Irenicum, to the lovers of truth and peace heart-divisions opened in the causes and…

Indeed the more explicit this agreement is, the more is the edification. Surely there is no Christian but will acknowledge that the more one Christian opens his heart to another, and binds himself to walk in the ways of Christ with another, the more comfortable it is, and helps to edification: and upon this ground do the Congregational Churches practice this.

Indeed the more explicite this agreement is, the more is the edification. Surely there is no Christian but will acknowledg that the more one Christian opens his heart to another, and binds himself to walk in the ways of Christ with another, the more comfortable it is, and helps to edification: and upon this ground doe the Congregationall Churches practice this.

Suppose any godly man shall come and desire to join with any of them, but withal tell them, that for his part he yet cannot be convinced by any thing he can find in Scripture that this way of covenanting is required; if the Church cannot satisfy such a man (being godly) in their practise, yet desire to know of him whether he be willing to join with them in all the ordinances of Christ, so far as he knows, a mere affirmative to this is a covenant sufficient to join him with them. The more fully he expresseth this to them, it would be the more acceptable. Now then why is it that there is such a noise every where in exclamations against Church-covenant, when it is nothing but this, which how any gracious heart upon due consideration can be against, I cannot see. And this is not only our present opinion, but that which ever since we knew any thing in that way, upon all occasions, we have held forth.

Suppose any godly man shall come and desire to joyn with any of them, but withall tell them, that for his part he yet cannot be convinced by any thing he can find in Scripture that this way of convenanting is required; if the Church cannot satisfie such a man (being godly) in their practise, yet desire to know of him whether hee be willing to joyn with them in all the ordinances of Christ, so farre as he knows, a meere affirmative to this is a covenant sufficient to joyne him with them. The more fully he expresseth this to them, it would be the more acceptable. Now then why is it that there is such a noise every where in exclamations against Church-covenant, when it is nothing but this, which how any gracious heart upon due consideration can be against, I cannot see. And this is not only our present opinion, but that which ever since we knew any thing in that way, upon all occasions, we have held forth.