state of
the Church of God, in so far as that corresponds with his will, is from
his hand alone, and is therefore infinitely more sacred than the work of
any creature; and while there are certain things that cannot be
performed by believers socially except as members of the Church in her
constituted capacity; still, owing to the imperfections of men, some
things that might be done by her members in any capacity, cannot be
performed by them so efficiently in any distinct ecclesiastical standing
as otherwise; and Covenanting, for some purposes, seems to be one of
these. Neither is any Church nor nation perfect. Neither can accomplish
all the good they might intend. They find that to do good is incumbent
upon them, but that in some cases they cannot, by themselves, accomplish
their design so efficiently as they would in union with others, who,
seeking to promote the glory of God, contemplate the same end. They know
that certain parts of duty, such as communicating in receiving Baptism
or the Lord's Supper, can be performed only in a strictly ecclesiastical
capacity, but that others can be done either by individual efforts of
the members of the Church, or by communities of Christians associated in
church fellowship, or on a more general principle. Hence, by engaging in
Covenanting in the more general capacity in which those who hold the
truth can associate, they do not disregard the Church as a constituted
body called to duty in her organised condition, but endeavour to perform
some duties which may be done by them in a variety of relations, but
which may be best performed by many in a collective state. To the
anticipation, though not to the loss, of a part of the argument
contained in the succeeding chapter, two or three illustrations may be
given of the principle here stated. And first, it may be remarked that
general assemblies called not necessarily either by civil or
ecclesiastical authority, but by general consent, for the purpose of
arriving at unanimity of sentiment regarding the doctrines of Scripture,
may be formed in the exercise of Covenanting. It is a ground of humility
to each Section of the visible Church that every other, in some things,
differs from it. Deliberation among deputations from all of these, in
order that they may be of one mind, is therefore greatly to be desired,
if means of arriving at harmony of sentiment be afforded in an assembly
where truth is discussed in a becoming manner. To attend to wh