11. Moreover, it is evident that the Consequence of their Opinion concerning the necessary observation of the Seventh-day Sabbath, as the Doctor saith,1 tends to the increasing and perpetuating of Schisms and Differences among Christians. And those are the worst, saith ⟨p. 169⟩he, and most pernicious, which occasion or draw after them any thing whereby men are hindered from joining together in the same public solemn Worship, whereby they yield unto God that reverence of his Glory— But now upon a supposition of an adherence by any unto the Seventh-day Sabbath, all Communion among Professors in solemn Gospel-Ordinances is rendered impossible: For if those of that Persuasion do expect that others will be brought unto a relinquishment of an Evangelical observance of the Lord's Day Sabbath, they will find themselves mistaken. The evidence which they have of its appointment, and the experience they have had of God's presence in its religious observation, will secure their practice in this matter, &c. The Seventh-day Sabbath men on the other hand, supposing themselves obliged to meet for solemn Worship on the Seventh-day (which the other account unwarrantable for them to do on the pretence of any binding Law to that purpose) and esteeming it unlawful (saith he) to assemble religiously with others on the First-day, on the plea of Evangelical Warranty, do absolutely cut off themselves from all possibility of Communion in the administration of Gospel-Ordinances with any other Churches of Christ. And whereas most other breaches as to Communion are in their nature capable of healing, without a renunciation of those Principles in the minds of men, which seem to give countenance to them; the distance is here made absolutely irreparable, while the Opinion maintained is owned by any. I will press this, saith he, no further, but only by affirming that Persons truly fearing the Lord, ought to be very careful ⟨p. 170⟩and jealous over their own Understanding, before they embrace an Opinion and Practice which will shut them from all visible Communion with the generality of the Saints of God in the World.
11. Moreover, it is evident that the Consequence of their Opinion concerning the necessary observation of the Seventh-day Sabbath, as the Doctor saith,1 tends to the increasing and perpetuating of Schisms and Differences among Christians. And those are the worst, saith ⟨p. 169⟩he, and most pernicious, which occasion or draw after them any thing whereby men are hindred from joining together in the same publick solemn Worship, whereby they yield unto God that reverence of his Glory— But now upon a supposition of an adherence by any unto the Seventh-day Sabbath, all Communion among Professors in solemn Gospel-Ordinances is rendered impossible: For if those of that Perswasion do expect that others will be brought unto a relinquishment of an Evangelical observance of the Lord's Day Sabbath, they will find themselves mistaken. The evidence which they have of its appointment, and the experience they have had of God's presence in its religious observation, will secure their practice in this matter, &c. The Seventh-day Sabbath men on the other hand, supposing themselves obliged to meet for solemn Worship on the Seventh-day (which the other account unwarrantable for them to do on the pretence of any binding Law to that purpose) and esteeming it unlawful (saith he) to assemble religiously with others on the First-day, on the plea of Evangelical Warranty, do absolutely cut off themselves from all possibility of Communion in the administration of Gospel-Ordinances with any other Churches of Christ. And whereas most other breaches as to Communion are in their nature capable of healing, without a renunciation of those Principles in the minds of men, which seem to give countenance to them; the distance is here made absolutely irreparable, while the Opinion maintained is owned by any. I will press this, saith he, no further, but only by affirming that Persons truly fearing the Lord, ought to be very careful ⟨p. 170⟩and jealous over their own Understanding, before they embrace an Opinion and Practice which will shut them from all visible Communion with the generality of the Saints of God in the World.
- 1It tends to Schism.
