A97353:781
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / 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.
93. Unity without Uniformity (of several Churches) must be by Toleration in the points of Uniformity about things indifferent, leaving each Church to its proper liberty; but making those things necessary to all, which are necessary indeed to the Unity of all; which is the Essentials, or plain great points of Christianity, in which we are all one in Christ, the centre of our Unity.
93. Vnity without Vniformity (of several Churches) must be by Toleration in the points of Vniformity about things indifferent, leaving each Church to its proper liberty; but making those things necessary to all, which are necessary indeed to the Vnity of all; which is the Essentials, or plain great points of Christianity, in which we are all one in Christ, the center of our Unity.
94. The best way is, 1. to Unite in things necessary to all, by necessary imposition (on such as are capable,) and 2 in things of unquestionable conveniency, by a prudent reduction of them to the primitive simplicity, and this not by necessitating Laws, which urge by great severity, but by such gentle corrections, as conveniences, order and decency should be urged with: And, 3. if any will go further (as to Organs, Ornaments, Crossing &c.) to let them do it as a matter of liberty, (as the Cathedrals and Parish Churches now differ, and many Parish Churches each from other) without repining or breach of Charity; thus joining all together according to the nature of the things.
94. The best way is, 1. to Vnite in things necessary to all, by necessary imposition (on such as are capable,) and 2 in things of unquestionable conveniency, by a prudent reduction of them to the primitive simplicity, and this not by necessitating Laws, which urge by great severity, but by such gentle corrections, as conveniencies, order and decency should be urged with: And, 3. if any will go further (as to Organs, Ornaments, Crossing &c.) to let them do it as a matter of liberty, (as the Cathedrals and Parish Churches now differ, and many Parish Churches each from other) without repining or breach of Charity; thus joyning all together according to the nature of the things.