An Extract from Samuel Fothergill:

A garden enclose is my sister, my spouse.--May we pay all due honour to the testimony of Christ respecting his Church, both as individuals, as heads of families, and parents of children; and more and more sustain, with diligence and propriety, in all our several stations, the character of gardens enclosed; or be as "plants therein, of the Lord's own right-hand planting;" plentifully adorned and enriched with all the good fruits, were in the day when the Lord raised them up, fed, and miraculously supported them! and may fervently pray, that Sion might arise and shine, and shake herself from the dust of the earth; and put on her beautiful gardens! (Isa. 1:2, 60:1) and that many amongst us, who yet need it, might shake themselves from those outward things that adorn us, as they vainly imagine; that "divine beauty and lustre," which once conspicuously shined upon and adorned our Sion, may again be restored, and continue to dwell amongst us: and, in order to this, may we study more and more the increase of righteousness and true holiness; encouraging one another by good example, and by tender counsel in the pursuit thereof; as we cannot, consistent with our love of God, be indifferent in our wished for the happiness and welfare of any of our fellow creatures, nor say of our brother, "Let him alone, leave him to himself, it is sufficient for me to mind myself." Since it is our immediate duty to watch over him, and to be ready, on every occasion, tenderly to advise and assist, to prevent or support him; and not answer the Lord, when he shall require an account of his welfare from me,--Am I my brother's keeper? (Gen. 2:6)

At this door, my friends, unspeakable damage hath entered, and widely spread amongst us as a people; even through this neglect, the grand deceiver hath more easily broke into this and the other family; the power of seduction hath taken place; and many young people may be said to have laid violent hands on their own souls, and those of others too, in their gradual stepping out of the garden enclosed.

"Am I my brother's keeper? What have I to do with the welfare of another?" This hath greatly obstructed the increase of our felicity, as a collective body; the progress of our Sion; and introduced the destroyer; who hath broke into our enclosure, and made a sorrowful devastation among the flock and family of God. Where I see thus the danger of the hedge (which the Lord in mercy made about us,) being broke down; I cannot help expressing my concern, and using my speedy and vigilant efforts to prevent, as much as possible, the beginning and increase of so great an evil.

Is there even a servant lad, or a servant girl, that hath continued neglected, and their minds left to wander at will? I cannot but feel for them, with an earnest desire of informing such, and drawing them, if possible, within the limits of the garden enclosed; that they might enjoy the benefit and delightful assurance of immortal happiness, from their entrance into, and continuance in well doing! Many fly from their own interest, forget the God that made them, and even account the blood of the covenant as an unholy thing, (Heb. 10:29) for want of having their minds properly centered, and their judgments duly enlightened; and therefore it is all your duty, who are advanced within the heavenly bounds, and are grown up into a capacity of service, so faithfully to improve your talents, that ye may become instrumental, to enlighten their understanding, and to administer to them a suitable degree of spiritual health: not to say, "Am I my brother's keeper?" but if ye love God, to love your neighbour also: to lead him within the heritage and limits of the enclosed garden; within the "impregnable defence of that city whose walls are salvation."

Contributed by pds