Church has shewn
examples of this. It was thus in the period of the Reformation, the
moment the law of love was forgotten by the powerful minds which were so
wonderfully energized as well as liberated by the rediscovery of eternal
truths long forgotten. It was thus again in the course of the
Evangelical Revival in the last century, when holy men, whose whole
natures had been warmed and vivified by a new insight for themselves into
the fulness of Christ, were betrayed into discussions on the mysteries of
grace carried on in the spirit rather of self than of love. "We that are
in this tabernacle do groan, being burthened." The words are true of the
believing individual; they are true also of the believing Church. That
which is perfect is not yet come. In the inscrutable but holy progress
of the plan of God in redemption towards its radiant goal, it is
permitted that temptation should connect itself with our very blessings,
both in the person and in the community. And our one antidote is to
watch and pray, looking unto Jesus, and looking away from ourselves.

It was thus in measure at Philippi. And St Paul cannot rest about it.
He plies them with every loving argument for the unity of love, ranging
from the plea of attachment to himself up to the supreme plea of "the
mind that was in Christ Jesus" when He came down from heaven. He has
begun to address them thus already. And in the wonderful passage now
before us he is to develope his appeal to the utmost, in the Lord's name.

Ver. 1. +If therefore+, in connexion with this theme of holy oneness of
love and life, +there is such a thing as comfort+, encouragement
(_paraklesis_), +in Christ+, drawn from our common union with the Lord,
if +there is such a thing as love's consolation+, the tender cheer which
love can give to a beloved one by meeting his inmost wish, +if there is
such a thing as Spirit-sharing+,[1] +if there are such things as hearts+
(_splagchna_, _viscera_) +and compassions+, feelings of human tenderness
and attachment, through which I may appeal to you simply as a friend, and
a friend in trouble,

Ver. 2. calling for your pity; +make full my joy+, drop this last
ingredient into the cup of my thankful happiness for you, and bring the
wine to the brim, +by being[2] of the same mind+ (_phronma_, feeling,
attitude of mind), +feeling+ (_echontes_) +the same love+, "the same" on
all sides, soul and soul together (_sympsychoi_) +in a+

Ver. 3. +min