A26897:296
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.
Let us therefore give way to particular Churches to enjoy their Liberty; and let all the Churches be linked together, and the Pastors associate, and meet in Synods for such Communion. Yet so that if any one in weakness shall refuse to Associate, or be an Ordinary Member of such Synods, (being caetera sanus) we shall not therefore withdraw our Brotherly Love, nor that distant sort of Communion of which he is capable: Though we must disown his way, lest others be tempted to the like Division.
Let us therefore give way to particular Churches to enjoy their Liberty; and let all the Churches be link'd together, and the Pastors associate, and meet in Synods for such Communion. Yet so that if any one in weakness shall refuse to Associate, or be an Ordinary Member of such Synods, (being caetera sanus) we shall not therefore withdraw our Brotherly Love, nor that distant sort of Communion of which he is capable: Though we must disown his way, lest others be tempted to the like Division.
8. We are Agreed that no Men should bury their Talents, and that the Gifts of our people that are suited to the profiting of others, should be used to as public benefit as may be, so it be orderly, regularly, in their Callings, in a due subordination to the Ministry, and under their direction, for the helping and not the hindering of their Work (according to the forementioned limitations.)
8. We are Agreed that no Men should bury their Talents, and that the Gifts of our people that are suited to the profiting of others, should be used to as publick benefit as may be, so it be orderly, regularly, in their Callings, in a due subordination to the Ministry, and under their direction, for the helping and not the hindering of their Work (according to the forementioned limitations.)
There is no Difference therefore among us here that is needful to be taken notice of in our Form of Concord, it being between particular persons, and not parties that the difference lieth. And actual miscarriages are to be enquired after as other Crimes in the several Churches and Associations.