A27035:97
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and…
A second true defence of the mere nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease public worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.A second true defence of the meer nonconformists against the untrue accusations, reasonings, and history of Dr. Edward Stillingfleet ... clearly proving that it is (not sin but) duty 1. not wilfully to commit the many sins of conformity, 2. not sacrilegiously to forsake the preaching of the Gospel, 3. not to cease publick worshipping of God, 4. to use needful pastoral helps for salvation ... / written by Richard Baxter ... ; with some notes on Mr. Joseph Glanviles Zealous and impartial Protestant, and Dr. L. Moulins character.
London: printed for Nevil Simons, 1681
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.
These things being premised as the foundation in general of Christian society, we shall the better understand how far the obligation to communion in it doth extend. For which it must be considered that the grounds of continuance in communion must be suitable and proportionable to the first reason of entering into it. No man being obliged by virtue of his being in a society, to agree in any thing that tends to the apparent ruin of that society: But he is obliged to the contrary, from the general grounds of his first admission into it. His primary obligation being to preserve the honour and interest of it, and to join in acts of it so far as they tend to it. Now the main end of the Christian society, being the promotion of Gods honour, and Salvation of mens Souls, the primary obligation of men entering into it, is the advancement of these ends to join in all acts of it so far as they tend to these ends; but if any thing come to be required directly repugnant to these ends, those men of whom such things are required, are bound not to communicate in those lesser societies where such things are imposed, but to preserve their communion with the Catholic society of Christians.
These things being premised as the foundation in general of Christian society, we shall the better understand how far the obligation to communion in it doth extend. For which it must be considered that the grounds of continuance in communion must be suitable and proportionable to the first reason of entring into it. No man being obliged by virtue of his being in a society, to agree in any thing that tends to the apparent ruin of that society: But he is obliged to the contrary, from the general grounds of his first admission into it. His primary obligation being to preserve the honour and interest of it, and to joyn in acts of it so far as they tend to it. Now the main end of the Christian society, being the promotion of Gods honour, and Salvation of mens Souls, the primary obligation of men entring into it, is the advancement of these ends to joyn in all acts of it so far as they tend to these ends; but if any thing come to be required directly repugnant to these ends, those men of whom such things are required, are bound not to communicate in those lesser societies where such things are imposed, but to preserve their communion with the Catholick societie of Christians.