A26965:68
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.
Sect. IX. 8. Some think that Parochial Churches (consisting of Christians distinguished by the circuit of ground) and combinations of these into Synods less and greater, Classical, National, ⟨p. 7⟩are jure divino, and no other lawful.
Sect. X. 9. Some think that only Parochial Churches ordinarily, and single Congregations of any Neighbour Christians, when Parish Order cannot be observed, are jure divino.
Sect. XI. 10. And some think that only such single Congregations of Christians, with their Chosen Pastors, without any necessary respect to Parish bounds, are properly called Churches of Divine Institution, though these Churches may and should hold such associations, as correspondence and mutual help require.
Sect. XII. There being so many sorts of Churches in the world, (as Universal, National, Patriarchal, Provincial, or Metropolitical, Diocesan, Classical, Parochial, Congregational) it is hard to give a just decision of the question, From which of these, and when it is a sin to separate; till it be first known which of these is Divine, and which of Humane Institution, and which Humane Churches are necessary, which lawful, and which sinful. And it must be known of which the question is. And while there is so signal a diversity of Judgment, about the several Forms, the nature of Schism will be hardlier opened.