Page:Tracts for the Times Vol 1.djvu/531

 this true doctrine of, clearly conveyed to us from Himself and His Apostles.

And observe this holy Bishop tells us, that it was received as such, preached as such, delivered as such, all over the world. There is no room for disputing, it is one and the same Truth, as is One, and as the  in the Church is One. Yes! and as the Church itself is one. The one faith is held in the one Church. Wanderers come home to it! come home to the Church Catholic, of which Irenæus spoke, which is still upon earth; of which the English Church, with its Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, is a true and living branch. And, at all events, even if you are not persuaded to this suitable religious deed, yet at least you cannot refuse to take up a humbler judgment of the Christianity of this day than is generally taken. For is not unity the chief blessing which prayed His Church might possess? Was it not, as the above extract shows, marvellously instanced in the state of the Primitive Church? Is it not lost now? Surely this is undeniable. Whatever our knowledge, our exertions, our various gifts, Christians have lost their peculiar privilege, have transgressed their peculiar duty, "that they all should be one, as and the  are One."

The Holy Basil visited one day a sacred brotherhood; and, after such discourse as was fitting, said to the Head of it, "Hast thou a brother here who has the grace of obedience?" and he answered him, "My Lord, we be all thy servants, and are endeavouring after salvation." Basil said a second time, "Yea hast thou one so gifted?" And he brought unto him a brother. Then the Holy Basil employed him to minister to him as he dined. After he had eaten, the other brought him water to wash; but Basil said, "Come hither, and I too will give thee