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

"Extracts from 'Sikes on Parochial Communion' by Thomas Sikes" is a mid-19th-century theological work that argues for strong adherence to church leadership and warns against the dangers of division. The book explores ideas around obeying religious leaders, referring to historical and biblical accounts. Sikes stresses that bishops are like the apostles' replacements and have significant, spiritual power, encouraging readers to stick to traditional church customs. He cautions that disagreeing with church authority can cause serious problems with beliefs and morals, using stories from the past and the Bible to back up the need for order and respect within the church. He advocates for acknowledging the spiritual authority of religious leaders as critical to religious unity.