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ON

THE PRESENT STATE OF THE CHURCH,

ADDRESSED TO

Christians of all Denominations,

ALSO

REASONS FOR RETIRING FROM THE INDEPENDENT
OR CONGREGATIONAL BODY, AND FROM

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.

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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
Church

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

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The ungrounded assumption of the need of the presence of
one called a Minister, in order to the Worship or Com-
munion of Believers

Arrangement of Service and Ministry-to the World-to
Believers...

335

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Evils arising from not attending to these directions from the
Word of God

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CHAPTER II.

TO THE INDEPENDENTS.

PAGE

Remonstrance with them on their own avowed Principles .. 45
The Priesthood of all Believers, and liberty of Ministry-
Brown-Milton-Neander

The sufficiency of the Scriptures in all matters of Faith and
Practice Dr. Pye Smith's error........

48

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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

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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

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