A27054:459
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.
§. 7. And he sent out his disciples to preach but the same doctrine that he had done; even to Repent ⟨p. 147⟩and believe the Gospel: and Devils were subject to them that preached this short plain truth; who I fear are the Masters of many that spin a finer web. And John Baptist went but the same way: And among the counsels which he gave to the many sorts that flocked to him, see whether any of our Engines of heretication and division and silencing are to be found. All the four Gospels are strangers to such things.
§. 8. And the very Controversial Epistles of St. Paul that were written to confute Seducers, were written by the same spirit, and go the same way. The sum of all is, Repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ: The doctrine of faith in Christ, and the abrogation of the burdensome Ceremonious Jewish Law, and that the Gentiles •ere not bound to keep it, is the sum of his doctrine. […] summeth up all the Law in LOVE, Rom. 13. ••d in living soberly, righteously and godly in the world, following the spirit, and mortifying the lusts of the flesh, living a holy and heavenly life in love and unity and peace. And whereas pride and ignorance then began the dividing way, and condemning Christians for tolerable differences, he oft and plainly reproveth and confuteth this: But most fully and purposely to the Romans, Chap. 14. & 15. Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations (or not to judge his doubtful thoughts) instancing in differences about meats and days; Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not, judge him that eateth; for God hath received him: Who art thou that judgest another mans servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth: Yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand. Let every man be fully persuaded (or assured) in his own mind: He that regardeth a day, regardeth ⟨p. 148⟩