Biblical Principles for Separating From Backsliding Churches; Or, Separation & Schism by Dr. Michael Wagner (Free MP3) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=928071432372. Be Careful Where You Go To Church: Separation From Error Is Essential For Obedience by Dr. Michael Wagner (Free MP3, 10 Minutes) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=829111614266. The Puritan Hard Drive a must. - Dr. Steven Dilday ow.ly/fPY4o. Some one will therefore ask me what counsel I would like to give to a believer who thus dwells in some Egypt or Babylon where he may not worship God purely, but is forced by the common practice to accommodate himself to bad things. The first advice would be to leave [i.e. relocate - GB] if he could... If someone has no way to depart, I would counsel him to consider whether it would be possible for him to abstain from all idolatry in order to preserve himself pure and spotless toward God in both body and soul. Then let him worship God in private (at home - ed.), praying him to restore his poor church to its right estate. - John Calvin, Come Out From Among Them, The Anti-Nicodemite Writings of John Calvin, Protestant Heritage Press, A Short Treatise, pp. 93-94, emphases added. Calvin quote (above) cited in Appendix G in The Covenanted Reformation Defended by Greg Barrow swrb/newslett/actualnls/append_g.htm The Puritan Hard Drive is out of this world in terms of usefulness! - Pastor Mencarow ow.ly/fPY4o What Are Terms of Communion? (1/2) by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=780119920 What Are Terms of Communion? (2/2) by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=7150123122 July, Session 21,1648. Whosoever brings in any opinion or practise in this Kirk contrary to the Confession of Faith, Directory for Worship or Presbyterian Government may be justly esteemed to be opening the door to schism and sects: And therefore all depravers and misconstructors of the proceedings of the Kirk judicatiries, especially the General Assembly would take heed lest making a breach upon the walls of Jerusalem they make a patent way for Sectaries to enter. - The Acts of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland. p. 93 ow.ly/fPY4o There has not been a more valuable extra-biblical resource and tool than the Puritan Hard Drive. It holds some of the most priceless Reformed works of God-centered and Christ-glorifying truth that were ever penned. Most students, ministers and scholars of the Bible would never personally acquire even half the literal number of books on the Puritan Hard Drive, much less the extreme caliber of its contents. In Gods providence modern day Christians have been chosen to be the recipients of both a theological and practical blessing. May we not squander it. - Dr. Matthew McMahon, Pastor, Author, Theologian, Seminary Professor, A Puritans Mind Web Site, etc. - Dr. McMahon, A Puritans Mind (Pastor, Author, Seminary Professor, etc.) ow.ly/fPY4o What is Close Communion? (1/2) by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=42101152912 What is Close Communion? (2/2) by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=422012636 The Puritan Hard Drive is unsurpassed, outside the Bible itself. - Pastor Greg Price ow.ly/fPY4o What is Occasional Hearing? (1/3) On Biblical Separation by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6201223051 What is Occasional Hearing? (2/3) On Biblical Separation by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=6301225448 What is Occasional Hearing? (3/3) On Biblical Separation by Greg Price (Free MP3, Puritan Worship Series) sermonaudio/sermoninfo.asp?SID=61001193646 There is no other resource, outside Scripture itself, where you can find so much of Gods truth as in the Puritan Hard Drive. - Pastor Greg Price (Covenanter) bit.ly/ci3g2z. The promotion of unity at the expense of truth is satanic; it is demonic; it is not true unity. It is not the unity of the Holy Spirit for He is the Spirit of Truth. The Scriptural command which we have in Ephesians to promote the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace is given to those who have a common foundation of truth. Truth by its very nature divides. - William Webster, Matthew 10:34-42 AN OPEN LETTER TO A TEACHING ELDER IN THE RPCNA by Jim Dodson swrb/newslett/actualNLs/RPCNAdod.htm Dodson Versus the RPCNA (Follow-Up To the Letter Above) swrb/newslett/actualNLs/dodvsrpcna.htm Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. - Proverbs 27:6 ow.ly/fPY4o If you love the Bible, then you may well be Reformed. If you think of yourself as Reformed, but you have seldom or have never read older Reformed literature, prepare to be challenged. The Puritan Hard Drive (ow.ly/fPY4o) provides primary sources and depth of theological and spiritual insight which is lacking in much of what is passed off as genuine Reformed theology. If you think of yourself as conservative, the older Puritan and Reformed authors will help you sort reality from myth in your quest to be truly Reformed. There are more solid resources for less money here than anywhere else. I highly recommend you take responsibility for your soul and spend a few shekels for this cup of cold water in the midst of the modern religious desert. - Jim Dodson, Reformed Presbyterian Scholar, covenanter.org/ - ow.ly/fPY4o All human inventions which are set up to corrupt the simple purity of the Word of God, and to undo the worship which he demands and approves, are true sacrileges, in which the Christian man cannot participate without blaspheming God, and trampling his honour underfoot. - John Calvin ow.ly/fPY4o Colossians 2:8,20-23. The emphasis of the great apostle throughout this chapter is on forsaking the traditions and commandments of men, and rather clinging to Christ and His commandments, for in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge . . in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power (Col 2:3,9-10). Dear ones, you are not complete in yourself or in any man-made ceremonies in worship. You are complete, made full and acceptable through His work on your behalf. He is the head of the church, not you or me. He is our Prophet, Priest, and King. He alone directs our worship and presents it acceptable to the Father. Paul infers that to practice any will-worship (or self-imposed religion Col. 2:23) according to the commandments and doctrines of men (Col. 2:22) is to undermine the finished work of Christ (Col. 2:11-23) and to seek to usurp the headship over the church that rightly belongs to Christ (Col. 2:8-10,18-19). Self-imposed worship (i.e. any religious act, gesture, symbol, or ceremony in worship) is expressly condemned by Christ and His apostles. It is in fact false worship which no Christian should tolerate in the house of God without a verbal protest to the leadership and separation from this false worship until there is biblical reformation in worship (The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counselling, commanding, using, and any wise approving, any religious worship not instituted by God himself (The Larger Catechism, Question 109). - Greg Price, Foundation for Reformation: The Regulative Principle of Worship, free online at swrb/newslett/actualNLs/REFORMATION-RPW-GP.htm (ow.ly/fPY4o) Worship offered that is contrary to Gods command is devil worship (cf. 2 Chron. 11:15). - Jim Dodson ow.ly/yi0y0. If a Christian wants to invest wisely in his own growth, the Puritan Hard Drive is the best investment.- J. Rawson, Gospel Covenant Publications gcpublications. _________ It is better to stay at home and read Gods Word (Arthur Pink, A Call to Separation) ow.ly/fPY4o Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and the Devil? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 This command is so plain, that it requires no interpreter. Righteousness--and wickedness; light--and darkness; Christ--and the Devil; Gods temple--and idols. What do they have in common? This is a call to godly separation. This passage gives utterance to a Divine exhortation for those belonging to Christ--to hold aloof from all intimate associations with the ungodly. It expressly forbids them entering into alliances with the unconverted. It definitely prohibits the children of God walking arm-in-arm with worldlings. It is an admonition applying to every phase and department of our lives--religious, domestic, social, commercial. And never, perhaps, was there a time when it more needed pressing on Christians, than now. The days in which we are living are marked by the spirit of compromise. On every side we behold unholy mixtures, ungodly alliances, and unequal yokes. Many professing Christians appear to be trying how near to the world they may walk--and yet go to Heaven! To Israel, God said, So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life. You must obey all My regulations and be careful to keep My laws, for I, the Lord, am your God! (Leviticus 18:3-4) And again, Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is because they do these terrible things--that I detest them so much! (Leviticus 20:23) It was for their disregard of these very prohibitions, that Israel brought down upon themselves such severe chastisements. Gods call to His people in Babylon is, Come out of her, My people! Do not take part in her sins! (Revelation 18:4) No one can be a whole-hearted follower of the Lord Jesus who is, in any way, yoked to His enemies! Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. This applies first to our religious connections. How many Christians are members of so-called churches, where much is going on which they know is at direct variance with the Word of God--either the teaching from the pulpit, the worldly attractions used to draw the ungodly, and the worldly methods employed to finance it, or the constant receiving into its membership of those who give no evidence of having been born again. Believers in Christ who remain in such churches are dishonoring their Lord. Should they answer: Practically all the churches are the same, and were we to resign, what would we do? We must go somewhere on Sundays! Such language would show they are putting their own interests, before the glory of Christ. It is better to stay at home and read Gods Word--than fellowship with that which His Word condemns! -A.W. Pink ow.ly/fPY4o _________ Wow! Im impressed! The material Ive read so far has literally changed my life. My heart burned within me as I discovered truths from hundreds of years ago. - Phil Gibson, South Wales, UK (Pastor, Missionary, etc.) on the Puritan Hard Drive bit.ly/ci3g2z. Let us, therefore, bear in mind, that, in judging as to the servants of Christ, this mark must be kept in view--whether or not they aim at peace and concord, and by conducting themselves peaceably, avoid contentions to the utmost of their power, provided, however, we understand by this a peace of which the truth of God is the bond. For if we are called to contend against wicked doctrines, even though heaven and earth should come together, we must, nevertheless, persevere in the contest. We must, indeed, in the first place, make it our aim, that the truth of God may, without contention, maintain its ground; but if the wicked resist, we must set our face against them, and have no fear, lest the blame of the disturbances should be laid to our charge. For accursed is that peace of which revolt from God is that bond, and blessed are those contentions by which it is necessary to maintain the kingdom of Christ. - John Calvin, Commentary on 1 Corinthians 14:33 puritandownloads/john-calvin/ It is an offense to a great many people that they see almost the whole world opposed to us. And indeed the patrons of a bad cause do not neglect their own advantage, using a stratagem like this so as not to upset the ignorant and weak, that it is extremely absurd that almost the whole Christian world is disregarded, so that the faith is to be possessed by a few men. But, in particular, to destroy us they defend themselves with the sacred title of the Church as if with a mallet. . . . If anyone perhaps objects that we are not excused by the example of Noah, if we separate ourselves from that crowd which keeps the name of the Church, Isaiah, when he gave orders to abandon the conspiracy of men and follow God alone, was referring not to strangers but to those who were at that time glorying exceedingly in the name of the people of God (Isa. 8:12). - John Calvin, Concerning Scandals puritandownloads/john-calvin/ Thus, the wickedness of many is still the reason why the Church is troubled by divisions, and why contentions are kindled. Yet those who disturb the peace, throw the blame on us, and call us Schismatics; for the principal charge which the Papists bring against us is, that our doctrine has shaken the tranquility of the Church. Yet the truth is, that, if they would yield submissively to Christ, and give their support to the truth, all the commotions would immediately be allayed. But when they utter murmurs and complaints against Christ, and will not allow us to be at rest on any other condition than that the truth of God shall be extinguished, and that Christ shall be banished from his kingdom, they have no right to accuse us of the crime of schism; for it is on themselves, as every person sees, that this crime ought to be charged. We ought to be deeply grieved that the Church is torn by divisions arising among those who profess the same religion; but it is better that there are some who separate themselves from the wicked, to be united to Christ their Head, than that all should be of one mind in despising God. Consequently, when schisms arise, we ought to inquire who they are that revolt from God and from his pure doctrine. - John Calvin, Commentary on John 10:19, Calvins Commentaries, Vol. XVII, p. 411 puritandownloads/john-calvin/ We use the Puritan Hard Drive (PHD) material throughout the day for personal bible study, family worship, home schooling, Lords Day preparation, and redeeming our time while traveling (listening to the MP3 resources). - Michael Caughran (Kamiah, Idaho) ow.ly/fPY4o ______________ THE SPLENDOR OF THE CHURCH by Francis Turretin Institutes of Elenctic Theology, volume 3, pp. 47, 48, 49. Ought the church to enjoy perpetual splendor and eminence; or can it be at times so obscured and lessened that no assembly of it appears publicly on earth? The former we deny; the latter we affirm against the Romanists. The church can never wholly fail on earth (as was seen before), but not that it is always conspicuous and prominent, but is often so obscured and sunk (whether by persecutions or by errors) that no assembly of her appears clearly in the world, but remains obscure and withdrawn from the eyes of men... Proof that the church is often obscured: (1) From the condition of the Old Testament church. VII. Our opinion is confirmed by various reasons. The first is drawn from the condition of the church under the Old Testament, under which it is evident that she was not rarely obscured and destitute of all splendor (which can easily be demonstrated by her various intervals). Who can deny that she was without splendor before the flood, when all flesh had corrupted its way (Gen. 6:12), and in the flood when reduced to eight souls, she was included in the ark? In the time of Abraham before his call from Ur of the Chaldees, she lay concealed in a paternal family given to idolatry (Jos. 24:1, 2). What was the splendor of the church in Egypt, where she was so long a captive without any form either of a state or of a sacred ministry? What was her splendor under the judges, when after the death of Joshua the Israelites, having left the God of their fathers, went after other gods (Jdg. 2:7; 3:8, 12), concerning which times Azariah says, Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law (2 Ch. 15:3)? What appearance and splendor did the church have in the time of Elijah, when he thought that he was left alone to worship God (1 K. 19:10); God in the meantime consoling him with this -- that he had preserved seven thousand believers known to himself alone who had not bowed the knee to Baal? What splendor had the Jewish church under Ahaz, Manasseh, Ammon and other wicked kings under whom the sacrifice was interrupted by law, the gates of the temple closed, an altar built after the form of those of Damascus by Uriah the high priest and idolatry introduced everywhere (as we read in 2 K. 16:11, 12, 14; 2 Ch. 28:3, 4, 24, 25)? And if we come down to the Babylonian captivity, where was the splendor of the church after the city had been razed, the temple polluted, the sacred vessels taken away, sacrifice abolished, the worship of God interrupted (which could not be performed except at Jerusalem) and the people brought into the most direful servitude? Hence the pious most mournfully lamented that the prophets and all the signs had been taken away (Ps. 74:9). In fine, what appearance and prominence could the church have had under the most dreadful persecutions of Antiochus and his successors, mentioned in the book of Maccabees and by Josephus (JW 1.30-40 [Loeb, 2:16-23]). In that time, Paul says believers were stoned... were slain with the sword... being destitute... tormented, they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; in deserts, and in mountains and in caves of the earth (Heb. 11:37, 38). ______________ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. - Romans 16:17. The Puritan Hard Drive has been such a superb blessing to me personally & for ministry! The immense heritage of Puritan and Biblical pastors, leaders, and teachers is given to us in a single source on the Puritan Hard Drive. Right here at your fingertips are the works of such men as John Wycliffe, John Huss, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Calvin, Thomas Cranmer, John Bunyan, John Owen, Matthew Poole, George Whitefield, Charles Spurgeon, J. C. Ryle, and on and on until you reach the great Biblical scholars of the present century. More than standing on the shoulders of these illustrious men, you have their thoughts in written and audio format. - Richard Bennett (former Roman Catholic priest, now a Reformed Baptist minister, conference speaker, Banner of Truth author, etc.), Berean Beacon ow.ly/fPY4o Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. - 2 Corinthians 6:17. VIDEO: Dr. Steven Dilday Reviews and Recommends the Puritan Hard Drive - YouTube ow.ly/fj5hy. The common Christian can now have a world-class Presbyterian and Reformed library at his fingertips, for only pennies per volume. - Dr. Steven Dilday bit.ly/ci3g2z on the Puritan Hard Drive (Pastor, Author, President of The Matthew Poole Project, Founder or Liberty & Grace Seminary ow.ly/eCOtx, etc.)
Posted on: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 12:35:41 +0000