A26897:328
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.
The Ends difference it from all Civil Societies of Christians; and from the associations of many Churches for Communion by delegates.
The necessary Terms of this Church Communion are these.
1. The Pastor (whether one or more) must have all things essential to his Office. 1. As to his Qualifications, that is, 1. That he understand at least the Essential Points of Christianity and Church Communion. 2. That he be able to teach them to others in some competent degree. 3. That he be willing to do it; and this for Gods Honour, the Churches Good, and Mens Salvation. 2. As to his Call, that he have a true notification of the will of God, that he should undertake this Office; which is ordinarily done. 1. By the Ordination, (that is, the Approbation and Investiture) of Bishops or Pastors. 2. And (in this case of his relation to a particular Church) by the peoples consent: All this in truth is needful before God, and in Appearance and Profession before the Church.
2. The People must be Baptized persons, Sacramentally engaged into Covenant with God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and such as have not professedly deserted that Covenant by Apostasy; nor are proved before a lawful Judicature to be deserters of any Essential part thereof. (Whether open professed Covenanting may not serve without Baptism in cases of Necessity, where Baptism cannot be had, is a case so extraordinary that we need not here meddle with it.)