A26897:345
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.
15. When true sound Churches are first settled, all unnecessary and causeless Separation from them, or setting up of new Churches in the same Towns or Parishes, by way of disclaiming them, or in opposition to them, should be avoided by all Christians. Because, 1. We find not in Scripture times, that any one City had many such Churches, approved of God: (The numbers of Christians being but enow for one). 2. Because it taketh up more Ministers than the interest of the Universal Church can allow to so few. 3. Because it proceedeth from a sinful want of Love and Unity; and tendeth to the further decrease of both: Long and sad Experience having showed, that each of those Churches think it to be their Duty to stablish their several persuasions, and oppose the contrary; whereby they are carried as for the interest of the truth, to make their Adversaries be thought to be ignorant, erroneous, or bad, and so to make one another seem less amiable; to the ruin of Love and the division and danger of the Churches. And because Love and Unity are so frequently and vehemently pressed in the Scriptures: and Divisions or Schism so much forbidden.
15. When true sound Churches are first settled, all unneoessary and causeless Separation from them, or setting up of new Churches in the same Towns or Parishes, by way of disclaiming them, or in opposition to them, should be avoided by all Christians. Because, 1. We find not in Scripture times, that any one City had many such Churches, approved of God: (The numbers of Christians being but enow for one). 2. Because it taketh up more Ministers than the interest of the Universal Church can allow to so few. 3. Because it proceedeth from a sinful want of Love and Unity; and tendeth to the further decrease of both: Long and sad Experlence having shewed, that each of those Churches think it to be their Duty to stablish their several perswasions, and oppose the contrary; whereby they are carried as for the interest of the truth, to make their Adversaries be thought to be ignorant, erroneous, or bad, and so to make one another seem less amiable; to the ruine of Love and the division and danger of the Churches. And because Love and Unity are so frequently and vehemently pressed in the Scriptures: and Divisions or Schism so much forbidden.