The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""UNITY OF THE CHURCH. 25I will build my Churches," but, "Uponthis rock I1will build my Church," from which words we mustconclude, that it never was His intention 10 establishor to sanction various conflicting denominations, butone corporate body, with all the members unitedunder one visible Head for as the Church is a visi; ble body, it must have a visible head.The Church is called a "kingdom He shall:reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of Hiskingdom there shall be no 2Now end." in everywell-regulated kingdom there is but one king, oneform of government, one uniform body of law*, whichall are obliged to observe. In like manner, inChrist s spiritual kingdom, there must be one Chiefto whom all owe spiritual allegiance;one form ofecclesiastical government; one uniform body of lawswhich all Christians are bound to observe; for,every kingdom divided against itself shall bemade desolate." zOur Saviour calls His Church a sheepfold. And4there shall be made one fold and one shepherd."What more beautiful or fittingillustration of unitycan we have than that which issuggested by asheepfold? All the sheep of a flock cling together.If they are momentarily separated, they are impatient till reunited. They follow in the same path.They feed on, the same pastures. They obey thesame shepherd, and flyfrom the voice of strangers.1Matt. xvi. 18.o2Luke i.32, 33. 3 Matt. xii. 25.*John x. 16.