A27054:723
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.
§. 20. To decide this Controversy I do in the definition express the specification of this Church relation from the End, as all such kind of relations must be. It must be a fixed association of Christians ⟨p. 236⟩[for personal presential Communion and assistance in holy doctrine, worship &c.] This definition is necessary and herein sufficient. 1. It is necessary that a difference be noted between a single Church and a Composition of Churches: Because, 1. Several ends show us that they are not univocally called Churches but are of several sorts. 2. The first is past controversy of Divine institution: The other are by some men taken for Divine, by some for Lawful humane, and by some for sinful inventions, and additions to Gods appointed order. Things that so much differ must be differenced.
§. 20. To decide this Controversie I do in the definition express the specification of this Church relation from the End, as all such kind of relations must be. It must be a fixed association of Christians ⟨p. 236⟩[for personal presential Communion and assistance in holy doctrine, worship &c.] This definition is necessary and herein sufficient. 1. It is necessary that a difference be noted between a single Church and a Composition of Churches: Because, 1. Several ends shew us that they are not univocaly called Churches but are of several sorts. 2. The first is past controversie of Divine institution: The other are by some men taken for Divine, by some for Lawful humane, and by some for sinful inventions, and additions to Gods appointed order. Things that so much differ must be differenced.
2. It is sufficient as 1. Assigning the true specifying end, 2. and avoiding all extremes.
2. It is sufficient as 1. Assigning the true specifying end, 2. and avoiding all extreams.