A26911:651
The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter…
The defence of the nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of the matter of their nonconformity against Mr. J. Cheney's answer called The conforming nonconformist, and The nonconforming conformist : to which is added the second part in answer to Mr. Cheney's Five undertakings / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benjamin Alsop, 1680
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. Yes: He saith, [No more is necessary to the being, or well-being of a particular Church than this; A company of Christians met together in public for the Solemn Worship of God by Jesus Christ, having a Pastor or Minister with them to guide and govern the Congregation, and edify himself and them by the Word and Sacraments; where there is no Assembly of Pastor and People there is no Church, and no longer than the Assembly lasteth are they a Church.]
§ 4. Yes: He saith, [No more is necessary to the being, or well-being of a particular Church than this; A company of Christians met together in publick for the Solemn Worship of God by Iesus Christ, having a Pastor or Minister with them to guide and govern the Congregation, and edifie himself and them by the Word and Sacraments; where there is no Assembly of Pastor and People there is no Church, and no longer than the Assembly lasteth are they a Church.]
Ans. Did the World ever here this Doctrine before? When the Church at Jerusalem, Corinth, Cenchrea, Coloss, Laodicea, &c. and the Churches in Judea, Galatia, &c. are mentioned, when the Apostles ordained them Elders in every Church, Acts 14. 23. Tit. 1. 3, 5. &c. Is the word Church here taken for no Christians longer than they are Assembled? Doth not Scripture, Canons, Fathers, and all Writers speak of Churches as Associated Christians, remaining Churches all the Day, and Year, and not only while Assembled? If the word Church may be taken for a Transient Assembly, doth it follow that there is no other? Have we so many Books of Ecclesiastical Policy, if there be no Political Society that is a particular Church? What an unpleasing talk is it to be put on a defence against such an Opponent?
Ans. Did the World ever here this Doctrine before? When the Church at Ierusalem, Corinth, Cenchrea, Colosse, Laodicea, &c. and the Churches in Iudea, Galatia, &c. are mentioned, when the Apostles ordained them Elders in every Church,