A26965:159
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.
V. 3. To separate from all the particular Churches in the world, as if they were no true Political Churches of Christ (as those called Seekers do, who say that the Ministry, Scripture and Churches, are lost in the wilderness,) is a very heinous sin, though such as do so, renounce not their Baptism, or the Church Universal.
VI. 4. To separate from most, or many Churches by so unchurching them, is far worse than to separate from few or one; it being a greater wrong to Christ and men.
VII. 5. To separate from one upon a reason that is known to be common to all, or most, or many, is virtually to separate from all, or most, or many.
VIII. 6 To separate from a true Church, accusing it to be no true Church, is a greater injury and sin (caeteris paribu•) than to separate from it only on an unjust accusation or culpability consistent with a true Church: Because the charge is more odious and injurious, and tendeth more to destroy Love.