SERMON VIII.

EPHES. iv. 3.

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

ON

N a contemplation of the full scope, and perfect design of the Gospel, it appears to be intended for the promotion of a faith in Christ, that may illuftrate its excellency by the expreffion of benevolent affections to men. A difpenfation which reveals the Divine attributes, and defcribes the infirmity of the human nature, endeavours to awaken religious fentiments by motives of gratitude and intimations of dependence; and the communications of good will towards mankind ftipulate, as the conditions of favour, a cultivation of those moral virtues, which, while they conciliate peace on earth, contribute to

an

1

an improvement fufceptible of heavenly recompence.

The intimate reliance and union that are imported by thofe declarations, which respect the presidency of Chrift in fupreme connection with his Church; and the permanent refidency of the Spirit, fanctifying the bodies of the Difciples of our Lord in adaptation to fuch affinity; furnish to religious reflection the most awful confiderations to enforce an imitation of that great example by which we are required to model ourselves in conformity to "one body and one Spirit."

To the preservation of the coherence and union of the frame, which was formed in dependency on him who was the mystical head, the inspired writers difplay an earnest folicitude; labour to produce" the effectual work

ing in the measure of every part," only to advance a proportioned and improving fymmetry of the body," increasing unto the

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edifying of itself in love." With fervent and reiterated fupplication they intreat the brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they "all speak the fame thing, and "that there be no divifions among them, "but that they be perfectly joined together "in the fame mind and in the fame judg"ment;"

"ment;" that 'rejecting claffes of distinction, and titles of fectaries, they should all unite in one faith," under "one Lord." For trivial matters, and " foolish questions, and

oppofitions of science, falfely fo called*," it is forbidden to enter into vain and unprofitable controverfy, and " doubtful dispu"tations +;" while in perfect confiftency with these principles, and with design to fecure the integrity of the body, are those, who are called in one hope, inftructed to "take "heed unto their doctrine;" to contend for the faith once delivered to the faints; to

hold faft the form of found words §," and the man who is an heretic after the first and fecond admonition to reject ||. vo

From the tendency of thefe and fimilar precepts, compared and followed up in the connection of their defign, may be deduced the most important inftruction for the maintenance of that faith and that charity, which fhould be joined in inseparable union.

In confideration of the faith commended

I Tim, cho vi ver. 20.

+ Romans, ch. xiv. ver. 1-17.

Galat. ch. v. ver. 6.

Tim. ch. iv. ver. 16. Theff. ch. ii. ver. 15.

§ 2 Tim. ch. i. ver. 13.

Titus, ch. iii. ver. 10.

t

by

by the facred writers, it is evident that it is represented as the object not of constrained and involuntary conviction, but of rational enquiry. The testimony which is offered to the obfervation of the mind, is not obtruded as a light to overpower its faculties with irrefiftible impreffion; but unfolds itself with gradual difplay, and increafing evidence, as it is viewed with fteady and perfevering examination. The understanding is invited, by alluring confiderations, to liberate itself from the dominion of thofe paffions which obftruct the exercise of the intellectual powers; is called upon to "fearch the Scriptures," and to try the Spirits, whether they be "of God." Striking arguments prefent themselves to the moft. careless and uninftructed mind, and are fufficiently brought forward by the teachers and pastors whom God has provided. The Gospel beareth the ftamp of the Divine feal, and commends itfelf to all by the conformity of its principles to the deductions of reafon; but as external confirmation is fought, as retired witneffes are examined, the documents multiply, the de

See John, ch. v. ver. 39. Acts, ch. xvii. ver. 11. 2 Cor. ch, xiii. ver. 5. 1 Theffal. ch. v. ver. 21.

monftration

monstration strengthens. Every date that accuracy explores may contribute to substantiate the completion of prophecy; and every record which diligence revolves may corroborate that impreffive evidence which is deducible from the examination of the general fuffrage of works of every defcription; of records difperfed through different countries in different languages, and often rescued, in modern times, from privacy and neglect. Hence it is that literature and knowledge are aufpicious to religion, and anxious to confecrate their fervices to its caufe; and hence it is that those men of fuperficial attainments, who are carried about" with the impulfe of every variation, are found to reafon rather from fpeculative fancy than from historical research: indulge a fcepticism of conjecture; and while they acquiefce in the vague conceptions of their own mind, indolently decline, or faftidioufly refufe, to institute that search which is neceffary to correct error, and to inftruct ignorance.

As the fedulity of enquiry is reprefented to be ferviceable to the adoption of faith, fo is the firmness of conftancy deemed effential to its prefervation. Aware of the crafty industry of those, who by deceiving others derive a

fancied