give Account to their Mafter, of all entrusted to their Care. They are to watch over thofe of the Household-to warn them that are Unruly-to comfort the Feeble-minded-to reprove, comfort, admonish, and exhort, with all Longsuffering, and Doctrine. They are to watch the Door of the Houfe, that none enter, if they can prevent, but such for whom the LORD built the Houfe: and particularly to watch for thofe that are afraid to come forward, and comfort and eni courage them: For though it is true that there are no Lions now to deter them, yet many humble Souls are fo diffident, modeft, and fearful, on account of their Unworthinefs; that they need much Encourage ment to join in the Communion of Saints. Such a Porter was ARCADIUS, of whom we have often converfed with Pleasure and Affection; but he is gone to receive from the Chief Shepherd, the Crown of Glory that fadeth not away. You remember with what Kindness he noted all within the Circle of his Miniftry, that appeared to be feeking the LORD: how he exhorted, comforted, and charged them, as a Father doth his Children; that they would walk worthy of GOD, who had called them to his Kingdom and Glory, and feldom You dom failed of being the Means of planting them in the Houfe of the LORD. knew his Tenderness, Watchfulness, and Care over the Members of his Society-he knew their personal and family Trials and Temptations, and was their Friend and Counsellor-he fympathifed with them in all their Sorrows and Afflictions; and faithfully, yet tenderly, reproved their Faults— he was careful to promote their Fellowship in the Intervals of their public Affemblies, by affociating them in fmall Parties from Houfe to House, according to their Vicinities, for the Purpose of Prayer and holy Conference. Such was ARCADIUS, and he was honoured and beloved accordingly. None are fit Subjects for religious Societies, but fuch as have fet their Faces in earnest toward the Kingdom of God; have been convinced of their loft State and Condition; have obtained Faith in the LORD JESUS, and known fomething of the Comforts and Trials of the Way: fuch will freely relate the Way in which they have walked; taking fhame to themselves for their Wanderings, and giving Glory to GoD for his Mercies. PIETY, PRUDENCE, and CHARITY, are necessary Qualifications in Members of religious ligious Societies, when judging of those who feek to be admitted amongst them; left they should receive the fpecious Hypocrite through his fair feeming ;-and reject the humble and fincere Chriftian, because of fome Failings and Weaknesses. PIETY, PRUDENCE, and CHARITY, are further neceffary, no comfortable Fellowship can be had without them: PIETY will cause us to promote whatever tends to the Glory of GoD, and the Edification of Be-i lievers it will prompt to a willing, and frequent Practice of those focial religious Duties, which fan the Fire of Devotion, and keep it alive in one another's Hearts. PRUDENCE is neceffary for avoiding Matters of Offence, or laying of Stumblingblocks in each other's Way: it sometimes requires much PRUDENCE to do this; what through remaining Ignorance, Prejudices, Weakneffes of Mind, and Oddities of Temper, Christians have large Scope for the Exercise of PRUDENCE towards one another: and they will do well to attend to the Directions given on this Head, in the Epiftles to the Churches. I need not recite them to SYNTYCHE, whofe Prudence preferves his own Peace, and promotes that of his Bre thren, thren, having learned of an Apostle, to be of one Mind with them in the LORD. CHARITY how excellent art thou: the Glory of Graces, giving Energy and Vigour to every Duty: thy Duration and thy Of fice are eternal: when Faith is loft in Sight, and Hope in Poffeffion, CHARITY remaineth to conftitute the happy Fellowfhip of the general Affembly and Church of the First-born: to make Heaven itself a comfortable State and Place. CHARITY foftens the Rigours and fooths the Sorrows of the prefent State: it relieves Wants: it covers a Multitude of Tranfgreffions: it preferves Harmony, or reftores it when broken: it is the Source of ten thousand Benefits: therefore the Apostle Paul calls it the fulfilling of the Law: and the Apostle John urges it, as the fupreme Proof, both to ourselves and others, of real Religion in the Heart.. "Hence may all our Actions flow, "Love the Proof that CHRIST we know; "Mutual Love our Token be, "LORD, that we belong to thee! "Love, thine Image, Love impart, Stamp it fully on each Heart; As As Love is the heavenly Cement which unites the Children of GoD, in their Com munion in Gofpel Ordinances, fo it unites different Societies of Chriftians, of different. Modes of Worship in one Spirit of Amity; and renders dear to each other, all in every Place that call upon the Name of the LORD JESUS, and love him in Sincerity and Truth. It prevents our forbidding those who follow not JESUS with us: and teaches us to rejoice in the Progrefs of true Godli nefs, and the Extenfion of CHRIST'S Kingdonr. It anticipates that State where Perfons of very different Sentiments in fome Particulars Here, fhall dwell together in everlasting Harmony.. Love, like Death, hath all deftroy'd, The Ordinances of God's House are appointed for the Inftruction and Comfort of his People: and his Glory refts upon them when they communicate in, and enjoy thofe Ordinances, as Children of the fame Family, Members of the fame Body, Partakers of the fame Faith, and Heirs of the fame Glory. How delightful it is to hear |