he is a God of order, not of confusion, in all churches of the saints.

4. That God may be glorified, there must be peace and unity in the church.

"Where envy and strife are, there is confusion and every evil work."-Whatsoever ye do," says the Apostle, "do all to the glory of God, giving no of fence, neither to Jew, nor Gentile, nor to the church of God."-" be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus, that ye may, with one mind and one mouth, glorify God."

If, then, a church becomes a scene of wrathful contentions-if there are in it whisperings, swellings, tumults, mutual censures and reproaches, interruptions of religious communion, divisions, separations, and withdrawings from the stated worship; there is a total perversion of the great design of its institution, and the name of God and his doctrine are profaned.

5. That glory may be given to God in the church, there must be exemplary holiness in its members.

Our Lord says, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bring forth much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." The Apostle prays for the Philippians, "that they may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."

We, who, by our profession, belong to the church of God, ought to be exceedingly careful, lest by our unworthy behavior we dishonor God, whom we are under every obligation to glorify. Let it be our prayer, that glory may be given to God in the church; especially in that society, of which we are members. Let us seek its increase by encouraging others to join themselves to it. Let us walk in God's appointed ordinances blameless, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together; but coming together into one place. Let us attend on our respective duties, and do good according to the ability which God has given us.

Let us study the things which make for peace, and by which we may edify one another. Let us walk worthy of him, who has called us to his kingdom and glory, being fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God, established in the faith, and abound. ing therein with thanksgiving.

Now unto God be glory in the church by Jesus Christ, throughout all ages. Amen.

SERMON XXIL

Christian Unity.

EPHESIANS iv. 1–7.

therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation, wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all, But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

WE see, without surprise, that men differ in

sentiment about matters of a secular and civil nature; nor are we to expect a perfect uniformity in the things of religion. Its great doctrines and duties are indeed so plainly revealed, and so clearly expressed in the gospel, that there has seldom been much controversy about them among sober Christians; but in its speculative and ceremonial parts a diversity of opinion often takes place among those, whom candor will esteem to be good and upright souls.

This being the case, what is that temper and behavior which we owe to one another? Shall we censure and condemn our brethren, withdraw from their communion, and exclude them from ours, for every sup

posed mistake?-No: Our Apostle inculcates another spirit, and draws a different line of conduct.

In general, we are to treat one another as becomes our Christian character. Mutual love is the great distinctive badge of Christ's disciples. To walk worthy of our vocation, is to walk in love. Some of the more important exercises of brotherly love the Apostle particularly enumerates in our text.

1. Walk in all lowliness, or humility.

Similar instructions often occur in the writings of the Apostles. "Let no man think of himself above that which he ought to think, but think soberly, accord. ing as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Put on humbleness of mind. Be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility.

Humble thoughts of ourselves, of our own knowl. edge, goodness and importance, are necessary to Christian peace and union. Only from pride cometh contention." They only who think themselves holier than their brethren, and holier than they really are, will say to them, "Stand by yourselves, come not near to us."

Walking in all lowliness, we shall not despise our brethren for their want of the internal gifts, or external advantages, which we enjoy; but remembering, who hath made us to differ from others, we shall charitably employ our superior advantages for their edification and comfort.

We shall not lean to our own understanding; but, conscious of our liableness to err, we shall be attentive to instruction and reproof, open to conviction, and ready to retract our errors, and confess our faults. We shall judge ourselves with severity, and our brethren with candor, and be disposed to think them better than ourselves. We shall rejoice in their prosperity, as well as be thankful for our own, and be ready to acknowledge their virtues, and to condemn our own transgres

sion's. We shall not affect to be called masters; but remember, that one is our master-even Christ, and that we are all brethren.

2. Walk in-meekness. This is a virtue nearly connected with humility. It principally consists in a prudent restraint and government of the passions. While we walk in the spirit of the gospel, we shall not be easily provoked; our resentments will not be sudden, without cause, or beyond bounds. We shall be disposed to interpret in a favorable sense the doubtful words and actions of our brethren, and when we see them surprised, or drawn into a fault, we shall admit in their case all reasonable excuses and extenuations.

If a variance happens, we shall stand ready to be reconciled. We shall on easy terms forgive the offence, considering that our own selfish feelings may probably have overrated it. We shall not suffer anger to rest in our bosoms, nor see the sun to go down on 'our' wrath.

We shall be cautious not to give, as well as slow to take offence. We shall be no brawlers, shall speak evil of no man, but be gentle, shewing all meekness to all men. We shall not behave ourselves unseemly, but courteously adapt our language and manners to the tempers of those with whom we converse, having our speech always with grace, seasoned with salt, that we may know how we ought to answer every man.

In matters of religion our zeal will be tempered with charity. Though we shall be zealous of good works, and shall contend earnestly for the faith delivered to the saints, yet we shall be gentle and condescending in those things, which are only circumstantial, and which enter not into the essence of religion. We shall be candid and moderate in our treatment of different sects, not condemning them in the gross, nor imputing to them errors, which they disavow; but hoping, that there may be integrity of heart, even where we see a misguided judgment. We shall be ready, with meekness and fear, VOL. III.

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