7. It can scarce be conceived, what advantages have been reaped from this little prudential regulation. Many now happily experienced that Christian fellowship, of which they had not so much as an idea before. They began to _bear one anothers burthens_, and _naturally_ to _care for each other_. As they had daily a more intimate acquaintance with, so they had a more endeared affection for each other. And _speaking the truth in love they grew up into him in all things, who is the head, even_ Christ: _from whom the whole body, fitly joined together, and compacted by that which every joint supplied, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, increased unto the edifying itself in love_.
8. But notwithstanding all these advantages, many were at first extremely averse to meeting thus. Some, viewing it in a wrong point of light, not as a _priviledge_ (indeed an invaluable one) but rather a _restraint_, disliked it on that account, because they did not love to be restrained in any thing. Some were _ashamed_ to speak before company. Others honestly said, “I don’t know why; but I _don’t like_ it.”
9. Some objected, “there were no such meetings, when I came into the society first. And why should there now? I don’t understand these things, and this changing one thing after another continually.” It was easily answered. ’Tis pity but they had been at first. But we knew not then either the need or the benefit of them. Why we use them, you will readily understand, if you read over the rules of the society. That with regard to these little prudential helps we are continually changing one thing after another, is not a weakness or fault (as you imagine) but a peculiar advantage which we enjoy. By this means we declare them all to be merely prudential, not essential, not of divine institution. We prevent so far as in us lies, their growing formal or dead. We are always open to instruction; willing to be wiser every day than we were before and to change whatever we can change for the better.
10. Another objection was, “there is no scripture for this, for classes and I know not what.” I answer, 1. There is no scripture _against_ it. You cannot shew one text which forbids them. 2. There is much scripture _for_ it, even all those texts which enjoin the substance of those various duties whereof this is only an indifferent circumstance, to be determined by reason and experience. 3. You seem not to have observed, that the scripture in most points, ♦gives only _general_ rules: and leaves the _particular_ circumstances to be adjusted, by the common sense of mankind. The scripture (for instance) give that _general_ rule, _Let all things be done decently and in order_. But common sense is to determine on _particular_ occasions, what order and decency require. So in another instance, the scripture lays it down, as a _general_, standing direction, _Whether ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God_. But it is common prudence which is to make the application of this, in a thousand _particular_ cases.
♦ “give” replaced with “gives” per Errata
11. “But these said another, are all _man’s inventions_.” This is but the same objection in another form. And the same answer will suffice for any reasonable person. These are man’s inventions. And what then? That is: they are methods, which men have found, by reason and common sense for the more effectually applying several scripture rules, couched in general terms, to particular occasions.
12. They spoke far more plausible than these, who said, “the thing is well enough in itself. But the _leaders_ are insufficient for the work. They have neither gifts nor graces for such an employment.” I answer, 1. Yet such leaders as they are, it is plain God has blessed their labour. 2. If any of these is remarkably wanting in gifts or grace, he is soon taken notice of and removed. 3. If you know any such, tell it to _me_, not to others, and I will endeavour to exchange him for a better. 4. It may be hoped, they will all be better than they are, both by experience and observation, and by the advices given them by the ministers every _Tuesday_ night, and the prayers (then in particular) offered up for them.