(Continued from page 130.)

Unity-of the Body and of the Spirit.

"There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling ; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all" (Eph. 4:4-6).

Three spheres of unity are presented to us in J. these verses; and in their order each is wider than the preceding one. With the Spirit is linked that essential unity formed between the Lord Jesus Christ and His members, to which the hope of our calling naturally contributes.

Next, with one Lord, profession and baptism are connected; it leaves room for what may be unreal,
as it is individual profession. Water baptism is meant, of course, not the baptism of the Spirit. The line of truth as to the kingdom here and now, applies here.

Finally we have the largest circle :"One God and Father of all:" viz., God's claims and authority over all things, over everyone, and everywhere.

Our subject (Unity, of the Body and of the Spirit) refers to the first circle, as the exhortations of verses 1-3 are manifestly connected with that. The unity of the Body, formed and maintained by the Spirit is indissoluble. We are not exhorted to keep that; it belongs to the eternal position of the assembly; it is vital, and outside the responsibility of man. The unity of the Spirit is another matter; it is the responsibility of the assembly. It is not a unity of sentiment merely, but that oneness established by the Spirit which is to be maintained practically in a lowly gracious walk. As those saved and linked with a glorified Christ, we are individually responsible to refuse everything that militates against this blessed truth. We are exhorted "to walk worthy" of this calling, and so maintain the unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace-not exalting self, nor assuming superiority over others, but in a Christ-like spirit of love to all His own.

Love is ever the divine regulator (-1 Cor. 13 and Eph. 4:2). How sadly deficient we have often been in this, even in our sincere endeavor to keep -as we thought-the unity of the Spirit ! How much hardness has often been manifested in connection with this very thing! The Holy Spirit is always careful to guard against extremes:" Speaking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). There must be no compromise of truth under the plea of unity. Truth, not mere sentiment, is the rule for our walk; yet, where foundation truth is not involved, we surely are to bear with one another, remembering our own weakness and limitations. It is just here we should be "-endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit."

But how little is this blessed "oneness" understood ! Consequently various Bodies, or ' 'Churches," have arisen, whose very existence depends upon ignoring this most precious truth. If there is "one Body (one Church) and one Spirit," we surely are not left to "join" anything. The believer is already, by the Holy Spirit, joined to, is a member of, the only Church which Scripture recognizes; and to sanction anything other than this must necessarily be a practical denial of the truth. The exhortation, "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the uniting bond of peace" comes in here. Our conduct is to be in line with the unity already formed by the Holy Spirit.

This of necessity separates us from what denies, or is contrary to, this blessed truth. Where it has power over the soul, it delivers from all human organization. It leads back to first principles; it recognizes the Lord Jesus Christ as the true Center of gathering, the Head of His assembly, and the Leader of His people's praises (Heb. 2:12). Some may plead various difficulties, and expediency in view of the broken state of the Church now; but in following God's Word, the path for faith is as plain to-day as ever; and simple obedience is the path of blessing, and well pleasing to the Lord.

In the early days of the Church, believers were together without distinction of names; the "one loaf" upon the table, partaken of in the Lord's Supper, manifested the truth of the one Body. '' We being many are one loaf, one body, for we are all partakers of that one loaf" (i Cor. 10:17). This corporate aspect of the Supper is largely lost sight of to-day. The Episcopalian formula:"Take this in remembrance that Christ died for thee," substitutes individual remembrance for what should be collective, and the truth of the one Body lost sight of.

The question maybe asked, " What is the difference between the "Table" and the "Supper?" Briefly, the former is the manifested fellowship into which the death of the Lord Jesus has introduced us. The latter is the simple remembrance of Himself, and announcement of His death. No company in Christendom has the exclusive possession of "the Table:" every member of the Body of Christ is linked with this. At the same time we should be consistent with the Lord's Table, and here again our responsibility comes in. It is evident from i Cor. 10, that we are responsible to walk apart from all that is inconsistent with the truth connected with the death of Christ, whether it be ecclesiastical relationships or worldly associations, so that it is no mere matter of correct external position. As to "the table of demons," it certainly cannot be applied to any Christian company.

Of details as to the practical carrying out of this truth much has been written, and such can be obtained of our publishers at small cost.

In our next and concluding paper the Church's hope will be our theme. J. W. H. N.