A27054:493
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.
§. 24. Now this fourfold Christian-simplicity▪ Paul foresaw the Serpent on pretence of finer wit and subtlety would draw the Church to forsake, till (as Erasmus saith) it became a point of wit to be a Christian: and this would be (and hath been) the corruption of the Churches.
§. 24. Now this fourfold Christian-simplicity▪ Paul foresaw the Serpent on pretence of finer wit and subtilty would draw the Church to forsake, till (as Erasmus saith) it became a point of wit to be a Christian: and this would be (and hath been) the corruption of the Churches.
1. The simplicity of Doctrine is turned by Councils and by other Dictators into multitudes of unnecessary and uncertain notions, to say nothing of the false ones. In the clear discovery of the sense and method of the sacred doctrine, we must use our greatest skill and accurateness: But salvation, peace and concord is not to be laid on the fine elucidations, and numerous articles of mens wits.
1. The simplicity of Doctrine is turned by Councils and by other Dictators into multitudes of unnecessary and uncertain notions, to say nothing of the false ones. In the clear discovery of the sence and method of the sacred doctrine, we must use our greatest skill and accurateness: But salvation, peace and concord is not to be laid on the fine elucidations, and numerous articles of mens wits.
2. The simplicity of Christian worship is corrupted, and turned into such pageantry of Ceremonies and formalities (to pass by much worse) that spiritual worshippers find it exceeding unsuitable to them, in much of the Christian world.