SEEM. IX.] WITH ITS DUTIES-AND ADVANTAGES. Y'3' together in christian fellowship, is that church-covenant which in the very nature of things is necessary to consti- tute a regular christian society, and to maintain the gos- pel in the world in the principles and practices of it : Nor can there be any christian communion maintained in an orderly manner, without such a covenant or agree- ment as this is, either more plainly expressed, or neces- sarily implied : It is only the addition of some things which Christ has not required to such 'a covenant or agreement as this is, that has exposed the name of a, church covenant to so many reproaches in the world Otherwise, I am sure, it deserves none. The fourth head I propose, was to represent some of the duties which plainly arise from such an agreement of Christians to walk and worship together, for the support of their religion. 1. May we not say, that " all the duties which disci- ples of Christ owe to their fellow-christians throughout the world, are more particularly incumbent upon those who are united by their own consent in the same religi- ous society ?" Such as to love one another, to assist, comfort, and succour one another in things that relate to this life, or the life to come, to watch over and warn one another, lest any fall into sin; to admonish one ano- ther in love, and to restore those that are fallen with holy tenderness, and in general to fulfil all kind and friendly offices to each other, in vindication of their common faith, and in the practice of pure religion. We are commanded " to do good to all men, especially to the household- of faith ;', Gala vi. 10. and what is due to all the churches of Christ on earth, seems more particu- larly due to the church of which we are members, be- cause these are within the reach of our notice and our assistance, and we expect the same friendly offices from christians of one place met together in that house for worship,: sometimes it speaks of the church at Jerusalem, which in the first formation Of it seems to be ofa larger extent than could worship in one place, as consist- ing of many thousand souls: But we must remember, that the national church of the Jews could not be supposed all at once to be dissolved so as to form itself into particular congregations, with all that regularity and order which afterward was observed in single christian societies; or per- hapsthe word " church" may be sometimes used to signify all the chris- tians that dwell either in one city or in, one house, without regard to any such special agreement of walking or worshipping together. K2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=