J. C. Ryle, Old Paths (London, 1898), 259:
The cross is the grand centre of union
among true Christians. Our outward differences are many, without doubt.
One man is an Episcopalian, another is a Presbyterian,—one is an
Independent, another a Baptist,—one is a Calvinist, another an
Arminian,—one is a Lutheran, another a Plymouth Brother,—one is a friend
to Establishments, another a friend to the voluntary system,—one is a
friend to liturgies, another a friend to extempore prayer. But, after
all, what shall we hear about most of these differences, in heaven?
Nothing, most probably: nothing at all.
Does a man really and sincerely glory in
the cross of Christ? That is the grand question. If he does, he is my
brother: we are travelling on the same road; we are journeying towards a
home where Christ is all, and everything outward in religion will be
forgotten. But if he does not glory in the cross of Christ, I cannot
feel comfort about him. Union on outward points only is union only for a
time: union about the cross is union for eternity. Error on outward
points is only a skin-deep disease: error about the cross is disease at
the heart. Union about outward points is a mere man-made union: union
about the cross of Christ can only be produced by the Holy Ghost.
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