An humble attempt to promote explicit agreement and visible union of God's people in…

I remember, the Spectator (whom none will call a whimsical Author) somewhere speaking of different Ways of dear Friends mutually expressing their Affection, and maintaining a Kind of Intercourse, in Absence one from another, mentions such an Instance as this, with much Approbation, viz. That two Friends, that were greatly endeared one to another, when about to part, and to be for a considerable Time necessarily absent, that they might have the Comfort of the Enjoyment of daily mutual Expressions of Friendship, in their Absence; agreed that they would, every Day, precisely at such an Hour, retire from all Company an• Business, to pray one for another. Which Agreement they so valued, and so strictly observed, that when the Hour came, scarce any Thing would hinder 'em. And rather than miss the Opportunity, they would suddenly break off Conversation, and abruptly leave Company they were engaged with.—If this be a desirable Way of Intercourse of particular Friends, is it not a desirable and amiable Way of maintaining Intercourse and Fellowship between Brethren in Christ Jesus, and the various Members of the holy Family of God, in different Parts of the World, to come into an Agreement, that they will set apart certain Times, which they will spend with one Accord, in extraordinary Prayer to their heavenly Father, for the Advancement of the Kingdom ⟨p. 99⟩and Glory of their common dear Lord and Saviour, and for each other's Prosperity and Happiness, and the greatest Good of all their Fellow-Creatures through the World?

OBJECT. III. Some perhaps may object, That it looks too much like Pharisaism, when Persons engage in any such extraordinary religious Exercises, beyond what is appointed by express Institution, for them thus designedly to make it manifest abroad in the World, and so openly to distinguish themselves from others.