To “speak the same thing,”—to “be of one mind in the LORD,”—to be altogether one in the FATHER, and in the SON, as they are one, is the proper habitude of all the members of the church, and especially of all ministers of the word, of GOD. Because, however, of human imperfections, differences have arisen in the church, even from the earliest and holiest days. Wherefore controversy in the present day need not surprise us; nor should we shun it as if it were necessarily unchristian; nor is any man obliged to take part in it with any other feelings than such as are holy and benignant. With good will may we withstand or intreat one another, or earnestly contend for the faith against an adversary. Did not the apostle Paul withstand Peter to the face, with feelings anything but personally hostile, because he was to be blamed for his dissembling example: and does not the silence of the story most eloquently speak the silent and affectionate concession of the brother who was blamed? Do not the words, which I have just read, bring before us another early conflict in holy times: when “many” teachers of the word of GOD “corrupted” it, and the apostle had to maintain the truth against them as “_false apostles_” {2} appealing in his own behalf to sanctions given to him by GOD Himself? And are we not safely to conclude that his zeal and charity in the contest obtained a blessed recompense in the preservation of many from those ruinous corruptions. Now it is observable that the apostle concentrates the strength of his defence, in this particular passage, in an appeal to the work of the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD attending his ministrations. Whatever might be the truths or errors brought into question,—whether concerning the HOLY GHOST Himself, or other subjects of a different nature,—there were such effects of his labours to be seen, as would prove the presence of that DIVINE SPIRIT with _his_ ministry, and not with the contrary. And hence we may infer, that though all teachers among Christians will assert their possession of the SPIRIT, all may not possess Him; and the teaching of some may want this remarkable and distinguishing evidence of being from GOD. We need not dissemble that our own Church is Corinthian in this respect in the present day. We clergy are so. We cannot—(and in my heart I feel deeply what I say)—we cannot all be right. And it is my honest and heart-rending conviction, that some of our differences are such, as will separate us for ever, if we die in them.