“By schism we are to understand a causeless secession from our Church, into the communion of which we have been solemnly admitted by baptism. And that such a secession would be causeless on our part, is evident from this simple consideration, that our Church neither proposes to our faith any doctrine which is not evidently contained in the Scripture; nor obtrudes on us any practice which the Scriptures forbids, nor restrains us from the observation of any rule which the Scripture enjoins.” [14]
It is not, in my humble opinion, a sufficient reason for a separation from the general Church to which I belong, that the gospel is not preached from the pulpit of the particular place in which I live. To admit for argument sake, the worst case that can occur, viz. that a Socinian clergyman had, through his own hypocrisy in subscription, got possession of the pulpit of my parish; my removal from that parish to another, if I could find no other way of remedying the calamity, would be a less evil than the act of separation, and the encouragement of a spirit of division in the Church of Christ. The word of God prohibits my making such a division; but it no where forbids me to make any sacrifice of temporal emolument or accommodation for the benefit of my own soul, or the souls of my family.
REASON IX.
I maintain communion with the Church of England, because I have discovered no sufficient reason for a separation from her.
I WISH it to be distinctly understood that I judge no man, however his views of this subject may differ from my own. Every man must act according to the guidance of his own conscience, after having seriously and diligently used all the means within his reach, by reading and prayer, to obtain information and direction. It is not to those who conscientiously dissent from our communion that I address my reasons; but to those of my own Church. And if any of these should be confirmed in their attachment to her by reading my short statement of the grounds on which my own conduct is built, I shall have attained the only end I have had in view, and rejoice in my success.
CONCLUSION.
Let not my brother churchman, however, satisfy himself with being a member of the visible Church; but let him examine himself whether he be a living branch in the true vine, united to Christ by faith, and bringing forth the fruits of righteousness by virtue of union with Him. Let him inquire whether he have ever experienced conversion to God,—whether his heart have been humbled, spiritualized, and comforted by those doctrines which he professes to believe as derived from Scripture, and by that worship in which he professes to join as being primitive and “according to godliness.” Let him remember the solemn words of Him, who is the Founder, Head, and Judge of the Christian Church. At the close of His awful parable of the ten virgins, He represents the foolish virgins, who had lamps without oil, as coming to the door of the guest-chamber, and saying “Lord, Lord, open to us.” But the Bridegroom answers, “Verily, I say unto you, I know you not.” Let him also remember the sentence passed on the guest at the marriage feast in the gospel who had not on the wedding garment. (Matt. xxii. 1, &c.)
“I am therefore to consider that all are not Israel that are of Israel; all were not Jews that were circumcised; all are not Christians that have been brought by baptism into the Church; for many are called but few are chosen. Under the present state of things, bad and good are together at the marriage feast of the gospel; and many of those that are now called to be among the rest will not be chosen at the last as fit for the kingdom of God. I am therefore not to depend upon any privileges I have at present, unless I use them right; and must give all diligence to make my calling and election sure.” [16]
FINIS.