agrees to it heartily; he would therefore set his own seal to it, and receive a seal from God. He that has a true relish of divine privileges, will long after their increase and enlargement; he that has felt any thing of heaven, will get as near it as possible here on earth. Now are these the breathings of our souls? Have we ever found such divine delight in approaching to God, as makes us long after greater degrees of nearness to him? We have reason to doubt, whether our hearts ever drew near to God in the common institutions of his worship, such as prayer, reading, and hearing the word, if we have no appetite to the special entertainments of his house, and the provisions of his holy table. We may justly question, whether our souls are brought near to God at all, if we have no desire to dwell with him.

II. "He that feels grace begun in his heart by approaching to God, will be ever pursuing those methods whereby it may be earried on." The very word oxodoμn, or edification, which is used in several places of the New Testament to signify the growth of grace, does properly mean building up, and seems to have a special reference to the house of God, that spiritual building to which every true christian should belong, and that in a visible manner too. He that was convinced of sin and of righteousness, and was led into the glorious light of the gospel, by drawing near to God in public worship, when he was before blind and ignorant, will surely seek a greater nearness to God, that he may ensure divine illuminations, and dwell always in the light. He that was sanctified and made a new creature, by approaching to God in the common ministrations of his temple, will lay himself under all the special advantages that the temple is furnised with, to maintain his new nature, and increase in holiness. The communion of the saints, and the fellowship of a church, is an appointed means for the increase of grace, and fruitfulness in every good work; Psal. xcii. 13, 14. "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, should flourish in the courts of our God; they sha'lstill bring forth fruit in old age, they shall be fat and flourishing." And I think I may pronounce this truth boldly, "That soul has nothing of true religion or piety begun, who is perfectly contented with any little and low degrees of it, and does not desire

its increase.

The christian who has found God in his sanctuary according to his word, longs to be satisfied with more of his special goodness. You may read his encouragements in the words of the prophet; Is. Iv. 3, 11. compared with chapter lvi. 4—7. When the Lord said to him in the public ministry, " Incline your ear and come unto me, hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you;" he heard the invitation of mercy, and he entered into the covenant of the Lord, and he begun to taste his grace: He came, he heard, and

his soul lives. He has found the word of God accomplishing his good pleasure, and prospered thus far in the thing for which it was sent: Therefore he joins himself to the Lord, and takes up his place in his house, and takes hold on his covenant in a public profession; he hopes, now he is "brought to God's holy mountain," that he shall be made joyful in his house of prayer." He that has found the accomplishment of some promises, would put his soul directly under the influence of all of them.. He has faith, and believes that God is faithful and will fulfil all his relations; he has trusted in several of the relations which God has assumed, and found them already fulfilled, as a faithful creator, preserver, redeemer, &c. now he would put himself under his care as a Father of the family, and a master of the house, as the king of his church; and when he enters into Zion, or joins himself to a christian church, he humbly expects to find those promises made good; Psal. cxxxii. 15, 16. "I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." And Psal. xcii. 13. "Those who are planted in the courts of God shall flourish and be fruitful there."

Now it is proper to put this question to our own souls: Do those of us who are joined in holy fellowship take pleasure in our station in the church, as it is au appointed means to increase grace in us, and to promote universal holiness both of heart and life? Do we wait upon God in the solemn ordinances of his church, with a humble faith in his promises, that he will meet and bless us there? And as for those of us who have not yet taken up our places in the house of God, do we desire that holiness should `increase in us? And why then do we not breathe after the blessings of Sion, and an accomplishment of those promises which God has made to his church? What sign or evidence can we have that we ever begun to receive grace from God, if we have no longing desires of soul to enjoy greater degrees of it? And how can we pretend to long after growth in grace, if we refuse the appointed means of it?

III. He that is caused to draw near to God in public worship, finds his soul softened by the approaches of divine grace, and feels the awful impression of divine commands to perform social worship." He reads his duty plain by the light of nature, that there ought to be religious societies, and public honour paid to God: He reads it yet plainer in the word of scripture, that the original christians were wont to form themselves into churches, or sacred societies, to celebrate the institutions of their Lord, and are required by the apostle not to forsake those assemblies: His conscience feels the divine authority, and he cannot resist plain duty.

It would be too large here to lay down half the reasons of

church-fellowship, as a duty incumbent on those that have tasted of the grace of God; it may be proved in a typical way at least, from the practice of the Jews, and the church under the Old Testament, in their public and solemn covenanting with God: It may be further evidenced by the many prophecies and promises concerning Zion, some of which have a reference to New Testament times, and the assemblies of the saints under the dispensation of the gospel: It may be inferred from the directions of our Lord Jesus Christ, concerning the discipline of a church, as well as from the positive institution of the Lord's-supper, which must not be celebrated but in a christian assembly: It may be argued from the many counsels and directions which saint Paul has given concerning various offices, and forms of order and government, which can have no place, but in a particular church: The great designs and ends of church-fellowship, with regard to the public honour of God, the glory of Christ, and the spiritual benefit of men, are sufficient proofs of this duty: And all these arguments are established and confirmed by the practice of the apostles, and the primitive converts.

Now I say, a soul that has approached unto God in divine ordinances, will obey divine commands: He that tastes sacred pleasure, will learn sacred duty. He that has received divine mercy, will reverence divine authority. So the saints in 2 Cor. viii. 5. They gave their own selves first to the Lord, and then resigned themselves to the directions and commands of the apostles, according to the will of God. Now let us see whether we feel the influence of this command. Do we, who are joined in holy communion, continue our stations in a church of Christ, from the authority of a divine institution, and love to the ordinance? Or is it because we cannot without difficulty or shame break the bonds of Christ, and cast his cords from us? And let us all examine by this rule, whether we truly approach unto God in ordinances, or no. Have we been melted by divine love into a compliance with all the institutions of God? Or can we easily content ourselves to make a mere common profession, without ever subjecting ourselves to the ordinances of God's house? If you believe the special solemnities of the church to be a divine appointment, and yet have no thought or desire tending that way, you will have much ado to prove that you are sincere in any part of worship.

IV." He that truly draws near to God, finds so much satisfaction in it, that he loves to lay himself under more and stronger engagements to abide near to him." Those that delight in seeking the Lord their God, will not only ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, but they will also agree together and say, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a perpetual covenant that shall not be forgotten; Jer. i. 4, 5. In a solemn

manner they will give themselves up to the Lord in the face of his church. They take pleasure to lay bonds on their souls to walk closely with God; and they believe, and rejoice that the great God engages himself at the same time to walk with them, according to his ancient promise; Lev. xxvi. 3, 12. If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments and do them, I will walk among you, and will be your God; and ye shall be my people.

Besides, a person that is truly brought near to God by Jesus Christ, loves to put himself under the watch and care of Christ, and that in the most express and sensible manner, by coming into his house. He takes up his place there, that he may be guarded from those temptations, whereby the world might allure him to depart from God again. He gives himself up to the care and watchfulness of the pastor, whose business it is to watch over souls: He subjects himself to the watchful eye and care of all his brethren and fellow-christians in the church, that they may be as guards and assistants to him in his holy work. He thinks he can never lay himself under too many obligations to the Lord; and he desires that the vows of God may ever abide upon him, that his soul may be kept from all iniquity, and from wandering into forbidden ways. Shall I entreat you now to enquire whether this be the temper of your hearts? Have you found so much pleasure in approaching God, and are you so fully persuaded that your happiness consists in it, that you aredesirous to bind yourselves in the strongest manner to abide with God? Or do you think you have too many bonds upon you already? And is it for that reason you abstain from the fellowship of a church, lest ye should be tied too fast to religion, and have too many eyes and guards upon you? It is a dangerous sign that you have never been truly brought near to God, if you are willing to live at a looser rate, and are afraid of too many engagements to holiness.

V." He that draws near to God in worship, and enjoys the sweetness of the ordinances of Christ, will endeavour to maintain his public honour in the world." It is by such a public profession, Christ is honoured among men, and in his house are his ordinances celebrated. Now should christians refuse this duty, where would be a church to bear up the holy name of Christ in this sinful world? Where would be a house of God for ordinances to be administered in? It is therefore out of love to the ordinances where his soul has approached nigh to God, and out of love to Christ, to support his glory, and confess him among men, that such a person will dwell in the courts, in the house of the Lord, and give up his name to Christ in the fellowship of his church. And what can our consciences answer now to such an enquiry as this? What concern have we for the public

honour of Christ? Can we pretend to have tasted of his grace, and have no regard for his glory? Do we plead his name before God as our only hope, and are we unwilling to confess his name before men? Are there none of you in this assembly, who hope you are brought near to God by the blood of Christ, and yet delay and refuse to give this public honour to him in the world: What would become of the profession of the name and glory of Christ among men, if all were of your mind, and took no more care to maintain it than you do? Where would any church of Christ be found? Where would the special ordinances of the gospel be administered? Or any such thing as the public communion of the saints? If all were so negligent in this matter as you are, churches would be lost, and the Lord's-supper quite forgotten; though our Lord appointed it to continue till he come.

VI." He that is brought near to God, and united to Christ, will love to look like one that is near God, like a member of Christ, and one of the body." He that is of the family of the faithful, delights to appear like one of Christ's household, and therefore will dwell in his house. Gospel visible churches are types of the invisible: And a true christian is not ashamed to own his relation to the church above, by his communion with the church on earth. It is true, a person may be a child of God in secret, and of the household of Christ, and yet may not at present have taken up his place in the family, nor dwell in the house of God, nor be joined to any visible church; but then such persons look like strangers, like the children of this world, for they dwell with them in the visible kingdom of Satan: Now true christians would, or should look like themselves, and not appear like foreigners and strangers, but as fellow-citizens with the saints; Eph. ii. 19.

I confess there may be some seasons and circumstances, which may not only indulge, but even oblige christians to conceal their character and profession. Piety and prudence agree well together; and we are not to expose ourselves, nor our sacred things, to a cruel and scoffing age, without an apparent call of Christ. "Pearls must not be cast before swine, lest they tramMat. ple them under their feet, and turn again and tear us ;"

vii. 6. But remember, my friends, that this can never be an excuse for a constant and au universal neglect of the profession of Christ, and communion with his churches. And doubtless the guilt of such a neglect is more heinous in a day of liberty, and when there is the least temptation and danger.

VII. He that approaches to God the Father, and holds communion with him, loves to be near the children, and to hold communion with the saints; for he that loves God, must love his, brother also; I John iv. 21. And he must shew his love by delighting in their company, and dwelling with them, in the house