church order and church government-So that to recognise as Christians those of the Episcopalian or Independent or Methodist or Baptist persuasions we should hold not to be liberalism, but right and genuine liberality. Paul exemplified both these methods of dealing with controversies and disposing of them-Bold and resolute and uncompromising in all that was essential-Yielding and generous in all that was not so; and, however strong and free from all scrupulosity himself, yet deferring with the utmost tenderness to the honest. and conscientious scruples of other men. He thus acquitted himself of two most important servicesthe one as an intrepid soldier, the manly defender and guardian of the church's purity; the other as a discreet and wary counsellor, who knew both how to judge charitably, and to arbitrate wisely, for the church's unity and peace.

And unless we follow this high example, we do not see, how the blissful consummation of that unanimity in the Christian world, of which our Saviour speaks as the stepping-stone to a universal Christianity through the world at large,' is ever to be arrived at. Surely for the fulfilment of this sacred object, it were well that in the confessions of different churches, articles of faith, viewed as articles of distinction or separation, should not be unnecessarily multiplied; and we would further submit, whether it is not a most unwarrantable hazarding of this high and precious interest, to speak of the 1 John, xvii, 21, 23.

exclusively divine right of any form whatever of ecclesiastical government. It is thus that certain strenuous advocates, both of Presbytery on the one hand, and of Episcopacy on the other, have been heard to affirm, that they will never consent to the loosening or letting down of a single pin in the tabernacle. This tenacity of theirs we should all the more readily understand-if the specific information of each and every pin were really to be had in Scripture. But in the absence of this, we do think that there might be a great deal more of mutual toleration. It has been well said, that, while it is our duty to be wise up to that which is written, we should not attempt to be wise above or beyond it; and so too, while it is our duty to be inflexible up to that which is written, it is surely not our part to be inflexible beyond it. We feel confident, that with the use and right application of this principle, there is immense room for the abridgment of the church's controversies. Let us hope that the movement is upon the whole in this direction; and that, even amid the fits and fermentations of this busy period, the Christian world is now heaving towards this better state of things-when the war of opinions shall cease; and both truth and charity shall walk hand in hand. Heaven grant, that this perspective of brighter and happier days may be speedily

realised.

And let us not be afraid lest, when controversies shall cease, men will therefore sink down into the

ease and indifferency of liberalism.

The tension

of the mind will be fully kept up-only in another direction, and in a better way. If Christians will not then strive so much for the mastery in argument, they will be differently and far more profitably employed-in provoking to love and to good works. They might not be so intent on the work of judging each other, because far more intent on the exercise of judging themselves. Christianity will not be so much agitated as a question of opinion between man and man; but far more sedulously prosecuted as a question between God and their own consciences. There will still be ample room for zeal and strenuousness-for an ardour that will burn with as pure and bright a flame, if not so fiercely as before. Ere the church militant shall become the church triumphant, we might still have to fight the battles of principle and of the faith with them who are without; but let us hope that our internal wars will cease, by the differences among ourselves being healed. And let us not imagine that because there will then be the repose of mutual charity and peace, there must therefore be the indolence of quietude. The struggle to be uppermost on the field of championship, will then give way before a kindlier and more generous emulation -the struggle to be foremost in zeal for the glory of God, and for all the services of Christian philanthropy; and this too without the heart-burnings of rivalship or envy. For they will be all the readier in honour to prefer each other-when they shall

men.

have become more alive to their own shortcomings than to the perversities or defects of their fellowEven now, and notwithstanding the manifold yet chiefly incidental controversies of our day, men in theology are looking greatly more to the points of agreement, and less to the points of difference-the promise and preparation, let us hope, for a long millennium of peace and prosperity to the Christian world.

415

LECTURE XCVIII.

ROMANS, XV, 1-13.

"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning; that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another, according to Christ Jesus; that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Now I say, that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers; and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people, And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."

In the two first verses we are told what is the duty of the strong towards the weak-which duty is an