A27054:786
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.
§. 23. Therefore as the means, 1. He must promote to his power the due publication or preaching of the Gospel, and the subordinate means that are needful thereunto: 2. He must by just means restrain and punish the gross violators of Gods Laws; and must encourage the obedient and good.
§. 24. Therefore, III. He must deal differently with his subjects as they differ; according to this common distribution: They are
I. Not Christians who are 1. Enemies of the Church, or of Christianity. 2. Neglecters of Christianity. 3. Candidates or Catechumens Seekers.
II. Christians who are to be considered as 1. Personally qualified, and so they are 1. Eminently wise, good and strong. 2. Of a middle sort or degree. 3. Ignorant, culpable and weak. 2. Relatively as being 1. Only Christians of the universal Church and no particular, 1. Not yet entered into particular Churches. 2. Separated from them. 3. Cast out of such only. 2. In particular Churches, which are either 1. Consociate viz. under 1. The Pope. 2. Diocesans. 3. Presbyteries. 2. Independent, and diverse. 3. Opposites and adverse. 3. In their Practice, which is either 1. Laudable, to be encouraged and promoted. 2. Tolerable. 3. Intolerable.