1. What should be our minds towards " the little
ones" of Christ's flock —
[We should " not despise them," either because they are his, or because they are but weak^^: still less should we put any obstructions in their way: for " it were better that a millstone were hanged about our neck, and that we were cast into the depth of the sea, than that we should offend one of his little ones'^." We should rather be like-minded with God himself towards them, and afford them every aid in our power — ]
2. How we ourselves maybe of their happy number —
[We have before said, that they are described by our Lord as " believing in him." If, with a sense of our lost and undone condition, we come to him, and seek acceptance through him, then may we be sure that we are his ; especially if our faith appi'ove itself as genuine, by its fruits. " Cleave, therefore, to him with full purpose of heart ;" and rest assured that God will " keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."]
e ver. 10. ^ ver. 6.
Matt, xviii. 19, 20. Again I say unto you, That if tivo of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall he done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For lohere ttvo or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
GOD has mercifully provided for the peace and welfare of his Church, by appointing, that disputes amongst his people shall be referred to arbitrators in the first instance, and, in the failure of that, to the decision of those who bear rule in the Church: and he has engaged to ratify in heaven the sentence which they shall pass on earth. This supposes, indeed, that they who are appointed to judge, are men of real piety and strict integrity ; and that they implore from him that wisdom which is profitable to direct and regulate their judgment.
He has also provided for their welfare, by encou- raging them, individually and collectively, to spread