A26897:248
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.
5. And that justice may be exercised, and order observed, let no Member remove till he have sought the Consent of the Church where he is, or heard them give their Reasons against it: And let none be received from another Church or Parish, but either upon Communicatory Letters or Certificates, or else after a just discussion of the Cause with the Church or Teachers from whom they do withdraw.
6. And as it is agreeable to our several Principles, and the great thing that is now desired, that we may all correspond in Brotherly Associations, and have Synods at fit Seasons for the Communion of the Churches that are linked together; let us there be Responsible (not as to our Governors, but as to Associated Brethren, and Churches), for our Actions that are of Public offence, or of which we shall be there accused; and in particular for this, of taking Members out of other Churches, that the Cause may have an equal hearing.
6. And as it is agreeable to our several Principles, and the great thing that is now desired, that we may all correspond in Brotherly Associations, and have Synods at fit Seasons for the Communion of the Churches that are link'd together; let us there be Responsible (not as to our Governours, but as to Associated Brethren, and Churches), for our Actions that are of Publick offence, or of which we shall be there accused; and in particular for this, of taking Members out of other Churches, that the Cause may have an equal hearing.
7. Or if any of you shall refuse to meet in constant Synods, yet do this much at least: Let your Churches and ours be so far Consociate as to Own each other for true Churches, (though we take the Liberty to disown any notable Distemper that we may see each other guilty of), and let Communicatory Letters be necessary for any that be received from one Church to another, unless in special cases: And deny not to appear at least on such an extraordinary occasion at a Synod, to satisfy the Churches when you are accused.