A26923:173
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches
An end of doctrinal controversies which have lately troubled the churches by reconciling explication without much disputing. Written by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Salusbury, 1691
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.
Therefore we here distinguish of Mens Right to Church-Communion as 1. unquestioned, 2. as lost or null, 3. as doubtful and under trial. 1. A Baptismal Profession of all the Essence of Christianity, and not disproved, is a Title not to be questioned. 2. Apostasy, or the denial by word or deed •f any essential part of Christianity, justly proved, nullifieth Christianity and Church Right. 3. But if a man speak or hold some bad opinion by a remote u•see•. consequence, contrary to somewhat essential to Christianity, or if he commit some Sin that is inconsistent if he Repent not, here the Church must try whether the said Error be indeed so held, as that the contradicted truth is really not held, or only be held on a mistake of consisten••, the person professing to renounce it, if inconsistent: And whether the said Sinner live impenitently in that Sin, as that which he chooseth and will not forsake: And while the man is under this doubtful Trial, his Title is doubtful, and to be suspended as to actual Exercise.
Therefore we here distinguish of Mens Right to Church-Communion as 1. unquestioned, 2. as lost or null, 3. as doubtful and under tryal. 1. A Baptismal Profession of all the Essence of Christianity, and not disproved, is a Title not to be questioned. 2. Apostasie, or the denyal by word or deed •f any essential part of Christianity, justly proved, nullifieth Christianity and Church Right. 3. But if a man speak or hold some bad opinion by a remote u•see•. consequence, contrary to somewhat essential to Christianity, or if he commit some Sin that is inconsistent if he Repent not, here the Church must try whether the said Error be indeed so held, as that the contradicted truth is really not held, or only be held on a mistake of consisten••, the person professing to renounce it, if inconsistent: And whether the said Sinner live impenitently in that Sin, as that which he chooseth and will not forsake: And while the man is under this doubtful Tryal, his Title is doubtful, and to be suspended as to actual Exercise.