hitherto, outward division has been a main support, not only of zeal, as is very generally admitted, but of the authority of the Word, which is instrumentally the life of the Church; and the Reformation consisted not, as has been commonly said, in the institution of a pure form of Church, but in setting up the Word, and the great Christian foundation and corner stone of Justification by Faith, in which Believers might find life. But further, if the view that has been taken of the state of the Church be correct, we may adjudge that he is an enemy to the work of the Spirit of God, who seeks the interests of any particular denomination ; and that those who believe in the power and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, ought carefully to keep from such a spirit; for it is drawing back the Church to a state, of which ignorance and non-subjection to the word have been the occasion; and making a duty of its worst and most Antichristian results. This is a most subtle and prevailing mental disease, “he followeth not us,” even when men are really Christians. Let the people of God see if they be not hindering the manifestation of the Church by this spirit. I believe there is scarcely a public act of Christian men, at any rate of the higher orders, or of those who are active in the nominal Churches, which is not infected with this; but its tendency is manifestly hostile to the spiritual interests of the people of God, and the manifestation of the glory of Christ.—It must grieve the Spirit of God. Christians are little aware how this prevails in their minds; how they seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ; and how it dries up the springs of grace and spiritual communion; how it precludes that order to which blessing is attached—the gathering together in the Lord’s name. No meeting, which is not framed to embrace all the children of God in the full basis of the kingdom of the Son, can find the fulness of blessing, because it does not contemplate it—because its faith does not embrace it.
Where two or three are gathered together in His name, His name is recorded there for blessing; because they are met in the fulness of the power of the unchangeable interests of that everlasting kingdom in which it has pleased the glorious Jehovah to glorify Himself, and make His name and saving health known in the person of the Son, by the power of the Spirit. In the name of Christ therefore they enter (in whatever measure of faith) into the full counsels of
