76 CHURCH Succession, Sylvester Hassell As for a nominal, natural, outward, or mechanical succession, the God of providence and grace, eighteen centuries ago, forever buried all such claims in the dark, impenetrable gulf of the seculum obscurum, or obscure age, immediately succeeding the death of the leading apostles and the destruction of Jerusalem, A.D. 70, and extending to A.D. 100, as freely acknowledged by the ablest scholars of Europe; the irreconcilable inconsistencies and contradictions of the leading Roman Catholic authorities in regard to the pretended Romish succession during this period furnish a sufficient illustration of this fact. According to the entire tenor of the New Testament Scriptures, what we are to look for is, not such outward succession, but a spiritual succession of principles, of inward, vital, heartfelt religion. Names are nothing; principles are everything, in the true kingdom of God. In all ages and countries, that people, who in all spiritual matters, acknowledge Christ as their only head and King, form a part of the true church of God.” (Hassell’s History pg 18)
CHURCH SUCCESSION: See also under Baptism/Alien Baptism by J. H. Oliphant