726 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP - [SEAIvt..Iat.- societies, and thereby maintain their. religious, cómmu- nion with :each other. It is granted indeed, that where a national religion is established by the authority of the magistrate, and the times, and places, and modes of worship. are appointed by him, together, with the persons who",shall minister therein throughout the several cities, towns, and villages in that nation, there is no such necessity for private per- sons to form an express agreement among themselves about this matter, if their consciences lead them to the same worship and practice which the magistrate requires : Their constant willing attendance implies such an agree- 'ment. But I can find-no power of imposing this-public worship; given to magistrates, among all the principles of- -natural reason, nor among any of the writings of the New Testament : And those persons whpse consciences lead them to differ fróm this established religion, are then directed by the light of nature, as well as scripture, tó forin such agreements among themselves, in order to maintain Christian worship, and the practice of christi- amity, -as they find it represented in the bible. The second thing I proposed was to spew you some of the advantages of such an agreement for christian fel- lowship, and among others I might mention such as these : - 1. ' " It gives courage to every christian to profess and practise his religion, when many persons are engaged by mutual agreement in the same profession and practice." We do notlove to be singular, and to be pointed at by the world, as standing and acting alone, especially in the affairs of God .and religion; but when a good company unite themselves together for such a sacred purpose, this takes away the reproach of singularity ; they all strength- en o`ne another's hands in the ways of the Lord, and they bear up with more firmness of heart against the re- proaches of the world. Q. It is more for the particular edification of Christians, that such societies should be formed, Where the word of Christ is constantly preached, where the or- dinances,gf Christ are administered, and the religion of Çhri,t is held forth in a social and honourable manner to the world." Hereby every christian knows where to gy tQ- hear the gospel- preached, and multitudes are
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