A26897:287
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.
3. We are Agreed that it's lawful for a particular Church to consist of no more than can meet in one place: And yet that it is not necessary to its Being that actually they do all meet in a place.
Let us therefore resolve to confine our particular Churches ordinarily to a Parish: Unless it be where Parishes are so small, or fit persons so few, that it is fit to lay divers of them together, as to Church ends. Yet so that if any refuse this Agreement, and will needs take four or five Parishes for distinct worshipping Churches, and yet but one Governing Church, (in the Officers) we bear with them, and allow them the liberty of their way, so be it they will faithfully perform the work both of Worship and Discipline to them all.
4. We are Agreed that it is lawful and meet that Neighbour Pastors be advisers and helpers in the Ordinations of Presbyters; and yet that they are truly Presbyters if they be Ordained but by the Presbyters of a particular Church. (And in cases of Necessity, if unordained.)
Let us therefore Agree in practice that Ordinations be ordinarily performed by the Advice and Assistance of the Synod of the Associated Pastors, or some deputed Members of it. (The case of Ordination by Bishops I handle elsewhere, and not here.) And if any refuse this, let them be forborne, so be it they be Ordained by Lawful Presbyters, of their own Church or any other with whom we be not bound to avoid Communion.