A27054:335
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.
§. 4. Among these opinions let us first try whether Christ hath instituted any Church form besides the universal, and 2. what that is.
I. And 1. if Christ hath instituted a holy Christian society for ordinary holy Communion and mutual help in Gods public worship and holy living, consisting of Pastors authorized and obliged to Teach, and Guide, and speak for the flock in Gods public worship and administer his Sacraments according to Christs word, and of a flock obliged to hear them, learn, obey and follow such their conduct to the foresaid ends] then Christ hath instituted a form of a particular Church, and its policy. But the antecedent is true, as shall be proved: And the consequent or major is proved, à definito ad denominatum; This definition containeth the Essentials of a Church. No man can deny that to be a Christian Church which hath this definition.
I. And 1. if Christ hath instituted a holy Christian society for ordinary holy Communion and mutual help in Gods publick worship and holy living, consisting of Pastors authorized and obliged to Teach, and Guide, and speak for the flock in Gods publick worship and administer his Sacraments according to Christs word, and of a flock obliged to hear them, learn, obey and follow such their conduct to the foresaid ends] then Christ hath instituted a form of a particular Church, and its policy. But the antecedent is true, as shall be proved: And the consequent or major is proved, à definito ad denominatum; This definition containeth the Essentials of a Church. No man can deny that to be a Christian Church which hath this definition.
§. 5. Here still it is supposed that the Spirit in the Apostles, who were designed to be founders and master-builders, and to gather and order Churches, and teach them to observe all Christs commands, was Christs promised Agent (as Tertullian calls him) and that Christ did what the Spirit did by the Apostles in their proper work, to which he was promised them as their Guide; as it is aforesaid.