A27054:244
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.
§. 3. III. The Love of God our Father and of Christ our Redeemer doth oblige us: For if he that loveth not his brother whom he seeth daily, cannot Love God whom he never saw; how much less he that loveth not the multitude of believers, and so great an interest of God in the world, as is that unity and concord of the body of Christ? And if he that doth or doth not good to one of the least of the servants of Christ, is supposed to have done it or not done it to himself, how much more he that doth or omitteth that which Christ and his whole Church is so much concerned in?
§. 3. III. The Love of God our Father and of Christ our Redeemer doth oblige us: For if he that loveth not his brother whom he se•th daily, cannot Love God whom he never saw; how much less he that loveth not the multitude of believers, and so great an interest of God in the world, as is that unity and concord of the body of Christ? And if he that doth or doth not good to one of the least of the servants of Christ, is supposed to have done it or not done it to himself, how much more he that doth or omitteth that which Christ and his whole Church is so much concerned in?
§. 4. IV. The Love of our own souls obligeth us, considering how many and great impediments discord doth raise against all grace and duty, and against our holiness, comfort and salvation: And how much Christian Love and Concord do conduce to the preservation of all grace, and to the attainment of Glory: All men in true Concord are our helpers, and all men in discord are our hinderers, and tempters. How fair and easy is the way to Heaven among true Loving and agreeing Christians? and how hard is it where divisions and contentions take place?
§. 4. IV. The Love of our own souls obligeth us, considering how many and great impediments discord doth raise against all grace and duty, and against our holiness, comfort and salvation: And how much Christian Love and Concord do conduce to the preservation of all grace, and to the attainment of Glory: All men in true Concord are our helpers, and all men in discord are our hinderers, and tempters. How fair and easie is the way to Heaven among true Loving and agreeing Christians? and how hard is it where divisions and contentions take place?