The Church Wounded and Rent by a Spirit of Division, Held Forth [By R. Fleming] in a Short Account of Some Sad Differences Hath Been of Late in the Ch (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1681 edition. Excerpt: ...iT/ra. 5:19. 11 is not a privilege of order only, but of office, that Ministers have to speak in the name of the Lord, who hath said, he that dt fpiftth you, despiftth mt; and to reject such, is a higher guilt, then to reject the fame word in the mouth of a private Christian, for they are the Mefsengers of the Lord of hosts, and bears his irapresse. (c.) This is a practise, as hath therewith a fixing of mch terms and conditions of Church communion, which hath not been, nor can be found in any proceeding records, since the times of the Apostles; and I judge it on speciall cause of these sad breakings now among us, and that so many contend as them that beat the air; their mistake and ignorance of the true nature, and rule, of externall communion in the Church; for if this should be considered, upon clear Scripture evidence, as it was in the first planting of the Christian Church, I mould not then sear any publick rent on this late difference; and that which is a necessary condition of Church communion, I hope, must plead some Scripture warrant fox its imposition. I know some will plead, that this is but a departure in some degree of Church-sellowship, which is both a poor and unwarrantable Apology; since both the rule is thus far deserted, and 00 ground to know where they may fix as. ter, . ter; but we have to visible ane account this day, where this fad course hath already landed. V. Ground, that is fid a aud unwarrantable practise, which tends to canfe division in the Church, contraryto thedoBrine we have receaved, flo&, .iy. which, I am sure, may be to evident, 'pVetend, .ai.y to the contrarie what theywill, upon thefegroundf. (1.) That whateveiU#as: the first rise, or occasion of the offence, cannot be owned as the proper cauljfSf stf