When the collision of opinion is very strong, two good men may meet, and only be confirmed in their prejudices against one another: for in order that one may elicit the spiritual sympathies of the other, a certain liberality is prerequisite.

Without this, each prepares to shield himself from attack, or even holds out weapons of offence.

Thus "articles of Communion" are essentially articles of Disunion .-- On the other hand, if all tests of opinion in a church were heartily and truly done away, then the principles of spiritual affinity and repulsion would act quite undisturbed.

Surely therefore this was the only right method ?--Nevertheless, I saw the necessity of _one_ test, "Jesus is the Son of God," and felt unpleasantly that one article tends infallibly to draw another after it.

But I had too much, just then to think of in other quarters, to care much about Church Systems.
[Footnote 1: See Gen.xxxiii.19, and xlix.