A26897:272
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.
We reject the Separatists, that distinguish not between a Church and the Impurities of a Church. Schism is a grievous Crime.
We reject the Formalists not sufficiently distinguishing a Church from no Church, not separating the precious from the vile: what is this but Confusion?
We reject the Formalists not sufficiently distinguishing a Church from no Church, not separating the pretious from the vile: what is this but Confusion?
Confusion and Schism are the Scylla and Charybdis: Peace and Truth are the Jachin and Boaz of the Christian Cause: the obtaining of which must be endeavoured under him, and implored and expected from him, who is Peace, Way, and Truth, alone able; among so many and (alas) too hot Contentions, and differing opinions of the Learned and Godly, to reach us the mete-wand, and direct his Servants into Concord, and into the perfect measure of the Temple, Altar and Worshippers: Preserving us Men, Brethren, searching after truth in Love, both from the left hand of Confusion, and the right hand of Separation.] So far Mr. Norton, and so ends his Book.
And thus I have showed the Nearness of both Parties; and easiness of Reconciliation, as to their Principles, and that there is nothing among them, owned by either Party, that should hinder a loving Consociation, Correspondency and Communion of the Churches, for their mutual strengthening, and the healing of the Mischiefs that Divisions, Emulations, and Contentions have long caused among us.