led in contemplating this view of the Christian church.

In surveying an edifice, the inquiries which arise in the mind respect-Its foundation,-Its architect, Its materials,-Its use,-and Its style of building. The two latter of these inquiries will fall under consideration, when we come to the petitionary part of our collect. Its introduction leads us to consider the three former particulars.

The foundation on which the edifice of the Christian church is built, is that "of the apos"tles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being "the chief corner-stone." When the apostles and prophets are spoken of as the foundation of the church, they are not to be considered personally; but it is the doctrine which they taught that is intended. When our Lord, addressing Himself to Peter, said, "Thou art Peter," and added, alluding to the interpretation of his name, which signifies a rock, "On this rock "will I build my church," He must be supposed either to have pointed to Himself, or rather to have referred to the doctrine which St. Peter, in common with the other Apostles, would promulgate to the world, whereby sinners would be brought to believe in His name for pardon, holiness, and heaven. The apostles and prophets were not crucified for us, nor are we baptised in their names. But all our hopes of salvation are built on the doctrine of the cross, which they preached and have transmitted to us.

In the doctrine of the apostles and prophets there is the most perfect concord; all of either college having concurred in building their own hopes, and in leading others to build theirs, on

Jesus Christ, the "stone which God has laid in "Sion for a foundation-the tried stone, the "precious corner-stone, the sure foundation," "other than which can no man lay." (Is. xxviii. 16. 1 Cor. iii. 11.) He, as God-man Mediator, as the atoning sacrifice, and the justifying fulfiller of the law, is the sole basis of a sinner's hope. On Him the whole pressure of the building rests; on Him its stability intirely depends; and by Him are all its parts united. The primary existence of the church, and its subsequent safety, result from His mediation. Of Him, as the Alpha and Omega, both the foundation and head stone, all the prophets spake with one mouth, as if they had possessed but one common organ of speech. (Luke i. 70. Acts iii. 18, 21.) And the apostles, as if their bodies had been animated by one soul, "determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ "and Him crucified." The fact is that the same Spirit, who is the glorifier of Jesus, spake by

them all.

Let the reader inquire whether he be built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, "Jesus Christ being the head corner-stone," -or not. The question is momentous, and involves eternal consequences. The state of our hearts and the conduct of our lives will enable us to solve it; in doing which we shall derive assistance from the remaining part of our collect.

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The architect of that spiritual building, which is raised on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the head "corner-stone," is God. He drew the stupendous plan, and He carries it into execution. He laid the foundation-stone, and He puts every living stone of which the building is composed

and maker of the church is God. Preordination, Redemption, Conversion, are all of God. And though instruments are used in the accomplishment of the Divine purpose, the good that is done upon earth, God doth it Himself.* The work of the prophets, and the apostles, and of their successors in the ministry, is merely instrumental. The agent of the work is God. Vast as are the benefits which we derive from the labours of the prophets and apostles, to God who raised them up, qualified them for their office, commissioned them to exercise it, and gave them all its success, is the undivided honour due.

The materials of which this " spiritual house" is composed are called by St. Peter (1 Eph. ii. 5) "lively stones." Christ the foundation is the living stone, which hath life in Himself; and all genuine Christians, by being built on Him, derive life from Him. He diffuses a principle of spiritual and eternal life throughout the whole edifice, and every stone of which it is constructed. His Spirit pervades every part of it. By His power the stones are hewed out of the quarry of corrupt nature, are squared and polished, set in the building, and cemented to the foundation and to each other. Are we conscious of these operations on our own souls? In making the inquiry let us remember, that it is the invisible church of God of which our collect speaks, a "spiritual house;" and that we may belong to the outward and visible community, without being incorporated in that

* "SALUTIS CATENA. DEUS ordinavit, VERBUM promittit, CHRISTUS meruit," SPIRITUS retegit, "SACRAMENTA obsignant, FIDES recipit, Os fatetur, OPERA tesz tantur."- -Woll. Comp. Theol. Christianæ.

temple which is the habitation of God through the Spirit.

Having thus reviewed the introductory part of our collect, we proceed to consider the appropriate petition which is built thereon. "Grant us to be so joined together in unity of "spirit by the doctrine of the apostles and prophets, that we may be made an holy temple, "acceptable unto thee through Jesus Christ 65 our Lord."

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In the unity and symmetry of its parts consist the beauty and strength of every building. It is in vain that the foundation is laid on a rock, unless the superstructure be firmly united to that foundation, and its stones properly cemented to each other. The Apostle therefore says, in the verse which follows the introduction of our collect, "In Jesus Christ, the chief corner-stone, "all the building, fitly framed together, groweth "unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom,” he adds, addressing himself to the Ephesians, "Ye also are builded together, for an habita❝tion of God, through the Spirit." (Eph. ii. 20-22.)

Now when we pray that we may be "joined "together in unity of spirit" by the prophetic and apostolic doctrine, we implore a communication of grace that we may be united firmly to Christ by faith, and to one another in love. The first object of concern is, that we may be established on Christ as our foundation. To have clear views of the nature and necessity of His mediatorial work, and to have the heart built up in Him, so as to be "filled with joy "and peace in believing," is the ardent desire of every true member of the Christian church for himself and for all his fellow worshippers.

That many among us are not united to Christ by faith, is a subject of reasonable fear and of charitable jealousy to the genuine Christian. And that he himself needs more grace for his further establishment in the truth, is the result of full conviction. Whether therefore we regard ourselves or others, the propriety of this petition is manifest. Grace for the promotion of "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, is the second object of our prayer. This is connected with our union to Christ, and the inva riable result of faith in Him; so that if any man fancy himself to be a member of the church, who is not endeavouring to maintain this temper of mind, he "deceives himself and the truth is "not in him." He is not built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The prevalency of this disposition is essential to the welfare of the church, if not to its existence: for as the stones of a building mutually support and strengthen each other, so it is also in the church of Christ. The living stones are the means of mutual union to the sure foundation. (Eph. iv. 16.)

Whether the fervent use of this prayer be not peculiarly necessary in the present day, let those judge who have duly contemplated the present state of the Christian church. Let the heresies which distract her, the differences of opinion. which prevail on the most important points, be · considered. Let the spirit of schism which agitates and weakens her be also remembered. And surely it will appear necessary to pray that we may be "joined together in unity of spirit." cks and fissures in a building be marks of how infirm is the state of Christianity

But blessed be God, though the