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Cary & Co., Buade Street. 1842. ... rnillSTIAN UNITV. > W^^r%>V % VW^^t^.A. -wS^V^AJfc* THE subject to wliich wc invile your r\ttcntion is — Thr, unitif and prosper it if of I he Church dependent upon the spiritunlUy of Us members : — and as tJio loundation of the remarks we have to offer, we take the ninth chapter ol the Acts of the Apostles, and part of the thirty-first verse : " Then had the Churches rest ; — and ivalking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied y When our Lord was about to leave his Disciples, he commissioned them to prcacli the Gospel, — as a witness to all nations that he was the long promised Messiah, and tliat men might believe and be saved : — and the history of their labors, and the specimens of their exhortations and letters preserved in this volume, shew how constantly and distinctly they kept this glorious object in view. We see it on the first page of thes(? records, in the first sermon tliat was preached in Jerusalem : — " Tlierefore let ail the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both lionl and Christ. — Ko(MMit, ainl Im b.'i[>ti3!Cil every one of you in the namo of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and yc sliall rcceirc the gift of llio Holy Ghost,'* (Acta ii. 36. 38.) And we see it at the very close of the ago of miracles, and cij the last page of divine inspiration :■— " And the Spirit and the Brido say, Come. And let him that hcarclh «ay, Come. And let liim that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take tl»o water of life freely." (Rev. xxii. 17.) And we learn from the same history that when men believed the message of salvation, they immediately separated themselves from their unbeliev- ing and idolatrous countrymen ; — abam^oned their former sinful practices, and voluntarily united them- selves together, as the followers of Christ, — the people of God. Such communities v^rere soon formed, not only in Jerusalem, but in Ephesus, Fhilippi, Corinth, and many other places, so that, even at this early period, churches existed " throughout all Judaea, and Galilee, and Samaria, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." The primary design in forming such Churches evidently was, — to separate believers from an ungodly world ; that their own au vantage might be secured, the conversion of sinners be promoted, and the divine glory manifested, as the ultimate end of all. Wo remark — First, That the members of these churches possessed a decidedly christian os spiritual character. 6 T< Secondly, That »hi» spiritual cliaraclcr (ormcd/A* bond of union. From wh.'^ncc it follows : 'I liirdiy, That as tliis character is mature J^ the union will become more compact and enlarged. And, Fourthly, That the advancement of the church in spirituality and unity, will [)roportionalely increa.sc her prosperity and usefulness. * I. — The members ot these churches possessed a decidedly christian or spiritual cliaracter. It was, beyond all doubt, the intention of Christ that it should \k so.- 'They are described in his intercessory prayer ..s '!io..t who had received the message of God ; — as ilioac who believed iii«t Chriat came from the Father, and hjd been hent by the Father : — as those who had li)?n gu'v^w Iiiin by the veracious appointment of G(»d : — ap t*io. -» -.vl'o we:c separated from the \yorld. Faith in 'Jte divine missior of Christ, is here distinctly exhibited as their prominent characteristic : — a faith which produced obedience to His commands, and separation from an unbelieving and unregencrate world. In perfect accordance with this sentiment, is the language in which these churches were addressed by all the inspired writers ; — language which «hews that a firm conviction existed in their minds, of the decided- ly christian character of the persons addressed. And this conviction was not the offspring of unscriptural charity, but the result of teslimont/ upon which they could depend. There were manifestations of christian con«istonry, and fruits of riii;litrousnoss, in thes* 6 clmrrlic, which Wito i-vidriitly iho etR'cts of iliviiir influence. And ihercforo, while they hold in abhorrence the hmguagc of flattery ;— while they knew full well the danger of delusion in matters connected with the Boul and eternity ; — while they reproved them for their inadiMjuato views of divine truth, and for tiieir imper- fect conduct as professed (ollowcrs of ChriHt and citizens of heaven, and continually ur^^ed ihern onward to hii^lier d«'nroes of christian knowledge, and to j^rcater attainments in the divine life, — they could yet unhe- sitatingly designate them, '* the called of Jesus Christ,"—" the helovod of Gml,''— '• sanctiHod in Christ Jesus, calh'd to be saints," — (holy ones ;) " the workmanship of Go«!, crcalcd in Christ Jesus unto good works." A change so great had passed npon them, that they could be appealed to as subjects of the new crealion, in which the manifestations of divine wisdom, and goodness*, and power, were as evident as when God said — " let there be light, and there was light." They were '' born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God." They were '* washed, and sanctified, and justified in the name of the lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." They " walked in the fair of God^ This was their governing principle. " They were exem- plary for a holy, heavenly conversation : — they lived so as that all who conversed with them might say, surely the fear of God reigns in this people." It may seem strange that any diflerence of opinion should ever have t exisUfil upon a point so clearly Muted, utid so eusy of proof as— " who are ineinlturi! ol" tliu clninh '" Tliey are distinguished, by rcpcnlniico ; by godly sorrow for sin ;— by faith in Jesus Christ ;— by fmn attachment to the truth ;— by superiority to the world ;— hy purity ; by heavenly miii.lednuss. Christians! As you de.siro the prosperity of the thurch, ch.•ri^h that spirituality in your own heart !— Lah.uir and pray for its increase in the connnmiity to which vou belon^r ' II. This spiiiH.al character torined the bond of union. Their foll..wship was the result of their accredited conversion to Christ. They were led, by the lorce of truth ;~by the power of conscience ;— by the sacred influence of the meflsa;,^o of reconciliation ;— by the renewinir p„wer of the Spirit uf God ; an,l by the working of irratitude and lovo ; to »'give llKinselves first to the Lord, and then to each other, nccordinir to His wi!l.'» As faith in Christ was the bond which uniunl them all to IIim, as the common Head, so was it the invisible, but powerful tie that bound them to each other. It is not by submission to any external forms, nor by coming into any social compact agreed on by any number of individuals, that we can become entitled to a place i'. the cliurcli o| Christ. VVe are members of His visible body, and become related to each other, by a common relalicm to God ! Individuals may, indeed, obtain entrance into a church of Christ who do not in truth possess this christian character,' who are not related to God, by a livi.ig faith in Christ ; — futt if so, ihvy ate utiittd iu tiiii cliurtti, only an Ihc lifuU'ss graft renmiitH U(»uii thu (rvu until (lu) pruning kriitV rcmovoM it, uud it in ca.st away nn (Knit atid woriho lew* II' we havo ns^unic'd, ou ju^t <;r» uml?', t!jc namtj wu boar, (iitd iht' iiusitiuii wo Itold in tlio church of ChriM, we have rrccivtni llin truth with 8ubiiiivsiou and gratitude. Wo iiavo liccn redeemed hy His hloud, and sanctilk'd by 1 lis Spirit. W« arc him ; atid He bath introduccti m ** to tho gonoral a»»icinhly and thur<;b of tlie first-born which ore written in heaven ; and constituted us '' fellow cit,zen.s of the fiaints, and of the liousehold of (Jod." All who, in the judgement of chi»rity, have repented of sin ; hav« " fled for refijgo to tiie liopo set before" them in tho gospel ; aro living by faith on tlie Son of God, and lo«)king f»>r his second coming; are olk UHKTiinEN ! By the love of God, and tho groc. of Christ, and the work of the Spirit, strong an«l indiss(dublo bonds have been created. Look uj)on that far distant hand of worshippers ! They belong to mother nation; speak another language ; live under Jinother climate ; and wear another hue. But they have been drawn by a divine [)Ower, around the cross of Christ ; they are looking to Jesub for salva- tion ; tlicy arc united to Christ hy a living faith ; they arc renewed by His Spirit ; adopted into His family • made ** heirs of GoJ, and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ." Oh, then, wc are one : — animated by one spirit ; arrayed in tlic same spotless garment ; and with one heart can bing that one song, — " unto Him that tmlf. lovt*(t u!*, atitt waiM Ui from itur liaii in liin bloxl, ami liiiiii iiuuic us untouur inni kiiii^H iirul [.rirstH, unto I inn lio nlory ami tloiniiiion lor evt r and ever." Thcro iiu'.y be iliirtTcnt form.«» .>f woj^hij), sintl varitms KystuinH of c'CcleHittiti«ul |M»lily ;--but there; is an tnligbtcned uimI rt'al agreiiincnl in the fundamental d'jctrinc of (ho atonement miido for sin by the iocrilice of Christ ; Ihc iarito views ol Jehovah's riglit to reign over u«, and of our oblignlionji to obey. Thero is thcrefcro a foundation for u real union, — a wecurity for a holy fullownhif). Tliero are many subj i, — b-'t one king- dom, and ono Hpiritiial sovereim.. Thorf arc many children, — but one Fathri-, nnd o»i3 home. Fhere are many stones ; and their sine and sha|K) may vary j— but all arc built upon ono foundation, and shall con» stitutc one temple. There arc many branches ;— but all draw from ono root their life and fruitfulncss. Tiicrc arc many members, but one body ;— ■ " All join in Chtiit their living Head And of His gruce partake." But, if the possession of this Christian or Spirihia! cliaracter form the bond of union, then it follows con- clusively : III. That as this character is matured, tlio union will bccomo more compact, and enlarged. The desirableness of unit; among the followers cf Christ, for their own sake, and for the sake of the world, is so universally admitted, tl«at wo aiiall occuj)y no time in .Iwellini,' upon it. So lovely is un'ty in 10 itself, so frequently diil our Lord iiisisst upon it, and so great are the advantages that result from it, that it is no uncommon thing to hear lho::e extolling and advocating it, whoaic the most successful promoters of divisions and strife. The question therefore, is wo/, — " Is a more intimate, and enlarged, and elfectivG union among the disciples of Christ desirahle" ? hut, " Jloic may a greater degree of unity he secured" ? Now we assert, most deliherately and confidently', that IT CAN BE SECURED ONLY BY THE PREDOMINANCE OF REAL PiETV ! Disunion is not an accidental thiner : — it springs from the corruption of tho heart : and therefore no external appliances can eradicate the evil. The wisdom and power of man may produce uniformi- ty^ but not itniou. There may he combinations of party ; but there will not be a conjunction of souls, until the lire of divine love lias consumed much of the dn^ss of selfishness, and melted and consolidated ths materials that sin has separated and scattered. Take only those who are students of the word of God, — who profess to " walk by the same rule, and to mind the same thing" ; — and you will find christian unity to be only in proportion to the influence whicli the truth has actually exerted upon them in the production of a new, and divine, and spiritual character. I know that it may often appear to bo far otherwise. Multitudes may have been associated by various considerations, and the absence of open divisions and contentions, and a known agreement in various, but still onlv circum- II stantlal, matters ; may liave I«h1 many to imagine that there li unity. Indillerenco to real religion, — spiritual torpor and death, have allowed the ill conipucted mass to remain unbroken ; ju!>t as the frost has sometimes hound materials the most incongruous aud unsightly, into a solid and vvell-shapen mass. But let them escape from the frigid zone ;— in plain words, let them no longer he indiflerent ; — let them be fairly roused from tiieir ^lumbers, and begin to think, and speak, and act, witii freedom and vigour ; and you will find so many points of difierence, and even of collision, between men ; aye, and good men too ; — you will find all prepared to ?/ield so little, and to demand so much ; so much in love with their own opinions, and so jealous that others will not love them too ; — that if you expect to bind men together with any otlier bond than that which the " new creation" furnishes, you will be the subject of repeated disappointment and vexation. The principle of selfishness is to*) powerful to be eradicated by any other remedy than the gospel of Christ : and yet it must be eradicated, or at least subdued and controlled, before there can be substantial and enlarged union. It has been said, that - selfish- ness is the last feeling that yields to the power of the gospel." But it may be said with equal truth, that it is the first feeling with which the gospel comes in contact ; and as that selfishness is opposed to " the mind that was in Christ," it maintains a constant warfare with the principles and motives by which the christian, 12 — tho spiritual character is formed ; and, therefore, it is subuued, just in the degree in which the gospel of Christ exerts its benign influence upon us ; in other words, — in proportion as we lay aside our earthly, and assume our heavenly, character It needs, then, no lengthened argument to shew, that as the christian character is matured^ the spirit of unifj/ and love will be more enlarged and injluenlial. For what is that character ? It consists in the renunciation of sclf- righteoueness, and the humble, grateful reception of the righteousness of Christ ! The subjugation of self- love, by supreme love to God ; and by the love of benevolence towards our fellow-men, and the love of complacency towards our fellow christians, for His sake ! Our own will is renounced, that the will of God may be consulted and obeyed. We find our joy, not in gratifying self, but in pleasing God. We reckon that we are not our own, but Christ's : — bound by every principle of justice and gratitude, to do His will, and promote His glory. None will question, that in proportion as this chris- tian or spiritual character io perfected, will be the diminution of our earthly-mindedness, of our selfishness and carnality ; the expansion of our benevolence ; and the increase of that patience, and humility and love, which the Saviour so frequently enjoins upon his dis- ciples. And \vhen every member of the church shall be striving with all diligence, and constancy, and prayer, to pjssess and manife.^t the spirit of Ciirist ; to 13 .. glorify Gotl ; and to promote the best interests of his fellow-men, it will not be necessary to urge them to unit^ ; — for while all are pressing on to God, — ac- tuated by the same desires, moving onward towards one object ; — there will necessarily and spontaneously arise a glorious unity. Brought within the attracting and concentrating influence of the cross of Christ, jealousies and divisions shall cease, and it shall be said — " See how these Christians love one another." Oh ! did we all live near to God ; did we aright " walk with God," and imitate God, and serve God, — our humility, and love, and joy would increase ; and there would soon be nothing we should not willingly do, or suffer, or sacrifice for Christ, and for " his body's sake, the church." Now, if such were the members of a church, would there not be order, harmony, and love ? There would be no place for divisions and strife ! The spirit of Christ would control every other spirit ; and its fruits, — forgiveness, gentleness, peace, and love, would flourisH and abound ! Such a church would present a living exhibition of the virtues enjoined by the Apostle : — they would " add to their faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge ; and to knowledge, tempe- rance ; and to temperance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness, love" : and " these things would not only be in them, but would abound" :— enriching themselves ; blessing ^he world ; and glori- fying God. 14 And the same malmity of thr christian cliaracier which would secure this more comp'.tct union ol' tlie members of any given comnmniiy, would elfect a more enlarged union of beUevers. We siay not to describe the causes of disunion : but this we assert ;— love to Christ; devotion to His service, compassion for the souls of men ; the expectation of heaven's perfect unity, will never divide the friends of the Redeemer, and alienate tiieir hearts from eacii otlier : these do but bind them together as one body ; and jealousies can disunite them only as they are unmindful of their obligations to Christ, to each other, and to the world. Why, then, should we not expect, and labour for, a more enlarged union I Love to the Saviour ; de- votedness to His cause ; compassion for the souls of men, may gain such an ascendency in the hearts ol christians, as entirely to subdue all those unhallowed influences that would produce envyings, and jealousies, and discord. Yes ! and far as we may flow appear to be from such a state, we believe, on tlie authority of the Word of Truth, that the time shall come when this glory shall be seen resting upon the church. And it any are ready to ask with doubt, " How can these things be" ? we reply. '^ By the out-pouring of the spirit ;— the spirit of holiness, peace, and love 1" Only let all the members of the church submit to be " led by the Spirit," until they come under the full and un- clouded beams of •' the Sun of Righteousness^," and there shall remain no icy barriers, no chilling prejudices, " 15 no benumbing and sickening jealousies. Every soul, melted into love, shall pour forlfi such a stream of holy energy, as to sweep away all ' u divisiorjf", and discords, by which the church has been so long weakened and degraded. Let not this be thought im- possible, or a blessing too great to be expected. Different denominations may yet remain,— but "the fellowship of kindred minds," may be made more intimate and visible. There may be unity^ and yet diversity ; — ;just as there is a diversity of colors in the rainbow, but all blending and melting into one arch of glory. It is not necessary that we value our distinc- tive principles less, or love those of our own denomi- nation less ; — but we must love Christ and His CAUSE MORE ! Then shall we " love one anotber, with a pure heart, /eryen%;" and with mutual sym- pathy, and united prayer, labor to secure the great common object, — the glory of God, the prosperity of the church, and the conversion of the world. IV. The advancement of the church in sinrituahty, and unity, will proportionately increase her prosperity and usefulness. By the prosperity of the church, we do not mean merely, or even chiefly, the enlargement of her boun- daries, — the increase of her numbers ; — for this might be effected when real prosperity was not enjoyed i just as acre after acre might be added to a garden without increasing either its beauty or fruitfulness. The true prosperity of the church consists in the growth of her I .#.*^ IG members in knowletlgo nnd lovo, in liolincss, harmony, and joy. To say, then, that tlic advancement ot tho church in spirituality, will proportionately increase her prosperity, may seem like asserting the truism, — that if each member is in a prosperous state, tho whole body will enjoy prosperity. But this is not all ; for each individual would both receive nnd impart a hallowed and elevating influence from this confluence of spirituality. And who can estimate the influence which such a boul ull the univemul church / Onco Iho church possessed this character ! All the Disciples were '' of one accord,"—" of one iniiKl,"— nothing to divide their efTorts; or weaken tlicir intlueiice, or (juonch the spirit of prayer ; " and THE Lord added to the Church daily those who were saved." And is the hope unwarranted, thatnhe Khali yet again put on her beautiful garments of peace and love ? Whatever storms she has first to pasi through, wo believe that the church of God is to ap- pear more fair unci glorious than she has yet been seen. When that time shall come, if denominational dilFer- cnces remain, they will not prevent the full flow of christian alVection, or the manifestation of real unity. I'erhaps they will add beauty to that unity, just as the varied foliage adds to the beauty of the fairest scene. " The garden of the Lord," may in this respect re- semble the face of nature—which in its variety and harmony, ^ivcs more abundant proof of the workman- ship of a divine hand. Christians of different deno- minations will labor with no unholy rivalry, nor any longer expend upon each other, the energies whicb ought to be employed against the common foe. Ani- mated with love to Christ ;— impressed with the solemnity and nearness of eternity ;— fired with zeal for the glory of God ;—all will unite in the glorious work of evangelizing the world ; each rc^iicing in and strengtiiencd by, tho success of all. fnfulelity would he put to shame :— the God of peace and love wouM «0 ^iv« muic \nimU uf his uruciuus itpprovwl, in ll»c rkli hlesMingM ntUMMliiiK ihc elVorts .»l his unilctl pople ; niul the voice wouia ho hoaid " in licavcn, Baying, The kingdoms of this world arc become tlie kin^domn ol' our Lord, and ul' his Christ, and he .shall reign lor ever and over." We close with a lew brief remarkn : I. The indm^nee ofrlevated holinens can scarcely l»c duly estimated. We point to the cxam|deH of oxaKed piety which aro ii-corded in the Sacred V.)luuie, a.ul -Iten have the careles.s ami the prejudiced been compelled to confess that there is a reality in rclii^ion : and to admire its purifying and elevating induence upon human charac- ter. But if such bo the elVect of a decidedly christian or spiritual character,-.of entire devotion to the ser- vice of Christ, when seen at sucb a distance ;— what would be the eftect of an equal degree of holiness, when brought near in Mie lives of those with whom thry con- verse? And if the light of an individual christian is often the means of cnli-btenirig those who are in dark- ness, and winning Ihem from the paths of error ;-what would be the cllect of the conceniratcd light of the universal church, if all its members shone " as lights in the world" ? Let us not forget, that as individuals, and as churches, we are responsible, not only for the iuduencc which we actually do exert ; but for tho beneficial influence we rni'Juhi exert, were our standard of piety more exalted ;-our christian life more vigorous and fruitful. ' _i \ i ■• 21 t. We rtiimrk, That pwico wml unity aru witural to the religion of ClirUt ; nnd iliciclurt', ouglu to form the very elcmont in which the members of His churc!» uliall move ;— lhe«listinK'iifching dmractcri»tic by which they »littU l»c known. Jesus, -Uio iica.l of tho church— is " iho Prince of Ponce." lie caniP ♦o restore ponce between (jo4l nnd mnn ;— nml gave ponce to tlie subjects of hi8 kingiloin. How unnatural, then, thj.i tiicre »houKi bo strifes and diviMions among tlio subjects of that kingdom which " is rigliteousness, and peace, and j«)y in the Holy Ghost" ! They are regarded by Him os one llock ;— one family ; —one temple ;— ono body, animated by tho same indwelling spirit. The church is (or ought to be) the type of heaven ; in its devotedncss to God, its unity, nnd love: and tlicrcfore, the language of Robert Ilr 11 is neither too severu nor too strong : — " Christian societies, regarding each other wilii the jealousies of rival empires, each aiming to raise itself on the ruins of all others, and scarcely deigning to acknowledge the possibility of salvation out of their pale ;— is the odious and disgusting 8i)ectacle which modem Christianity presents." If there has been any of this spirit in lis, let us deeply humble ourselves before God ; and henceforth " kec[) the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." 3. A3 unity itself is a means of extending religi(m, THE CHURCHES OF ChRIST SHOULD SEEK TO REALIZE A MORE PERFECT, ENLARGED, ANU APPARENT UNION. i 88 Tlic liarmonv of tlio visiblo rrcalion wa» duublli-.v-i Uckigned to cunvinco mon of ihr licing and unity of G«h1 ! And lliu langiint?c of the Saviour hiinscU Icadi us to concUulo tliot the unity of thc> church, wu» in- ti'mlcd to prove, and to munilusf, 'he n«« cralion. " That they all may b« onj ; as thou, Father, art ia mo, and I in thee ; that they aluo may be one in ui, that the world may believe that thou hast 8»nt. mc. And the i^lory which tliou gavost mc. I l;ave given them ; that iUvy may bo one, even as wo a.tj one. I in thoin, and ihou in mo, that they may be n.adc perfect in one, and that the tnorid may know that thou hast tent me, and hast loved them, as tliou hast loved mo." Lot thi*' jnion bo realized,— and the gloriou:, spectacle would i)irr to«> that lliere !• nothing, oithor in our prin- cipl«M, - 'if general |»r>u;ticci, which wouh' ter il lu oxcludf« from our communion, the fuuowew ol G!»ri»t, wlio may differ in iho circumstantials uf religion. May our liberty ami peace, our harmony and love, bo incroascil and perpetuated : ond the Spirit ol |Kac« und love descend and dwell amon^? 'is ; thai iho s;lory of the Lord may be seen upcn ua !