A27054:596
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.
§. 40. Not approving of or practising a doubtful or indifferent humane form of Liturgy, or ceremony or circumstance or mode, is no just cause of cutting off a man from the Universal Church▪ Because notwithstanding that, he may be a true Christian and a member of Christ and his Church, and therefore must not falsely be declared to be none.
§. 40. Not approving of or practising a doubtful or indifferent humane form of Liturgy, or ceremony or circumstance or mode, is no just cause of cutting off a man from the Universal Church▪ Because notwithstanding that, he may be a true Christian and a member of Christ and his Church, and therefore must not falsly be declared to be none.
§. 41. Not taking this or that man to be ones Bishop or Pastor who is obtruded, yea or justly set over that Church, nor yet particular acts of disobedience to him merely as such, are no good proofs that a man is no true Christian or member of Christ and his Church; and therefore are no just cause to sentence or declare him none: For the sentence must be true. Many things in such cases may cause a man to err, which do not unchristen him or cut him off from Christ.
§. 41. Not taking this or that man to be ones Bishop or Pastor who is obtruded, yea or justly set over that Church, nor yet particular acts of disobedience to him meerly as such, are no good proofs that a man is no true Christian or member of Christ and his Church; and therefore are no just cause to sentence or declare him none: For the sentence must be true. Many things in such cases may cause a man to err, which do not unchristen him or cut him off from Christ.
§. 42. The disowning and refusing some humane forms of Profession of faith, called Creeds, or some doubtful (though lawful) subscriptions, promises, declarations, Covenants or oaths (much less false ones) are no just causes of Excommunicating that man who professeth all the essentials of Christianity, and whatever is necessary to salvation.