If this interpretation be just, and it seems to be fo, then the Scriptures do contain a standard of doctrine, discipline, worship, &c. and those who do not at present humbly search for it, are living in fin. The testimony of the above author is the less fufpicious, as he is a minister of the church of England, and sets out on this expofition of the vifion of Ezekiel by obferving, that it is vain to attempt laying down rules for church government, difcipline, worship, &c. from fuch an obfcure vifion.' Notes on Exzek. xl. ver. 1. With this fentiment I fully agree; but I think the whole vifion, if it be allowed to refer to gofpel times, affords the strongest prefumption that Christ has left a precife and determinate rule for the government of his people. This fuppofition is much strengthened by John's vifion, Rev. xi. 1, 2. in which there is a plain reference to the visions of Ezekiel. The angel having given him a reed, commanded him to meafure the temple of God and the altar, and them that worship therein; but the court which is without the temple, he was directed to leave out, and not to measure, for it was given unto the Gentiles. This denoted, fays Mr Scott, that in the predicted period there would be a fmall number, whofe doctrine, worship, and behaviour, would bear measuring by the word of God.' Unless we fuppofe that the word of God contains a ftandard for worship and difcipline, as well as for doctrine, was capable of being measured under the reprefentation of the temple, yet none will doubt that it was so represented to John. All agree that there are fome ordinances exprefsly appointed in the church of Christ. If so, is it not a fair conclufion, that these, and these only, are to be obferved. They are indeed few and fimple, but they are quite fufficient. We fhall hereafter have occafion to advert to the caufes why they have not been deemed fo. None who have confidered the fubject will deny the great importance of unity of fentiment among Christians. I do not know a greater obftacle to the spread of the gospel in this country, than the variety of fects and parties, or denominations, as they are too foftly called. This proves, I am perfuaded, a stumbling-block to many, and also tends to alienate the minds of Chriftians from each other. Real Chriftians are all indeed of one mind as to the great doctrines of the gospel. They are all baptized by one Spirit into one body; and thus our Lord's prayer, John xvii. 21. has been fo far answered in every age. But this unity is not obvious to fuperficial obfervers, and our Lord mentions it, as the reafon of his petition, "that the world may know that thou haft fent me." That there are certain features of character in all real believers, which conftitute, so to speak, a kind of family likeness, and which muft, in some meafure, be noticed by the world, is true; but how were of one mind respecting worship and discipline, and every external obfervance. Some have fondly hoped for a general agreement amongst Christians on these fubjects; others think this of little confequence, provided they love one another. But has not every one obferved, how much difference of fentiment on these fubjects has tended to extinguish love? If then we admit, that the New Teftament is not explicit on this subject; if we maintain that no precise standard is there laid down; if we muft accommodate ourselves to the prejudices of people of different countries, all profpect of agreement on one plan is at an end, and nothing is to be expected but perpetual divifions. Jefus Chrift has not promifed, that any prophet shall hereafter arise to fupply what is deficient, and, instead of exhorting us to receive laws from man in regard to his worship, he hath once and again warned us against it. He has taught us indeed to be fubject to magiftrates, but this only refpects the things of this life. "Call no man Father," says he, "on earth." But if Scripture contain a perfect standard, nothing more is neceffary to produce perfect harmony among Chriftians, than diligently to inveftigate the word of God in order to discover this, and then fimply to embrace it. This, then, affords a very ftrong prefumption, that Scripture does contain fuch a standard. The importance of uniformity amongst Chri was capable of being measured under the reprefentation of the temple, yet none will doubt that it was so represented to John. All agree that there are fome ordinances exprefsly appointed in the church of Chrift. If so, is it not a fair conclufion, that these, and these only, are to be obferved. They are indeed few and fimple, but they are quite fufficient. We fhall hereafter have occafion to advert to the caufes why they have not been deemed fo. None who have confidered the fubject will deny the great importance of unity of fentiment among Christians. I do not know a greater obstacle to the spread of the gospel in this country, than the variety of fects and parties, or denominations, as they are too foftly called. This proves, I am perfuaded, a ftumbling-block to many, and also tends to alienate the minds of Chriftians from each other. Real Chriftians are all indeed of one mind as to the great doctrines of the gospel. They are all baptized by one Spirit into one body; and thus our Lord's prayer, John xvii. 21. has been fo far anfwered in every age. But this unity is not obvious to fuperficial obfervers, and our Lord mentions it, as the reafon of his petition, "that the world know that thou haft fent me. may That there are certain features of character in all real believers, which conftitute, so to speak, a kind of family likeness, and which muft, in some meafure, be noticed by the world, is true; but how were of one mind respecting worship and discipline, and every external obfervance. Some have fondly hoped for a general agreement amongst Christians on thefe fubjects; others think this of little confequence, provided they love one another. But has not every one obferved, how much difference of fentiment on these fubjects has tended to extinguish love? If then we admit, that the New Testament is not explicit on this subject; if we maintain that no precise standard is there laid down; if we muft accommodate ourselves to the prejudices of people of different countries, all profpect of agreement on one plan is at an end, and nothing is to be expected but perpetual divifions. Jefus Chrift has not promifed, that any prophet shall hereafter arise to fupply what is deficient, and, instead of exhorting us to receive laws from man in regard to his worfhip, he hath once and again warned us against it. He has taught us indeed to be subject to magiftrates, but this only refpects the things of this life. "Call no man Father," fays he, " on earth." But if Scripture contain a perfect standard, nothing more is necessary to produce perfect harmony among Chriftians, than diligently to inveftigate the word of God in order to discover this, and then fimply to embrace it. This, then, affords a very strong prefumption, that Scripture does contain fuch a standard. The importance of uniformity amongst Chri |