alike, either of the operations of nature, or the transactions of the state; but that those who thought differently should live in peace; that contradiction should not exasperate the disputants, or that the heat should end with the controversy, and that the opposition of party, (for such there must sometimes be,) should not canker the private thoughts, or raise personal hatred or insidious enmity. He required that they should be all of one moral mind, that they should all wish and promote the happiness of each other, that the danger of a Christian should be a common cause, and that no one should wish for advantage by the miscarriage of another.
To suppose that there should, in any community, be no difference of opinion, is to suppose all, of whom that community consists, to be wise alike, which cannot happen; or that the understanding of one part is submitted to that of another, which, however, would not produce uniformity of opinion, but only of profession; and is, in important questions, contrary to that sincerity and integrity which truth requires, and an infraction of that liberty which reason allows. But that men, of different opinions, should live at peace, is the true effect of that humility, which makes each esteem others better than himself, and of that moderation, which reason approves, and charity commands. Be ye therefore all of one mind; let charity be the predominant and universal principle that pervades your lives, and regulates your actions.
Secondly: They are directed by the apostle, to live as men which have compassion one of another.
The word which is rendered having compassion, seems to include a greater latitude of signification, than the word compassion commonly obtains. Compassion is not used, but in the sense of tender regard to the unhappiness of another. But the term used by St. Peter may mean mutually feeling for each other, receiving the same impressions from the same things; and this sense seems to be given it by one of the translators. (Castalio.) The precept will, then be connected and consequential, "Be ye all of
