The church, considered in herself, is a weak, afflicted, defenceless society. In respect to numbers, she has been in general the fewest of all people. With respect to outward circumstances, she has been composed of a poor and an afflicted people. With respect to talents and human acquirements, not many wise men after the flesh have joined her fellowship; but God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the things that are mighty, and the foolish things to confound the wise, and things that are not, to bring to naught things that are. But viewed in connexion with her Head, she is the most noble, most safe and happy society that ever has, or ever will exist on this side the grave.