A27054:671
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.
§. 34. II. So much for what is necessary to the Being of the sacred office: Now what is necessary to the well being. And indeed, though the Essential Unity of the Church lye not upon this, yet the Peace and Concord of it doth, and that so much as that no other means without this will attain it: And the want of what is necessary ad bene esse in the Ministry and Bishops, is it that hath caused the common calamities.
§. 35. And I. Nothing is more wanting hereto than better qualifications in the persons: 1. That there be a strong wit, and good acquired gifts of knowledge, and a strong and lively faith from Divine illumination, and good acquaintance with the Oracles of God: A Pastor or Teacher should not only know the essentials of Christianity, which every Christian knoweth, but also the Integrals and many ⟨p. 219⟩Accidents. And both essentials and integrals should be known by him by a more clear, distinct and orderly understanding, not only above the vulgus s•delium, (common Christians) but above the better sort of the flock. And some store of natural and common knowledge called Learning is needful hereunto: But especially more illumination, faith and holy wisdom, and skilfulness in matter, sense and method of the word of God.
§. 35. And I. Nothing is more wanting hereto than better qualifications in the persons: 1. That there be a strong wit, and good acquired gifts of knowledge, and a strong and lively faith from Divine illumination, and good acquaintance with the Oracles of God: A Pastor or Teacher should not only know the essentials of Christianity, which every Christian knoweth, but also the Integrals and many ⟨p. 219⟩Accidents. And both essentials and integrals should be known by him by a more clear, distinct and orderly understanding, not only above the vulgus s•delium, (common Christians) but above the better sort of the flock. And some store of natural and common knowledge called Learning is needful hereunto: But especially more illumination, faith and holy wisdom, and skilfulness in matter, senc and method of the word of God.