A27054:512
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.
§. 8. There have been also factious persons that tie the validity of Baptism to their sects: such as were specially the Donatists, supposing that their Prelates had the truest call and power; and that all others were Sectaries or Heretics, and therefore their baptism null and void and to be iterated: But though in other arrogancies some follow them to this day, yet few if any in the nulling of baptism.
§. 8. There have been also factious persons that tye the validity of Baptism to their sects: such as were specially the Donatists, supposing that their Prelates had the truest call and power; and that all others were Sectaries or Hereticks, and therefore their baptism null and void and to be iterated: But though in other arrogancies some follow them to this day, yet few if any in the nulling of baptism.
§. 9. But a greater and longer stir there hath been about Creeds and professions required as Tests to excuse men from heresy. But yet it is to be noted, that few of them by these altered the form of baptism, but there took up with the ancient Creed, (the Apostles and the Nicene or Constantinopolitane) and required no more; but only imposed the rest on Bishops, Priests or other afterwards.
§. 9. But a greater and longer stir there hath been about Creeds and professions required as Tests to excuse men from heresie. But yet it is to be noted, that few of them by these altered the form of baptism, but there took up with the ancient Creed, (the Apostles and the Nicene or Constantinopolitane) and required no more; but only imposed the rest on Bishops, Priests or other afterwards.
§. 10. And is there now any cause of discord here? 1. All Christians have been made such by baptism from the Apostles days till now. Is there any thing in the world that ever came down to us by more certain, uniform, consenting tradition? The very same words of baptism which Christ did institute are every where used to this day: And if all ages and Countries have still baptized persons as believers, or Christians, and yet be not agreed what Christianity is, or what the faith is that baptism requireth, it will be a strange incredible shame to them. But even Hierome and Hillary that cry out