urch in general,
and her teachers in particular, Heb. xiii. 18, and wrestle with God for
them; for they have the spirit of prayer given them, and audience and
interest in heaven, for others, as well as for themselves.

10. Church members should often meet together for prayer and holy
conversation, by two or three or more, as they may have opportunity.
This was wont to be the commendable practice of our forefathers, when
Christ, duty, heaven, and religion lay warmer on their hearts than now
they do; and this is still the practice of some, that are now alive. God
hath promised his glorious teaching, and his warming, strengthening,
sanctifying, and comforting presence to such as do so, Matt, xviii. 20.
Church members find time enough to visit one another, and meet together
to tell some idle stories, to tattle about other men's matters, which
do not concern them, and perhaps to _backbite_ some of their brethren,
and to prejudice the minds of persons against their teachers and their
work, if they do not please them. And will not such meetings have
bitterness in the end? Is it not great iniquity for Christians to tempt
one another to sin, and to wrong their own souls, by misspending that
precious time which they might have employed in the service of God, and
one another's spiritual profit. Men and women were wont to discourse
often of the things of God and their experiences one to another, Mal.
iii. 16. But, alas! few persons are now to be found, who can find time
and inclination for such an exercise. And the reason seems to be, that
most are great strangers to God and to themselves, and are so much
intoxicated with the things of this world, that they will not attend
with any pleasure unto the spiritual duties of religion.

11. Church members ought to encourage one another by their example, to
attend regularly on the public ordinances of God's worship in his
church. Whenever the church meets for the celebration of the worship of
God, all her members are bound to meet together at the appointed time,
except in extraordinary cases; otherwise good order cannot be kept, and
the public duties performed, for the glory of God, and the edification
of the church. By church members wilfully or carelessly absenting
themselves at the time of meeting, they give an evil example to others,
tempt them to do the like, and cast a stumbling-block in the way of
their duty, Heb. x. 25.

12. Church members must be charitable to the poor that are