A26897:363
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.
4. But Love, and Concord, and Peace must be maintained among the equal parts of the Catholic Church. Seeing it is the strength of the Churches and their Beauty, and the Exercise and help of the Life and Holiness of all the parts: Therefore such correspondencies must be maintained among them, as tend to a right understanding of each other, and to a just furtherance of these happy ends: And as in particular Churches, the determinations of useful circumstances according to Gods general Rules, is no sinful addition to Gods Word or Ordinances, so neither is it here to be so judged, if Magistrates by Laws or Churches by consent, do determine of useful undetermined circumstances, for the ordering of these Correspondencies, and preventing Contentions, Factions and Divisions.
4. But Love, and Concord, and Peace must be maintained among the equal parts of the Catholick Church. Seeing it is the strength of the Churches and their Beauty, and the Exercise and help of the Life and Holiness of all the parts: Therefore such correspondencies must be maintained among them, as tend to a right understanding of each other, and to a just furtherance of these happy ends: And as in particular Churches, the determinations of useful circumstances according to Gods general Rules, is no sinful addition to Gods Word or Ordinances, so neither is it here to be so judged, if Magistrates by Laws or Churches by consent, do determine of useful undetermined circumstances, for the ordering of these Correspondencies, and preventing Contentions, Factions and Divisions.
5. The ordinary means of these correspondencies, are Messengers and Synods, (or Councils) and Letters Testimonial or Certificates. If one Church be offended with another, upon suspicion of Heresy or scandalous Practices, they may by Messengers admonish them, and these may by Messengers make their Purgation or Confession. As also if they desire Advice or Help from one another; but if in common and weighty cases, there be need of more common and judicious consultations, or significations of Consent and Concord, Synods are the means thereto. And if one Member Travel into other parts, or remove his dwelling, or be to be received by other Churches; especially in Suspicious Times and Cases, Communicatory Letters and Certificates are the means, that Heretics and Deceivers abuse not the Churches.