A26897:385
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.
Question 5: Q. 5. What is the Magistrates Power and Duty about Religion, and the Churches and Minis…
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.
8. If heretical, covetous, or lazy Pastors, corrupt God's Word and Worship notoriously, or neglect their certain Duty, to the betraying or endangering of the Flocks, or are persons uncapable of the Office; the Magistrate may drive them on to their Duties, and (moderately and prudently) punish them for their negligence and unfaithfulness; and may forbid the uncapable to exercise that Office.
9. Such Circumstances of Worship, and Orders of Assemblies (before instanced) as are fit for Common Determination and Agreement in all the Churches; being such whose Determination is not proper to the Pastors Office, may (on moderate terms, and by religious advice) be determined of by Magistrates; And all their lawful Determinations must be obeyed.
10. There needeth not the device of Popes or Patriarchs, to call Councils, or to keep Peace among the Pastors of the Church: For the Magistrate must do it, as a great part of the work of his Office. Every Sovereign may call such Pastors unto Councils as are his Subjects: And several Princes by agreement may call their respective Subjects together when there is Cause; And proper Universal Councils (as is showed) are things which never were known, nor are not to be expected: And it must be a very extraordinary necessity, which must warrant the Pastors of several Kingdoms, to hold Councils together, when they are forbidden by their Kings: Princes also may correct Church-Tyrants and Usurpers, and Destroyers of Faith, or Piety or Peace: They ought to restrain such Pastors as would raise Seditions or Rebellions, or Persecutions of the Innocent, or that pretend Religion for the open and obstinate revilings of their Brethren, and are proved to be unquiet Firebrands to kindle Dissentions, and destroy Mens Love to one another, or arbitrarily to oppress the Flocks.
10. There needeth not the device of Popes or Patriarchs, to call Councils, or to keep Peace among the Pastors of the Church: For the Magistrate must do it, as a great part of the work of his Office. Every Soveraign may call such Pastors unto Councils as are his Subjects: And several Princes by agreement may call their respective Subjects together when there is Cause; And proper Universal Councils (as is shewed) are things which never were known, nor are not to be expected: And it must be a very extraordinary necessity, which must warrant the Pastors of several Kingdoms, to hold Councils together, when they are forbidden by their Kings: Princes also may correct Church-Tyrants and Usurpers, and Destroyers of Faith, or Piety or Peace: They ought to restrain such Pastors as would raise Seditions or Rebellions, or Persecutions of the Innocent, or that pretend Religion for the open and obstinate revilings of their Brethren, and are proved to be unquiet Firebrands to kindle Dissentions, and destroy Mens Love to one another, or arbitrarily to oppress the Flocks.