Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

To your second, you will grant (as I hope by the printed Debates) that ordinarily Parish-bounds, shall be the Rule for Limitation (alter Parishes if they be amiss): and that you'll not swerve from this Rule, but upon necessary Cause, and not when it is to the apparent wrong of the Cause and Interest of Christ, and you will yield to be responsible to the Association which you are a Member of, concerning the Case, when you are questioned. And this shall agree us. And why should I not add two Propositions for Peace with the Episcopal? That way, or the Persons are not so contemptible (if you consider the Antiquity, the great Difficulty, their Number and Extent, and the Works of many of them) as to be refused our Communion, though on some Abatements to them. Prop. 19. Let therefore these Presbyteries of particular Churches have one to be the stated President, as long as he is found fittest, and let all the Associations (at least where Episcopal worthy Men require it) have such fixed Presidents, quam diu bene see gesserint (as your Assembly at Westminster had) by common Consent. Bishop Hall and Usher say, this will satisfy, but it will not without the next. Prop. 20. Seeing the Presbyterians and Congregational say, That (except in case of necessity) it's lawful to forbear Ordination till the President be there, and One, and to take him with you; and the Episcopal say, That it's of necessity; therefore let the Case of Necessity and the Title be purposely silenced, and left to each Man's Judgment; but de facto, let your Licet yield for Peace to their Oportet, at least for some years trial. And agree to Ordain none (but in necessity) without the President, as he shall Ordain none without the Consent of the Association, or at least the Elders of the Church where he is President, and where he Ordaineth (if there be any left). I suppose, as to a Parochial or Congregational President, in one Eldership, you will grant this! and why not to the President of the Association, for Peace? when he that is Ordained a Pastor of your particular Church, is thereupon made an Officer in the Universal, therefore others should have some care of it, or else—I'll let Objections pass in silence, only desire you, if these two last dislike you, not therefore presently to reject the rest, but lay these by.

To your second, you will grant (as I hope by the printed Debates) that ordinarily Parish-bounds, shall be the Rule for Limitation (alter Parishes if they be amiss): and that you'l not swerve from this Rule, but upon necessary Cause, and not when it is to the apparent wrong of the Cause and Interest of Christ, and you will yield to be responsible to the Association which you are a Member of, concerning the Case, when you are questioned. And this shall agree us. And why should I not add two Propositions for Peace with the Episcopal? That way, or the Persons are not so contemptible (if you consider the Antiquity, the great Difficulty, their Number and Extent, and the Works of many of them) as to be refused our Communion, though on some Abatements to them. Prop. 19. Let therefore these Presbyteries of particular Churches have one to be the stated President, as long as he is found fittest, and let all the Associations (at least where Episcopal worthy Men require it) have such fixed Presidents, quam diu bene se gesserint (as your Assembly at Westminster had) by common Consent. Bishop Hall and Usher say, this will satisfie, but it will not without the next. Prop. 20. Seeing the Presbyterians and Congregational say, That (except in case of necessity) it's lawful to forbear Ordination till the President be there, and One, and to take him with you; and the Episcopal say, That it's of necessity; therefore let the Case of Necessity and the Title be purposely silenced, and left to each Man's Judgment; but de facto, let your Licet yield for Peace to their Oportet, at least for some years trial. And agree to Ordain none (but in necessity) without the President, as he shall Ordain none without the Consent of the Association, or at least the Elders of the Church where he is President, and where he Ordaineth (if there be any left). I suppose, as to a Parochial or Congregational President, in one Eldership, you will grant this! and why not to the President of the Association, for Peace? when he that is Ordained a Pastor of your particular Church, is thereupon made an Officer in the Universal, therefore others should have some care of it, or else—I'le let Objections pass in silence, only desire you, if these two last dislike you, not therefore presently to reject the rest, but lay these by.