CHAPTER 9. CAST OUT OF THE SYNAGOGUE!
State of Ohio
MIAMI ASSOCIATION
HISTORY OF THE MIAMI ASSOCIATION.
TAPSCOTT CHURCH, WARREN COUNTY, OHIO
Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio, August 22, 1836.
BROTHER BEEBE:-- It is with some reluctance I forward to you the following statement of our views, together with a resolution adopted by this church; not so much for the doctrine intended to be communicated, but the unintelligible manner in which it is written and the loss of so much room in your useful paper which might be occupied by gifts that would be edifying and comforting to God's dear children in this day of trial. But as objections were made thereto by some with whom the Church was in difficulty, and judging from the circumstances that it would be misrepresented, together with a willingness that our brethren who are suffering with us should know the stand we have taken, induced the brethren to order it to be sent to the Signs for publication, almost before I had time to object. Therefore, feeling it my duty as anunworthy deacon, and servant of the Church, to comply with their wishes, is alone my object in thus addressing you; and if Bro. Beebe should exercise his privilege by using it to fire his segars or commit it to the flames, it will be no cause of displeasure to his weak and unworthy brother in a precious Christ.
JOSEPH TAPSCOTT.
The Regular Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, at Tapscott's Meeting-House, Warren Co., Ohio, feeling it to be our duty as the professed followers of Christ and lovers of his truth, to shew to our sister Churches, and all that would know our reasons for opposing the institutions of the day, called religious or gospel institutions, such as bible, missionary, tract, and other kindred societies which have been introduced into the Regular Baptist Churches by those worrupters of the word, who, with their cunning craftiness, lie in wait to deceive, and false spiritis which the scripture plainly informs the Church of Christ should go out in the world in the latter day, and which our blessed Jesus has said if it were possible would deceive the very elect. These we believe to be them who have brought in damnable heresies and caused many to stumble, and have drawn away disciples after them to the great distress of our once united and highly favoured denomination. For these things the ways of Zion mourn, and the cries of her children ascend to God day and night.
We believe that more sure word of prophecy of our blessed Jesus and his holy apostles is understood by those who are taught of God to know the truth as it is in Jesus -- who have eaten of the hidden manna and have received a white stone, and in the stone a new name written which no man knoweth save he that receiveth it -- both as it respects the warning of Jesus to his Church in this perilous time, and also those deceivers who have crept into the churches unawares, and who were before of old ordained to this condemnation. By them the way of truth is evil spoken of, and the hearts of the simple deceived by their false pretentions to gospel benevolence, the salvation of souls, the conversion of the world, &c. Knowing as we do that these things have neither precept nor example in that perfect rule by which the man of God is thoroughly furnished to every good work, is our prime reason for rejecting and opposing them. We consider them of anti-christian origin, introduced into the Church by men of corrupt principle, who count gain godliness, and which amounts to nothing less than will worship - a form of godliness - a set of money-changers - a den of thieves.
It is by these things that men's souls are tried, and the poor in spirit whose is the kingdom, and whose hope and trust is alone in the mighty God of Jacob, are cast down and disquieted within them - as an ancient servant of God viewing the desolation of Zion, "O that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people." We feel to mourn our own leanness and barrenness of soul, but experience has taught us with David, that all our springs are in the Lord, and our blessed Jesus to his followers, Without me ye can do nothing. While the workmongers of the day are manifesting their foolish zeal for do! do! and faulting the preachers of the cross for not telling them what to do -- when if he tells them to go sell all they have, or part with their old self-righteousness, take up their cross and follow Jesus like the young man, they go away sorrowful and perhaps offended, and care not to follow that preacher any more. We think it is the spirit of truth that teaches those that are regenerated to do Christ's commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the City. But these Babel builders with all their noise, bustle, and confused language are toiling to rear a superstructure, the top thereof to reach the heavens, in order that they may climb up some other way than by Christ. Will it then be too hard for the tender feelings of these charitable ones to call them, as they are denominated in the scripture, thieves and robbers?
We, therefore, as a Church, wishing to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, or with those who rob God of the glory of his grace, as it reigns in the sinner's salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, cannot bid them God-speed. We also feel aggrieved that some of our preachers who profess to be called of God to defend his truth, and also to disown the above named societies as having no warrant in the word of God, yet seem to possess so much of an accommodating spirit as not to raise their warning voice to the flock against those greedy dogs, and wolves in sheep's clothing, with all their spiritual wickedness in high places, which have so perverted the right way of the Lord in our Churches. Whether it is on account of their popularity, or that they suppose there is a little oncord between Christ and Belial, or that they have doubts in regard to the final termination of that great and last conflict between our Michael and the Dragon; we leave them God and their own souls. One thing, however, we do know, if an Apostle is correct -- If they seek to please men, then they are not Christ's servants. And although the Baptist Churches may now be experiencing what God said to ancient Israel, that he would provoke them to jealousy by them that were no people, and that by a foolish nation he would anger them; yet we trust by this same means he will purge his own floor, and his poor despised and oppressed people who are every where spoken against, shall yet say, "Though thou wast angry with us, thine anger is turned away and thou comfortest us."
We, therefore, considering all these unauthorized institutions as the antitype, or answerable to Mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the whole earth, with whom the families of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication, do feel disposed to give heed to that awful voice that speaks from heaven, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partaker of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, and do hereby agree and unite with each other not to encourage them; and that we invariably maintain the order, doctrine and discipline of the Regular Baptists, who, through Almighty grace, have been enabled to stand for truth in all ages against these floods of error that have threatened her destruction, believing it to be the old Jerusalem platform -- built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; and be it hereby
Resolved, That we have no fellowship with the above named societies, or with those who patronize or propagate them, and with all kindred unscriptural institutions.
Resolved, That our Deacons and Trustees be hereby authorized to examine hereafter any person who may come to us as a preacher and determine whether he may preach or not -- that we suffer not that woman Jezebel to teach, who calleth herself a prophetess, or to seduce the servants of him who is faithful and true; whose eyes are as a flame of fire, who was clothed in a vesture dipped in blood, and his name is is called The Word of God, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Let him that hath an ear hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.
OHIO ASSOCIATION
MUSKINGUM ASSOCIATION
SCIOTO ASSOCIATION
SANDUSKY ASSOCIATION
OWL CREEK HARMONY ASSOCIATION
CLOVER ASSOCIATION
MAD RIVER ASSOCIATION
GREENVILLE ASSOCIATION
IINDIAN CREEK ASSOCIATION
MAHONING ASSOCIATION
EAST MIAMI ASSOCIATION
Copyright c. 2019-2020. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
