Wardlaw, Ralph. The Principles of Christian Communion: A Sermon, preached in West George Street Chapel, Glagow, on Lord's Day Evening, Sept. 4th, 1842. Glasgow: James Maclehose, 1842. First Edition. [10679]
Removed, no wrapper, 8 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches, 36 clean pp. Good. Pamphlet.
The text is Romans 15:7, "Wherefore, receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."
The main points: I. There subsists a universal spiritual union among all whom "Christ has received." II. The visible communion of believers ought, in the principle of it, be co-extensive with their spiritual union. III. The external communion of the church should be made, as far as possible, to correspond with its real spiritual union; - it should be the communion only of those whom "Christ has received." IV. Churches are by no means warranted to refuse such as are "weak in the faith." V. There are differences of judgment now subsisting among Christians, which are of such a nature as to necessitate distinct association, whilst yet they should not preclude general communion. VI. In the character of those who are admitted to Christian communion, there must be manifested a sincere and earnest desire to know and to do their Lord's will. VII. It is necessary for us to distinguish between men and systems.
Ralph Wardlaw, D.D. (1779-1853), b. Dalkeith, Scotland; entered the University of Glasgow, 1791; attended the divinity hall of the Scotch Secession Church, 1795-1800; was ordained pastor of a newly-formed Congregational church in Glasgow, 1803, and remained in this charge until his death. From 1811 to 1853 he was Professor of Systematic Theology in the Independent Glasgow Theological Seminary. Wardlaw advocated what was called moderate or modern Calvinism, as taught by Dr. Andrew Fuller and others, holding to a moral government view of the atonement. He defended congregationalism as the Biblical model for the church, and infant baptism as a proper rite.
