128 A CHRTSTTAN CPintcl. throws the stoical doctrine, which makes happiness to consist in wisdom and virtue ; and such a one cannot be admitted to any communion with them in their festivals, constant or occa- sional. But if any person shall mingle much of platonism, or pythagorean philosophy with the stoic, and expound Zeno, in some part of his doctrine, in the sense of Plato, or Pythagoras, perhaps he may be invited and admitted as á guest at the stoical feast, and so hold occasiónal communion with them ; because he is truly a stoic, though a favourer of other sects. His notions are not ruinons and destructive to the most valuable principles of stoical philosophy ; though he differs so much, that it would en- danger that particular stoical society, if this person were received as a stated member to allthe powers and privileges thereof. But as to others who hold the stoical doctrine, though one expounds it according to Epictetus, another believes it in the exposition of Antoninus, another in the expo- sition of Seneca, who were all stoics, these may all be admitted to constant communion, and as members of the same, society ; for the great ends and designs of their society are hereby pro- moted and secured ; their several differences are but small, and very consistent with the cultivationof stoicism, and the benefits of the society. In short, those who hold so little of Zeno's precepts, in the sense of the society, as neither to be consistent with its being, nor well-being, must be excluded fromall communion with it; such are Epicurus and Democritus, even though they should subscribe all the words of Zeno. Those who hold no more of Zeno's precepts in the sense of the society, than isjust consistent with the being of the society, hut may naturally prove fatal and ruinous to the well-being of it, should be admitted only to occasional communion; such are those who admire Plato and Pythagoras, and mix their directions with the doctrine of stoicism. Those who hold so much of Zeno's precepts in the sense of the stoical society, as to be consistent with the being, well. being,,and edification of the society, may be ad- nutted as fixed members thereof, and be entitled to all its powers and privileges; such are the followers of Epictetus, Seneca, &c. Ihope such sort of parallel instance may give some light and direction in these affairs of communion among christians : Yet these things being not exactly delivered in the word of sod, nor particular rules about them determined clearly in scripture, it is evident that,our Lord Jesus Christ intended that the light of nature and reason, the common principles and rules of orderand society, and the most prevailing prospect of holi- ness, truth and love, should determine our actions in such cases;
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