134 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. extensively held forth to the world, and there would be no ra, tional hope of the continuance or increase of christianity among men." Particular christians die out of this world from day to day, and there would be few rising up in their stead to support this religion, if there were not public assemblies appointed or agreed: upon : It is in these assemblies, the gospel with all the ditties and blessings thereof is published to the world; it is here unbelievers may attend and hear the glorious truthsof the gospel set forth in a proper light, and the name and memory, the per- son and offices, the graces and glories of our great Redeemerare displayed among men ; 1 Cor. xiv. 23. " When the whole church is cometogether in one place; there come in those that are Unlearned: or unbelievers," and when the important affairs of christianity are managed with becoming order and decency, and the doctrines of our salvation are set forth in a happy light, o' They that believe not are convinced, the secrets oftheir hearts are made manifest : they will worship God together with us, and report that God is among us of a truth ;" verse 25. Hereby those that are convinced of their sin and dagger, and have fled for refuge to lay hold on Jesusas their only hope, are encouraged to come and join themselves to the church, when they behold the beauty of the Lord in his gospel-sanetnary, and the appearances pf his power and glory there. In short, I might add, that there is no public religion, nor worshipof any kind; can be well maintained in theworld, without such un agreement' among the persons that profess that religion : Even heathens, and'Turks, and Jews, all sorts ofworshippers in every age, think it necessary to agree to worship their God in particular societies, and thereby maintain their religious cotnmu- nion with- each other. It is granted indeed, that where a national religion is estab- lished by the authority of the magistrate, and the times, and places, andmodes of worship are appointedby him, together with the persons who shall minister therein throughout the several cities, towns, and villages in that nation, there isno suchneces- sity for private persons to form an express agreement among themselves about this matter, if their consciences led them tó the same worship and practice which the magistrate requires Their constant willing attendance implies sueltan agreement. But I can find nopower 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 whose consciences lead them to differ from this establish- ed religion, are then directed by the light of nature, as well as scripture, to form such agreements among themselves, in order to maintain christian worship, and the practice of christianity, ar they find it representgd iu the bible.
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