A26897:192
Church concord
Church concord containing I. a dissuasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.Church concord containing I. a disswasive from unnecessary division and separation, and the real concord of the moderate independents with the Presbyterians, instanced in ten seeming differences, II. by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. You are not free from brotherly Charity, & the Communion of Saints, and the Concordant doing the Works of God, of common Concernment. Nor do we desire you to bind your selves to any thing but what is antecedently your Duty, and you're already bound to by God.
Object. But perhaps if we associate with you, you will be rigid for your own ways and be the Major part, and then if we displease you, our Communion shall be rejected to our disgrace.]
Ans. 1. The Churches can pass as disgraceful a Sentence on you, if you come not near them, as if you joined with them. Yea, and they will no doubt take it to be their Duty, if they have proof of the Heresies or Scandals of any Neighbour Minister, (aggravated by the shunning of their Brethren's Communion), to disown them, and warn their people of the danger. If you join with us, you are more like to escape such Censures or injurious Reflections, than by keeping from us: For familiarity kindleth Love: and your presence may awe many, and your words satisfy those that could not be so well satisfied, if they had not heard you speaking for your selves.
Ans. 1. The Churches can pass as disgraceful a Sentence on you, if you come not near them, as if you joyned with them. Yea, and they will no doubt take it to be their Duty, if they have proof of the Heresies or Scandals of any Neighbour Minister, (aggravated by the shunning of their Brethrens Communion), to disown them, and warn their people of the danger. If you joyn with us, you are more like to escape such Censures or injurious Reflections, than by keeping from us: For familiarity kindleth Love: and your presence may awe many, and your words satisfie those that could not be so well satisfied, if they had not heard you speaking for your selves.