and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." And of all there is one God and Father, " who is ahove all," by his almighty power ; " and through all," by his superintending provi- dence ; " and in all," by the constant operation of his Spirit and grace.]
All this may well serve as a foundation for unity,
amongst those who profess the Gospel —
[The force of this observation is universally acknow- ledged, in reference to the corporeal frame. The whole hu- man frame proceeds from one source, is subject to the same wants, nourished by the same supplies, and affected with the same lot. In reference to that, it is judged reasonable that every part should have the same care one for the other ; and that every member should sympathize with the rest, whether in a way of joy or sorrow, according as circumstances may require13. All idea of a separate interest is quite excluded; and the happiness of every individual part is bound up in the welfare of the whole. Much more, therefore, may all disunion be pi'oscribed in so sacred a body as the Church, where not merely the prosperity of the different members is at stake, but the honour of Almighty God also, and the interests of the whole world.]
Accordingly, we find universal harmony provided for, in,
II. The unity it enjoins —
It requires an unity,
1. Of sentiment —
[This is not to be expected in every thing : for, where the mind is so constituted as ours is, and possesses such different measures of information, and beholds subjects from such different points of view, it is not possible that there should be a perfect agreement of sentiment upon every thing. But it may well be expected to prevail, so far at least as to prevent dissension and division in the Church of God. This the Apostle inculcated with all possible earnestness : " I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you ; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment0." A departure from this rule is declared to be a proof of grievous carnality d : and, if fostered in the soul, and promoted in the Church, it is judged a sufficient ground for the most marked disapprobation from
b 1 Cor. xii. 25, 2G. c 1 Cor. i. 10. '' 1 Cor. iii. 3.