It is most important to remember that God's assembly as a whole is now in a state of ruin. Where this is lost sight of, there is apt to be rashness and such dangerous high-mindedness in the use of the truth as would leave outside the action of the Spirit of God.
When we do come together as His assembly, let it never be that we may take part, but that He may work as He will and by whom He will. Neither, again, let us be impatient. Our part is to count on Him, neither hindering others, nor refusing to go forward if He leads.
The great thing is the manifestation of God's presence in the assembly. Can anything be more solemn than for a person unexercised to take part in the assembly? What continual self-judgment is due to see whether his motive arises from simple obedience to the will of God? [38]