Strict Communion Illustrated and Sustained by Scripture Evidence.... Are those Churches Scripturally Constituted which partake of the Lord's Supper with R. B. Sanderson's Church of England Identified, &c. The Seven Vials: by the Author of "The Church of England Identified." GEORGE WIGHTMAN, 24, PATERNOSTER ROW. Price Fourpence. dson, 15, Cross S 2 TO CORRESPONDENTS. The Editors of the Primitive Communionist, duly sensible of their obligation to those respected friends who have favoured them with their valuable and highly encouraging communications, beg to assure them that, but for the limited number of pages to which, in its commencement, the Editors have deemed it necessary to confine their periodical, their first number would have contained extracts from each of the letters to which this notice particularly refers. To their readers generally, the Editors are desirous of intimating, that it is intended the columns of their future numbers, while principally devoted to the subject which has occasioned their publication, should, at the same time, embrace greater variety than could, in conformity with the plan adopted for their introductory number, obtain insertion: and they would therefore respectfully invite contributions on christian doctrine, experience, and practice. General intelligence respecting the state of our Churches and more particularly facts relative to the subject discussed in these pages, will be thankfully received. Communications to be forwarded, post paid, "To the Editors of the Primitive Communionist, at the publisher's, G. Wightman, 24, Paternoster Row." WORKS PUBLISHED BY GEORGE WIGHTMAN, PATERNOSTER ROW. 1. A CONCISE HISTORY of FOREIGN BAPTISTS. G. H. ORCHARD. In one volume 12mo. cloth, 6s. By In this work, all christian churches for the first three centuries, are clearly shewn to have been of the Baptist denomination, with all early and modern dissidents of repute. Their denominational feature is proved, by extracts taken from the writings of the most eminent Christian Fathers of the first five centuries, with detailed statements of the mode and subject, supported by testimonies from the most accredited historians of different ages; also, correlative intelligence, demonstrative of the primitive and only practice of believers' immersion. The abuse of the ordinance of baptism is also exhibited amongst early professors; the causes, rise, abettors, and progress of minor, and subsequently of infant baptism and rhantism, with relative information. Churches sustaining a primitive, independent, and baptismal constitution, are also clearly traced as distinct communities, under separate sections, among the early dissidents and nonconformists; viz. in Italy, Africa, Greece, Armenia, France, Bohemia, Piedmont, Germany, and Holland (forming a connexion with the English Baptists), under various appellations; wherein is stated, each community's rise, character, views, sufferings, and dispersion or continuance, chronologically arranged, from the commencement of Christianity to the present age. [Continued on p. 3. THE PRIMITIVE COMMUNIONIST. No. I. MARCH, 1838. INTRODUCTION. GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT. highest degree uncharitable. In their opinion, it is equivalent to an assertion of our superior sanctity, if not to an impeachment of their sincerity as Christians. There is, on the contrary, something so lovely in the scene of Christians of all denominations, consenting to merge their minor differences, and surrounding, like one large and united family, the table of their common Lord, as to carry with it its own recommendation. Hence, when we advocate IN bringing the first number of the Primitive Communionist before the public, the editors are fully sensible of the unpopularity of the task which they have undertaken. The subject itself is destitute of those attractions which ordinarily engage the mind. It leads to no curious or lofty speculations-it conducts to no fields of fancy-it does not call upon us to descend into the deep and extensive mines of evangelical truthit is not conversant with the hallowed feelings of christian experience-nor the cause of strict communion, it does it treat of the moral obligations and duties of the christian life. These are charms to which this periodical can make no pretence. It has to do rather with primitive institutes, and with the order and government of the New Testament Church. The question to be discussed is simply this: Is baptism, according to the Scriptures, an essential pre-requisite to communion? Is any church justified in admitting persons, whom it regards unbaptized, to the Lord's Supper, or to any other privileges of membership with the visible church? Besides, however, the want of these attractions in the subject itself, there is, in the particular view of it which this periodical is designed to establish, that which is repugnant to the feelings. To deny to those whom we acknowledge as christian brethren, the privilege of uniting with us in the most sacred pledge of christian fellowship, seems, to those who differ from us, in the VOL. I.-No. 1. is as though we pleaded against the most amiable and generous affections of the renewed heart. Open communion is popular because it seems to wear the lovely aspect of liberality. Strict communion is unpopular, because it seems to wear the severe countenance of illiberality. Feeling, in this case, supplies the place of argument. It is forthwith concluded, that a practice, so accordant with christian feeling, must be right, and that the reasons alleged against it, can proceed only from a narrow and distorted mind. Hence the discussion becomes a mere argumentum ad passiones. The apostolic admonition to the churches: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good,”—is forgotten: the appeal "to the law and the testimony" is neglected. In this way, with the great majority of Christians, feeling, not judgment, decides the question, and persons are converted to the cause of open communion, by the blind impulse of mistaken liberality. B |