Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-05-20
@oral aMn Retiglosaa.
THE UNION OF CHRISTIANS IN MATTER
OF AFFECTION.

OF AEVECTlON.
How much, therefore, doth it concern us, that
we, who are united in one common belief, should
be much more united in Affection 'that where
there is one way, there should be much more
one heart" Jer. xxi. sc. This is so Justly sup
posed, that the prophet questions, "Can two
walk together, except they be agreed'" Amos
iii. 3. If we walk together in our judgments, we
cannot but accord in our wills. This was the
praise of the primitive christians, and the pattern
of their successors, 1.-THE multitude of them that
believed were of one heart, and of one SOUL
Acts iv. 80. Yea this is the livery which our
Lord and Saviour made choice of, whereby his
mental servants should be known and distinguish
ed "By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another" John
xiii 35. In VAIN shall any man pretend to a dis
c,pleship, if he do not make good by his love to
all the family of Christ. The whole church is
the spiritual temple of Cod; every believer is u
living stone laid in those sacred walls; what 81
our christian love, but the mortar or cement
whereby these stones are fast joined together, to
make up this heavenly building' without which
that precious fabric could not hold long together,
but would be subject to disjoining, by those vio
.lent tempests of opposition, wherewith it is COM
monty beaten upon. There is place for any
loose stone in Gods edifce the whole church is
one entire body; all the limbs must be held to-
gether by the ligaments of christian love. Ifany
one will be severed, and affect to subsst ofitsei,
it.hath lost It's place in the body. Thus the apos-
tie, Eph. iv IS, IS. That we being sincere in
love, may grow up into him In all things, which
is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole
body, fifty joined together, and compacted by that
which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part
maketA iacrease of the body, unto the edifying of
itself in love"
Blu. in case there happen to be differences in
opinion concerning points not essential, not ne
cessary to salvation, this diversity may not cause
an alienation of affection That charity which
can cover multitude of sins, may much more
cover many small discussions of judgment. We
cannot hope to be all, and at all times, equally
lghtened. At how many and great weaknesses
of judgment did it please our merclful Saviour to
connive in his domestic disciples They that
had so long sat at the sacred feet of Him that
spake as never man spake, were yet ignorant of
those scriptures, which had clearly foretold his
resurrection, John Xxx. 9. and after that were at a
fault for the manner of his kingdom, Acts i. 6.
vet He that breaks not the bruised reed, nor
quenches the smoking flax, falls not harshly up
on them for so foul an error and ignorance; but
entertans them with all loving respect, not as
followers only, but friends, John XIV. 10 And
his great apostle, after he had spent himself in his
unweared endeavors upon Gods church, and
sown the seeds of wholesome and saving doctrine
every where, what rank and noisome weeds OF err
roneous opinions up under his hand, in the
churches of Corinth, Gaata, Ephesus, Coosse,
Phhppi, and Thessaonca These he abors to
root out with much zeal, with no bitterness so
opposing the errors, as not alternating his affec-
lions from the churches; these, these must be
our presidents, pursuing that charge Of the prime
apostle, Pet iii. 8. g Finally be ye all of one
mind having compassion one of another love as
brethren, be pitiful, be courteous" And that ar
dent adjuring of the apostle of the Gentiles, Phil
ii. 1,2 "If there be any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the
Spirit, if any bowels and mercies /; fnlfl ye my
Joy, that We be minded, having the same love,
being of one accord, of one mind"
This is that which gives beauty, strength, glo-
.ry, to the church of God upon earth, and brings
ii nearest to the resemblance of that triumphant
part above, where there is all perfection of love
and concord; in limitation whereof the psalmist
sweetly says, "Behold, how good and joyful a
thing it is, for brethren to dwell together in uni
.ty!" Psalms cxxxiii. bishop Hall.
What show is the life of man what breath,
what nothing it is The time past, that is moth
ing Just like bird fled from the hand of the
owner, out of sight. The time present. is van
fishing, running hour; nay, less, a flying minute,
as good as nothing The time 10 come, is uncer-