A27054:692
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.
§. 47. 4. Especially when such a pretender liveth far from the place, where persons and actions are not half known, and that only by great charge and travel. When the Pastor and people of the present Church may easily know all, and it belongeth to them, who are executively either to communicate with him or avoid him, which distant strangers have no opportunity or occasion to do, further than by declared consent.
§. 48. 5. It is a heinous corruption of it to Excommunicate men in a profane worldly manner, without wise, serious, patient endeavours to apply Gods word to the sinners case and conscience, to bring him to true repentance and amendment.
§. 48. 5. It is a heinous corruption of it to Excommunicate men in a prophane worldly manner, without wise, serious, patient endeavours to apply Gods word to the sinners case and conscience, to bring him to true repentance and amendment.
§. 49. 6. And it is yet more heinous abuse, to excommunicate the faithful, for a fearful avoiding sin in some imposed Oath, Covenant, Profession, promise, subscription, or unnecessary Ceremony or Form; and especially withal to retain in Church-Communion multitudes of Infidels, Adulterers, Fornicators, Perjured persons, drunkards, railers, slanderers, oppressors, heretics, scorners at piety, &c. And it's yet worse to cast out men for not subscribing to some lye, false doctrine or wicked thing, or for refusing down right heinous sin. And yet worse is it, to make Discipline an engine to dethrone Kings and embroil, confound or subdue Kingdoms, and enslave the earth.
§. 49. 6. And it is yet more heinous abuse, to excommunicate the faithful, for a fearful avoiding sin in some imposed Oath, Covenant, Profession, promise, subscription, or unnecessary Ceremony or Form; and especially withal to retain in Church-Communion multitudes of Infidels, Adulterers, Fornicators, Perjured persons, drunkards, railers, slanderers, oppressours, hereticks, scorners at piety, &c. And it's yet worse to cast out men for not subscribing to some lye, false doctrine or wicked thing, or for refusing down right heinous sin. And yet worse is it, to make Discipline an engine to dethrone Kings and embroile, confound or subdue Kingdoms, and enslave the earth.