A55307:68
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must…The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must…
The Samaritan showing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oil that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.The Samaritan shewing that many and unnecessary impositions are not the oyl that must heal the church together with the way or means to do it / by a country gentleman who goes to common-prayer and not to meetings.
London: printed for Tho. Simmons, 1682
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.
Yea I am past doubt, that if only these things were made the Conditions of Communion among Christians, with Liberty of Difference in other things, and some variety of practices in particular Churches, more Unity, Peace and Love would thereby be produced, and Knowledge, Piety and Godliness be more advanced than by any other means in the world. In the days of the Apostles, and in some Ages after them, persons were admitted into the Christian Church, upon their belief and consent to these few plain things; yea upon a bare consent to the Contents of the Baptismal Covenant; and whilst they continued that Consent and Faith, they were continued in the Communion of Christians; and I do not yet understand why men may not be Christians, and partake in the Communion of Christians upon the same terms now as then; I think the Apostles ⟨p. 34⟩were as wise men, and knew as well what they did, as any that have come after them in the Government of the Church; and I do not as yet see any reason why their Laws and Conditions of Communion should be altered. I am afraid the alteration of them hath done more hurt, and occasioned more mischief to the Church of God, than they that were the Authors thereof will be able to give a fair account of to God Almighty one day.
Yea I am past doubt, that if only these things were made the Conditions of Communion among Christians, with Liberty of Difference in other things, and some variety of practices in particular Churches, more Unity, Peace and Love would thereby be produced, and Knowledge, Piety and Godliness be more advanced than by any other means in the world. In the daies of the Apostles, and in some Ages after them, persons were admitted into the Christian Church, upon their belief and consent to these few plain things; yea upon a bare consent to the Contents of the Baptismal Covenant; and whilst they continued that Consent and Faith, they were continued in the Communion of Christians; and I do not yet understand why men may not be Christians, and partake in the Communion of Christians upon the same terms now as then; I think the Apostles ⟨p. 34⟩were as wise men, and knew as well what they did, as any that have come after them in the Government of the Church; and I do not as yet see any reason why their Laws and Conditions of Communion should be altered. I am afraid the alteration of them hath done more hurt, and occasioned more mischief to the Church of God, than they that were the Authors thereof will be able to give a fair account of to God Almighty one day.