And where shall we seek them? They are found adorning fellowships of varied names, and each possessing features of peculiar beauty, and sacred excellence. We dare not say that a connexion with any system of itself can make men Christians; nor of Episcopacy, Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, nor Methodism, that it is exclusively The Church of God, so as to monopolize all sacred relations and existing piety. But we believe that genuine disciples of Christ are to be found amongst them all.
The churches which have numbered among them a Fletcher, a Henry Martyn, a Cary, a Williams, a Wesley; will furnish their portion towards the one great assembly, “the church of the first born written in heaven.”
The genuine disciples of the Saviour, are to be found in various ranks, and among different denominations of Christians; from these many have been gathered already, and swell the throng around the throne of God above. Even now the multitude collected from among them, is greater than any man can number; they have lost their party badges and sectarian titles. This is their only distinction, “They have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,”—and they need no other—this is their great title—this secures them a happy, blissful place before the throne of God and the Lamb; and they desire no more.
And many yet are found below. True our minds are distracted by the differing names and varied distinctions which exist among us. But be of good cheer, beloved brethren, upon a goodly company, though widely scattered, Christ looks down with joy, seeing in each of the throng, a trophy of his love; a soul saved by his sacrifice, and transforming to his image.
The Saviour’s prayer contemplated all these, and sought that they may all be one. And indeed they so far are even now one.
There is a bond which binds them to each other, which no power can sever. It is that spiritual tie which unites them to Christ; in Him they are all one. They were one in ruin—in separation from God—in captivity to Satan—in exposure to eternal death. They now are partakers in a common salvation—redeemed by the same blood—renewed by the same Spirit—relying upon one Saviour—Children of one Parent, they form one holy family, and will spend an eternity together in their “Father’s House.” Thus real, substantial, and indissoluble is their union. They are one, as Christ is in the Father and the Father in Him.
But, alas! this ill accords with the aspect they present to the world, and the attitude in which they stand to each other; nor can the prayer of Christ be silent, until the one-ness of his people shall be felt, and their union shall be manifest to all.
2.—Then we may further enquire—Wherein must such union consist? It is clear, not in the adoption of one common name; for such may be, and the aim be entirely lost, and the object of the Saviour unattained. Something of this kind was realized in the dark ages. The Church of Rome then contained within itself well nigh all existing nominal Christianity. But did this, think you, brethren, realize the prayer of our Lord? One name embraced men of every varied creed, and covered every form of abomination. A one-ness, where except for the title “Christian,” and for the form of godliness, no religion seemed to exist; life and soul were lost, the frame-work alone remaining. This one-ness was that of the tenants of the sepulchre and the grave yard, where the fellowship was that of an universal corruption, and the calm was the stillness—the silence of death, only broken by here and there a mourner, weeping that the dry bones were so many, and that they were so very dry.
No, this is not the peace we long for, and for which Christ prays. Better, a thousand fold better, is our present state, than such an unity as that. It is at least replete with life, though disfigured by diversities. We have spirit, and we have power; though that spirit is too frequently expended in strife, and that power in warfare.
The first thing essential to the attainment of Christian Unity is, that Christians should be brought to feel that real one-ness, which even now exists between them.