A26912:159
A defence of the principles of love, which are necessary to the unity and…
A defence of the principles of love, which are necessary to the unity and concord of Christians and are delivered in a book called The cure of church-divisions ... / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1671
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. Not to separate from any others upon any of these three false suppositions or accusations, (viz. 1. As no true Christians: 2. As no true Churches: 3. As having no true Worship, or as worshipping, so as it is not lawful to join with them.)
4. Not to sep••ate from any others upon any of these three false suppositions or accusations, (viz. 1. As no true Christians: 2. As no true Churches: 3. As having no true Worship, or as worshipping, so as it is not lawful to joyn with them.)
5. To choose the most edifying Ministry, and the soundest Church, and purest manner of worshipping God, that possibly you can have on lawful terms, as to your ordinary use and Communion, so far as you are free to choose.
6. To join with a defective faulty true Church, ordinarily, and in a manner of Worship which is defective, when you can have no better, on lawful terms, (as without the public injury, or your own greater hinderance than help) And I prove, that this is the worst that you can charge (as to this matter of Communion) on those Parish Churches in England, that have honest competent Pastors; and the same others charge on the Churches of Independents and Anabaptists. And that it is a duty to hold communion with any one of th•se constantly when you can have no better.
6. To joyn with a defective faulty true Church, ordinarily, and in a manner of Worship which is defective, when you can have no better, on lawful terms, (as without the publick injury, or your own greater hinderance than help) And I prove, that this is the worst that you can charge (as to this matter of Communion) on those Parish Churches in England, that have honest comp•tent Pastors; and the same others charge on the Churches of Independents and Anabaptists. And that it is a duty to hold communion with any one of thse constantly when you can have no better.