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the revelation of all-conquering charity. Christianity triumphed over heathen superstition, Jewish prejudice, Grecian learning, and persecution armed with power. Never had such events been witnessed in our world. Never before did the 'foolish confound the wise;' the weak, the mighty; and what was so 'base and despised' in man's estimation, bring to nought' things which appeared to have so firm an existence. But God had ordained that no flesh should

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glory in his presence.' The love and humility and meekness of Christ's disciples, might be scorned by the pharisee, or the philosopher; but they were the unresistible might of weakness,' with which God had determined to do his work. There was an element abroad in the earth, which no power could bind or arrest. The kingdom of God was come among men, revealing itself chiefly as a new and lofty principle of benevolence, and by this, its subjects went forth conquering and to conquer.

That this principle was the grand practical characteristic of the apostolic church, is witnessed in every page of its history. 'It is so well known,' says Paley, as to require no citations to verify it, that this love, or charity, or in other words, regard to the welfare of others, runs, in various forms, through all the preceptive parts of * 1 Cor. i. 27-29.

the apostolic writings. It is the theme of all their exhortations; that with which their morality begins and ends; from which all their details and enumerations set out, and into which they return.'*

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CHAPTER VI.

WHO IS A CHRISTIAN?

As Schism is an evil existing among professed Christians, it is necessary to inquire-who is a Christian? In replying to this fundamental question, the propriety of keeping simply to the divine testimony is too evident to require comment; and that testimony is so clear, as to the main elements of the christian character, that, however opposed to the propensities of men, its general purport is on a level with the most ordinary understanding.

According to the New Testament, a Christian is one who cordially receives the revelation of God respecting his Son Jesus Christ; and who gives evidence of his belief in it by a corresponding spirit and conduct. He has undergone a moral change: he has been born of the Spirit.' He is a new creature in Christ.' He has repented of sin, after a godly manner.' He

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ascribes his faith,' and its effects, to the grace of God,' and to no merit of his own. He is not under the dominion of unlawful appetites and passions; but, being made free from sin, he has become the servant of God;' and he has his 'fruit unto holiness.' He is 'led by the Spirit,' and is therefore spiritually' and not 'carnally minded:' for 'the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.' 'For they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts.' 'If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.' 'The friendship of the world is enmity with God.'1

The conduct of a Christian is actuated by a regard to God and his Son Jesus Christ: 'that God in all things may be glorified.' 'For the love of Christ constraineth us.' He is not 'ashamed' of Christ, but, 'confesses' him before the world. He does not 'despise' the least of Christ's disciples, but regards them as 'brethren' for Christ's sake. He abides in the doctrine of Christ,' and, 'by keeping his sayings,' perseveres in the path of christian obedience 'unto the end.' 2

It has often been justly remarked,

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features of the christian character, as delineated in the New Testament, are strikingly opposed to those qualities which have ever attracted the sympathies of the world. The heroes of all ages and nations, whether celebrated in authentic history, or existing only as the creations of fancy, have been chiefly distinguished by dispositions totally different from the passive and quiet virtues exhibited by Jesus himself, and enjoined on his disciples. Ambition—a passion for fame-the spirit that keenly feels, and promptly resents an injury-a patriotism which is but a refinement of the love of self, whose image is seen reflected from a nation, or a party—a generosity inspired by pride, or acting by impulse without principle-a chivalrous sentimentalism-a glorying in human achievements-a dread of the world's frown-an entire devotedness to the present, as though it were the whole of man's existence,-have marked the characters of those, whose deeds, real or imaginary, have ever been emblazoned by the poet and the orator, idolized by the multitude, and handed down to the admiration of successive generations.

In the kingdom of Christ, all is of another order. Here, the noblest ambition is to promote the glory of the Redeemer-the highest achievement, self-mastery-the only lawful resentment, self-abhorrence for sin-the true patriotism, love to the universal church. Christian generosity is

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