5.  Church members ought to exhort and comfort one another, for so is the will of God concerning them.  This is not only their teacher’s duty and work, but theirs also to each other, Heb. x. 24, 25; Heb. iii. 13; 1 Thess. v. 14.  Christians stand in continual need of one another’s exhortations and consolations; and if they manage this work well they may be very useful and profitable to one another, and may help to awaken, quicken, and provoke one another, to the love and practice of holiness.

6.  It is the will of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Church’s head, that her members should be each other’s keepers; that they should watch over one another, and admonish and reprove one another, as need requires.  It is not meant, that they should pry into one another’s secrets, or be busybodies in other men’s matters, but that they should watch over one another’s life and conversation, that if they do well they may be encouraged; if ill, that they may, by counsel, reproof, instruction, and exhortation, be brought to a real sight and sense of their misconduct, and to unfeigned repentance.  By which good work, you will do them, the church, yea, Christ himself, good and acceptable service.  Church members should carefully observe, if all do keep close to their duty in the church, or are remiss and negligent;—­if they conduct themselves in a holy, righteous, and sober way; or if, on the contrary, they are frothy, vain, proud, extravagant, unjust, idle, careless, or any way scandalous.  They should strictly observe if there be any tattlers, backbiters, or sowers of discord; or such as speak contemptibly of their brethren, especially of their elders, (ruling or preaching,) and of their administrations:  as also, if there be any such as combine together, and make parties in the church, or endeavor to obstruct any good work which their elders are carrying on, for promoting the glory of Christ and the good of his people, and deal with them accordingly.  They ought carefully to observe if any be fallen under sin or temptation in any case, and presently to set their hands to help, to relieve, and to restore them, Rev. vi. 1.  They must watch, and endeavor to gain a sinning member, 1.  By their private admonition, in case the offence be private; and if that will not do, to take one or two more to see what effect that will have. 2.  But if that will not answer the end, then they are bound to bring it to the church representative, that they may deal with the offending brother, and proceed against him as commanded:  This is another great and indispensable duty required of church members, that they be not partakers of other men’s sins.