SECTION II. 11 of it was the characteristic, or distinguishingmark of a christian. Now since it was so early and so universally practised by the professors of christianity, we have just reason to think it was ap- pointed by the inspired apostles, that christians should come together to worship God on that day, and give honour to their risen Saviour. Acts ii. 1 -4, 41. xx. 7. 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2. Rev. 1. 10. And that they should agree to come to worship at the same place, it evident from 1 Cor. xi. 20, 33. and xiv. 23. The whole churchwere to be gathered together at one place, otherwise they were to tarry for one another till the chief part of them were come. IV. Since mankind is mortal, and every human assembly will die away by degrees, unless it be supplied with new mem- bers, common reason directs every religious society to receive in new members, upon their appearance to be properly qualified, according to the rules of that religion, and the judgment of that society ; that there may be a continuance of this religion in the world: And in the same manner the light of nature, or reason, and common prudence, teach us also, that if the persons who have thus professed any particular religion, do either renounce it in principle or profession, or maintain, in a public and notorious manner, such a set of notions, or such a course of conversation, or of worship, as is inconsistent with it, this religious society will think it proper to cast such persons out of their fellowship, that they may not infect the rest, nor dishonour their religion : For what fellowship has light with darkness, a man of vice with the sous of virtue, a Turk with a Jew, or a Pagan with a christian ? And does not the NewTestament represent to us the chris- tian churches receiving new members on their professionof chris- tianity ? Acts ii. 41, 47. They who gladly received the word were baptized ; and the same day there were added to them about three thousand souls: And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. And does not the apostle teach the churches to take care that they be kept pure, and free front scandal, by separating themselves from evil members, and by casting out those that depart from the truth, or are guilty of gross Immoralities? 2 Thess. iii. O. Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly ; 1 Cor. v. 5, 11, 13. When ye are gathered together, deliver such a one to Satan*. Purge out the old leaven, that ye may bea new lump : that is, put away * Whether the delivering an offender to Satan, in theprimitive times, did include in it the indiction of any sore bodily disease, though it be probable, yet it is not certain, nor universally agreed ; but I think it is agreed pretty univer- sally, that such a one was cast out of the church, and delivered back again into the world, which is the kingdom of Satan; who is caned in the scripture the prince and ace god of the world;" John i. 4. 2 Cor. iv. 4.
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