The result then of the inquiry may be thus briefly stated: our blessed Lord has declared, that none but they who believe in him can be his disciples; and that all may know what they are to believe, he has left upon record with the Church the doctrines which she is to teach.

These doctrines are to be found in the holy Scriptures; whence they are to be gathered, not from a few dark or doubtful passages, but from the full, clear, and harmonious testimony of all the inspired writers; by each of whom, in his own method, varied according to the specific purpose of his labours, but still under the controlling influence of the same Spirit of truth, they have been stated, illustrated, and enforced.

Taken together, these doctrines constitute that one faith, by which alone we can arrive unto the perfect man, unto the 66 measure of the stature of the fulness of "Christ;" and therefore, he who does not hold this m" form of sound words,"

1

1 See Note LIII. Appendix.

m 2 Tim. i. 13.

as the Apostle calls it, cannot be a partaker in that fellowship, which connects him with Christians as a member of the same body, and with Christ as its head.

They who have perversely wandered from the true faith, have therefore ever been considered as destroyers of Christian unity. St. Paul indeed "declares, that heresy may be made to serve a good purpose, as it affords an opportunity to true believers to shew their faith, by a stedfast opposition to it; but in another place he reckons it among those "works of the

flesh," which may exclude a man from an inheritance in the kingdom of God; and he directs Titus to reject a heretic, after due admonition, considering him as one that "is subverted, and sinneth, being "condemned of himself;"" that is," says the learned Hammond, "inflicting upon "himself that punishment, which the "Church is wont to do upon malefactors, by cutting himself off from her commu"nion."

66

n 1 Cor. xi. 19. P Gal. v. 20.

• See Note LIV. Appendix.

9 Tit. iii. 10, 11.

The language of those who immediately succeeded the Apostles in the government of the Church, and who must be supposed to have been intimately acquainted with their sentiments and practice, may also be allowed to have considerable weight in determining this question: and they are unanimous in considering a departure from the fundamental articles of the Christian faith, as a breach of Christian unity; separating those who are guilty of it from the flock of Christ, and depriving them of the privileges of his covenant.

It is indeed impossible to conceive, that real unity can exist without the one faith is preserved; and all attempts to promote it by stifling controversies, and concealing breaches which we cannot heal; by unwarrantable compromises, or mere external conciliation; will either wholly fail, or will produce, at best, a temporary union, by the permanent sacrifice of truth. The history of eighteen centuries has suffici

See Note LV. Appendix. s See Note LVI. Appendix.

H

ently proved to all who are inclined to learn wisdom from experience, that there can be no real concord among Christians, but that which is built, as the unanimity of the first converts at Jerusalem was, upon a stedfast adherence to the doctrine and fellowship of the Gospel.

Religion is a matter, too nearly and too deeply interesting, to be compatible with indifference. Where every thing which can awaken the feelings or influence the hopes of mankind is at stake, it will be ever difficult to prevent men from contending even about points of little moment; much more so, to temper a laudable zeal for doctrines of real importance with charity towards their opponents. Even where this is most perfectly done, unity must be lost, though charity be preserved. For though our detestation of heretical opinions be joined with pity for those who unfortunately hold them; though we be ready earnestly and sincerely to pray, that such persons may once more be brought home to the flock of Christ; until that desired event be accomplished, we cannot

but regard them as straying from the fold, exposed to enemies whom they may be unable to encounter, and violating the integrity of the Christian Church. But if, unmoved by these considerations, we seek to build up the breaches in the Church with untempered mortar ;" and to make all men, of all persuasions, dwell together as the brethren of the Lord, by teaching, that unity in fundamentals is not necessary; or by inducing the unwary to believe, that no doctrines which have been made the subjects of controversy are in themselves fundamental; open dissensions. may for a time be prevented, and the voice of controversy may be heard no longer; but it is to be feared, that Christianity itself may perish with the contests, by which its truth has hitherto been maintained; and the silence which will follow, may be the silence of death. For they who are once taught that all modes of faith are equally right, will soon persuade themselves that none are necessary; and the useful, though

t Ezek. xiii. 10.