A27054:214
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.
for he hath not told us: But Holy Uniting Universal Love is a thing which he hath still made our certain duty; and therefore we are all bound to seek and do it: And therefore we may both pray and labour for it in hope: And could we but come up to this known duty, we should have a means for the worlds conversion, as effectual as miracles, and more sweet and pleasant to them and us.
for he hath not told us: But Holy Vniting Vniversal Love is a thing which he hath still made our certain duty; and therefore we are all bound to seek and do it: And therefore we may both pray and labour for it in hope: And could we but come up to this known duty, we should have a means for the worlds conversion, as effectual as miracles, and more sweet and pleasant to them and us.
Obj. But why then is the world still unconverted, when all true Christians have this love?
Ans. 1. Alas, those true Christians are so few, and the hypocrites that are selfish worldlings are so many, that the poor people that live among professed Christians, do judge of Christianity by those false professors, who are indeed no Christians: Men see not the hearts of one another. Thousands of ungodly persons, for interest, education and custom take on them the name of Christians, who never were such indeed by heart-consent. When these counterfeit Christians live like Infidels, men think that Christians are no better than Infidels: For they think they must judge by the greater number of such as go under the Christian name. But if the world could tell who they be that are truly Christians at the heart, they would see that they have that spirit of Love, which is not in unbelievers. 2. And alas the Love and Unity even of true Christians is yet too imperfect, and is darkened and blemished with too much of the contrary vice: were Christians perfect Christians, they would indeed be the honour of their profession. Then Love would be the powerful principle of all their works; which would