Extracts from "Sikes on Parochial Communion": relating to Episcopacy, and the sin of Schism

In Short

This work functions as an urgent defense of the Anglican episcopal structure and a stern warning against the sin of schism. By tracing the history of church government back to the Apostles, it seeks to prove that modern congregational divisions are not merely social preferences but departures from the divinely instituted order. Written during an era of significant religious fragmentation, it serves as a rigorous, historically grounded argument intended for believers who value the traditional, hierarchical structure of the Church and wish to understand their spiritual obligations to their pastors.

The Story

The argument begins by establishing the nature of the Church as a body governed by a commission passed down in an unbroken chain from the Apostles. This authority, while purely spiritual and “not of this world,” is nevertheless meant to be exercised within it to lead humanity toward salvation. The central claim is that every bishop derives his right to oversee a diocese not from human law, but from a direct line of succession originating in the breath and command of Christ. Consequently, the act of separating from this established order—what the author terms “schism”—is presented not as a neutral religious choice, but as a grave transgression.

To ground this claim, the narrative moves into an examination of the historical record. The author dismisses the idea that bishops were a later, human invention, citing the case of St. James at Jerusalem as the prototype for the episcopal office. By drawing upon the letters of Ignatius and the witness of Polycarp, the text highlights that early Christians viewed submission to a bishop as essential to the health of the faith. The narrative forcefully rejects the notion that the Church can be “modeled” according to individual tastes or modern convenience, arguing instead that the structure is fixed and mandatory.

The arc of the argument then shifts to the nature of dissent. Using the biblical figures of Cain, Balaam, and Corah, the author portrays the history of separation as a recurring cycle of pride. Cain is cast as the archetypal schismatic who, by rejecting the divinely prescribed sacrifice in favor of his own, became the progenitor of a "separate people." Similarly, the gainsaying of Corah is interpreted as a rebellion against legitimate, God-ordained authority. By linking these ancient examples to contemporary movements, the author argues that schism is almost always accompanied by the eventual invention of false doctrines to justify the initial act of departure.

The final movement of the text addresses the duty of the laity. The author anticipates common objections—such as the argument that the clergy should remain in poverty or that the succession has been interrupted—and dismantles them by contrasting human opinion with the historical evidence of the Church’s survival. The conclusion is a call for a return to the “faith once delivered to the saints,” reminding readers that the Church is a unified, organic body. It leaves the reader with the firm conviction that to remain within the episcopal fold is to remain in harmony with the divine plan, while to depart is to risk the confusion and error that inevitably follow human-centered innovations in worship.

How It Unfolds

The foundations of authority The argument opens by identifying the apostolic succession as the sole legitimate basis for the Church’s ministry. It asserts that bishops possess an authority that is historical, continuous, and divine.

The evidence of history The focus shifts to the early Church, using the letters of St. Ignatius to demonstrate that episcopacy was the governing standard from the very beginning. The author argues that antiquity and numbers are on the side of the established order, not the dissenters.

The origins of division The text turns to the biblical narrative to categorize schism as a carnal sin. It examines the story of Cain and the rebellion of Corah to illustrate how disobedience to established hierarchy leads to spiritual error.

The path of error The final section warns that those who abandon the Church will inevitably drift into heresy. It emphasizes that the Apostles’ Creed and the Church’s articles demand loyalty to the institution, not just a vague, individualistic faith.

The People

The figures in this work are less individual characters than archetypes of faith and rebellion. The Bishop serves as the central focal point, representing the legitimate, inherited authority of the Apostles. He is the guardian of unity, and his role is to ensure the sacraments are administered as Christ commanded. The Schismatic is the antagonist, driven by pride or a desire for "fresh ministry." This person is depicted as someone who finds the existing Church hierarchy too demanding or too restrictive, leading them to "heap to themselves teachers" and ultimately embrace fables over truth. Cain, Balaam, and Corah are the historical personages utilized as cautionary figures. They represent the original, perennial temptation to discard divine order for human preference. Cain represents the choice of self-designed worship; Corah represents the specific refusal to accept the authority of the priesthood. These figures are contrasted with the Apostles, whose lives and commands provide the only standard for Christian conduct. The reader is invited to align themselves with the latter and recognize the inherent dangers in the path of the former.

In Its Own Voice

“We see the bishops each in his diocese claiming jurisdiction over every Christian residing within them, and calling upon them to obey and submit themselves to them in all spiritual matters.”

The author poses this as the fundamental question of ecclesiastical authority, setting the stage for his defense of the episcopal office.

“Flee divisions as the beginning of evils. All of you follow your bishop as Jesus Christ the Father, and the presbytery as the Apostles, and reverence the deacons as the command of God.”

The author quotes St. Ignatius to demonstrate the historical consensus among the early Church fathers regarding the necessity of unity.

What It's Really About

At its core, this work concerns the nature of authority and the dangers of individualism in religion. The central question is whether the Church is a divinely ordered structure or a voluntary society that can be adjusted by human judgment. The author argues that the Church is a historical, sacramental body that requires obedience to its leaders to remain authentic. The work explores the tension between the "will-worship" of the individual—who seeks to create a faith that suits their personal needs—and the tradition of the "Universal Church," which demands submission to a set of inherited, non-negotiable spiritual realities.

Why Read It Today

Reading this work today feels like engaging with a stern, articulate defender of a vanishing worldview. Readers who appreciate historical theology, the development of Anglican identity, or the classic arguments for church order will find this a focused, if unyielding, experience. It is not a casual read; the prose is formal, dense, and heavily reliant on the assumption that the reader accepts the authority of the early Church fathers and the necessity of the apostolic succession.

Modern readers may find the author’s rigid stance on schism challenging, as it contrasts sharply with contemporary attitudes toward religious diversity and institutional flexibility. The work does not attempt to "meet the reader halfway"; it maintains its position with a single-minded intensity that can be both admirable and jarring. However, for those interested in the logic of traditional high-church ecclesiology, this book offers a pristine look at the arguments that once formed the bedrock of its defense. The lack of modern concessions makes it a valuable artifact for understanding the intellectual history of religious authority. It demands patience and a willingness to step into the shoes of an author who views the unity of the Church not as a luxury, but as the essential requirement for the survival of the Christian faith.