A86140:3
Heads of agreement assented to
Heads of agreement assented to by the united ministers in and about London, formerly called Presbyterian and Congregational
Edinburgh: printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, 1691
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
THE PREFACE to the READER.
Endeavours for an Agreement among Christians will be grievous to none who desire the flourishing State of Christianity it self. The Success of these Attempts amongst us, must be ascribed to a Presence of God so signal, as not t• be concealed; and seems a hopeful Pledge of further Blessings.
ENdeavours for an Agreement among Christians will be grievous to none who desire the flourishing State of Christianity it self. The Success of these Attempts amongst us, must be ascribed to a Presence of God so signal, as not t• be concealed; and seems a hopeful Pledge of further Blessings.
The favour of our Rulers in the present established Liberty, we most thankfully acknowledge; and to Them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair. Therefore we Declare against intermeddling with the National Church-Form: Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others, is disclaimed: All pretence to Coercive Power, is as unsuitable to our Principles, as to our Circumstances: Excommunication it self in our respective Churches, being no other than a declaring such scandalous Members as are irreclaimable, to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to Visible Believers: And in all, we expressly determine our purpose, to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our selves, and preventing the inconveniences, which humane weakness may expose to in our use of this Liberty.
The favour of our Rulers in the present established Liberty, we most thankfully acknowledge; and to Them we are studious to approve our selves in the whole of this Affair. Therefore we Declare against intermedling with the National Church-Form: Imposing these Terms of Agreement on others, is disclaimed: All pretence to Coercive Power, is as unsuitable to our Principles, as to our Circumstances: Excommunication it self in our respective Churches, being no other than a declaring such scandalous Members as are irreclaimable, to be incapable of Communion with us in things peculiar to Visible Believers: And in all, we expresly determine our purpose, to the maintaining of Harmony and Love among our selves, and preventing the inconveniencies, which humane weakness maay expose to in our use of this Liberty.