A26965:155
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.
It is one thing to deny total Communion, and another to separate but secundum quid for some act or part; And that is either a great and necessary part or some small or indifferent thing or ceremony. It is one thing to separate Locally by bodily absence, and another mentally by Schismatical principles. It is one thing to separate from a Church as accusing it to be no Church of Christ, and another to separate from it only as a true Church but so Corrupted as not to be Communicated with. Its one thing to judge its ⟨p. 39⟩Communion absolutely unlawful, and another only to forsake it for a better which is preferred: Its one thing to depart wilfully, and another to be unwillingly cast out. Its one thing to depart rashly and in hast, and another to depart after due patience, when reformation appeareth hopeless. It is one thing to remove upon religious reasons, and another upon Civil or Domestical, or Corporal.
It is one thing to deny total Communion, and another to separate but secundum quid for some act or part; And that is either a great and necessary part or some small or indifferent thing or ceremony. It is one thing to separate Locally by bodily absence, and another mentally by Schismaticall principles. It is one thing to separate from a Church as accusing it to be no Church of Christ, and another to separate from it only as a true Church but so Corrupted as not to be Communicated with. Its one thing to judge its ⟨p. 39⟩Communion absolutely unlawful, and another only to forsake it for a better which is preferred: Its one thing to depart willfully, and another to be unwillingly cast out. Its one thing to depart rashly and in hast, and another to depart after due patience, when reformation appeareth hopeless. It is one thing to remove upon religious reasons, and another upon Civil or Domestical, or Corporal.
It is easy for a confounded head to pass over all such distinctions, and with unjust and confounding censures to reproach others as Schismatics in the dark, before he knoweth what schism is, being guilty of Schism in his very accusations. But sober Christians must be discerners, and know that confusion is an Enemy to truth and love and justice.