A27054:715
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.
§. 15. Christianity it self consisteth in a believing Consent to the Covenant of Grace; and as no man is a Christian nor hath right to Christ and his saving benefits without Consent, so no man can have right to the Sacraments that seal and deliver this Covenant and benefits without consent: No Christian in his wits is for the Baptizing of any adult person that consenteth not; And the Lords Supper is a seal of the same Covenant, and no more due to non-consenters than Baptism. And as it is not enough to say [I am willing to be Baptized, but not by a Minister, or not in the order appointed by Christ] so it is not enough to say [I would have the Sacrament and Communion with the Church, but I will not submit to the Ministry, Doctrine, Worship or Discipline of that Church]. For this is as great a contradiction as to say [I will be a servant to you, but I will not work or obey but only have my wages] or [I will be a Soldier, but I will not fight but be paid]. He that will have Communion with the Church, must consent to the Ministry, Worship and Discipline of that Church in which Communion consisteth.
§. 16. And if a Minister shall be so imposed on, as that any man or woman may come when they please, and force him to give them the Sacrament of Communion, without consenting to take him for their Pastor, or to be taught or guided by him, (yea or give him satisfactory notice that they know what the Sacrament is, or who Christ is) he is a slave and not a Pastor: Baser than any School-master, Philosopher, or Physician, that are not forced to take a Scholar, Pupil or Patient against their will, or that will not take them for their Teacher or Physician, and obey them.
§. 16. And if a Minister shall be so imposed on, as that any man or woman may come when they please, and force him to give them the Sacrament of Communion, without consenting to take him for their Pastor, or to be taught or guided by him, (yea or give him satisfactory notice that they know what the Sacrament is, or who Christ is) he is a slave and not a Pastor: Baser than any School-master, Philosopher, or Physicion, that are not forced to take a Scholar, Pupil or Patient against their will, or that will not take them for their Teacher or Physicion, and obey them.