ON THE PRESENT STATE OF THE CHURCH, ADDRESSED TO Christians of all Denominations, ALSO REASONS FOR RETIRING FROM THE INDEPENDENT ISLINGTON CHAPEL. BY W. H. DORMAN, LATE MINISTER OF ISLINGTON CHAPEL. Speaking the truth in love.-EPH. iv. 15. LONDON: PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND SOLD AT CENTRAL TRACT DEPÔT, 1, WARWICK SQUARE; JAMES DINNIS, PATERNOSTER ROW; AND K. J. Ford, upper STREET, ISLINGTON. 1838. MAIN POINTS TOUCHED UPON. INTRODUCTORY Remarks ...... CHAPTER I. PAGE 3 TO BELIEVERS AT LARGE. The Holy Spirit the present portion of Believers and of the This position practically denied by the present systems Sectarian aspect of the Church 16 26 12 19 Remedy for this evil.. 21 The true criterion of Church membership 24 The bond of union of Believers, and. means to preserve and dissociate from the world pure 27 The ungrounded assumption of the need of the presence of Arrangement of Service and Ministry-to the World-to 335 Evils arising from not attending to these directions from the CHAPTER II. TO THE INDEPENDENTS. PAGE Remonstrance with them on their own avowed Principles .. 45 The sufficiency of the Scriptures in all matters of Faith and 48 The humble Christian's guide all-sufficient, Bishop Horsley.. 55 Spiritualizing away the plain statements of ScriptureHooker's reprobation of this method of neutralizing the plain language of Scripture..... The plainest and most important assertions of Scripture totally gainsaid in their pulpits, after the same way, though not to the same extent, as Neologians and Socinians Popular choice of Ministers unscriptural, as to spiritual appointments, though sound as to the secular affairs of the Church ......... 56 56 58 62 Recognition to be not by Pastors, but by the Church at large 67 The argument from xεporovέw-Dr. Bloomfield-Ordination amongst the Independents Concentration of Ministry in one person.. 67-70 72 Have the form of godliness, but deny the power 73 Their basis-principle the right of private judgment, not simple obedience 74 The secret management and practical working of the system. 76 Leading motives in the choice of Pastors-talent, worldly respect, eloquence 77 Assumption of Deacons-Mr. James's remark..... Imitation of Clergy in the withdrawal of Ministers from PAGE 86 secular callings 87 Pew-rents and Chapel-subscriptions as bad as Tithes .... 87 Evil results and unscripturalness 91 The absence of primitive discipline-Mammon entanglement with politics-Collegiate Institutions-Religious societies -Worldliness... 93 CHAPTER III. TO THE FLOCK AT ISLINGTON CHAPEL. Pastoral affection unchanged, and also my doctrinal principles still the same, only brought more fully forth and acted on; the desire to present this publicly not met by any invitation to do so 96 The ground of my retiring from Islington Chapel found in the character of the trust-deed infringing upon conscience 103 The afrangements also of the chapel very objectionable...... 106 Steps of secession..... Disappointed in my wish to set them before you........ 109 112 Conduct of the Independent Ministers of Islington ........... 113 Fact of Christians meeting on simple principles — The "Brethren" ...... 115 A word to the young of the flock at Islington Chapel........ 116 A word on pecuniary considerations-not "a disappointed man" Extension of sphere of labour-Farewell.. 117 118 b |