better than himself; this gives him confidence and courage; and he resembles a soldier who advances boldly with his comrades, when he would hesitate and falter alone. "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but wo to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. And if one pre

vail against him, two shall withstand him: and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Indecision is as perilous as it is uncomfortable. And therefore the Apostle says, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." For while the enemy sees you unfixed and hesitating, he yet hopes to succeed, and this protracts his endeavours: whereas when he finds you determined, he desponds, and departs. How many temptations are cut off, as soon as we cease to halt between two opinions, and proclaim ourselves to be on the Lord's side. And how much circumspection is also hereby induced. He who makes no pretences to a thing, is not judged by it; but a profession of religion is of great value, as it tends to check what is evil, and to bind us to what is righteous, by subjecting us to self-reproach and the censure of others, when we act inconsistently. "Does this temper or conduct become a member of the Church of Christ? Do I wear his livery, and disown him? Have I opened my mouth to the Lord, and can I go back? Are not the eyes of many upon me? And have they not a right to ask, what do ye more than others?"

And let me put it to your conscience, whether this be not one of the reasons which operate to keep you out of the Church, Ye feel yourselves now in

a larger place. You have more liberty. You cari do your own ways, and find your own pleasures, and speak your own words, on God's holy day. Your tongues are your own: who is Lord over you you? And-"I do not profess to be a saint," seems an excuse to prevent or silence all the qualms of the sinner. "I know not," says Doddridge, "a more dreadful mark of destruction upon a man, than a fear to be under an obligation to avoid what is evil, and to cleave to that which is good." A man properly concerned for his spiritual and everlasting welfare, would feel every assistance, every excitement, every motive, in such an important course, a privilege: and such a privilege constitutes a powerful argument on behalf of a Church relation.

ness.

Therefore it has a fourth claim. It is UsefulHow much more is a man's zeal drawn forth as soon as he has declared himself in any cause; and he partakes of the spirit of the party. When his vote is solicited for a candidate at the time of an election, though he feels scarcely a preference before, yet as soon as he has avowed himself for either of the applicants, his indifference is destroyed, his fervour is excited, and he is carried along with the proceedings, until he is intensely interested; and his happiness or misery seems suspended on the success. Indeed, whatever we keep concealed within, is likely to lose some of its hold upon us: it is by speaking of it, by pushing it forward, by acting constantly upon it, that we feel more of its impression and influ

ence.

But there is another view to be taken of the subject. We all know how much is to be done by union, even when the parts are inconsiderable in

themselves. Thus sands make the mountains. The cable that holds the ship in the storm is composed of threads. A single soldier that has missed his way, may chance-wise do some little good; but he is efficient only as acting with a corps; and the war requires an army. If the liberal soul deviseth liberal things, how are good schemes to be carried into effect, and how are useful institutions to be supported, but by union and co-operation? How much does one Christian society accomplish by its collective wisdom, and benevolence, and exertion! Why are the Churches called candlesticks, but because they are instruments, holding forth and diffusing the light of life?

The publick worship of God ought always to be considered as an unspeakable benefit to mankind. Amidst the cares and toils and distresses of life, "God is known in his palaces for a refuge." He is "the Father of the fatherless, and the Husband of the widow, in his holy habitation." There the tempted are succoured; and the weak strengthened; and the wandering directed. The sanctuary opens a door for the weary traveller to enter and refresh himself. It awakens, by its administrations, the curiosity of the thoughtful, and the attention of the careless; and how often have those who came from no pious motive, been known of all, judged of all, and compelled to exclaim, God is in the midst of them of a truth. While we are anxious for more success to attend the means of grace, we are not aware of the extent and the degree in which they are useful. What an injury would be sustained in a neighbourhood, if they were given up!

But it is by Churches that the ministry of the word and the ordinances of religion are supported and dispensed; and by their means the system of conversion and edification is continued and perpetuated. Individuals die; but thus, as some are removed, others are added. Thus member succeeds member, and pastor succeeds pastor; and, as in the case of a river, change leaves sameness, and permanency is produced by succession.-But we have,

III. To consider THE DUTIES ARISING from the

STATE.

These are various, as well as important. They relate,

First, to the Worship. This a Christian will value as the appointment of Him, who knowing what is in man, ordains what is necessary to him, and delights in the prosperity of his servants. When, therefore, he says, "Seek ye my face," his heart answers, "Thy face, Lord, will I seek." And as he obeys from love, he will never exclaim, "what a weariness is it to serve the Lord; when will the Sabbath be gone!" He calls the Sabbath a delight, and the holy of the Lord, honourable. He loves the habitation of his house. He finds his word and eats it; and it is to him the joy and the rejoicing of his heart. If others can dispense with ordinances, he never rises above his need of them. He feels that something is still wanting to his knowledge, his graces, his comfort; and though he holds communion with God habitually, and wishes in all his ways to acknowledge him, he sees what an adaptation there is in the means of grace to afford him relief and assistance. His own experience stimulates him,-for

he has seen his power and glory in the sanctuary ; while the promise justifies his most enlarged expectation-" In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint."

Cases of prevention will sometimes occur; but he will take heed that they are not excuses. And, as he would not love and serve the creature more than the Creator, he will see that the hinderances are such as would keep him from all other engagements. And if they can be removed by order and skill and diligence in his affairs; or by a little expense in conveyance, saved from vanity and excess, he will remove them. And when the sick relation, or his own bed of languishing, or the painful accident, detains him at home, he will feel himself the prisoner of the Lord, and say, with the royal exile, "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me; for I had gone with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday." I never believe those, who, turning their back upon the temple, tell us that they pass their time in retired devotion. One duty pleads for another, and prepares for another, and helps another. It is the same with neglect: we may infer one omission from another. It is very questionable too, when they tell us, that the preacher can teach them no more than they know already. It is the remark of Caryl, that "he who will learn of none but himself, is sure to have a fool for his master." Besides, novelty of in