GENERAL PRINCIPLES 11 



no explanation, and accept it simply as an 

 inscrutable Providence, — the fact remains, 

 that it is the supreme question of our 



Christian epoch. 



Before discussing (he general principles 

 of Church unity, we need to define the 

 sense in which the words are to be used. 

 It is not now proposed to speak of the 

 Church as invisible and unorganized ; nor 

 of a unity that is sentimental and ideal ; 

 but of the visible organized Church and of 

 a visible organic unity. Never, indeed, 

 should we forget or depreciate that glorious 

 invisible Church or communion of saints 

 which includes all true believers in Christ 

 that are, or have been, or shall be united 

 to Him, whether in heaven or upon earth. 

 Much less may we set forth as opposed or 

 superior to the one invisible Church that 

 other visible Church which is now so 

 divided, distracted, and even dismembered. 

 Rather must we discern a fixed normal 

 relation of the one to the other, and ever 

 aim, as far as in us lies, to make the visible 

 Church a true expression of the invisible 

 Church, in its unity as well as in its other 

 divine qualities. This view of church 

 unity as organic may be vindicated on 

 several grounds. 



