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FROM THE LIBRARY OF 
 REV. LOUIS FITZGERALD BENSON, D. D 
 
 BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 
 
 sec 
 

 I-MW-7 1938 
 
 Seasonable Advice, Not to forfake'' 
 lick eAJemblies for Religious JVor 
 
 I 
 
 S E RM O N 
 
 Preach'd at 
 
 BLACK-FRYARS, 
 
 SOCIETY 
 
 YOUNG MEN, 
 
 January i, 1714. 
 By S. Wright. 
 
 Ifa. II. 3. vindmany Teople flail go and [ay \ 
 Coa;£ )^, ^ »^ /*£ »j go »jp /-o ^ Mottx- 
 tain of 'the Lord, to the Houfe of the Goa 
 of Jacob, and he will teach us of his Ways, 
 and we will walk in his Paths. 
 
 Pfal. XCV. 6. come let us worflnp and bow 
 down : let us kneel before the Lord our 
 Maker. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 Printed for E. Matthews, at the Bible in Pater- 
 nofter-'Rsjw \ and John Clark, at the Bible 
 and Grown in the Old Change, near St. Paul'*. 
 MDCCXIV. Price 4^/. 
 
THE 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THE chief Defign of a Yearly Sermon 
 at the Time and Tlace mentioned in 
 the Title, is, to encourage the Tiety 
 of a Set of Perfons, who have laid themfelves 
 under particular Obligations to attend to Mat* 
 ters of a Religious Nature. Such as, the daily 
 Reading the Holy Scriptures ; diligent At- 
 tendance on the Public Worlhip of God on 
 the Lord's Day ; with other things, which, if 
 God permit, may hereafter le infifted on. 
 
 I have formerly recommended toSuch,atzking 
 heed to their Ways according to God's Word. 
 Next to which, I would now recommend a Con* 
 ftant, Reverent, and Careful Attendance on 
 the Ordinances and Solemnities of the Chri* 
 ftian Worfhip, in our ftated Aflemblies. 
 
 / would be fo far from appearing anxious to 
 do fomething Extraordinary on thefe Occafions* 
 that 1 would perfectly give up my felf to all 
 the Plainncfs and Familiarity, with which we 
 are us J d to converge, weekly, together. 
 
 The following Difcourfe is intended not only 
 as an Excitement to the public Worlhip of God 
 \n general^ but as a fhort Dire&ory in out 
 
 <A % 4 pining 
 
The PREFACE. 
 
 joining with that Way, and thofe fever al Tarts 
 of Worjhip, now in ufe, among the Moderate 
 T)ifjenters. 
 
 Thofe who have learned, of late, to fyeak a<* 
 gatnfi the Worfhip of the whole Body of the 
 Diffenters, as confus'd and diforderly, may, 
 from hence, if they fleafe, olferve their Con- 
 formity to the Worfhip of the Primitive Chri- 
 ftians ; fo that if they forbear thofe grofs 
 Mifreprefentations of us, which fome have run 
 into, they mufl defpfe their Ajjemblies and ours 
 together. 
 
 However, if we are fill to he lorn down by 
 Mifreprefentations, and an Irreligious or Jea- 
 lous Sprit ; whilft Men will not acquaint them- 
 Jelves with us ; or if they do, fet themfelves 
 againfi that Serioufnefs and Regular Piety they 
 fee among us ; we have the lefs Reafon to be 
 affe£ted with their Reproaches, and contemp- 
 tuous Carriage. 
 
 And whatever fome Men of more Heat than 
 Light; or others of more Learning than Reli- 
 gion, may fay of Us and our Affemblies ; I 
 trufl, we {hall be found at laft of that Gene- 
 ral AlTembly and Church of the Firft-born, 
 which are written in Heaven ; and when we 
 appear before God the Judge of all, flail have 
 Manfions appointed us with the Spirits of 
 juft Men made perfect. 
 
SERMON 
 
 Preach'd to a 
 
 SOCIETY 
 
 O F 
 
 Young Men, &c. 
 
 H E B. X. 25. former Part. 
 Not for faking the oAjfemlling of your f elves to* 
 gether, as the manner offome is-<* - 
 
 ON E great Defign of this Epiftle, is to re- 
 commend .the Cbriftian Religion, by 
 comparing it with, and (hewing how 
 far it tranfcends, the Jewifo. An At- 
 tempt, in which the Author is fo fuc- 
 cefsful, that, whilft he makes the Old Teftament Re- 
 velation of the Mind and Will of God the moft aw- 
 ful and excellent that ever was in the World, before 
 our Saviour; he yet makes the New Tefiarnent Dif- 
 penfation every way out-fliine and exceed it. The 
 one was given by Angels and Servants; the other 
 by the Son of God himfelf. Who, in his Divine 
 Nature, is prov'd to be far above the Angels ; fince 
 they are all faid to worflrip Him : And in his human 
 
 Nature 
 
6 Seasonable (Advice not toforfake the 
 
 Nature he is defcribed, as far exalted above his 
 Fellows; becoming a greater Prophet than Mofes y 
 a greater Prieft than Aaron, and a greater King than 
 Melchiz,edeck, So that from hence, the Jewtjh Re- 
 ligion appears to have been inftituted only to fub- 
 ferve the Chriftian : All its Sacrifices and Inftituti- 
 ons being fo contriv'd, as to prefigure and prepare 
 Men for a more fpiritual and heavenly State of 
 Things. 
 
 ISIo wonder therefore the Apoftle argues fo warm- 
 ly againft AfofiattzJhtg to Judaifm ; and calls upon 
 thofe who had embraced Chriftianity to adhere to 
 their Profeffion, whatever Temptations or Suf- 
 ferings might lie before them. Let any Man read 
 the former part of this Epiftle, with that Seriouf- 
 nefs and Attention, fo great and well contriv'd a 
 Performance requires, and he muft ftand convin- 
 ced that never was a furer, or better Foundation 
 laid., than is there, for fuch Admonitions as thefe : 
 Let us holdfafi the VroftJJion of our Faith without wave- 
 ring. Let us confider one another to provoke unto Love, 
 and to good Works : not for fa king the afjembling of our 
 felves together. 
 
 Now if the Chriftian Faith and Worfhip was not 
 to be deferted on pretence of returning to the 
 Jews ; much lefs fhouldany draw back to Atheifm, 
 and Immorality. It will alfo follow from hence, 
 that to forfake a more fpiritual Service, to fall in 
 with a lefs perfed and ceremonious one, is a very 
 great Evil. The Purity of the Gofpel Inftitutions, 
 every Chriftian is, now, as much as ever, obliged 
 to affert. And if Ceremonies of God's Appoint- 
 ment fas the Jewijh were) muft be renounced, one 
 would think it ftiould not be once called in queftion, 
 whether the Inventions and Impofitions of Men are 
 to be renounced or not : Except the Authority of a 
 Magiftrate was prov'd equal to chat of a Perfon 
 
 cer* 
 
 ! 
 
Tublick eAIJmbliesfcr Religious Worfhip. 7 
 
 certainly infpir'd and fent by God. Or chat Chrift 
 had committed a Power to the ordinary and unin- 
 fpir'd Governors of his Church, to make Canons, 
 that fliould be as neceflary and binding, as his own 
 Laws, or thofe of his Apoftles. 
 
 But as it might not be proper, fo I perfwade my 
 felf it is not needful I fliould purfue this Argument 
 at prefent : I (hall rather choofe to enlarge a little 
 on the following General Heads. 
 
 I. Shew what kind of Aflemblies thefe were,con- 
 cerning which our Text fpeaks. II. Confider what 
 Obligations Chriftians were under to keep up fuch 
 Aflemblies. III. Enquire on what Accounts fome 
 arefaid to forfake thefe Aflemblies. IV. Apply 
 thefe things to our prefent Circumftances. 
 
 I. I would briefly explain the Nature of thofe Affem- 
 hlies y concerning which, the Apoftk is here fpeak- 
 ing. And without doubt they were, 
 
 f i.) Religious Affemblies. Not called together 
 with any political Views to injure or alter the 
 Kingdoms of this World j much lefs to ferve any of 
 thofe mean and bafe Purpofes, which thofe, who 
 were ignorant of 'em, and Enemies to 'em, mali- 
 cioufly fuggefted. But to worfhip their God, to 
 commemorate their Redeemer, to obtain and exer- 
 cife the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit, and 
 by the moft folemn Vows and Exhortations to en- 
 gage themfelves, and one another, to every good 
 Work. 
 
 Of thefe Aflemblies there were two forts, fuch 
 as were private, of their own arbitrary Appoint- 
 ment: and fuch as were publick, fettled by Divine 
 Authority. Their private Meetings were moft 
 frequent, according to antient Writers, on Weinef- 
 days and Fridays. The one being the Day on which 
 Chrift was betrayed $ the other the Day on which 
 
 he 
 
9 Seasonable oAdvice not to for Jake the 
 
 he was crucify'd* But we are more generally told, 
 that on any Day, when their common Labour and 
 JJufinefs was over, they would fpend the Evening 
 in Religious Exercifes. And the Scripture fpeaks of 
 fuch as continued daily, with one 
 A#s ii. 46. accord in the Temple, and breaking Bread 
 Heb. iii. *$• fromHoufeto Houfe; as alfo of exhort- 
 ing one another daily. However this 
 was, their more publick and ftated AfTemblies were 
 gather'd together but once a Week. Thefe, a Di- 
 vine Appointment had made it an indifpenfable 
 Duty to join with, in the feveral Parts of Religi- 
 ous Worflvip. And fuch Confcience did the firft 
 Chriftians generally make of appearing in thefe Af- 
 femblies, that nothing but Sicknefs, or abfolute 
 Neceffity could make them abfent themielves. 
 
 Mr. Baxter, in his Parafhrafe, has made the 
 Words I am upon take in both. For thus he ex- 
 plains them; f $ - Not forfaking the more full Church 
 £ Affemblies, or any Chriftian Converfe and 
 ct Communion, by which you may excite and edi- 
 tc fy one another. Thofe of us who are us'd to 
 meet on other Days, as well as Lord's Days, will 
 be very well pleas'd, I doubt not, to extend the 
 Import of this Admonition fo far ; and to apply 
 the exhorting one another, here fpoke of, to fuch pri- 
 vate Occafions. But we muft take care, at the 
 fame time j chiefly to fix our Thoughts on what is 
 principally here intended *, the more publick ajfem- 
 bling our felves with the Multitude of them that keep 
 fidy Day. Taking this alfo along with us. 
 
 (2.) That they were Orderly Affzmblies, which 
 the Apoftle here fpeaks of, as well as Religious 
 
 *Ii:Gi-aeco eft incompofnum vccabulum l-nqumyeoyVj) 
 quod Erafmus tranftulit Aggregationepi. 
 
 ones e , 
 
Publick oAJJemhlies for Religious Worfhif. 9 
 
 ones : not called together by fuch as were full of 
 Pride and felf- Conceit ,♦ or, in the Phrafe of the 
 Author juft mention'd, fuch as had got a Talkative 
 Difeafe: But they were Affemblies under the Di- 
 rection of Perfons duly commiflion'd, and ordained 
 publickly to exhort and teach Men. 
 
 The feveral parts of Worfhip, in which they 
 ftatedly engaged, are exprefly recorded in the 
 Scripture : and from thefe we may infer their Or- 
 der. Ofthefe we have a Summary in Ab~ts ii. 42. 
 They continued ft edf aft ly in the Apoftles Doclrine y and 
 in Fellowfhip, and in breaking of Bread , and in Prayer. 
 And St. Paul afterwards wricing to the Church of 
 Corinth, mentions alfo their having 
 a Pfalm , and Interpretations of the 1 Cor. xiv. 20. 
 Word of God. And tho' at the fame 
 time there were fome endowed with extraordinary 
 Gifts; yet he requires that the Exercife of thefe 
 fhould not break in upon the Order of their Wor- 
 ship, or confufedly interfere with one another $ but 
 ftri&ly requires, that all things be done decently > and 
 in order. 
 
 In tbe Ages immediately fucceeding that of th$ 
 Apoftles, we have very particular Accounts of their 
 reading the Scriptures, Preaching, Praying, Sing* 
 ing, and Administration of the Sacraments in their 
 publick Affemblies. If we would know what 
 Scriptures were read, one of the firft Apologifts tells 
 us, that they read the Writings , both of the Prophets ani 
 the Apoftles. If we ask what Pfalms were fung, we 
 find fometimes thofe of David mention'd ; and at 
 other times Pfalms compofed for the Honour of 
 Chriftjefus : Of which Eufebius fpeaks in feveral 
 Places of his Hiftory. If we enquire what Prayers 
 they prefented, we are told, that the Lord's Prayer 
 •was commonly ufed by them ,• but not always t and 
 that other Prayers were offered up unco God, ac- 
 B cording 
 
i o Seasonable oAdvice not toforfake the 
 
 cording to the Variety of Gircumftances and Con- 
 ditions : Tertullian argues for this very largely. If 
 we ask what kind of Sermons were preach'd * 7 we 
 may judge from thofe that are extant, that they 
 were generally no more than Expofidons of the 
 Scriptures that had been read ; tho' at fome times 
 we meet alfo with Exhortations to fome particular 
 Grace or Virtue, and Dehortations from particular 
 Vices. 
 
 And then alfo the Administration of the Sacra- 
 ments were Parts of the publick Worfliip : Baptifin 
 being very frequently, and the Lord's Supper ftatedly 
 celebrated in their Weekly Affemblies. This is 
 plainly intimated in the Acts of the Apoftles, and 
 more exprefly declar'd by other Writers 5 * Juftin 
 Martyr fays, that after they had ready preach' d, and 
 frafdy then they proceeded to the A dminift ration of the 
 Eucbarift. And thefe were the Affemblies, from 
 which our Text forbids Men to withdraw them- 
 felves. To enforce which Prohibition, 
 
 II. Let us confider what Obligations Chriftians 
 were under to keep up fuch Affemblies. And we 
 fhall find thofe Obligations were too great to be 
 fet afide, if we carefully attend to fuch things as 
 thefe. 
 
 fi.) They were obliged by the Moral Law to con- 
 fecrate a [event h part of thtir time, to the Worfhip 
 
 ■* I had marked out fever al Faff ages in my late Ccurfeof Rea- 
 dings which I fiould have tranfcribed, :/the fecond Part of the 
 Enquiry into the ConHkuticn, and Worfhip of the Primitive 
 Church, had not rendered it needlefs. Which being lately re- 
 printed , I pre fume will be more generally I ocACd into. In which 
 ihemojl confider able Paffages of antient JPorJbip, that 7 elate to 
 any of the Particulars 1 hays mentioned, are exflairid and laid 
 together* 
 
 2nd 
 
Tublick eAjJemblies for Religious JVorJIrip. 
 
 ii 
 
 and Service of God. By Moral is meant char which 
 is reafonable and fit to be done, alrho' there was 
 no exprefs Command to enforce it ,• and which is 
 therefore a never ceafing Law ; equally binding to 
 all Perfons, throughout ail Ages. In this Senfe 
 the Morality of the Fourth Commandment is evi- 
 dent. For as Reafon tells us, if God is to be wor- 
 fliipped, there muft be a fet time for it ,• fo aifo up- 
 on the very firft mention of God's allowing fixi 
 Days for our own Work and Labour ,it appears the mod 
 reafonable thing in the World, that the Seventh 
 fhould be devoted to his more immediate Service. 
 And tho' perhaps this had not been fo eafily found 
 out, orfo univerfally agreed upon^without Reve- 
 lation ; yet no fooner is it fuggefted to us, but it 
 appears exceedingly fit and becoming : infomuch 
 that the Reafon of Mankind cannot but give into 
 it in fuch a manner, as to make it a Law unco them- 
 felves. Thus much is evident from the very Ar- 
 guings of thofe that oppofe the Morality of the 
 Sabbath : Since they do acknowledge it is fit to be 
 made a Law by all Civil Powers ; whild they fay 
 it has not the Force of a Handing Law of God. 
 What is allowed to be univerfally iiiitable to the 
 Reafon of Mankind, and for their Good, is a La.v 
 of God, whether it had been written or not *. 
 
 The Reafon, 'tis true, which Mofes alledges for 
 the Jews, obferving a Sabbath, is not now, the 
 firft and chief Reafon of the Cnriitians obferving 
 one. The Commemoration of the Work of our 
 Redemption has taken place of that of our Crea- 
 tion: And the Day in which our Redeemer rofe 
 
 Sv 
 
 * Ratio piofecti a rerum narura non hinc denique it 
 Lex elle cum I'cripta eft, fed turn cum orta. Oru auce 
 mul eil cum merite Diviiii. Cicero. 
 
 
 
 V 
 
1 2 Seajonable oAdvice not to forjake the 
 
 from the Dead is kept holy ,• inftead of that, where- 
 in the Creator refted after his Formation of the 
 World. But altho' in the firft Writing of the 
 Fourth Command, the Circumftance of time was 
 affixed fo,as to become alterable ,• yet the Subftance 
 of the Command remains unalterable, and will 
 continue in full Force to the End of the World. 
 
 Chrift the Son of Alan, is faid to be Lord of the 
 Sihbath; as having not only a Power to difpenfe 
 with the ceremonial Obfervance of it, according to 
 fome Cuftoms of the Jews - y but alfo to alter the time 
 of it : that is, ftill referving one Day in feven to 
 be fpent in publick and private Exercifes of Devo- 
 tion, and in the Service of God. So that as the 
 Jews were obliged to aflemble themfelves together 
 on their Sabbath, to join in the Obfervance of the 
 Mofaidnftitutions; Chriftians were alfo obliged 
 to aflemble themfelves in the like publick manner, 
 on the Day Chrift had chofen to join in the Obfer- 
 vance of his Ordinances and Inftitutions. From 
 hence I would therefore take occafion to add, 
 
 (2.) This was further made a Duty by our Savi- 
 our's owning fuch Affemhlies with his fpecial Prefence 
 andBlejfing. That very firft Day of the Week in 
 which Chrift rofe from the Dead, he join'd him- 
 felf to the two Dijciples that were walking to Em- 
 maus, expounding to \m the Scriptures j and at laft 
 making him f elf known in the breaking of Bread. This 
 was, I fay, on the Refurrection Day ,• for fo thsfe 
 Difciple c , in their fpeaking of the condemning and 
 crucifying of Chrift, immediately add, To Day is 
 the third Day, fince rhefe things were done. 
 
 Afterward he appeared likewiff, on this firft Day 
 of the Week, to his Apofiks, when they were ga- 
 ther'd together 5 and blefleth them with that fo 
 lately bequeathed Bleffing, Peace he unto you. He 
 now corrects their Errors; removes their Fears, 
 
 fliews 
 
PubJick oAjjemblies for Religious Worflrif ^jj 
 
 (hews them his Hands and his Feet ,• and makes 
 himfelf known to them in fuch a manner, as fili'd 
 them with Joy and Wonder. 
 
 And in Eight Days after this, when the Day of 
 the Week on which he rofe, return'd again, he 
 came, and flood in the midfi of the Difciples, as be- 
 fore, and repeated his former Blefting. He now 
 alfo in a particular manner indulges the Weaknefs 
 of Thomas, who till this time remain'd an Unbe- 
 liever ; allowing him to put his Finger into the Print 
 of the Nails , and to thrufi his Hand into his Side. But 
 withal reproving him for his Want of Faith, and 
 pronouncing thofe blejjed, that mould prove more 
 ready Believers. 
 
 From hence the Apoftles might judge they had 
 fufficient Encouragement ; tho' befides this, I be- 
 lieve they had fpecial Commandment and Directi- 
 on, for the future, to aflemble on this Day. And 
 when they afterwards a&ed and fpoke under the ex- 
 traordinary Infpiration of the Holy Spirit, it be- 
 came a fettled Point with them, to meet together 
 for the Performance of all Parts of the Chriftian 
 Worfhip, on the Day of Chrift's Refurrection, 
 A&s XX. 7. Upon the Firft Day of the Week, 'when the 
 Difciples came together to break Bread, Paul preached 
 unto them. And hence in the 1 Revel. 10. this is 
 called the LORD's DAT. A Name, that I won- 
 der Chriftians don't much rather choofe to make 
 ufe of, than either the Heathenifh Name of Sunday, 
 or the Jewifh of Sabbath. 
 
 (;.) The keeping up of ftated Aflemblies for 
 Religious Worfhip was necejfary to maintain the Chri- 
 stian Faith, and to promote Chrifiian Tiety and Love. 
 If there had been no fuch publick Aflemblies, there 
 had been no proper Way of conveying the Articles 
 of the Chriftian Faith from one Generation to ano- 
 ther ; or however, no fufficient Security that they 
 
 were 
 
14 Seasonable ^Advice not toforfake the 
 
 ware kept pure and entire. The Scriptures would 
 J|ave been little regarded, and no doubt greatly 
 corrupted, if they had lain only in private Hands : 
 But when thefe Sacred Records were committed to 
 Societies and Bodies of Men in the feveral Quarters 
 of the World ,• when they were weekly read, and 
 explain'd; and whenby publick and folemn A&ions 
 the moft important and confiderable things were 
 vifibly reprefented ; here was enough both to main- 
 tain, and propagate this Faith in the World. 
 
 Again, if there had been no Affemblies for Chri- 
 ftians to meet together, as we have defcribed, they 
 had wanted many ufeful Inftru&ions in Matters of 
 TraBical Religion ; they had wanted alfo thofe warm 
 Exhortations and frequent Remembrancers, that 
 were needful to excite and quicken them in the 
 way of their Duty, and to encourage their Perfe- 
 verance. 
 
 It is alfo exceedingly apparent, that Love and 
 Charity muft.die away, if it was not reinforced by 
 fuch Affociations as thefe. The publick Ordinan- 
 ces and Inftitutions of the Gofpel are fuch as con- 
 ftrain Men to Love one another. God and Chrift's 
 forgiving and manifefting fuch amazing Grace and 
 Love to poor Sinners ; and the Spirit of Love 
 breathing upon and filling thefe AiTemblies, muft 
 certainly overcome all their little Diftaftes, and 
 Differences among themfelves. The uniting Prin- 
 ciples, Motives, and Profpe&s, which the Gofpel 
 lays before Men, could not be attended to, in their 
 Worshipping together, as they ought to be, with- 
 out a great deal of Love and Charity. But upon 
 Mens forf iking the publick Affemblies, they foon 
 grow eftranged ; and foon after that prejudic'd a- 
 gainft one another. More rea% to offend, but 
 more hard to forgive ,• and fo they become conti- 
 nual Exercifes and Enemies to each other. 
 
 All 
 
Tublick oAffeniblies f&r Religious Worfhip. 1 5 
 
 All thefe things the Jfofile plainly leads us to ar- 
 gue from, in the Context. In the two Verfes pre- 
 ceding that I am upon, he calls upon the believing 
 Hebrews to hold f aft the TrofsJJion of their Faith ; and 
 then to provoke one another to Love and to Good Works * 
 upon which he immediately fubjoins, not for faking 
 the affembling of jour fclves together: Which plainly 
 implies, that in this way they might promife them- 
 felves Eftablifiiment in the Faith, and Improve- 
 ment in Love and Good Works ; but if they de- 
 ferted thefe Affemblies, that it would be quite o- 
 therwife. 
 
 Thus in facl it has always been. Thofe who 
 have moft confcientioufly adher'd to the pubiick • 
 Worfhip and Ordinances of the Gofpel^ have been 
 moft eminent for their Faith, Piety and Love : 
 Whilft thofe, who have turn'd away from thefe, 
 have fali'n into all manner of Errors, Vices, and 
 Mifchiefs. 
 
 The obferving or difregarding the Fourth Com- 
 mandment has a mighty Influence as to all the reft ; 
 and on this account may very well have a R E- 
 M EMBER fet before it ,• which no other Com- 
 mandment has, to introduce it. But now to prevent 
 our breaking through all thefe Obligations, as fome 
 fpoken of in our Text did, I fhall for your 
 Warning, 
 
 III. Enquire on what accounts Men might then 
 be led to forfake the Pubiick Affemblies. And as 
 far as the fame Evils may at any time endanger 
 our ftanding, they ought to be carefully avoided 
 and watch'd againft. 
 
 1. There feems to have been, amongft fome of 
 thefe firft Chriftians, a prevailing Sloth and Security, 
 through a Difregard to the Promifes and Threatnings of 
 the Goffel. The Day of Chrift 's coming, to deftroy 
 
 thofe 
 
1 6 Seafonable (Advice not to forfake the 
 
 thofe that difobey'd and defpis'd him, and to re- 
 ward thofe that faithfully worfhip'd and ferved 
 him, was not enough thought on, or believed, to 
 give Weight and Efficacy to his Ordinances and In- 
 ftitutions. Thus much is plainly intimated by the 
 ApoftU's calling upon them to ftir up themfelves, 
 and confider the Signs and Evidences they had of 
 fticb a Day approaching. The View of which could 
 not but provoke 'em to fliake off a lazy Indiffe- 
 rence, and bafe Sluggifhnefs of Temper, and ex- 
 cite an Emulation, of exceeding one another, in 
 Love and Good Works. 
 
 A Defcription of that Servant, who fays in his 
 unbelieving Heart, the Lord delays his Coming, you 
 may read in the xxiv. Mattb. latter End. He is 
 one that falls into all manner of Diforders, both in 
 the Conduct of himfelf, and the Ufage of his Fel- 
 low-Servants. 
 
 When Men lofe a ferious Apprehenfion of the 
 Certainty, Awfulnefs and Nearnefs of a Future 
 Jugdment, it is not to be expe&ed, that either their 
 Hopes or their Fears of any thing elfe, fhould be 
 powerful enough to keep up a juft and lafting At- 
 tention to the Exercifes of Religion. 
 
 (2.) Some might prove Deferters through Spirt- 
 tttal Fride ; thinking themfelves fo much better than 
 others, that they were above the common and or- 
 dinary Ways of Worfhip. Calvin charges the Sepa- 
 ration from the Aflemblies here fpoke of, to fuch 
 a Conceit as this *, without fo much as mentioning 
 any other Occafion of it. From hence arguing, 
 that we have no Reafon to be difturbed or per- 
 
 * Hinc apparet, primam fchifmatum omnium originem 
 hanc fume, qudd lupeibi homines cum aliorum contemptu 
 fibi plus jufto pUcuerint. Comment* Tom. 7. Jmfl, f. $66. 
 
 plexed 
 
Publick oAffemblies for Religious Worfhty. 1 7 
 
 flexed about it, if Men fhould ad thus in our Days, 
 when even the Apoftolical Age was not free from 
 fuch unruly Perfons *. Some I know there are, who 
 pretend to take fhelter under this venerable Name,, 
 in all their Pretences to a greater Spirituality than 
 others ,• and for their fakes I therefore thought it 
 moil proper to infift on his Judgment and Cen- 
 fure. 
 
 We find this Sin of Spiritual Pride frequently cau- 
 tion'd againft in Scripture, as a moll dangerous,, 
 and deftru&ive Evil. St. Paul tells his Corinthians, 
 that if any Man think he knoweth any things i. e. fo 
 as to be proud and conceited of it, He knoweth no- 
 thing as he ought to know, 1 Cor. viii. 2. And the 
 Apoftle James requires that Men fhould be fwift to 
 hear, flow to /peak ; that they fliottld receive the 
 Word with Meeknefs, Jam. i. 19, &c. and that 
 they fhould always aft as thofe that con fi der ,• 
 God refifteth the Proud* but giveth Grace to the 
 Humble, James iv. 6. We have two Inftances of 
 this mighty Pretence to Spirituality, which it 
 is foretold would lead fome Men from the Faith, 
 1 Tim. iv. 3. And there is nothing which more 
 plainly tends to the breaking in upon all the Or- 
 der and Comfort of our Religious Affemblies, or 
 the breaking off from them, than this Temper of 
 Mind. But there is another kind of Pride, which 
 fome Men are more in danger of being led by, than 
 this ; to which, very likely, the Delinquency of 
 fuch as are pointed at in our Text, may in a great 
 meafure be charg'd. For, 
 
 f Sed quum audimus J3m a feculo Apoftolcrum Fuif e jrer- 
 fidos Homines qui ab Ecclefia difcederent; minus percelli 
 nos ac turbari conveait fimillibus Defect ionum exempns quae 
 hcdie cernere licet. l[)id. 
 
 C ?. Worldly 
 
1 8 Seasonable oAdvice not toforfake the 
 
 3. Worldly Tride, as well as Spiritual, night lead 
 Men to for fake the Chrlfiian Affemblies. This, Efiius 
 thinks moft fit to be infiftedon : That fomePerfons 
 of morofe, and difdainful Tempers, who were a 
 little better provided for in the World than others, 
 thought it a Difgrace to 'em to appear with a Com- 
 pany of mean and poor People, as the Chriftians 
 generally then weref. And he refers us to 
 James ii. ver. 2, 3. as an undoubted Proof of the 
 Prevalency of this Evil amongft the firft Chrifti- 
 ans. 
 
 Too great a Diftinction was made betwixt the 
 Rich and Poor. And thofe who thought them- 
 felves not enough diftinguifli'd, withdrew from 
 them. Some might begin to think there was not 
 outward Pomp and Grandeur enough in the plain 
 Inftitutions and Worfhip of the Gofpel, and fo de- 
 fert Chriftianity it felf. Others might poffibly think 
 it their Duty to maintain their Profeffion, but yet 
 grew fhy of appearing with the common fort of 
 Chriftians in fo doing. And indeed fo many are the 
 Inconveniencies, or pretended Indecencies that a 
 worldly Pride will find out \ Co many Contentions 
 about Preheminence, and fo much cenfuring and 
 defpifing others ; and withal fo much Impatience 
 of every thing that is thought difagreeable ,• 'tis not 
 to be expe&ed fuch Perfons mould keep to, or be 
 pleafed with any Affemblies long : and leaft of all 
 with thofe that are made up of the Poor, and de- 
 fpifed, 
 
 4. It is probable that forne forfook the AiTem- 
 blies, thro Fear of Trouble and Verfecution. And as 
 
 \ - Vcl potius ad homines morofos & fafiuofos, prae- 
 
 fertim Divites, qui cum fratribus humilioris condnionis, ut 
 erant inter Chrjfljanos inuki, ccngregari dedignabar.iur, 8cc. 
 
 this 
 
Tublick oAffemblies for Religious Worjhip. 1 9 
 
 this whole Epiftle was writ to eftablifh the believ- 
 ing Hebrews in the Profeflion of Chriftianity ; and 
 to arm them againft all Trials and Sufferings they 
 might be call'd to go through : So the Paffage I 
 am now confidering may particulary refer to the 
 approaching of fuch Evils and Calamities. In 
 the Apprehenfion of which, inftead of cowardly 
 and diftruftfully withdrawing from the Places of 
 publick Worfhip; they mould have been engaged 
 to frequent them the morc 3 for the mutual Encou- 
 ragement and Eftabliftiment of each other. Cbrjr- 
 fofiom conne&ing the Words of our Text with thofe 
 in the 22d Verfe, Let us draw near with a true 
 Heart , cries out *, Wo to the fearful Heart, and to the 
 Hands that grow feeble and remifs. Thofe who on 
 this Account forfake the affembling of themfelves 
 together, plainly prove that they are fuch as have 
 no Root in themfelves, and therefore when Tribulation or 
 Perfecution arifeth, becaufe of the Wordy they are offended y 
 Matth. xiii. 21. Thus our Saviour himfelf fore- 
 told it would it be, and thus in all Ages it has 
 been. 
 
 Let us take care that none of thefe things move 
 us ; but the more we fee and hear of their prevail- 
 ing upon others, the more let us watch and pray a- 
 gainft them : And if by this means we hold faft 
 our Integrity till we die, happy are we. But I 
 (hall referve the farther urging of this, for the 
 Clofe of this Difcourfe : To which I (hall now 
 haften, 
 
 IV. By applying what has been faid to our own 
 Conduct and Behaviour. 
 
 * Jew ydf Kd^U c^Aw km x*?** *r*f «^W* Horn. six. 
 irt Epift, ad Hebiaeos. 
 
 C a 3. Ws 
 
2o Seajonable oAdvice not toforjake the 
 
 i. We fhould be engaged not to cbfent our felves 
 frcm the fublick Afftmblies on any of the fiated and 
 fit times, in which they are gather'd together. To 
 come only now and then, as forne extraordinary 
 Occafion invites, or obliges Men ; or to join in 
 thepublick Worfhip one part of the Day, whilft 
 the other is negleded ; is to be guilty of a very 
 Criminal tho' not a total forfaking of the affem- 
 bling our felves together. Some through Idlenefs 
 in the Morning lofe the firft part of the Lord's 
 Day; others by Entertainments or Company in 
 the Afternoons, lofe the latter part of it. And 
 many through Profanenefs, and an utter Contempt 
 of the Gofpel-Ordinances, lofe the whole of it ; 
 fpending the Day in journeying, or vifiting, in 
 Bufinefs or Diversion. Some People think it afuf- 
 ficientReafon to vindicate the frequent abfenting 
 themfelves from the Church, that they are not 
 well enough to go thither; tho' they can go much 
 further, and thro' more Inconveniencies, to follow 
 their Bufinefs or their Pleafures in the World. 
 Sometimes the Badnefs of the Weather is a Pretence 
 for flaying at home ; which at one feafon of the 
 Year is too hot, at another too cold, and frequent- 
 ly wet and ftormy ; and a Multitude of little trifling 
 Excufes People frame to themfelves, which, as 
 they are hearkenM to, grow more and more pow- 
 erful, till the Heart is quite eftranged to the pub- 
 lick Worfhip, and to all Societies of Chriftians ; 
 and fo at laft they are quite abandon'd, and forfa- 
 ken. Some choofe to fpend their time in the Fields,, 
 in converfing with Brutes and inanimate Creatures 
 there ; inftead of converfing with God, and with 
 the Worfhipers of him. Others choofe to fpend 
 their time with Companions worfe than Brutes, in 
 the vileft Conversations, and the viteft of Acti- 
 ons, 
 
 But 
 
Publick eAjJemblies for Religious Worfhi p. it 
 
 But I fpeak not this to accufe you,- 'tis on- 
 ly defigned to warn you of fuch Evils as thefe; 
 that as they do not, fo they may not prevail upon 
 you. The Obligations to keep up Chriftian Af- 
 femblies, and to frequent them, are as great as e- 
 ver. And I hope you are fenfible that you ftand as 
 much in need of thefe Helps and Advantages as o- 
 thers have done. Yea many of you, by a volun- 
 tary Subfcription, have engaged your felves to be 
 very diligent in attending the publick Worfiip, and ve- 
 ry careful in obferving the Lord's Day. So that a Con- 
 ftancy and Care, which ftiall render you exem- 
 plary, may juftly be expe&ed from you, in this 
 Particular. Let not the Enmity which the prefent 
 Age difcovers to all regular Piety and Religion, be 
 a Difcouragement to you ; but rather an Excite- 
 ment to greater Stedfaftnefs and Zeal in your fre- 
 quenting the Houfe of God. 
 
 And fince there are fome other Occafions of meet- 
 ing together for Religious Worfhip, befides thole 
 which are fix'd and determined by the Command of 
 God , fuch, I mean, as the Practice of good Peo- 
 ple, and the Cuftom of all the Churches of God, as 
 well as the Reafon of the Things themfeives, have 
 made requifite to be obferved ; I would take this 
 Opportunity to befpeak your ferious Regard to 
 thefe : namely, Days of publick Fafiing and Humi- 
 liation, Days of Thankfgiving alfo, and Comme- 
 moration of extraordinary iMercies and Deliveran- 
 ces, together with our Preparation Days for Sacra- 
 mental Solemnities. I wifh that none would forfake 
 or make light of thefe Opportunities of joining with 
 the publick Affemblies. 
 
 2. From what has been faid, we mould be en- 
 gaged not to abfent cur felves from any part of the 
 Chriftian Worfhip. As we fhould not negled any 
 appointed Time of appearing before God,fo we mould 
 
 not 
 
2 2 SeafonahJe ^Advice not toforfake the 
 
 not negled any appointed Duty m his Service. You 
 have heard that the Aflemblies, the Apoftle here re- 
 quires Men not to forfake, were orderly Affemblies, 
 and fuch Jhould ours be : Such, I may venture to fay, 
 according to the foregoing Account, ours are. 
 
 cc We firft addrefs Almighty God for his Grace 
 cf and Affiftance; then we read his Word; and 
 ft after that follows Prayer, Preaching, Singing, 
 €€ and the frequent Administration of the Sacra- 
 cc ments. All which muft be attended to, if we 
 u would have our Worfhip compleat. We fhould 
 always endeavour to be prefent at the firft Begin- 
 ning, and to bear a part to the Conclufion of the 
 publick Solemnities. 
 
 When the firft Petitions are offer'd up to God for 
 his Grace and Affiftance, at our Entrance upon Di- 
 vine Service, we fhould be there ready to join in 
 with them. This has been thought fo neceffary a 
 part of Worfhip, that you fee many Perfons, efpe- 
 cially thofe who have been inftru&ed in the Way of 
 the Church of England, let 'em come never fo late into 
 a publick Affembly, firft put up ifecret and mental 
 Prayer to God, to be with them, before they join 
 with the Congregation : And, tho' I cannot but 
 think they ad upon a Miftake, to imagine, that 
 falling upon their Knees, or covering their Faces 
 for a little time, whilft they offer up a fhort Pray- 
 er to God, in the middle of the publick Worfhip, 
 will ferveinftead of doing this before, and at the 
 Beginning of the Service : And, tho" it feems alfo 
 very unfuitable to that Decency and Uniformity, 
 which is pretended, for one to be praying whilft 
 others are finging, or reading, or otherwife em- 
 ploy'd ; yet thus much I think may fairly be argu- 
 ed from this Cuftom, that we ought to look up to 
 God for his Spirit and Blefling, upon the- Services 
 before us, in order to our engaging in them. And 
 
 therg- 
 
"Publick eAtfemblies for Religious Worflrip. 23 
 
 therefore Perfons ought to be prefent at thac time, 
 when the firfi Prayer is offer'd, to this Effect. 
 
 Again, the Reading of the Scriptures fliould be 
 conftantly attended to. For this, no doubt, is a 
 part of the publick Worlhip, however negle&ed by 
 fome Congregations amongft us. The Law and 
 the Prophets were read in the Jewifij Synagogues every 
 Sabbath Day, Ads xiii. 27. And our Saviour him- 
 felf firft flood up to read, as the manner of the Jews 
 was, and then proceeded afterwards to preach to 
 them, Luke iv. 16. This was undoubtedly the 
 Cuftom of the firfi Chrifiians $ and has generally 
 been kept up to this Day. The Church of England, 
 befides their two Leffons, have a Number of Pfalms, 
 and their Portions of Scripture, which are called 
 the Epifiles and Gcfpels, that are read in their Af- 
 fcmblies every Lord's Day. And I am fure we 
 have no reafon to diffent from 'em in the Ufe of the 
 Bible , tho'wemay refufe the Ufe of another Book, 
 which is fet upon a Level with this. 'Tis true, you 
 may read your Bibles at home ; Thanks be to God 
 we can do fo, and I wifh all Men did fo ; but may 
 you not alfo read many excellent Sermons, thac 
 have been publifli'd for this End ? And at this rate 
 of talking, may not every part of publick Wor- 
 (hip be neglected ? Becaufe the Word of God is 
 written for private In ftru&ion, mult it not there- 
 fore be read, and preach'd for publick Inftru&ion 
 and Benefit ? Have you the fame Influences of the 
 bleffed Spirit to depend upon in private, that you 
 have in publick Duties ? Or do we find the Effects 
 equally powerful and confiderable ? Or may we not 
 yet fay, that God loves the Gates of Zion more than 
 all the Dwellings of Jacob ? It is a Promife made 
 to the Chriftian Affemblies, that, whtre-ever they 
 are gather d together, in a Redeemer's Name, he will 
 be, in a more peculiar manner, in the midfiof them, 
 and iv ill blefs them, Again^ 
 
24 Seafonahle (Advice not to fur fake the 
 
 Again, when the Aflembly engages in longer and 
 more continued Prayer to God, than at firft ; we 
 fhould take care not only to worfliip with our Bo- 
 dies, but to fee that our'Hearts do not forfake the 
 Place and Work, in which we feem to be prefent. 
 And certainly whatever may ferve to engage our 
 Reverence and Attention/is here to be pleaded 
 for. The very Poftures of our Bodies, Kneeling 
 or Standing, fhould not be neglected by us ; nor 
 fhould we forfake a Cuftom, which all pious and 
 ferious Perfons, by their own Practice, have re- 
 commended to us. It is a fhame to fee Perfons fit- 
 ting in our Religious Affemblies at the time of Pray- 
 er, excepting very great Weaknefs and Infirmity 
 requires it. And it is yet a greater Indecency to fee 
 Men bowing to one another, and paffing unfea- 
 fonable Compliments at a time when every Eye 
 fhould be lift up to God, and every Thought fix'd 
 upon him. The Primitive Chrifiiaiis are reprefent- 
 edas looking up with greateft Intenfenefs toward 
 Heaven all the time of their Prayers ; or elfe as 
 clofing their Eyes, that they might not be diverted 
 by any external Obje&s. 
 
 But, whatever Care we have not to forfake any 
 pious, and commendable Cuftoms as to our outward 
 Behaviour, 'tis certain we ought efpecially to watch 
 our Hearts and Spirits, that they do not withdraw 
 from any Branch of Prayer. An inward Awe of 
 the Divine Majefty fhould accompany our Invo- 
 cations ; great Humility and Contrition, our Con- 
 feffions y a prevailing Faith and Earneftnefs,, our 
 Petitions ; more efpecially when we pray for fpi- 
 ritual Mercies : In our Thankfgivings the tendered 
 Senfe of Gratitude fhould poffefs our Souls: And 
 the very Condufion of Prayer fhould be pronoun- 
 ced with Compofednefs and Deliberation ,• not with 
 2 hurrying or cuftomary Inconfiderateneff, but 
 
 fo 
 
Publick eAjjemblies for Religious WorJIrip. 2 5 
 
 fo as that we may be able to add, an underftanding, 
 andferious Amen. 
 
 Further, in our hearing Sermons > we fhould take 
 care that our Minds be not abfent thro* Sloth or 
 Diftra&ions. For my own part, I had rather at a- 
 ny time fee a Perfon go out of an AfTembly, than 
 fet bimfelf to deep in it : Let him rather forfake it 
 by his bodily Prefence, than fit there to loofe all 
 Thought, and to difcourage all about him. And 
 as to thofe whofe Hearts are running after their Co- 
 vetoufnefs and worldly Concerns ; or after Plea- 
 fures and Trifles ; what is this but to forfake the 
 Affemblies, whilft they would be thought attend- 
 ing them ? Where there is a Religious Care and 
 Concern to prepare Sermons, I am fure there 
 ought to be a ferious and fuitable Attention to 'em. 
 But I have no Reafon to reproach this Af- 
 fembly, with the Want of this : It is with Plea- 
 fure that I have heard Strangers take notice of 
 the ferious Attention, and the decent Appearance 
 ©f our ftated Audience. And I wifh the fame 
 might always be obferved of thofe who come oc- 
 cafionally among us. 
 
 But to proceed, The Singing of Pfalms is a Branch 
 of Worlhip, that mould not be negle&ed by us. 
 All who are capable of bearing a part, mould 
 lift up their Voices with the Affembly, and not 
 content themfelves to fit filent, and as Hearers on- 
 ly in this Exercife. It was not intended meerly 
 to engage Matters of Mufick, but for every Chri- 
 ftiantomake Melody in his Heart to the Lord. And 
 as in this Place of Worfhip it is thought moft pro- 
 per (undoubtedly it is moft antient) tofing without 
 reading the Pfalm audibly, Line by Line j fo none who 
 are acquainted with our Cuftom, fhould fatisfy 
 themfelves ftatedly to attend without providing 
 Books, whereby they may be able to join in this 
 Service. D Ther* 
 
2-6 Seasonable eAdvice not toforfake the 
 
 There is one thing more,which ic may be proper 
 diftinftly to mention to you,and that is, not toforfake 
 the Affembly till the Benediction be pronounced, with 
 which our ftated Worfhip is (hut up. Some there 
 are, who neither come at firft to beg God's Blef- 
 fingonthem, nor ftay at la ft to receive it; but 
 rudely make their Advances in the middle of Di- 
 vine Service, and as rudely rufh away before the 
 End of it : As if pronouncing the Blefling was on- 
 ly a Form of Words for difmiffing an Affembly, 
 and not a part of their Worfhip. Whereas a true 
 Spirit of Devotion would teach Men timely to 
 make their Approaches to God, and patiently to 
 wait till they had received the Bleffing from him. 
 That Apoftolical Benediction, which is common- 
 ly ufed among us, [The Grace of our Lord Jefus 
 Chrifiy the Love of God the Father, and the Communi- 
 on and Fellow flip of the Holy Ghofi, be with ycu] if 
 ferioufly confider'd and underftood, is certainly 
 what every Perfon would defire to carry away with 
 him, 
 
 Finally, As to the Adminiflration of the Sacra- 
 ments ; I wifli that Baptifm was more . frequently 
 made a part of publick IVojfoip, than at prefent it 
 is. However fometimes we have it adminiftred in 
 our Affembly : And 1 hope Perfons will more and 
 more be convinced of the Reafonablenefs and Fit- 
 nefsofits being fo. 
 
 I heartily wifli alfo that thofe who think it their 
 Duty to attend all the other Parts of Worihip,might 
 beccmefenfibiecf the Evil,of turning away from the 
 Lord's Supper. Ijvould be far from encouraging a 
 rafh, and unprepar'd Approach to a Sacramental 
 Table ; but I am verily perfwaded, that this Or- 
 dinance has been fet at too great a Diftance from 
 trre other Inftitutions of the Gofpel. And by this 
 Means fome have been tempted to negleft it, till 
 
 ghey 
 
Vubfick oAjTemblles fir Religious Woffhif. 27 
 
 they have grown into a Contempt of h, or a Hu- 
 mour of difputing againft it,- and other.-, till thev 
 have been quire over-powerd with Fears and 
 Terrors about it. The Apoftle fays, Le: 3 Mm ex- 
 amine himfelfy andfo let him e.z;, 8zz. And if this 
 be ferioufly done according to the Word of God^ 
 and thofe excellent Help;, which none, that are 
 inclined to uie them, need to want, there can be 
 no juft Reafon for Perfons ablenting themfelves 
 from the AiTemblies of Communicants, any more 
 than from that of common Worfhippers. And I rnuft 
 add> the forfaking of tbefe is in a great meafu e for- 
 faking the Chriftian AiTemblies^ as peculiarly called 
 fuch : And that we cannot be faid compleatly to 
 join with them., till we frequent this Ordinance. 
 Which muft be done as oft as we have Opportuni- 
 ty, upon a Return of the itated times for its Cele- 
 bration. 
 
 Thefe Things I beg you would keep in mind, 
 as afiort Direct wj 3 to the behaving your felvesright 
 in the alTembiing your felves together. 
 
 3. Let what has been faid engage you to -watch 
 4g*i*ft ever; thing) that rn.ght occafion your forfaking 
 tbefstUiek F/crfhip. Beware of an Acedioufnefs, 
 and flotbful Stupidity of Temper: Let the realizing 
 Views of future and inviiTcie things, keep you al- 
 ways wakeful and attentive. Beware of every 
 Degree of Spirit h r.l Pride \ that is, of thinking that 
 you either excel in Grace or Senfe, k as to defpifc 
 others, or to think your felves qualify'd to alter 
 and over-rule the publick Worfhip. Beware alio 
 of » at any time raife Con- 
 
 tendons and UneafmeiTes about your outward Ac- 
 coniimodations, or civil Refpect in the Place of 
 Worfhip. \nd withal beware of a timorous and 
 c:ward ■? Spirit, that would make you (brink from 
 your Duty ; and either afham'u or afraid of that 
 
 D 2. Wos- 
 
28 Seajonable (Advice not toforjake the 
 
 Worfhip, in which you acknowledge you have 
 had a great deal of the Prefence of God. Let not 
 the Fear of Man, and of fome Inconveniencies or 
 Sufferings in the World, prevail above your Fear of 
 God. 
 
 Here let me alfo caution you againft that Com- 
 fany and Converjation, that would difcourage you in 
 yourftated Worfhip. Some there are who have made 
 fuch a Proficiency in Atheifm and Prophanenefs, 
 that they take a Pride in fpeaking contemptibly of 
 all Religious Jjjemblics : Thefe I know are an Abo- 
 mination to you ; and need nothing more to render 
 them fuch, than their own manner of Conven- 
 tion and Behaviour. Others there are who have 
 learn'd to condemn all Affemblhs but their own; and 
 every way of Worfhip, but that of a particular 
 Party : There are Perfons among us, whofe Tem- 
 pers may poffibly give you fome Trouble and Con- 
 cern ; but whofe Reafonings are never like to af- 
 ford any Light or Satisfa&ion. Thefe alfo I would 
 choofe to avoid. The Singularity y which is affe&ed 
 on the one hand ,• and the Uniformity, which is 
 cried up on the other, are both Enemies to the 
 Scriptural and moft profitable way of Worfhip. And 
 I fee no Bounds that can befet to either, when they 
 are carried to fuch a Degree, as the Superftitious 
 on both fides, in their Zeal againft one another, 
 contend for. I have fometimes thought the Cafe 
 of the moderate Dijfenters very hard, in having fuch 
 Oppofers both ways to deal with. That whilft 
 they are caft out by thofe who carry the Particu- 
 lars of Decency and Order too far, they are af- 
 fauked by others, who are for throwing off every 
 thing of that kind. For my own part, I fee no 
 Reafin, I am fure, whatever Men may pretend, 
 there is no Religion in running to Extreams either 
 way. Thofe are the happy Perfons $ thofe the hap- 
 
 py 
 
Publick oAjJemblies for Religious Worfhip. 29 
 
 py Societies, thac avoid both thefe : And among 
 fuch I would always defire to be found. 
 
 Thefe Differences, however, are not fuch as 
 will juftify Mens withdrawing from All our Reli- 
 gious Affemblies, as the manner of fome is. They 
 (hould hereby the rather be provok'd to enquire fe- 
 rioufly which are mod agreeable to the Word of 
 God, and in which they may exped the moft of his 
 Prefence ; and according to the beft Information 
 and Light they can get, fhould ftatedly join with 
 one or other of them. 
 
 To forfake All is certainly to forfake a moft plain 
 and neceffary Duty, as we have already prov'd. 
 
 And it is to forfake our own great eft Mercy, both 
 with refped to Time and Eternity. Such is the 
 real Pleafure and Satisfa&ion of Attendance in 
 God's Houfe at pnfent, that David could fay, A 
 Day in thy Courts is better than a thoufand. And 
 when he is fpeaking of all his Willies as fumm'd 
 up in one, it is this : One thing have I 
 de fired of the Lord, that will 1 feek after, Pkl. xxvii. 4» 
 that I may dwell in the Houfe of the Lord 
 all the Days of my Life, to behold the Beauty of the Lord x 
 and to enquire in his Temple. So that to forfake this,, 
 is to forfake the moft valuable and defirable Bleffing 
 in the whole World. 
 
 Again, It is to forfake your chief Support in a 
 Time of Danger and Trouble. There is nothing 
 in the Univerfe a Man can look to with Hope or 
 Comfort, in a Time of prevailing Calamities, if he 
 is a Stranger to the Worfhip of God. But if we 
 can fay with the Vfalmifi in the Place juft quoted,, 
 that to dwell in the Houfe of God, to contemplate 
 his Perfections, aad enquire after our own Duty, 
 is the prevailng Defire of our Souls, we may then 
 add as he does there, in the Time of 'Trouble bt (hall 
 hide me in his Pavilion ^ in the Secret of his Tabernacle 
 (kail he bide me. Further., 
 
3<d Seafonalle oAdvice not toforfake the 
 
 Further, to forfake the Worfhipping Affemblies, 
 is to forfake that Company we fhall hereafter wifh 
 to be gathered with. Let me die the Death of the 
 Righteous, and let my latter End belike his, is the dying 
 Language of fome of the worft of Men. But alafs ! 
 whilft Men forfake thofe Means that are neceffary 
 to prepare for fuch a Death, and for a blifsful Eter- 
 nity confequent thereupon, what Folly and Dif- 
 tra&ion is it to promife themfelves this Happinefs, 
 To forfake the affembling of your felves together, 
 is, in all thefe refpe&s, to forfake your own great- 
 eft Mercy. 
 
 Yea, what is more, it is to draw down Judgments 
 on your felves, and to aggravate your final Condem- 
 nation and Mifery. Temporal Judgments do often 
 follow upon this Departure from God, efpecially 
 when defpifing his Worfhip, his Sabbaths, and fo- 
 lemn Affemblies, becomes a national Sin, we have 
 abundance of Reafon to fear National Calami- 
 ties. The Writings of the Prophets are full of 
 Threatnings of this kind : And as this is one of the 
 Crying Sins of the prefent Age, we may well tremble 
 for fear of God, and be afraid of his Judgments. In- 
 deed we commonly fee, that whilft Men forfake 
 the Affemblies of them that worfhip God, they fall 
 in with thofe that difhonour him, and many times 
 are carried on to the moft notorious Wickednefs, 
 and at laft brought to a Prifon and an ignominious 
 Death. 
 
 But however it may fare with Men as to their 
 prefent Circumftances, we are affured that fuch as 
 fin thus wilfully, in departing from God and his Af- 
 femblies, after they have received the Knowledge of the 
 Truth y have a certain fearful looking for, of future Judg- 
 menty and of fiery Indignation, which (Jjall devour the 
 Adverfaries. Thus fome of our beft Expofitors have 
 interpreted the Words following our Text. And 
 
 undoubted- 
 
Tublick eAjjembliesfor Religious Worfhip. 3 £ 
 
 undoubtedly very dreadful muft be the Mifery and 
 Condemnation of thofe, who after they have re- 
 ceived the Communion of the Body and Blood of Chrifi % 
 turn their Backs upon all that is facred, and by Inft- 
 fidelity, or ill Lives, trample under foot the Son of 
 God, and the Blood of the Covenant. Thus for Men 
 to forfake the folemn AfTemblies, is to bring upon 
 themfelves, fooner or later, the foreft Punifliment 
 and Condemnation. 
 
 And fince he that once begins to defert does not 
 know where he fhall fiop 5 we (hould from thefe 
 Confiderations be excited to the greateft Watch- 
 fulnefs and Care over our felves. 
 
 To clofe all, let the YEAR which is beginning^ 
 as we have Opportunity, be thus improved by us. 
 Let our Sacred Time be always efteem'd the moftpre- 
 cious and valuable : and the Tabernacles of God the 
 moft amiable and delightful Places to us. 
 
 From thefe we may promife our felves the great- 
 eft Happinefs and Comfort, if our outward Peace and 
 Tranquility mould be continued to us; And if 
 Calamities mould overtake us, yet ftill it will be 
 our Intereft to fly to the Horn* of the Altar ; and to 
 take Refuge in the Sanctuary. And if Chrifi himfelf 
 fhould come, or fummon us to appear before him, 
 by Death ; Bleffed is that Servant whom his Lord, when 
 he comes, [hall find fo doing : That is, not for faking 
 the folemn Affemblies, as the manner of fome is, but 
 doubling our Diligence in attending upon thefej 
 the nearer we fee fuch a Day approaching. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 1 
 
 ERRORS. 
 
 N the Preface, page id, line 7, for their read our* 
 
 In the Note, p. 8. for ineompofitum read tticom^ofitunh 
 P. £. L n, for requires read enjoins. 
 
WOKS written by the Reverend Mr. Wright, mi 
 Sold%jJ. Clark atthe Bible and Crown inthloU 
 Change - 7 and E. Matthews at the Bible in Pater- 
 nofter-Row. 
 
 i . \ Funeral Sermon occafion'd by the Deatl 
 JT\. of Mr. Caleb Head ; with an Account ol 
 his Converfion, and early Piety } taken from his| 
 own Manufcripts. The 5th Edition. 
 
 2. A Sermon preach'd at the Evening Le&ure in 
 St. Thomas's Southward, upon Occafion of his Lea- 
 ving it. 
 
 3. The Minlfierial Office : Wherein the Impor- 
 tance, Difficulty, Nature and Neceffity of that Of- 
 fice, are confiderU Being Two SERMONS, one 
 at the Ordination of Mr. B> (fravenor ; the other at] 
 the Ordination of Mr. S. Wright. By Daniel Wil\ 
 Hams, D.D. AM6 Mr. Cjravenor's, andMr.^k's 
 Confeflion of Faith, deliver'd at their Ordination. 
 
 4. A Sermon preach'd at Black-Fry ar s $ on Occa- 
 fion of the Publick Thankfgiving, Nov. 22, 1709/ 
 
 5. The Love of one another the great Duty oi 
 Chriftians • in Two SERMONS, the one preach'd! 
 on the <th of November, and the other on the! 
 Thankfgiving-Day, November 7th, 171 o. The] 
 Second Edition, Corre£led. 
 
 6\ A Funeral Sermon, upon the fudden and muchl 
 lamented Death of Dr. Francis Vpton ; who died] 
 September 4, 1 7 1 1 . Preach'd at Black-Fry ars. 
 
 7. A Sermon preach'd at Black-FryarsjLo a Society] 
 of Young Men, Jan. 1, 1712/ 
 
 8. A Sermon preach'd at B lack- Fry arspn Occafion] 
 of the Publick Faft, Jan. 16, 171 2. 
 
 9. To be every where fpoken agamft, At firft the Cafej 
 of the Chrifiians themfelves, and now of the Froteftant 
 JDiJJenters. Confider'd in Two Sermons, preach'd 
 oxiAEls xxviii. 22. 
 
 10. Of forget ting the wonderful Works of God* A' 
 Sermrm preach'd on T^ov. 5, 1 71 2* 
 

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