A26897:276
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.
Nothing remains then to be feared, but lest mens Minds are further distant than their Principles, and that Charity doth not effectually dispose them to Agree in Communion as far as their professed Principles will permit them. But, though Experience make this undeniable, yet their Piety and their Professions do put us in hope, that there are such Habitual Principles of Charity, as better Encouragements and Opportunities will undoubtedly revive, to our Reconciliation.
The Congregational men profess their desire of Reconciliation. Read but Mr. Cotton's Preface to Mr. Norton; and Mr. Norton's Epistle to Apollonius: But especially the Practice of such moderate men as Mr. Firmin, and divers that of late hence Associated with the Presbyterians, doth give us a more certain Demonstration of their readiness for Peace. And if many are otherwise minded, it should be no prejudice to the peaceable.
And for the Presbyterians readiness to the Works of Peace, besides the many motions that they have made, and the joining of some in Associations with their Brethren, I shall now add but the affectionate Profession, which they make of their desire of Reconcilement both with the Congregational, and Moderate ⟨p. 55⟩Episcopal Party, in the Epistle to their Jus Divinum Minist. 1. Concerning them of the Congregational way, they say [That this disagreement shall not hinder us from any Christian accord with them in affection. That we can willingly write upon our Study Doors, that Motto which Mr. Jeremiah Burroughs (who a little before his Death did ambitiously endeavour after Union, amongst Brethren, as some of us can testify) persuades all Scholars unto. Opinionum varietas, & opinantium Unitas, non sunt [Greek or Hebrew]. And that we shall be willing to entertain any sincere motion (as we have also formerly declared in cur Printed Vindication) that shall further a happy accommodation between us.