It is absurd to suggest that there can be no lawful refusing of sacramental communion with a particular church, and no lawful separation from it, till it be unchurched.
I think it manifestly absurd to say that we are not to separate from a particular church, however degenerate and corrupt in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, till it is no church of Christ at all: for this would be to suppose that, though Christ has provided the censures of the church as a means of preserving her from the danger arising from the offences of one or a few members, he has provided no means of her preservation from the far greater danger of utter ruin by the prevailing influence of a corrupt majority.
When such a majority is found incorrigibly obstinate in their opposition to any steps towards a thorough reformation, it is evident, that there is no remedy but secession.
A corrupt majority avowedly and obstinately opposes one great end of church communion, which is, that the truths and institutions of the Lord Jesus may be preserved pure and entire. When this happens, 2 Corinthians 6:17, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," are the words which the Lord Jesus is saying to his people.
A number of people say that the call for separation only applies to Pagan and Roman Catholic communions.
But they are applicable to our secession from any prevailing party, even though they should bear the name of Christians, of Protestants and Presbyterians, who, in their united capacity, or as a professing body, are going on in obstinate opposition to any of the truths and institutions of Jesus Christ; so that none can continue in their church communion, without being involved in the guilt of that opposition.
From such combinations Christ is calling his people to separate.
Of course, this does not mean that unfaithful Protestants and Presbyterians are considered to be the same as Roman Catholics and Heathens. But there can still be a just cause to separate from them. (This article has been adapted from the book "Alexander and Rufus" by John Anderson.)
I think it manifestly absurd to say that we are not to separate from a particular church, however degenerate and corrupt in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, till it is no church of Christ at all: for this would be to suppose that, though Christ has provided the censures of the church as a means of preserving her from the danger arising from the offences of one or a few members, he has provided no means of her preservation from the far greater danger of utter ruin by the prevailing influence of a corrupt majority.
When such a majority is found incorrigibly obstinate in their opposition to any steps towards a thorough reformation, it is evident, that there is no remedy but secession.
A corrupt majority avowedly and obstinately opposes one great end of church communion, which is, that the truths and institutions of the Lord Jesus may be preserved pure and entire. When this happens, 2 Corinthians 6:17, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate," are the words which the Lord Jesus is saying to his people.
A number of people say that the call for separation only applies to Pagan and Roman Catholic communions.
But they are applicable to our secession from any prevailing party, even though they should bear the name of Christians, of Protestants and Presbyterians, who, in their united capacity, or as a professing body, are going on in obstinate opposition to any of the truths and institutions of Jesus Christ; so that none can continue in their church communion, without being involved in the guilt of that opposition.
From such combinations Christ is calling his people to separate.
Of course, this does not mean that unfaithful Protestants and Presbyterians are considered to be the same as Roman Catholics and Heathens. But there can still be a just cause to separate from them. (This article has been adapted from the book "Alexander and Rufus" by John Anderson.)
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