A27054:166
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness of it, and the detection of false dividing terms / opened by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
2. It is the souls necessary qualification for that life of true Christianity which God hath commanded us in the world. It is this inward Health which must enable us to all our duty.
1. Without this spirit of Unity we cannot perform the duties of the first table unto God: Our sacrifices will be as loathsome as theirs described Isa. 1. and Isa. 58. If we lift not up pure hands without wrath, and wrangling (or disputing) (for so I would rather translate [Greek or Hebrew], 1 Tim. 2. 8. than [doubting]) our prayers will not be acceptable to God: Though it be Christs worthiness for which our prayers and services are accepted, yet there must be the subordinate worthiness of necessary qualification in our selves. For Christ himself hath annexed specially the express mention of this one qualification in the Lords prayer ⟨p. 32⟩it self [Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us] and he repeateth it after, [For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you your trespasses; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you] Mat. 6. 13, 14. Love is here included in [forgiving] as a cause in its effect: And Christ rather nameth [forgiving] than [Love], because men may pretend to that act which is secret in the heart, but if it should not work in the necessary fruits (of which forgiving others is one) it would be but a vain pretence.
1. Without this spirit of Vnity we cannot perform the duties of the first table unto God: Our sacrifices will be as loathsome as theirs described Isa. 1. and