Different practice
He may differ from us, fourth, not only in opinion but likewise in some points of practice. He may not approve of that manner of worshipping God which is practiced in our congregation, and may judge that to be more profitable for his soul which took its rise from Calvin or Martin Luther. He may have many objections to that liturgy which we approve of beyond all others, many doubts concerning that form of church government which we esteem both apostolical and scriptural. Perhaps he may go farther from us yet: he may, from a principle of conscience, refrain from several of those which we believe to be the ordinances of Christ. Or if we both agree that they are ordained of God, there may still remain a difference between us either as to the manner of administering those ordinances or the persons to whom they should be administered. Now the unavoidable consequence of any of these differences will be that he who thus differs from us must separate himself, with regard to those points, from our society. In this respect therefore he does not follow us: he is not (as we phrase it) of our church.
1771 text
4. He may differ from us, fourthly, not only in opinion, but likewise in some points of practice. He may not approve of that manner of worshipping God, which is practised in our congregation: and may judge that to be more profitable for his soul, which took its rise from Calvin, or Martin Luther. He may have many objections to that liturgy, which we approve of, beyond all others; many doubts concerning that form of Church-government, which we esteem both apostolical and scriptural. Perhaps he may go farther from us yet: he may, from a principle of conscience, refrain from several of those, which we believe to be the ordinances of Christ. Or if we both agree, that they are ordained of God, there may still remain a difference between us, either as to the manner of administring those ordinances, or the persons to whom they should be administred. Now the unavoidable consequence of any of these differences, will be, that he who thus differs from us, must separate himself, with regard to those points, from our society. In this respect therefore he followeth not us: he is not (as we phrase it) of our church.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 38 in the 1771 Works. Mark 9:38-39.
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