, but to set aside the requirements, or to condemn themselves for their disobedience to them. But between real Christians there is, on all the fundamental points of religion, a surprising agreement, even such an unity as does not exist on any other subject under heaven. Every true believer, whether learned or unlearned, feels himself to be a sinner before God ; dependent altogether on the blood of Christ to purge him from his guilt, and on the Spirit of Christ to renew and sanctify his soul. The necessity of universal holiness, too, is equally acknowledged by all ; so that, whatever difference there may appear to be between the different mem- bers of Christ's mystical body, it is only such as exists in the countenances of different men ; the main features being the same in all ; and the diversity being discoverable only on a closer inspection.
That this truth may the more fully appear, I will take occasion, from the words before us, to shew,
I. The foundation which the Gospel lays for unity —
The unity of the Gospel is carried to a great ex- tent—
[The whole Christian Church is brought by the Gospel into " one body," of which Christ is the head, and all true believers are the membersa. This body is inhabited by " one Spirit," even the Holy Ghost, who pervades the whole, and animates it in every part. It is his presence only that gives life ; and were he withdrawn for a moment, the soul would be as incapable of all spiritual motion, as a dead corpse is of all the functions of the animal life. To " one hope are we all called, even to an inheritance which is incorruptible and undefined, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for us." The " one Lord " of all is the Lord Jesus Christ, who " purchased the Church with his own blood," and presides over it as " Lord of all," and will judge every member of it in the last day. To all of them there is but " one faith ;" to which all, without exception, must adhere, and by which alone they can be saved. Into this new-covenant state they are all admitted by " one baptism," " in the name of the Father,
* 1 Cor. xii. 12.
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