torted in defence of hasty excommunication, and of due distance, that surgeons and physicians when the body is distempered, are obliged to probe infectious sores to the bottom, and to administer the bitterest potions; the facts I admit, but assert that all these operations are performed in order to a cure; and that even if the disorder should prove so malignant, as to render it unsafe for society in general to approach the infected-yet the physician at the hazard of his life continues his visits, and never omits them, until death or recovery terminate his labours-and this is exactly the course, leaders of sects would pursue, if animated by the love of God. What the physician is to the body, they by profession are to the mind, and the - attendance that he bestows upon the former from motives of interest, they should surely bestow upon the latter from motives of love, and always do when possessed of that divine faith, which as admirably described by the apostle, "Out of weakness makes strong, quenches the violence of fire, works righteousness, obtains promises, and even stops the mouths of lions" that is; overcomes all difficulties in the works of charity, from an internal

+ Hasty excommunication—this is always the result of envy, prejudice or passion-if absolute necessity requires the cutting off of a member for his own good, or for the good of the body; a true church of Christ will weep that Satan has obtained so much power-but I cannot conceive that such a church will feel indifferent, as to the salvation or destruction of those who were once its members-this would argue the absence of that charity, which may be justly denominated the soul or animating principle of the church; and without which, religious societies degenerate into political factions, or mere commercial associations; sensible men have only to open their eyes to perceive the living proofs of this assertion.

principle of faith and love which fears neither danger nor opposition; this was the spirit which influenced the author of the Revelations, in his pursuit of the robber in the wilderness; this was the spirit which animated St. Paul in his arduous labours; and in his prayers and tears for the conversion of his country men; this was the spirit which animated the first intruments of the reformation, and the founders of quakerism, but where is it now? Were we to enquire where is the christian society that conforms in its public conduct to the precepts and examples I have quoted, and if the question was proposed-Can a society be truly christian that does not? I am afraid the answer would appear invidious. It might be retorted by some leading characters, who have been remiss in their attention to the sheep which have strayed from their respective folds-Do individuals who have separated from us, or whom we have separated from our body, act up to these principles themselves? to this it may be answered, that the state of societies and individuals differ, and that the former derive advantages from union, which the latter are deprived of-nevertheless some who are as sheep without a shepherd, do according to their ability, shew kindness to the suffering members of Him whom they love, and bear as they are able a part of their afflictions-instances of this could be adduced, in cases where the subjects have laboured under the disadvantages of much bodily and mental affliction, in conjunction with the sufferings attendant on a state of separation from society; who have nevertheless manifested to the glory of a compassionate Saviour, that the

love of him and of his true people in every church and nation, was preserved alive in their hearts, notwithstanding their inauspicious cireumstances-Some there are unconnected with the societies in which they were educated, whose property, talents, and moral chracter, render them respectable-these were once useful in the religious world, but are now retired from the field of labour-it is to be feared that a revolution in the faith of these, much to their disadvantage, and to the disadvantage of that cause which they once espoused, has had too large an influence in this change a change with regard to some of these, much to be lamented, as they possessed those religious and natural advantages, which strengthen and set the mind at liberty for public service; the fall of such as these is more to be regretted than that of individuals more obscure, because they never fall alone; and this lamentation is increased, when the cause is considered to have been a subversion of the foundation of truth in their own minds-a fall more immediately affecting their moral character, although attended with loss of reputation, would not have been so dangerous. There are two other classes of separatists, worthy also the attention of visible churches--the tempted and the licentious-the former of these surely stand in need of succour-many there are scattered up and down as sheep without a shepherd, who are nevertheless not willing to let their Saviour go, and yet hold him with a trembling hand-the little barks of these would long since have perished in the deep waters, if the invisible mariner had not now and then touched them with his finger-the latter are those who set out with their brethren

for the port of the new Jerusalem, and for a season kept in company with the rest; but putting in for provision at the island of carnal delight, have kept revelling there ever since and can visible gathered churches sit at ease, and behold all these various classes straying in one direction or another from their Father's house, and be quite at ease, as to their present happiness, and future destiny? Can they address their souls while sitting at the table of the bountiful Head of the Church, in the language of the rich man in the gospel-" Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many seasons, take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry," and forget that they are thus furnished with the plenty of his house, to try their fidelity, and to prove their compassion to the starving prodigal!

SUITABLE SUPPLEMENT TO THE FOREGOING FROM THE BOOK

OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL, CHAP. XXIV. VERSE 2. WOE BE TO THE SHEPHERDS THAT DO FEED THEMSELVES.

1. Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

4. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away-neither have ye sought that which was lost, but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

5. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd, and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

6. My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.

7. Therefore ye shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:

10. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold I am against the shepherds, and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock,* neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more.

11. For thus saith the Lord God, Behold I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

12. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the dark and cloudy day.

16. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong, I will feed them with judgment.

21. Because ye have thrust with side and with

*This prediction has been often and remarkably verified-not only in the Jewish church, but not long since in the French nation. The oppressors of the church, and corrupters of its doctrines, who professed themselves its ministers for filthy lucre's sake, have sometimes been swept away by the torrent of corruption, which their ministry, vices, and negligence produced-and on the other hand, those who have been unfaithful to the true gift received for improvement, have been punished with that barrenness which is aptly described, by causing them to cease from feeding the flock," and which is rendered additionally terrible by a threat of future retribution, in the words" I will require my flock at their hand."