Thomas Goodwin on national churches as a violation of the second commandment!?

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Reformed Covenanter

Cancelled Commissioner
Given the rhetoric of Thomas Goodwin, one can understand why some divines used what might appear to us as highly intemperate language against the Congregationalists:

A just Refutation of all that Platform of Churches that Antichrist brought into the Church, and with the Church came in to make way for him: For if the Church be a Congregation, it may meet in one place; them National, Provincial, and Diocesan Churches are such that the Apostles never heard of in the New Testament, they are therefore the Inventions of Men’s Brains, and so an Image set up, and contrary to the second Commandment.

If it should be said to us, You are a few scattered Churches, were it not fit to have transcendent Officers for Unity sake to prevent Schism and Factions? I answer, It was intended for that End, but that which was intended for the Benefit of the Church, hath brought Contentions into the Church, hath made way for Ambition and Secular Pomp, for shouldering out of God's Ordinances and Godly Men. Hath God therefore appointed no such Things as National Churches, National Meetings and Worship? Then let us entertain no Thoughts of them.

Thomas Goodwin, The Government and Discipline of the Churches of Christ, set down by way of Questions and Answers, with an Explanation and Application of the same (London: John Clark, 1722), pp 18-19.
 
A just Refutation of all that Platform of Churches that Antichrist brought into the Church, and with the Church came in to make way for him: For if the Church be a Congregation, it may meet in one place; them National, Provincial, and Diocesan Churches are such that the Apostles never heard of in the New Testament, they are therefore the Inventions of Men’s Brains, and so an Image set up, and contrary to the second Commandment.

If it should be said to us, You are a few scattered Churches, were it not fit to have transcendent Officers for Unity sake to prevent Schism and Factions? I answer, It was intended for that End, but that which was intended for the Benefit of the Church, hath brought Contentions into the Church, hath made way for Ambition and Secular Pomp, for shouldering out of God's Ordinances and Godly Men. Hath God therefore appointed no such Things as National Churches, National Meetings and Worship? Then let us entertain no Thoughts of them.

Thomas Goodwin, The Government and Discipline of the Churches of Christ, set down by way of Questions and Answers, with an Explanation and Application of the same (London: John Clark, 1722), pp 18-19.
I agree. Amen. ;)
 
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