EVAN HERBERT, Minister of the Gospel, at Boddicot, Oxon. Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are BANBURY: PRINTED BY J. G. RUSHER, 1817. 121. TO THE READER. IT is scarcely possible to pass through a world, abounding in imperfections, (not excepting the avowed followers of the Redeemer,) without being at some time or another, led into a peculiar train of thought, which, when directed by the Spirit of God, cannot fail to promote self-examination and humility, and afford matter calculated, in some humble measure, to forward the spiritual edification of the Church of God in the world. The Writer of this has no desire to become an Author; he is of opinion, with many others, that Writers are too numerous already; but having the honor to preach the Gospel to a Society of Christians, about A 2 to form themselves into a Church,* and having noticed with pungent feelings, the darkness still hovering over the minds of Christians in general, relative to Church order, he humbly dedicates these Remarks to his Friends, meeting at Boddicot; praying that a perusal of them may be blessed by the great Head of the Church, in establishing their souls, through the comforts of the Holy Spirit, and in promoting that love and harmony among themselves, which adorned the primitive * Since writing these Thoughts, a Church was formed on the 10th of November, consisting of baptized and unbaptized, persons, who have been hitherto taught to consider themselves fallible creatures, and have consequently exercised charity; several persons have been added since: God seems to be doing a new thing here, as there never was a Gospel Church in this place before: the Friends hope to announce the opening of a new Chapel shortly, to accommodate those who are at present frequently deterred from meeting, for want of room. Church; and which ever will characterize the happy transition from death unto life. Notwithstanding all that has been advanced, in unison with divine truth, by Doddridge, Owen, &c. &c. on the necessity of forbearance and charity among Christians, how little is practised. Through the ignorance of some, and the ambition of others, Love, the bond of perfectness, is become almost an empty name! Whilst Anti-Christian usurpation, deaf and blinđ to the wisest maxim, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise," Luke vi. 31, will ever mimick the beast of Rome! Happily for us, without the power-How solacing to adopt the ideas and language of the justly admired Cowper, on this subject,— "Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, But God will never." A 3 |