its heavenly Founder, and its divinely-gifted teachers?

Assuredly not.-This consequence was foreseen, was foretold, by our Lord and his Apostles; and the causes that would operate to produce it were no less distinctly declared. With reference to such feuds and animosities, our Lord says, “Suppose ye Suppose ye that I am come "to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather divisions ;" and again, "It is imdivisions;"—and possible but that offences will come; but woe unto him through whom they come." The same subject is further illustrated in his impressive parable of the Tares. St. Paul in like manner affirms, "There must be heresies

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among you, that they which are approved 66 may be made manifest." He foretells that the time should come, when men would not "endure sound doctrine, but would turn away "their ears from the truth;" and that "in "the latter times some would depart from "the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits'." He moreover speaks of "the man of sin" to "be revealed," and of "the mystery of iniquity" which even then had begun to work. St. Peter prophecies of "false teachers "who should privily bring in damnable here

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8 Luke xii. 51.

k2 Tim. iv. 3.

h Luke xvii. 1. 11 Tim. iv. 1.

i 1 Cor. xi. 19. m 2 Thess. ii. 3, 7.

"sies, even denying the Lord who bought "them;" that "many also should follow their

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pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way "of truth should be evil spoken of"." St. Jude emphatically warns the faithful by similar predictions. St. John admonishes them to "try the spirits whether they be of God, "because many false prophets had gone out "into the world." He speaks also of deceivers and antichrists springing up in the bosom of the Church; and in the Apocalypse prophetically details a series of corruptions and persecutions by which the adherents to the pure Christian faith should suffer in after

ages.

Such representations, not only predicting the evil but pointing out its source, prove that neither is our religion itself answerable for these consequences, nor are its Author and its first preachers chargeable with any deception or delusion in this respect. The Gospel tends to promote unity and concord; but the machinations of the perverse and evilminded introduce disunion and discord. The householder" soweth good seed in his field;" but "the enemy cometh and soweth tares.” Hence the distractions and divisions of the Christian world. And these evils, be it obn 2 Peter ii. 1, 2. ° 1 John iv. 1.

served, are not unfrequently occasioned by Christians themselves. Their hand too often inflicts the wound by which the Gospel suffers, and its adversaries triumph. A disorganizing spirit within the citadel effects that mischief which otherwise the external assailant might never be able to compass. Even the warmest friends of Christianity may unwittingly be accessory to the injury. Mistaken views of unity, charity, and peace, lead many to foster those divisions which they most earnestly deprecate, and to perpetuate errors which they would fain persuade themselves they are labouring to remove. So necessary is it to form correct notions on a subject, which, however lightly regarded by inconsiderate observers, is intimately connected with the vital interests of religion. Let us hear, then, by what reasoning the Apostle enforces the duty pressed upon the Ephesians, that of "endeavouring "to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond " of peace."

The argument is thus comprehensively stated in the verses immediately following the text:-"There is one body and one Spirit, ❝even as ye are called in one hope of your

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calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

one God and Father of all, who is above all, " and through all, and in you all." Let us

observe how closely these several propositions are connected with each other.

"There is One Body."-Christ is expressly called "the Head of the Church," and the Church "the body of Christ." No figure of speech can more distinctly represent the necessary and inseparable connection subsisting between them. As whatever is separated from the body ceases, by that separation, to derive any benefit from it;—and as the head is essential to the life and energy,

energy, the govern

ment and direction of the members;-so, every member of Christ's body, the Church, derives from HIM, its head, every thing requisite for spiritual instruction and control, every thing needful for growth in grace, and the attainment of salvation.-There is One Spirit also which pervades this body, and which was purchased for us by the blood of Christ.-There is "One Hope of "our calling;" a hope, common to all true members of the body, and resulting from the same Spirit.-There is One Lord, even our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we owe this blessing. There is One Faith, by which the members of his body are distinguished, faith in HIм as the Author of salvation, and the Lord whom they are bound to obey.-There is One Baptism, ordained as the means of

receiving these benefits, and a pledge to assure us of the fulfilment of His promises. Finally, "there is One God and Father of all, "who is above all, and through all, and in "all." In HIM all these benefits originate. By HIM, in union with the Son and the Holy Spirit, they were planned and accomplished. To His wisdom and goodness, His justice and mercy, His power and dominion, they owe their existence and their effect.

On these grounds the Apostle inculcates the duty of" endeavouring to keep the unity "of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Christians, however widely scattered over the face of the earth, are called to the profession of the same faith, to a participation of the same privileges, to an acknowledgment of the same hope, to the use of the same means of grace. They are consequently one body. The same duties and obligations devolve upon all: the same terms of acceptance are open to all. The Gospel is the charter declaratory of their rights and privileges, of which one tittle shall not pass away until all be fulfilled. Well, then, may we ask, How can the injunction in the text be made to consist with that endless diversity of opinions which has found its way into the Church of Christ, and the encouragement of