In the former, CHRIST is instructing His Apostles and witnessing to the Jews. In the latter, the Apostles, “in the person of Christ” (2 Cor. ii. 10), “as though Christ did it by them” (2 Cor. v. 20.), are instructing the CHURCHES, and through them witnessing to the world. The general impression wrought on the mind by the Gospel narrative of CHRIST and His followers, is that of an isolated company of men, having little in common with those by whom they were surrounded, and among whom they moved, as bent on some unearthly enterprise. And in like manner, the impression left by the perusal of an Apostolic Epistle is, of a separated band, a “peculiar people,” in the midst of a world “lying in wickedness.”—Looking a little closer, we soon recognize a Purity of principle and a Divine mystery alike unsearchable. CHRIST Himself in the Gospel speaks with a heavenly emphasis of those who are endowed with a certain high character, as “BLESSED;” telling us that “their’s is the Kingdom of heaven.” And every Epistle opens with an exalted delineation of the like persons—the “elect,” the “called,” the “sanctified,” the “BLESSED in CHRIST JESUS.” They who were so addressed were deemed, in a lofty sense, already the heirs of GOD and “joint-heirs with CHRIST,” having “received power to become sons of GOD” (John i. 12.), and having been Baptismally “born of GOD.” (1 John iii. 9.) Each had a Sacred character, yet not as an individual, but as a member of a Sacred Body. Among them there were distinctions, and yet there was an identity; “diversity of gifts,” but Oneness of grace. They were “all members one of another,” but “all members had not the same office;” they were “one,” they were “brethren” in CHRIST (as He had commanded them to be); but some were to “rule,” and some to “submit;” some to “overlook” and “watch,” and some to “obey.”—And the idea of the Oneness of Christians, (and the mysterious nature of it,) seems to pervade the whole New Testament, and is that which forces itself upon our attention, open it wherever we may. Not only did CHRIST pray to His FATHER for this, but He appointed a Mysterious ordinance, by which His people were to become One Body: And another more mysterious still, by which their Oneness might be Divinely sustained. “By ONE SPIRIT ye are Baptized into ONE body;” and “know ye not that the SPIRIT of GOD dwelleth in you?” said St. Paul; as if intimating somewhat which the Baptized might apprehend, but which could not be spoken. And again, “I speak as to wise men,” said the same holy Apostle to the Corinthian Church—glancing only, as it were, at The Mystery of unutterable grace—“I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The Cup of blessing which WE bless, is it not the COMMUNION of the BLOOD of CHRIST? The Bread which WE break, is it not the COMMUNION of the BODY of CHRIST?” And then he adds—passing from our Union with CHRIST to our Communion with all Saints by means of the Most Holy Eucharist, “We are ONE body, . . .