zeal, which the expression of the Apostle's approbation causes to be associated in our minds, with the names of many, who are handed down to us as fellow-helpers in the work of the Lord, and as the comforters and strengtheners of them that had devoted themselves to the preaching of. the Gospel. Be it remembered, that they were times of fearful danger and strong. temptation, in which these examples of fidelity and brotherly union were exhibited; and we shall have no difficulty in perceiving, how honourable they were to, our brethren, the first-born of the faith, and how serviceable, how necessary, to the security, the progress, and perhaps the existence, of pure religion in the world.

As the passage which I have read in connexion with these remarks, fixes our view on the assistance rendered by some of these workers of righteousness, to the labours of Paul, and on the happy influence of their conduct on the spirit and exertions of this venerable servant of Christ;

I shall, on the present occasion, pursue the train of thought to which it naturally leads, in some plain considerations, respecting the duty, necessity, and advantage, of united and zealous co-operation among the friends of simple, scriptural truth; among those, I mean, who, like you, acknowledge no master in religion, but Christ; no creed-book, but the Bible; no test of sound doctrine, but the unambiguous declarations of Jesus and his Apostles.

It may be observed, in the first place, that the religion of Jesus is evidently designed for rational beings, living and acting in a social state. The God, for whom it claims their affections and worship, is distinguished by the appellation "Father" of his creatures; the dispositions and habits, which it encourages with the promise of reward, are such as are eminently conducive to the improvement of society; the duties which it appoints, have the good of others for their object, either as the imme-, diate aim of the commandment, or as the natural result of the personal virtues,

which it teaches us to cultivate; the passions which it restrains, and the practices which it forbids, are not more injurious to individual happiness, than to the general welfare and security; the relation, which it causes to subsist between all the members of the church, is that of "brethren;" the heaven, which it discloses to the eye of faith, is a state of social intercourse, of purified and blessed communion, in which the whole company of true disciples shall rejoice together for ever in the presence of the Lord, but for whose scenes and employments they are required to prepare themselves while they sojourn on the earth. It is not therefore, without a strong and obvious reason, that the Apostle applies to the body of Christians the beautiful and honourable designation of “the household of faith," and "the household of God." For they have common ties, common duties, common hopes; forming one extensive family, whose Father is God, and whose eldest brother, being the firstborn from the dead, is Jesus Christ. The

maintenance of a harmonious fellowship among its members, is therefore obligatory upon all, for their common safety and advantage. As they all compose one body in Christ, the various members should also have a care one for another; "because whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it, or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."

It is not however, by the mere interchange of those kind affections and good offices, which promote the temporal comforts and peace of mankind, that the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, discharge the obligations, which their profession of his name renders imperative upon them. They are instructed to labour for the building up of their fellow-creatures in a pure and holy faith, and for the removal of the obstacles which may hinder their advancement to the possession of spiritual blessings. They are required to do something for the truth; "to stand fast in one spirit," bearing testimony against error, superstition, and vice; to contend with earnest

which it teaches us to cultivate; the passions which it restrains, and the practices which it forbids, are not more injurious to individual happiness, than to the general welfare and security; the relation, which it causes to subsist between all the members of the church, is that of "brethren;" the heaven, which it discloses to the eye of faith, is a state of social intercourse, of purified and blessed communion, in which the whole company of true disciples shall rejoice together for ever in the presence of the Lord, but for whose scenes and employments they are required to prepare themselves while they sojourn on the earth. It is not therefore, without a strong and obvious reason, that the Apostle applies to the body of Christians the beautiful and honourable designation of " the household of faith," and "the household of God." For they have common ties, common duties, common hopes; forming one extensive family, whose Father is God, and whose eldest brother, being the firstborn from the dead, is Jesus Christ. The