A27054:736
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.
§. 25. It is therefore of great importance that single Churches be neither too great nor too small. If too small, they will want 1. the honour of fullness, 2. and the cheering help of praising God in great assemblies, 3. and the mutual counsel and vigilant help of many, 4. and the safe guidance of many Presbyters (or a Bishop and Presbyters) which a few people cannot expect.
§. 25. It is therefore of great importance that single Churches be neither too great nor too small. If too small, they will want 1. the honour of fulness, 2. and the cheering help of praising God in great assemblies, 3. and the mutual counsel and vigilant help of many, 4. and the safe guidance of many Presbyters (or a Bishop and Presbyters) which a few people cannot expect.
And if it be too great, it will 1. hinder the comfort of those that want room in the Church assembly, 2. or cause the Church to degenerate into another sort of society.
It is best therefore that it should be as Great as that all the people who are constant worshippers of God on the Lords days may meet in one place, where they have liberty, Chapels or lesser meetings being allowed to the aged, weak, sick or very distant; yet all that are able coming sometime to the common Church.