Parish Papers by Norman Macleod
page 207 of 276 (75%)
page 207 of 276 (75%)
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he ministered, and which he had received from another. It was not the
man who sowed the seed, or the basket which held it, that gave the crop; but the living seed itself. Hence he adds: "So then neither is he that planteth _anything_, nor he that watereth!" What? Neither presbyter nor bishop, neither Paul nor Apollos, _anything_? Strange words, again we say, from a "High Churchman," whether Episcopalian, Presbyterian, or any other denomination; _for "High Churchmen" are common to all Churches_. Yet not strange from St Paul, who knew how true his words were, and that not man, but God, who gave the increase, was "everything." What, then, was the apostle's method of curing schism, and of making men truly one who had been "divided?" He directed every eye, and every heart, and every spirit, to one object--JESUS CHRIST, the personal Saviour, the centre and source of unity; in fellowship with whom all men would find their fellowship with each other. "We preach Christ crucified." "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." These are his declarations. And his conclusion from this great and blessed principle is just what we might expect: "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." "Let no man glory in men: for all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come: all are yours; and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." Professing Christians would do well to weigh the apostle's cure of |
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