A26965:182
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.
On the other side, it may be Schism to separate from a Church that hath some Schismatical Principles, Practices, and Persons, if those be not such or so great as to necessitate our departure from them: For alas, it is too few Churches that are so happy as to have nothing, and do nothing which is Schismatical.
XXVIII. 26. Gathering New Churches by way of Separation from others, or gathering Assemblies without the consent of the lawful Pastors, who had the charge of the People of those Assemblies, is a sin and Schism in all these Cases following.
1. In general, when the Laws, Practices, or Persons of the Church which they separate from, give them no sufficient cause of a departure.
2. In general, when in the judgment of true reason, according to the notable evidence of the case, the said Assemblies are like to do more hurt than good.