A26965:139
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
XXX. Princes and Rulers may for order sake distribute their Christian Kingdoms into Parishes, which shall be the ordinary bounds of particular Churches: And such distribution is very congruous to the Ends of the Ministry and Churches, and conduceth to orderly settlement and peace: And experience hath showed us that such Parish Churches where the Pastors are faithful and fit, may live as Christians should do to their mutual comfort in Piety, Love and Peace: And such Parish-order we desire.
XXX. Princes and Rulers may for order sake distribute their Christian Kingdoms into Parishes, which shall be the ordinary bounds of particular Churches: And such distribution is very congruous to the Ends of the Ministry and Churches, and conduceth to orderly settlement and peace: And experience hath shewed us that such Parish Churches where the Pastors are faithfull and fit, may live as Christians should do to their mutuall comfort in Piety, Love and Peace: And such Parish-order we desire.
XXXI. But no Rulers may hence conclude, 1. that Parishes are distributed by God immediately, or that he hath commanded such a distribution as a thing of absolute necessity to a Church; But the General Rules of order, and Edification do ordinarily in Christian Kingdoms require it. 2 Nor may any make a Parish, as such to be a Church; and all to be Church members that are in the Parish, as such: for Atheists, Infidels, Heretics, & Impenitent Rebels may live in the Parish; and many that consent not to be members of that or any Church: And not only in worse lands but in Ireland and in England, (as part of Lancashire,) the far greatest part of the Parishioners are Papists, (who renounce the Protestant Churches) in some places.
XXXI. But no Rulers may hence conclude, 1. that Parishes are distributed by God immediately, or that he hath commanded such a distribution as a thing of absolute necessity to a Church; But the Generall Rules of order, and Edification do ordinarily in Christian Kingdomes require it. 2 Nor may any make a Parish, as such to be a Church; and all to be Church members that are in the Parish, as such: for Atheists, Infidels, Hereticks, & Impenitent Rebels may live in the Parish; and many that consent not to be members of that or any Church: And not only in worse lands but in Ireland and in England, (as part of Lancashire,) the far greatest part of the Parishioners are Papists, (who renounce the Protestant Churches) in some places.