A27006:1335
Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…
Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his life and times faithfully published from his own original manuscript by Matthew Sylvester.Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his life and times faithfully publish'd from his own original manuscript by Matthew Sylvester.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst, 1696
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.
7. This cannot de done well without Meetings to these Ends: nor those Meetings be improved to the best advantage, unless the Times and Places be fixed and commonly known: And as the use of them is ordinary, so the Assemblies should be ordinary, and not only seldom in some extraordinary Cases: Nor is any sort of Men so fit to manage them as Ministers, who have most Ability and Leisure, being wholly set apart to the Work of the Gospel. It is therefore meet that there be known Times and Places of Meeting, where Ministers, and as many more as the Churches shall think fit, may assemble; Every Minister (or Church) according to their conveniency, choosing of what Association they will be; which ordinarily they should frequent: and which should consist of such, and only such, as for Piety, Ability, and faithful Diligence are fit for the Ministry and such Communion.
8. If it be the Judgment of some that these Assemblies have a Superior governing Power over the particular Pastors, and of others, that they are only for Communion and mutual Assistance, they shall either keep their several Opinions to themselves, or at least, having professed and recorded them, shall continue their Presence and Assistance to those lower ends that all are agreed upon: Not to make new Laws for the Churches, or any of the Members of the Assemblies, to bind by a ruling Power; but to consult, and advise, and agree; nor yet to agree upon things unnecessary; nor lay the Churches Unity upon such; much less to exercise any magisterial coercive Power; But, 1. To open any occurrent difficult Cases in Doctrine or Practice, that befall any particular Church or Pastor, wherein they need their Brethren's Advice. 2. To agree upon the best and profitablest manner of managing the Work of God in regard of undetermined Circumstances, in cases where Uniformity will further the Work. As for Example, what Translation of Scripture to use, what Version of the Psalms to sing, &c. 3. To communicate those Affairs of the Churches that are of common concernment; to give notice of such as one Church hath excommunicated, that other Churches may avoid them, or else they may have Familiarity with all other Christians about them, and be entered among them as Members, and so Excommunication will lose its force and ⟨p. 196⟩