Transcribed from the 1826 J. Chilcott edition ,
No. XXXI.
Church of England TractSociety,
Instituted in Bristol, 1811.
SHORT REASONS
FOR COMMUNION
With the Church of England;
OR,
THE CHURCHMAN’S ANSWER TO THEQUESTION,
“WHY ARE YOU A MEMBER OFTHE
ESTABLISHED CHURCH?”
“Endeavouring to keep the unity of theSpirit in the bond of peace.”—Ephes. iv.3.
“Beseeching Thee to inspire continually the universalChurch with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord; and grantthat all they that do confess Thy holy name, may agree in thetruth of Thy holy word, and live in unity and godlylove.”
Com. Service.
Sold at the Depository, 6, Clare Street, Bristol;
And by Seeley and Son, 169, Fleet Street, London.
Price 1¼d. each, or 6s.8d. per Hundred.
An Allowance to Subscribers and Booksellers.
J. Chilcott, Printer, 30, WineStreet, Bristol.
1826.
p.2“O ALMIGHTY God, who hast built ThyChurch upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,Jesus Christ Himself being the head corner-stone; grantus so to be joined together in unity of spirit by theirdoctrine, that we may be made a holy temple acceptableunto Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
COLLECT
For St. Simon and St. Jude’s Day.
p. 3SHORTREASONS FOR COMMUNION WITH THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, &c.
REASON I.
I maintain communion with the Church of England,not MERELY because myparents and forefathers were members of her community.
The connexion which my parents andforefathers held with the Church of England I consider to be asufficient reason why I should continue in communion with her, ifthere be nothing contrary to the law of God in such aconnexion. For the fifth commandment peremptorily requiresme to “honour my father and mother;” and, assuredly,this duty implies reverence to their example, if that example benot inconsistent with the rule of God’s holy word.
But as a man’s parents and forefathers may have beenmembers of a communion, a continuance in which would bemanifestly contrary to the word of God (as