society of creatures, in whom, whether considered indívidually or collectively, it is criminal to repose the confidence of faith.67

XXIII. When we affirm, therefore, that we believe the Church, we profess, that there has existed from the beginning of time, still exists, and will continue to the end of the world to exist, a society of men chosen by God to salvation, called by the Gospel and the Spirit, professing faith and piety with the mouth, and practising them in the conduct. We declare, also, that neither the machinations of the world that lieth in wickedness, nor the gates of hell, shall ever prevail against this society: For it is utterly impossible that the decree of God should fail;-that the promises of God should come to nought; w-that the word of salvation should be preached in vain ;-that the prophecies respecting the perpetuity of Christ's kingdom should fall to the ground;-or that Christ should lose the reward of his labour, and become a Master without disciples, a King without subjects, a Bridegroom without a bride, a Head without a body.

XXIV. Nor is it sufficient to believe and profess this in general. We must endeavour, in our meditations, to enter more deeply into the subject, that we may adore with reverence, and with a sort of holy amazement, the methods of God's procedure in the government of the Church, and the displays which it affords of his perfections. From eternity he delineated in his own mind the whole state and condition of the Church,

-wisely fixing her diversified fortunes in the different periods of time;-dispensing the word of his grace at sundry times and in diverse manners;-treating her at first more liberally in the families of the Patriarchs, then more strictly in the nation of Israel, and at length giving her ample liberty in an acceptable time and a year of grace;—sometimes chastising her with the rod of fatherly correction, at other times delighting her with a happy abundance of peace ;-now adorning her with the flowers of a grateful spring, anon afflicting her with the wasting severity of the storms of winter. He has peculiarly exhibited his adorable wisdom in the New Testament Church; which he rescued from the yoke of the ancient ceremonies, and extended amongst the nations on every side; and to which, after she had nobly struggled first with the pertinacity of the Jews, and then with the ferocity of the Heathen, and with the wiles and artifices of Heretics, he gave the dominion of the world under Constantine the Emperor. From that period the connexion of the Beast with the Church commenced, Antichrist began gradually to prevail, and the people of God were led captive to Babylon; until by means of the blessed Reformation, the Church was indulged with more auspicious times; -hitherto indeed interrupted, and still to be interrupted, by intervals of declension,-but to issue in the happy conversion of the Jews, and in all the glories reserved for the Church in latter days, till, whilst religion is again declining, the Judge shall appear from heaven, and bring all things to their consummation. These varied scenes, which are often predicted in the prophetic books of Scripture, and accurately detailed in the sacred Revelation of John, but now in a great mcasure fulfilled in the events themselves, are presented to

believers as the subject of pious meditation, for the glory of God, the confirmation of faith, and the exercise of hope." The righteous shall see it, and rejoice; "and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is "wise, and will observe these things, even they shall "understand the loving-kindness of the Lord."a Nay, these are matters in which, "unto the principalities "and powers in heavenly places, is made known by "the Church, the manifold wisdom of God; according "to the eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ "Jesus, our Lord."

xxv. But even this is not all that is necessary. We must also cultivate fellowship with the Church of Christ, by associating with her in the hearing of the word, in public prayer, in songs of praise to God, in the profession of the faith, and in the participation of the same bread and wine at the Lord's table. We ought not merely to run, but even to "fly" together "as doves to their windows;"e that in us, too, those prophecies may be accomplished, which describe in terms so magnificent, the joyful flowing together of the nations to the Church. "Behold, how good, and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! " &c."e

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XXVI. Nor should we be deterred from this communion by some faults which may possibly be committed in the government of the Church, or by the sins of others, who do not duly regulate their practice according to the commandments. If only the truth of the

■ Ps. cvii. 42, 43.

c Is. lx. 8.

Ephes. iii. 10, 11.

d Is. ii. 2, 3. Jer. xxxi. 12. Zech. viii. 20-23. and elsewhere passim.

• Ps. cxxxiii.

In

Doctrine continue uncorrupted, if we are not obliged to approve of those faults, and if we are careful to have no fellowship with others in their sins, it becomes us to discover so much reverence for the institutions of God, and so much love for the faithful who belong to that society, as cheerfully and frequently to unite with them in the social exercises of religious worship; "Not "forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the "manner of some is, but exhorting one another." vain do we expect to see on the earth a Church without spot, a thrashing-floor without chaff, a field without tares, or a house in which are none but vessels unto honour. Nor let us imagine that we are to please God by any presumptuous conceit of our own sanctity, joined with contempt of others." Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier "than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire "that burneth all the day."

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XXVII. It is necessary, however, to take heed, that we associate only with a true Church, lest we embrace a prostitute and an adulteress instead of the chaste Spouse of Christ. Amidst so great a multitude of societies, which vie with each other in claiming to themselves the name of the Church, it appears an arduous task for a man concerned for the salvation of his soul, to determine which of them ought to be preferred. But there is in particular one characteristic, by which, without great difficulty, you may discriminate the true Church of Christ from an adulteress, to wit, the truth of the heavenly doctrine. If a society devoutly profess the truth, as it was delivered by Christ, and by the Prophets and Apostles, you may safely recognise it as

a Church of Christ. For what is the Church but

the pillar and the ground of truth?" "Built upon "the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus "Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, &c."i

XXVIII. Such, too, is the nature of the heavenly doctrine, that it readily approves itself to the conscience. It is entirely and directly calculated to refer all things to the glory of God ;i-powerfully to repress the arrogance of the human mind ;-sweetly to console the afflicted spirit in times of adversity and sorrow ;-and strongly to enforce the practice of the purest holiness.m Whoever has considered these criteria of the truth, will easily perceive that, with regard to doctrine, what is usually called the Reformed Church holds a conspicuous place amongst others professing the Christian name. With that Church it is an object of the greatest solicitude, that God be recognised as the author and giver of whatever is good, as well in man as in every other creature ;-that man, conscious of his nothingness, and divested of all confidence in his own powers and in his own merits, depend wholly on Divine grace; that trusting in no creature, but in the all-sufficiency of God in Christ, he may have a sure foundation of comfort under every perplexity ;-that, in fine, stimulated by the amazing kindness of God towards man, and by the unmerited love of Christ, he may apply himself to the practice of an ingenuous holiness, which lays aside the mercenary baseness of self-love, and is habitually influenced by pure love to God, and an unred concern to promote his glory. In all these re

h 1 Tim. iii. 15.

j Ps. cxv. 1.

Is. xl. 1.

* Ουδένεια.

i Ephes. ii. 20, 21.

k Gal. vi. 3.

m Tit. i. 1.