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Richard Baxter
Church concord
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To the reader
img 40

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. The terms Necessary for Concord among all true Churches and Christians.The First Part written 1655. The Second Part 1667. And Published this 1691. To second a late Agreement of the London Protestant Nonconformists: And a former Treatise called [The true and only terms of Church-Concord.]By RICHARD BAXTER.Mat. 5. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God.1 Thess. 5. 12, 13. We beseech you, Brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: and esteem them very highly in Love for their Works sake; and Be at Peace among your selves.Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3. If there be any Consolation in Christ, If any Comfort of Love, If any Fellowship of the Spirit, If any Bowels and Mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one Mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory: but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves.1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3. And I, Brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual but as to carnal; to Babes in Christ—For whereas there is among you envying and strife, are ye not carnal and walk as men?LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel. 1691.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. The terms Necessary for Concord among all true Churches and Christians.The First Part written 1655. The Second Part 1667. And Published this 1691. To second a late Agreement of the London Protestant Nonconformists: And a former Treatise called [The true and only terms of Church-Concord.]By RICHARD BAXTER.Mat. 5. 9. Blessed are the Peace-makers, for they shall be called the Children of God.1 Thess. 5. 12, 13. We beseech you, Brethren, to know them who labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you: and esteem them very highly in Love for their Works sake; and Be at Peace among your selves.Phil. 2. 1, 2, 3. If there be any Consolation in Christ, If any Comfort of Love, If any Fellowship of the Spirit, If any Bowels and Mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one Mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory: but in lowliness of Mind let each esteem other better than themselves.1 Cor. 3. 1, 2, 3. And I, Brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual but as to carnal; to Babes in Christ—For whereas there is among you envying and strife, are ye not carnal and walk as men?LONDON, Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel. 1691.Title page of Church concord, London, 1691

A26897:313

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.

Richard Baxter 1615–1691London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1691

[16], 76 p. · 47k words · Wing B1223 · ESTC R14982

Title page typeset from the transcription.

To the reader: To the READER.

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.

[ Earlier:312–325 of 397

:312img 40

To the READER.

:313img 40

Countrymen,

Countreymen,

:314img 40

MY Saviour having made me Believe, that every Kingdom divided against it self is brought to desolation, Mat. 12. 25. I shall the less regard the Ministers of Satan, who will say that such attempts to unite the true Subjects of Christ and the King, is a dangerous Plot to strengthen Rebels against the King, by their Union. If such Fiends should do their will upon me, as Faith is but a means to the final perfective Grace of Love, so I shall as much rejoice, to be a Sacrifice or Martyr, for Christian Love, as for the Christian Faith: And if Peacemakers shall be called the Children of God (by those that are his Children at least,) I am contented with that blessedness, (Mat. 5. 9.) and envy not their kind of Honour or Prosperity.

:315img 40

If this attempt shall speed no better, than many which I have formerly made have done, as to any public Reconciliation I shall not yet think it vain, while the private minds of many Christians are formed into more peaceable Apprehensions and Dispositions. But if it should succeed for any public or common healing, how great would be my Joy? While the Conciliatory Writings and Precious Names, of Usher Hall, Davenant, Dury, Bergius, Burroughs, &c. are so sweet to me; Let Envy gnash the Teth, and dividing Malice do its worst, I hope in this delightful work to live and die.

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Cited: :313
On this page: :312–325
Section: :312–317
Whole work: 397 passages

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Richard Baxter, Church concord (London, 1691), to the reader, unnumbered page (image 40). EEBO-TCP A26897.

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The book

Title as printed: 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.
Author: Richard Baxter 1615–1691
Place: London
Bookseller: Tho. Parkhurst
Year: 1691
Size: [16], 76 p.
Words: 46,867
Catalogue: Wing B1223 · ESTC R14982
Text: EEBO-TCP A26897

Passages: 397
Sections: 27

The author

Richard Baxter 1615–1691

PuritansEngland

Pastor at Kidderminster and prolific nonconformist author.

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The Reformers and Puritans in their own words, with every quotation checked against the page.

Texts transcribed from the original printings by the Text Creation Partnership (EEBO-TCP and Evans-TCP) and dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

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If this attempt shall speed no better, than many which I have formerly made have done, as to any publick Reconciliation I shall not yet think it vain, while the private minds of many Christians are formed into more peaceable Apprehensions and Dispositions. But if it should succeed for any publick or common healing, how great would be my Ioy? While the Conciliatory Writings and Precious Names, of Usher▪ Hall, Davenant, Dury, Bergius, Burroughs, &c. are so sweet to me; Let Envy gnash the Te•th, and dividing Malice do its worst, I hope in this delightful work to live and die.

:316img 40

One thing I must warn the Reader of, that I have omitted Scripture proofs of my Assertions, because they are self-evident or past Controversy, and because that the proofs which are fetched from two or three Texts compared, will not be understood, by the usual sleighty Readings of such, as expect the very Syllables: of the Assertions in the proofs. Therefore for brevity I take it to be the better way, •• this time to offer here a full sufficient proof of any one of these Assertions, which shall be questioned, to such as shall soberly demand it.

One thing I must warn the Reader of, that I have omitted Scripture proofs of my Assertions, because they are self-evident or past Controversie, and because that the proofs which are fetcht from two or three Texts compared, will not be understood, by the usual sleighty Readings of such, as expect the very Syllables: of the Assertions in the proofs. Therefore for brevity I take it to be the better way, •• this time to offer here a full sufficient proof of any one of these Assertions, which shall be questioned, to such as shall soberly demand it.

:317img 40

A Servant of Christ for his Churches Unity and Peace, Richard Baxter. Acton, Nov. 2•, 1688.

:318p. 62

Q. Seeing you have oft affirmed publicly that the Terms of Concord among Christians are easy to be known, if their unwillingness to practise them were not the hinderance, you are desired to answer these Questions following. 1. What are the necessary Terms of Catholic Communion of Christians as Members of the Church Universal? 2. What are the necessary Terms of the Communion of Christians personally, in a particular Church? 3. What are the Terms on which Neighbour Churches may hold Communion with one another? 4. What are the Terms of Communion between the Churches of several Kingdoms? 5. What is the Magistrates Power and Duty about Religion, and the Churches and Ministers of Christ?

Q. SEeing you have oft affirmed publickly that the Terms of Concord among Christians are easie to be known, if their unwillingness to practise them were not the hinderance, you are desired to answer these Questions following. 1. What are the necessary Terms of Catholick Communion of Christians as Members of the Church Universal? 2. What are the necessary Terms of the Communion of Christians personally, in a particular Church? 3. What are the Terms on which Neighbour Churches may hold Communion with one another? 4. What are the Terms of Communion between the Churches of several Kingdoms? 5. What is the Magistrates Power and Duty about Religion, and the Churches and Ministers of Christ?

:319p. 62

I. It is to be understood that the Universal Church is considered as Spiritual or as Visible: As Spiritual, it is the Universality of true Spiritual or Regenerate Believers, as Headed by Jesus Christ. As Visible, it is the Universality of the Baptized, or Professors of true Faith, as Headed by Christ, (the Author and Object of that Faith.) And accordingly Christians are to be distinguished. And that the Question is of the Visible Church and Christians.

:320p. 62

2. This being supposed I answer, that Catholic Visible Communion consisteth, 1. Fundamentally, in being all Baptized or entered into the same Covenant of Grace, with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and so being joined to the same Head, and entered into the same Universal Body, and professing the same Faith, and Love, and Obedience contained in that Covenant, and not falling away from that Profession, or any Essential part thereof.

2. This being supposed I answer, that Catholick Visible Communion consisteth, 1. Fundamentally, in being all Baptized or entered into the same Covenant of Grace, with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and so being joyned to the same Head, and entered into the same Universal Body, and professing the same Faith, and Love, and Obedience contained in that Covenant, and not falling away from that Profession, or any Essential part thereof.

:321p. 62

2. And consequently that we all acknowledge the extraordinary Ministry of the Prophets and Apostles, and receive their Testimony and Doctrine recorded in the Sacred Scriptures: At least the foresaid Essentials of the Covenant; and so much more as we understand, and are convinced to be Canonical Scriptures, or written by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost.

:322p. 62

3. And also that we acknowledge a stated ordinary Ministry in the Church, appointed by Christ to Disciple and Baptize the Nations of the World, and then to teach them to observe all his Commands. And that we profess our willingness to join in Christian Assemblies under the conduct of such Ministers, for the worshipping of God, and furthering our own and others Salvation; if we have opportunity so to do: And that we do accordingly.

:323p. 62

II. Q. 1. We speak only of Visible Christians in this second Question also (of Church Communion.)

:324p. 62–63

2. [A Particular Church] signifieth either, 1. A Community of Christians ⟨p. 63⟩agreed to live under Pastoral Guidance, before they have a Pastor, or have practised that agreement. This is not the Church here mean•. 2. Or a Political Society of Christian Pastor and People professedly associated for Personal Communion, Exercise of these Relations as such in the public worshipping of God, and for the furtherance of Love and Obedience in each other.

2. [A Particular Church] signifieth either, 1. A Community of Christians ⟨p. 63⟩agreed to live under Pastora• Guidance, before they have a Pastor, or have practised that agreement. This is not the Church here mean•. 2. Or a Political Society of Christian Pastor and People professedly associated for Personal Communion, Exercise of these Relations as such in the publick worshipping of God, and for the furtherance of Love and Obedience in each other.

:325p. 63

The Ends difference it from all Civil Societies of Christians; and from the associations of many Churches for Communion by delegates.

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⟨p. 12⟩: a page break in the printed book