profess unto the Gospel of Christ, and for the sincerity of your fellowship with them and with all men; earnestly longing also after you, in their prayer for you, on account of the exceeding grace of God in you." And thus should all religious divisions be healed, and thus only can they be healed, by that unquestionable evidence which the life of Love can give, that through all varieties of form one spirit breathes, that under all outward differences beats the Brother's heart; and so the excellent bond of Charity take the place of all less universal less spiritual, less essential, affinities between Man and Man, between Man and God.

Now "Thanks be to God," says St. Paul, contemplating this its wide and blessed operation, "for his unspeakable Gift!"- for this Christian sentiment that makes a human Brotherhood, a Universal Church, ― identifying general with individual good. There is no unity, no equality, no principle of lasting peace among men, except this. It is that vital Love which, existing in God Himself, gave birth to the Universe, which redeemed it and created it anew in Christianity, - and which, in proportion as it spreads through human hearts, becomes the bond and blessing of the world. To have it, and extend it from heart to heart, is our Christian Mission.

"A new Commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another." "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples."

31

PART III.

(CHAPS. X. XIII.)

ST. PAUL'S CLOSING VINDICATION

OF HIS

APOSTOLIC CHARACTER AND AUTHORITY

AGAINST HIS DETRACTORS AT CORINTH.

X. 1. Now I, Paul, who in presence am lowly among you, 2 but when absent am bold towards you, beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ; I entreat you that, when present, I may not be bold with that confidence wherewith I reckon to be bold against those who reckon 3 of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For walk4 ing in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh : for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty 5 through God to the pulling down of strongholds: casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into cap6 tivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and being ready to avenge all disobedience, when your obedience is completed.