consolation ; a mine, the treasures of which were altogether unsearchable. Who can contemplate the covenant which he entered into for the redemption of a ruined world, together with all that he did to accomplish this stupendous work ; his mysterious incarnation, his holy life, his meritorious death, his glorious resurrection and ascension, his intercession for us at the right hand of God, and his exercise of all power as the Head of his Church, and as the life of every believer in it; who can contemplate all this, and not be comforted in the thought of such a Saviour, and in the hope of such a salvation? The greatness of his person, the suitableness of his under- taking, the sufficiency of his work, and his fidelity to all his promises — where can consolation be found, if not in these ?
But what enjoyment can any have of these things, if their minds be distracted with controversies, and their hearts em- bittered with discord? Whatever any may profess to the contrary, it is only when the mists of controversy are dispelled, that the cheering rays of the Sun of Righteousness can pene- trate and revive the soul.
The same may be said respecting " the comfort of love." That there is unspeakable comfort in the existence and exer- cise of love, what Christian does not know ? The presence of love argues, and, if I may so speak, constitutes, the in-dwelling of the Deity in the soul : as the loving Apostle has said, " God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him." But sweet as is the harmony of kindred souls, it cannot long exist, when once the discordant strings of contro- versy are touched. The voice which but lately delighted with its sounds the ravished ear, loses its interest, when once it has begun to make the Saviour's name a subject of dispute. Diver- sity of sentiment on such important matter as religion soon creates coolness in the affections, and alienation in the heart. Shall we then willingly admit amongst us a disposition of mind so adverse to our best interests, and so destructive of our truest happiness ?
Nearly allied to this is " the fellowship of the Spirit:" for the Church of God is not merely one family, but one body, every member of which is animated and enlivened with the same soul. The Holy Spirit who pervades them all, produces a holy fellowship between them ; between not those only that are contiguous to each other, but those also which are most remote ; it unites in one the inhabitants both of heaven and earth. But this also is interrupted by the introduction of discordant sentiments ; and the magnetic attractions, by which it brought all under one common influence, cease to operate with effect, and leave the mass of Christians as unconnected and indifferent to each other as the world around them.
Of " bowels and mercies" also the true Christian is possessed.
44 PHILIPPIANS, II. hi. [2143.
He has felt towards himself the compassions of his God ; and he desires to manifest towards all his brethren a measure of the same tender care. But discord shuts up all these tender emotions, and banishes from the mind this affectionate solici- tude ; so that hostility will take the place of love, and ana- themas be hurled, where nothing but mutual endearments have before prevailed. St. Paul probably had more parti- cularly in view the effect which their dissensions would produce upon his own mind : they would be as a dagger to his soul : and could the Philippians, who had so richly participated his love, make such a return ? No ; if they had any bowels and mercies existing in them, they would avoid a conduct which would so augment the distresses which, for their sakes and for the sake of the whole Church, he was now enduring. God had promised to his people, to " give them one heart and one way, that they might fear him for ever, for the good of them and of their children after them :" and this unity he besought them, if they valued either their own welfare or his happiness, most strenuously to maintain. He would have them all to be not only one body, but to have one soul, and one spirit, pervading all.]