The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…

§. 37. III. And yet there is a further degree of concord to be hoped for and endeavoured, and that is the concord of these particular Churches with one another: That they may all Profess, 1. The same faith, and necessary doctrine; 2. and the same Love to God and one another; 3. and the same Hope of life eternal, 4. and may offer to God the same necessary and acceptable sort of worship, viz. by preaching and applying his holy word, recorded in the holy Scriptures, preserving and reading them, calling upon his holy name by Confession, prayer, thanksgiving and praises, and holding respective communion in the use also of the Sacraments of his Covenant▪ and exercising in some measure such holy Government and Discipline, by Pastors overseeing their several flocks, as he himself by his institution hath made universally necessary. And all this, though not in perfection, nor every where with the same degree of purity and care, yet so far, 1. as that ⟨p. 97⟩Gods word and ordinances be kept up in soundness in all parts and respects necessary to salvation; 2. and as may tend to the edifying of the Churches by Love, and concord in necessary things, and their mutual help by counsel, and strength by that concord, 3. and the avoiding of pernicious feuds and divisions.

§. 38. The means by which this is to be done, 1. by communicatory Letters; 2. by Synods, 3. and by Civil Governors, is after in due place to be explained.

§. 38. The means by which this is to be done, 1. by communicatory Letters; 2. by Synods, 3. and by Civil Governours, is after in due place to be explained.

Thus much of Christian Unity and Concord may be well hoped for upon just endeavours here on earth: But neither Perfection in these, nor those unnecessary terms of Concord which some have long taken to be necessary.