"But if he intend the growth of any departing from the church, or out of the Spirit of life of the church, who hath her life from the Head, and is in unity with the Head, that growth we cannot but deny, finding it by constant trial and experience to be a growth in notion and comprehension, out of the feeling life and power." View in Source Document
"Now, this kind of growth I do not desire ever to know; the Lord also preserve others out of it, and open their ears to hear the voice of Christ, and of his church, that they may be preserved out of it! For had this been hearkened and kept to, things had been better with many, as to their inward state, and true peace with the Lord, than they have been."
Source: Somewhat Relating to Church Government
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ReplyDeleteThe phrase "out of the Spirit of life of the church," is an important excerpt. Penington here says the experience of being come out of identification with and participation in the the Spirit of life of the church should be denied.
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