CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTORY DiscouRSE .... ..... I On the Nature, Design, and Constitution of the Christian Church, considered as a visible Society ..... .. 13 Of the Sin of Schism - ............ 41 On the Reafons generally advanced to justify a Separation from the Church; and first, on the supposed Spiritual Qualification of the Party undertaking the Office of the Minijiry - . 65 On the Plea advanced by Separatists from the Church, that the Gospel is not preached in it - - - - - - - - - - 77. TO THE READER. ere THE following Discourses were originally de figned for private circulation in a particular parish. Being written for that purpose, their accommodation to the existing state of that parish constituted of course the principal object in view. Should therefore some parts of the subject be more dilated, than may be thought necessary for general informa. tion; or some circumstances noticed which might have been omitted; the candid reader will, it is hoped, make allowance for what on these accounts may be an unwelcome trespass upon his time. Thus much it may be proper to say in behalf of the Discourses before him. As an excuse, if excuse be necessary, for the alteration of my plan in giving them to the public, I have to plead, that upon their revisal for the press, they were judged to convey fome information applicable to the general circumstances of Christians in this |