Mutual Edification, the Duty ofChrJians. union the apoftle would have preferv'd on quite another principle, namely, that of mu- tual forbearance and condefcending charity. And here the apoftle ftrikes at the very root of divifion, which is a narrow felfifh fpirit. When men only regard their ownfelves, the gratifying of their own private inclinations, and fulfilling the defires of the flefh and of the mind, what can be expected among them but ftrife, and confufion, and every evil work ? while fuch a fpirit prevails, how to avoid of- fences, and edify our neighbours will not be the queftion. And when all conduct them- felves thus, their interefts, which are fo nar- row and particular, will interfere with each other, and the church be filled with offence and difcord. But, charity which freketh not her own, will determine us to purfue con - ftantly the benefit of others, and to pleafe them, to make them eafy, and give them fatisfa &ion as far as it is in our power, and as it appears to be for their real good. Charity is, I fay, a true cement which will preferve the union of the church, it is, as the apoftle calls it, the bond of perfèc`inef. The defign of pleafing men, even our fel- low chriftians, is not to be purfued univer- fally, and without any limitation ; they have C 2 their i9 SERM. lMJ
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