REGENERATION. 313 Christ. This is our rule : are we called to act towards any, as living members of the body of Christ, and that in such duties as we cannot perform in faith, unless we are persuaded that so they arel then are we, on the grounds and by tlie ways before mentioned, to satisfy ourselves in one another. If we endeavor mutually to discern the condition of one another in reference to such ends, let us be sure to pursue those ends, when we have attained our satis- faction. What these ends are, has been showed. It is, that we may love them without dissimulation, as mem- bers of the same mystical body with us ; that we may naturally take care of them, and for them ; that we may delight sincerely in them; that we may minister unto their wants, temporal and spiritual ; that we may watch over themwith pity and compassion. These and the like are the only ends for which we are, at any time, called to the consideration of the spiritual condi- tion of one another ; if these he neglected, the other is useless. Here lies the life or death of all church-fellow- ship : it is built on the supposition that the members of it are all regenerate, and that they should perform those duties one towards another which are incumbent mutually on regenerate persons. If these are omitted, there is an end of all profitable church society. Churches without this are but 'mere husks and shells of churches, carcasses without souls. For as there is no real union with Christ without faith, so there is no real union among the members of any church without love, and that acting itself in the duties mentioned. Let not this ordinance be in vain. But we must return from this digression,, to that
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