A26912:303
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.
Answ. Very true; If it be not a contradiction! If any called Christians be notorious ⟨p. 27⟩Infidels and Idolaters, they are not Christians, and so not fit for Christian Communion. But from the Societies of such we must fly our selves: But not from the societies of Christians, always, when some such shall intrude.
Answ. Very true; If it be not a contradiction! If any called Christians be notorious ⟨p. 27⟩Infidels and Idolaters, they are not Christians, and so not fit for Christian Communion. But from the Societies of such we must flie our selves: But not from the societies of Christians, alwaies, when some such shall intrude.
3. You say [We are commanded strictly to separate from every one that is called a brother, if he be covetous, or a railer, &c. Answ. The Church, and not a private man, must exclude such a one from Church-Communion. And you your self must exclude him from your private familiarity; But you are not commanded to separate from the Church, if they exclude him not. I am not bound to separate from the Church where you are, for this Book which you have written, though I could prove it railing. How few separated Churches know you on earth, that have no Covetous person or railer? Or at least, where the people hold it their duty to separate from their own Church, if any Covetous person or railer be there?
3. You say [We are commanded strictly to separate from every one that is called a brother, if he be covetous, or a railer, &c. Answ. The Church, and not a private man, must exclude such a one from Church-Communion. And you your self must exclude him from your private familiarity; But you are not commanded to separate from the Church, if they exclude him not. I am not bound to separate from the Church where you are, for this Book which you have written, though I could prove it railing. How few separated Churches know you on earth, that have no Covetous person or railer? Or at least, where the people hold it their dutie to separate from their own Church, if any Covetous person or railer be there?