A26897:369
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.
10. If any Church or Pastor be accused or defamed to the Neighbour Churches, of any Heresy, Schism, Scandal, or Injury, either to any Person of that Church, or to any Neighbour Church or Person, the general Precepts of Christian Charity, Concord, Humility, Submission, &c. do oblige such accused Persons, to tender to their offended Brethren (especially if it be many Churches) due satisfaction, and to hear their Reasons and Admonitions, and to acknowledge their own faults, and amend if they have erred; and in lawful things to yield to others, for Peace and Concord, and to avoid offence, where greater accidents make it not then unlawful so to do.
10. If any Church or Pastor be accused or defamed to the Neighbour Churches, of any Heresie, Schism, Scandal, or Injury, either to any Person of that Church, or to any Neighbour Church or Person, the general Precepts of Christian Charity, Concord, Humility, Submission, &c. do oblige such accused Persons, to tender to their offended Brethren (especially if it be many Churches) due satisfaction, and to hear their Reasons and Admonitions, and to acknowledge their own faults, and amend if they have erred; and in lawful things to yield to others, for Peace and Concord, and to avoid offence, where greater accidents make it not then unlawful so to do.
11. If any Pastors or Neighbour Churches, remain impenitent, under such proved Heresy, Impiety or Crimes, as are inconsistent with the true profession of Godliness, the Synods, or Neighbour Churches (after due Admonition and Patience) should openly disown their sins, and if they be inconsistent with the Essentials of Christian Communion, should also disclaim Communion with them; and should send to the innocent part to exhort them to save themselves by Separation from the rest; or to forsake such Heretical and Impenitent Pastors: And should motion them to better Pastors, and send some to instruct them in the mean time, if they be accepted. But none of this must be done, in case of tolerable infirmities or failings.
11. If any Pastors or Neighbour Churches, remain impenitent, under such proved Heresie, Impiety or Crimes, as are inconsistent with the true profession of Godliness, the Synods, or Neighbour Churches (after due Admonition and Pationce) should openly disown their sins, and if they be inconsistent with the Essentials of Christian Communion, should also disclaim Communion with them; and should send to the innocent part to exhort them to save themselves by Separation from the rest; or to forsake such Heretical and Impenitent Pastors: And should motion them to better Pastors, and send some to instruct them in the mean time, if they be accepted. But none of this must be done, in case of tolerable infirmities or failings.