The judgment and advice of the Assembly of the Associated Ministers of VVorcester-shire held at Worcester, Aug. 6th 1658 concerning the endeavours of ecclesiasticall peace, and the waies and meanes of Christian unity, which Mr. John Durey doth present, sent unto him in the name, and by the appointment of the aforesaid Assembly / by Richard Baxter ...
         Associated Ministers of Worcester-shire. Assembly (1658 : Worcester, Worcestershire)
      
       
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             The judgment and advice of the Assembly of the Associated Ministers of VVorcester-shire held at Worcester, Aug. 6th 1658 concerning the endeavours of ecclesiasticall peace, and the waies and meanes of Christian unity, which Mr. John Durey doth present, sent unto him in the name, and by the appointment of the aforesaid Assembly / by Richard Baxter ...
             Associated Ministers of Worcester-shire. Assembly (1658 : Worcester, Worcestershire)
             Baxter, Richard, 1615-1691.
             Dury, John, 1596-1680.
          
           [8] p.
           
             Printed for T. Underhill ... and F. Tyton ...,
             London :
             1658.
          
           
             Signed by Richard Baxter and 5 others.
             Reproduction of original in Harvard University Libraries.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Concord -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
       A26942  R5355  (Wing B1288).  civilwar no The judgment and advice of the Assembly of the Associated Ministers of VVorcester-shire, held at VVorcester Aug. 6th 1658. concerning the en Associated Ministers of Worcester-shire. Assembly 1658    4880 6 0 0 0 0 0 12 C  The  rate of 12 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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           THE
           JUDGMENT
           AND
           ADVICE
           OF
           THE
           ASSEMBLY
           OF
           THE
           Associated
           Ministers
           OF
           VVORCESTER-SHIRE
           ,
           Held
           at
           WORCESTER
           
             Aug.
          
           6th
           1658.
           
           Concerning
           the
           Endeavours
           of
           Ecclesiasticall
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           Waies
           and
           Meanes
           of
           Christian
           Unity
           ,
           which
           Mr
           
             John
             Durey
          
           doth
           present
           ;
           sent
           unto
           him
           in
           the
           Name
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           appointment
           of
           the
           aforesaid
           Assembly
           .
           By
           
             Richard
             Baxter
          
           Pastor
           of
           the
           Church
           at
           
             Kederminster
             .
          
        
         
           LONDON
           .
           Printed
           for
           
             T.
             Vnderhill
          
           at
           the
           Anchor
           and
           Bible
           in
           
             Pauls
          
           Church-yard
           ,
           and
           
             F.
             Tyton
          
           at
           the
           Three
           Daggers
           in
           
             Fleet-street
             ,
          
           1658.
           
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           THE
           JUDGEMENT
           AND
           ADVICE
           Of
           the
           Assembly
           of
           the
           Associated
           MINISTERS
           of
           Worcester-Shire
           .
        
         
           
             
               Our
               Deare
               and
               Reverend
            
             BROTHER
             .
          
        
         
           VPon
           the
           receipt
           of
           your
           Papers
           and
           Consideration
           of
           the
           Subject
           ,
           as
           our
           hearts
           were
           moved
           with
           thankfulness
           to
           God
           ,
           that
           hath
           given
           you
           so
           great
           a
           desire
           after
           the
           peace
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           and
           so
           much
           patience
           in
           the
           Labours
           and
           Travels
           of
           so
           many
           Years
           ,
           for
           the
           obtaining
           of
           it
           ;
           so
           we
           must
           needs
           resent
           it
           ;
           as
           a
           thing
           that
           should
           Melt
           our
           Hearts
           within
           us
           ,
           that
           ever
           there
           should
           need
           so
           much
           adoe
           ,
           and
           that
           among
           Christians
           ,
           yea
           the
           Leaders
           of
           Christs
           Flock
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           to
           so
           clear
           and
           great
           a
           Duty
           ;
           Much
           more
           that
           after
           all
           such
           Labours
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           more
           done
           .
        
         
           For
           our selves
           ,
           as
           far
           as
           we
           can
           understand
           your
           desires
           ,
           we
           conceive
           that
           it
           is
           in
           three
           Particulars
           ,
           that
           our
           return
           must
           answer
           theirs
           .
           First
           ,
           In
           giving
           you
           our
           thoughts
           of
           the
           designe
           in
           generall
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           In
           telling
           you
           our
           thoughts
           of
           the
           disease
           and
           cure
           more
           particularly
           .
           And
           Lastly
           ,
           In
           offering
           you
           our
           correspondence
           for
           the
           time
           to
           come
           ,
           for
           the
           contributing
           our
           utmost
           assistance
           to
           the
           work
           .
        
         
           X.
           And
           for
           the
           First
           ,
           There
           's
           little
           needfull
           to
           be
           said
           .
           The
           designe
           doth
           so
           evidently
           bear
           the
           name
           of
           the
           Prince
           of
           Peace
           ,
           and
           answer
           the
           Precepts
           of
           his
           Gospell
           ,
           and
           the
           Workings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           in
           all
           his
           Saints
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           happily
           suited
           to
           his
           interest
           and
           to
           the
           wellfare
           of
           his
           Church
           ,
           that
           it
           pleads
           sufficiently
           for
           it self
           ,
           and
           needeth
           not
           the
           Testimony
           of
           such
           as
           we
           .
           So
           blessed
           a
           thing
           is
           
             Peace
             ,
          
           and
           a
           
             Holy
             Peace
          
           among
           the
           Members
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           that
           the
           Enemies
           and
           Vioators
           of
           it
           do
           pretend
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           none
           are
           found
           that
           oppose
           it
           professedly
           for
           it self
           ;
           they
           all
           flatter
           it
           while
           they
           fight
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           betray
           it
           with
           a
           kisse
           ,
           and
           sm●le
           upon
           it
           while
           they
           are
           wounding
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           extoll
           it
           with
           the
           highest
           praises
           
           while
           they
           destroy
           it
           ;
           condemning
           themselves
           by
           all
           that
           they
           say
           in
           its
           justification
           :
           we
           scarce
           think
           that
           there
           is
           a
           man
           of
           all
           those
           ,
           where
           your
           great
           unwearied
           Labours
           have
           least
           succeeded
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           obstinately
           unpeaceable
           after
           all
           ,
           but
           will
           joyn
           with
           you
           in
           extolling
           the
           Concord
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           and
           professe
           their
           great
           desires
           after
           it
           ,
           so
           that
           they
           are
           all
           fain
           from
           their
           several
           pretensions
           to
           truth
           to
           fetch
           their
           weapons
           for
           the
           wounding
           of
           our
           Peace
           .
           For
           Christ
           hath
           left
           it
           an
           undeniable
           principle
           ,
           that
           all
           his
           Members
           are
           one
           Body
           ,
           into
           which
           by
           one
           Spirit
           we
           are
           all
           Baptized
           ,
           in
           which
           even
           the
           more
           feeble
           and
           less
           comely
           and
           less
           honourable
           parts
           have
           their
           place
           ,
           receiving
           a
           comeliness
           and
           honour
           from
           the
           whole
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           no
           Schisme
           in
           the
           Body
           ,
           but
           the
           Members
           should
           have
           the
           same
           care
           one
           for
           another
           ,
           suffering
           with
           that
           which
           suffereth
           ,
           and
           rejoycing
           with
           that
           which
           is
           honoured
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           12.12
           ,
           13
           ,
           22
           ,
           23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25
           ,
           26.
           
           And
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           hath
           left
           it
           as
           a
           certain
           truth
           ,
           that
           of
           all
           these
           Members
           the
           most
           Charitable
           is
           the
           best
           ,
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           12.31
           .
           
             &
          
           13.13
           .
           And
           that
           all
           men
           must
           know
           us
           to
           be
           Christs
           Disciples
           by
           our
           loving
           one
           another
           ,
           
             Joh.
          
           13.35
           .
           
             &
          
           15.17
           .
           That
           we
           must
           thus
           be
           followers
           of
           God
           as
           Deare
           Children
           ,
           and
           walk
           in
           love
           as
           Christ
           hath
           loved
           us
           ,
           
             Eph.
          
           5.1
           ,
           2.
           
           And
           ●●●ainly
           he
           that
           loveth
           God
           ,
           doth
           love
           his
           Brother
           also
           ,
           1
           
             Joh.
          
           4.21
           .
           and
           he
           is
           a
           lyar
           if
           he
           say
           he
           loveth
           God
           ,
           when
           he
           hateth
           his
           Brother
           ,
           
             Vers
             .
          
           20.
           
           Peace
           must
           be
           
             followed
          
           (
           and
           not
           only
           accepted
           of
           when
           offered
           )
           as
           well
           as
           holiness
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           12.14
           .
           And
           that
           with
           all
           men
           if
           it
           be
           possible
           ,
           and
           as
           much
           as
           lieth
           in
           us
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           12.18
           .
           1
           
             Thes.
          
           5.13
           .
           The
           weak
           in
           Faith
           must
           be
           received
           ,
           but
           not
           to
           doubtfull
           Disputations
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           14.1
           .
           And
           the
           strong
           must
           tolerate
           their
           infirmities
           ,
           not
           pleasing
           themselves
           ,
           but
           their
           neighbours
           for
           their
           Edification
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           15.1
           ,
           2.
           
           The
           light
           of
           a
           multitude
           of
           such
           passages
           of
           Scripture
           doth
           shine
           so
           bright
           in
           the
           faces
           of
           the
           unpeaceable
           ,
           that
           they
           were
           not
           able
           to
           stand
           before
           them
           ,
           if
           they
           drew
           not
           the
           veyle
           of
           a
           zeal
           for
           some
           pretended
           truth
           over
           the
           face
           of
           their
           most
           unchartiable
           Practices
           .
           But
           the
           self-appropiated
           Title
           of
           
             Orthodox
             ,
          
           and
           the
           straining
           of
           
             Heterodox
          
           odious
           consequents
           ,
           from
           their
           Brethrens
           words
           ,
           will
           prove
           but
           insufficient
           Fig-leaves
           to
           cover
           the
           nakedness
           of
           uncharitable
           dividers
           when
           the
           Lord
           of
           Peace
           shall
           search
           and
           judge
           them
           .
           Go
           on
           deare
           Brother
           ,
           and
           if
           Satan
           should
           have
           leave
           to
           hinder
           your
           success
           ,
           yet
           live
           and
           dye
           in
           this
           Blessed
           Work
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           have
           not
           more
           comfort
           at
           last
           ,
           in
           the
           revenue
           of
           these
           your
           pacificatory
           labours
           ,
           then
           self-conceited
           dividers
           shall
           have
           in
           their
           uncharitable
           waies
           ,
           then
           must
           we
           confess
           that
           we
           were
           strangers
           to
           the
           will
           and
           waies
           of
           Christ
           .
           The
           wisdome
           that
           is
           from
           above
           is
           first
           pure
           ,
           then
           peaceable
           ,
           gentle
           ,
           easie
           to
           be
           intreated
           :
           and
           the
           fruite
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           by
           Peace-makers
           sown
           in
           Peace
           :
           but
           the
           wisdome
           that
           cherisheth
           envying
           and
           strife
           descendeth
           not
           from
           above
           ,
           but
           is
           earthly
           ,
           sensuall
           ,
           (
           or
           naturall
           )
           and
           devillish
           :
           For
           where
           envying
           and
           strife
           is
           ,
           (
           though
           piety
           and
           Othodox
           Doctrine
           may
           be
           pretended
           )
           yet
           there
           is
           confusion
           (
           or
           tumultuousness
           )
           and
           every
           evill
           work
           ;
           and
           therefore
           in
           pretending
           to
           befriend
           the
           truth
           ,
           they
           do
           but
           glory
           in
           vain
           and
           lye
           against
           the
           truth
           ,
           and
           indeed
           know
           not
           what
           Spirit
           they
           are
           of
           ,
           
             Jam.
          
           3.17
           ,
           18.
           
           
             &
          
           16.15
           ,
           14.
           
        
         
           XX
           .
           And
           for
           the
           second
           Point
           ,
           The
           
             healing
          
           of
           our
           wounds
           !
           Oh
           that
           we
           could
           as
           surely
           accomplish
           it
           ,
           as
           we
           can
           all
           tell
           what
           
             means
          
           are
           necessary
           thereunto
           .
           Our
           work
           is
           not
           to
           procure
           a
           Communion
           between
           the
           visible
           Members
           of
           Christ
           and
           of
           Satan
           ,
           nor
           a
           Syncretisme
           with
           any
           that
           hold
           not
           all
           that
           is
           essentiall
           to
           Christianity
           ,
           or
           that
           deny
           any
           point
           of
           absolute
           necessity
           to
           Salvation
           ;
           nor
           yet
           to
           draw
           any
           to
           participate
           with
           the
           truest
           Church
           or
           Saint
           in
           any
           of
           their
           Sins
           :
           Nor
           yet
           is
           it
           our
           present
           business
           to
           change
           mens
           minds
           from
           Infidelity
           or
           Heresie
           
           to
           the
           Faith
           ,
           that
           so
           they
           may
           be
           capable
           of
           our
           Communion
           ;
           nor
           to
           change
           the
           differing
           Opinions
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           which
           is
           a
           thing
           that
           we
           cannot
           expect
           at
           present
           :
           But
           our
           work
           is
           in
           these
           three
           particulars
           .
           First
           ,
           To
           bring
           the
           true
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           to
           understand
           each
           other
           to
           be
           true
           Churches
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           To
           procure
           that
           internall
           Charity
           which
           true
           Christians
           should
           have
           to
           one
           another
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           To
           procure
           that
           externall
           manifestation
           of
           this
           Charity
           ,
           which
           is
           their
           duty
           ,
           or
           so
           much
           at
           least
           as
           is
           necessary
           to
           our
           common
           safety
           ,
           and
           the
           Propagation
           of
           that
           truth
           which
           all
           profess
           .
           And
           for
           the
           first
           of
           these
           (
           which
           the
           rest
           depend
           upon
           )
           What
           can
           we
           require
           more
           of
           one
           another
           ,
           then
           a
           Profession
           of
           the
           Christian
           Faith
           ;
           That
           which
           we
           require
           to
           prove
           a
           single
           person
           fit
           to
           be
           a
           Member
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           i●
           it
           that
           we
           must
           require
           of
           whole
           Churches
           ,
           and
           with
           which
           we
           must
           be
           satisfied
           ;
           which
           can
           be
           nothing
           but
           a
           profession
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           not
           nullified
           by
           contradictory
           professions
           or
           practices
           .
           And
           I
           hope
           we
           are
           before
           this
           agreed
           what
           Christianity
           is
           ,
           and
           what
           are
           the
           Essentials
           of
           the
           Faith
           .
           All
           these
           Essentials
           we
           do
           all
           profess
           .
           We
           all
           profess
           to
           believe
           the
           Articles
           of
           Faith
           contained
           in
           the
           Creeds
           and
           Confessions
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           by
           what
           Test
           soever
           a
           Christian
           or
           a
           Church
           was
           known
           for
           man●●undred
           Years
           after
           Christ
           ,
           (
           till
           Papists
           and
           Hereticks
           enlarged
           or
           depraved
           the
           Creeds
           ,
           )
           by
           the
           same
           do
           we
           all
           offer
           our selves
           to
           be
           tryed
           ,
           and
           may
           easily
           be
           known
           to
           be
           professed
           Christians
           ,
           and
           (
           being
           united
           with
           our
           Pastors
           for
           holy
           Communion
           ,
           )
           to
           be
           true
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           .
           We
           all
           take
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           for
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Faith
           and
           Lives
           ,
           and
           believe
           it
           to
           be
           the
           infallible
           Word
           of
           God
           .
           In
           this
           Scripture
           all
           the
           Essentials
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           (
           and
           the
           Integrals
           too
           ,
           )
           are
           plainly
           expressed
           .
           This
           rule
           is
           Divine
           ,
           and
           so
           our
           Faith
           is
           Divine
           .
           Had
           we
           but
           a
           humane
           Rule
           ,
           we
           could
           have
           but
           a
           humane
           Faith
           ;
           If
           any
           would
           know
           our
           Religion
           ,
           it
           is
           hither
           that
           we
           send
           them
           .
           Our
           Confessions
           are
           but
           to
           satisfie
           men
           ,
           of
           our
           understanding
           the
           sense
           of
           passages
           of
           Scripture
           :
           And
           they
           are
           written
           according
           to
           the
           Occasions
           of
           their
           writing
           ,
           and
           therefore
           with
           Diversity
           (
           though
           not
           contrariety
           in
           any
           neccessary
           point
           ,
           at
           least
           )
           speaking
           most
           to
           the
           Points
           that
           contentions
           call
           us
           to
           speak
           most
           to
           ,
           we
           make
           none
           of
           our
           Confessions
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Faith
           .
           Nor
           do
           we
           take
           any
           thing
           in
           them
           to
           be
           infallible
           and
           unalterable
           ,
           further
           then
           it
           agreeth
           with
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           which
           is
           our
           Rule
           .
           It
           hath
           been
           the
           running
           design
           of
           the
           Papists
           
             (
             Vt
             in
             conventu
             Thorumi
             &
             saepissime
             )
          
           to
           draw
           us
           to
           own
           some
           other
           Test
           of
           our
           Religion
           :
           and
           then
           they
           think
           they
           may
           freely
           dispute
           against
           it
           ,
           and
           charge
           it
           with
           falsity
           ,
           novelty
           ,
           
             &c.
          
           which
           they
           dare
           not
           charge
           on
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           :
           And
           they
           think
           by
           this
           to
           set
           us
           altogether
           by
           the
           Ears
           ,
           while
           one
           is
           for
           one
           Confession
           and
           others
           for
           another
           ;
           Whereas
           in
           the
           Scripture
           we
           are
           United
           .
        
         
           The
           great
           cause
           of
           our
           uncharitable
           censures
           and
           divisions
           ,
           hath
           been
           our
           departing
           from
           the
           Antient
           simplicity
           of
           Faith
           ,
           and
           also
           from
           the
           sufficiency
           of
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           to
           be
           the
           Rule
           and
           Test
           of
           our
           Faith
           :
           And
           till
           we
           return
           to
           this
           
             Scripture
             sufficiency
             ,
          
           and
           
             antient
             simplicity
             ,
          
           there
           is
           no
           hope
           of
           the
           antient
           Christian
           Unity
           and
           Charity
           ,
           while
           proud
           men
           must
           thrust
           their
           own
           Opinions
           into
           the
           Churches
           Creed
           ,
           or
           un-Church
           all
           that
           hold
           not
           such
           Opinions
           ;
           our
           peace
           with
           them
           must
           be
           by
           calming
           them
           ,
           and
           bringing
           them
           to
           themselves
           ,
           and
           bearing
           as
           far
           as
           may
           be
           with
           their
           Infirmity
           ,
           but
           not
           by
           doing
           as
           they
           do
           ,
           in
           lacerating
           the
           Churches
           .
        
         
           We
           know
           it
           is
           here
           objected
           by
           the
           Papists
           and
           too
           many
           more
           ,
           that
           many
           Hereticks
           will
           subscribe
           to
           all
           that
           is
           in
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           while
           they
           misinterpret
           them
           ,
           and
           what
           's
           the
           consequent
           .
        
         
         
           [
           
             Therefore
             a
             plainer
             Confession
             is
             necessary
             for
             men
             to
             own
             that
             will
             be
             accounted
             Orthodox
             .
          
           ]
           We
           deny
           the
           consequence
           .
           The
           Scripture
           is
           a
           Rule
           both
           plain
           and
           perfect
           .
           A
           Heretick
           may
           misinterpret
           the
           words
           of
           any
           other
           Confession
           as
           well
           as
           the
           words
           of
           Scripture
           .
           The
           sense
           of
           the
           counsell
           of
           
             Trent
          
           is
           not
           yet
           agreed
           on
           among
           the
           Papists
           .
           The
           remedy
           for
           Heresie
           is
           not
           to
           impose
           another
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           then
           Scripture
           ,
           (
           as
           if
           this
           were
           insufficient
           and
           we
           could
           mend
           it
           )
           but
           to
           exercise
           Church
           Government
           carefully
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           be
           proved
           to
           teach
           any
           Doctrine
           contrary
           to
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           that
           Magistrates
           and
           that
           Pastors
           do
           their
           parts
           to
           correct
           such
           and
           restrain
           them
           .
           We
           might
           not
           make
           new
           Confessions
           or
           Laws
           when
           ever
           wicked
           men
           will
           misinterpret
           or
           violate
           the
           old
           Ones
           ;
           the
           perfectest
           Law
           may
           be
           broken
           ,
           and
           the
           perfectest
           confessions
           misinterpreted
           .
           We
           conclude
           therefore
           ,
           that
           all
           that
           subscribe
           to
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           particularly
           to
           all
           contained
           in
           the
           Antient
           Creeds
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Lords
           Prayer
           and
           Decalogue
           ,
           do
           make
           so
           full
           a
           Profession
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           that
           none
           may
           reject
           them
           ,
           till
           they
           prove
           by
           some
           inconsistent
           contradiction
           that
           indeed
           they
           hold
           not
           what
           they
           do
           profess
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           we
           deny
           not
           ,
           but
           to
           teach
           the
           People
           ,
           to
           direct
           young
           Ministers
           ,
           to
           stop
           the
           mouths
           of
           slanderous
           adversaries
           ,
           the
           Confessions
           of
           the
           Churches
           are
           usefull
           and
           to
           be
           approved
           .
           And
           
             ex
             abundanti
          
           to
           cure
           the
           jealousies
           of
           disseased
           mindes
           ,
           we
           are
           all
           ready
           in
           every
           Protestant
           Church
           to
           give
           men
           a
           full
           account
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           in
           plain
           Confessions
           :
           but
           with
           this
           Protestation
           ,
           that
           only
           the
           holy
           Scripture
           is
           the
           Rule
           of
           our
           Faith
           ,
           and
           the
           Test
           of
           our
           Religion
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           that
           is
           contained
           in
           our
           severall
           Confessions
           is
           not
           Essentiall
           to
           a
           Christian
           or
           a
           Church
           ;
           nor
           will
           we
           justifie
           every
           Term
           or
           Method
           of
           these
           Confessions
           ,
           as
           perfect
           and
           inculpable
           ;
           but
           as
           we
           are
           certain
           in
           the
           Essentials
           and
           other
           points
           that
           are
           plain
           in
           Scripture
           ,
           so
           for
           the
           lesser
           dark
           points
           ,
           we
           are
           ready
           to
           alter
           any
           thing
           of
           them
           that
           can
           be
           proved
           contrary
           to
           the
           Scripture
           which
           is
           our
           Rule
           .
        
         
           The
           39
           Articles
           were
           lately
           the
           Confession
           of
           our
           Churches
           here
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           but
           now
           because
           of
           too
           or
           three
           Articles
           for
           Ceremonies
           and
           Prelacy
           ,
           this
           Confession
           is
           laid
           by
           ;
           and
           not
           imposed
           upon
           any
           .
           And
           what
           !
           have
           we
           therefore
           changed
           our
           Religion
           ,
           or
           are
           the
           Churches
           in
           
             England
             ,
          
           other
           things
           and
           of
           another
           Faith
           .
           No
           such
           matter
           .
           Who
           will
           affirm
           it
           ,
           that
           knows
           what
           Christianity
           is
           ?
           We
           have
           the
           same
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           same
           Rule
           of
           Faith
           and
           Test
           of
           our
           Religion
           still
           ,
           and
           hold
           the
           same
           Doctrine
           which
           those
           Articles
           express
           ,
           though
           we
           be
           not
           all
           of
           a
           mind
           in
           Ceremonies
           .
           A
           Papist
           ,
           
             Polydore
             Virgill
             ,
          
           truly
           saith
           of
           the
           Protestants
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           therefore
           called
           ,
           
             Evangelici
             quod
             haud
             ullam
             asseverent
             recipiendam
             esse
             Legem
             ,
             quae
             ad
             animarum
             salutem
             pertineat
             ,
             nisi
             quam
             Christus
             aut
             Apostoli
             dedissent
             .
             De
             Invent
             .
             Rer.
          
           l.
           8.
           c.
           4.
           p.
           410.
           
           By
           the
           great
           mercy
           of
           God
           we
           are
           all
           agreed
           in
           the
           authority
           and
           verity
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           that
           's
           enough
           in
           point
           of
           Profession
           ,
           to
           prove
           us
           to
           be
           of
           a
           sound
           belief
           :
           but
           if
           we
           think
           to
           centre
           in
           any
           Confessions
           that
           are
           not
           plainly
           thence
           extracted
           ,
           we
           attempt
           a
           difficult
           and
           needless
           work
           .
           Nothing
           thefore
           can
           be
           pretended
           against
           our
           Faith
           ,
           (
           the
           rule
           being
           so
           perfect
           and
           unquestioned
           )
           unless
           it
           be
           that
           we
           nullisie
           this
           Profession
           by
           contradictions
           ,
           and
           believe
           not
           the
           Scripture
           while
           we
           think
           we
           do
           believe
           it
           ;
           but
           they
           that
           will
           condemn
           any
           Church
           on
           such
           an
           accusation
           ,
           must
           first
           produce
           their
           proose
           ,
           which
           must
           not
           be
           from
           the
           words
           of
           a
           single
           person
           ,
           which
           none
           are
           responsable
           for
           but
           himself
           ,
           but
           it
           must
           be
           the
           words
           of
           the
           Church
           it selfe
           ,
           which
           they
           condemn
           ,
           and
           it
           must
           not
           be
           from
           forced
           ,
           feigned
           ,
           or
           undiscernd
           consequences
           ,
           while
           the
           Church
           doth
           expresly
           
           assert
           those
           truths
           ,
           which
           the
           Accusers
           pretend
           they
           do
           by
           consequence
           subvert
           .
           Such
           a
           connexion
           is
           there
           between·
           Theologicall
           Verities
           ,
           that
           if
           no
           man
           were
           a
           true
           believer
           that
           holdeth
           any
           thing
           consequentially
           inconsistent
           with
           an
           Article
           of
           Faith
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           hard
           to
           find
           a
           believer
           in
           the
           world
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           They
           must
           in
           reason
           admonish
           the
           accused
           Church
           ,
           and
           hear
           them
           speak
           for
           themselves
           ,
           and
           not
           reject
           them
           till
           after
           the
           first
           and
           second
           Admonition
           ,
           ordinarily
           ;
           But
           if
           all
           the
           enemies
           of
           the
           Protestant
           Churches
           at
           
             Rome
             ,
          
           or
           Hell
           ,
           should
           bring
           forth
           their
           evidence
           to
           prove
           them
           void
           of
           the
           Christian
           Belief
           :
           (
           for
           we
           are
           loath
           to
           suppose
           that
           there
           are
           any
           such
           accusers
           among
           themselves
           ,
           )
           they
           would
           all
           shame
           themselves
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           Churches
           in
           possession
           of
           their
           Faith
           ;
           we
           can
           as
           easily
           prove
           that
           we
           are
           Christians
           ,
           as
           the
           
             Romanists
          
           can
           that
           they
           are
           Papists
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           for
           our
           second
           work
           (
           to
           procure
           mutuall
           Charity
           among
           the
           Churches
           ,
           )
           This
           is
           the
           work
           of
           grace
           which
           we
           may
           and
           must
           perswade
           men
           to
           ,
           and
           leave
           the
           blessing
           to
           the
           Lord
           .
           But
           we
           must
           needs
           say
           ,
           that
           one
           of
           the
           greatest
           causes
           of
           our
           divisions
           ,
           is
           the
           admitting
           of
           graceless
           unsanctified
           men
           into
           the
           Sacred
           Ministry
           ;
           who
           being
           meer
           Opinionists
           in
           Religion
           ,
           and
           void
           of
           that
           tender
           love
           to
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Character
           of
           true
           Christians
           ,
           are
           easily
           carried
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           their
           Opinions
           ,
           to
           condemn
           and
           vilifie
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           tear
           and
           tread
           down
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           :
           Whereas
           if
           they
           had
           ever
           known
           themselves
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           been
           more
           compassionate
           to
           others
           ;
           and
           would
           be
           so
           jealous
           of
           their
           frail
           understandings
           as
           to
           be
           afraid
           least
           they
           condemn
           themselves
           ,
           by
           the
           terms
           on
           which
           they
           condemn
           their
           Brethren
           :
           And
           if
           ever
           they
           had
           been
           possessed
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Christ
           ,
           they
           would
           have
           been
           taught
           of
           God
           to
           love
           the
           Brethren
           :
           and
           withall
           they
           would
           have
           understood
           ,
           that
           denying
           them
           to
           be
           Brethren
           ,
           will
           prove
           a
           poor
           excuse
           for
           their
           uncharitableness
           .
        
         
           And
           for
           the
           third
           point
           (
           of
           Externall
           manifestation
           of
           this
           charity
           )
           we
           conceive
           that
           in
           these
           severall
           waies
           ,
           it
           s
           to
           be
           done
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           If
           persons
           of
           different
           Judgments
           in
           lesser
           Controversies
           ,
           do
           live
           neare
           together
           in
           the
           same
           Towns
           or
           Countries
           ;
           that
           they
           should
           lovingly
           joyn
           together
           in
           the
           same
           holy
           Assemblies
           for
           the
           worshiping
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           That
           if
           any
           professing
           the
           substance
           of
           Christianity
           ;
           dare
           not
           joyn
           for
           fear
           of
           sin
           ,
           in
           the
           use
           of
           any
           Ceremony
           or
           Doctrine
           which
           they
           are
           against
           ,
           they
           should
           not
           thereupon
           be
           used
           uncharitably
           ,
           but
           have
           such
           liberty
           as
           is
           consistent
           with
           the
           Peace
           and
           Welfare
           of
           the
           Churches
           and
           Commonwealth
           where
           they
           live
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           That
           the
           Churches
           of
           severall
           Nations
           (
           that
           have
           not
           oportunity
           of
           locall
           Communion
           )
           do
           cheerfully
           acknowledg
           one
           another
           for
           the
           true
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           profess
           Christian
           love
           to
           one
           another
           ,
           and
           a
           readiness
           to
           assist
           each
           other
           to
           their
           power
           ,
           in
           the
           common
           cause
           .
        
         
           In
           some
           ,
           Deare
           Brother
           ,
           We
           conceive
           that
           the
           means
           most
           usefull
           for
           the
           expeditious
           atteynment
           of
           these
           ends
           are
           these
           two
           .
           First
           ,
           That
           the
           Churches
           in
           every
           Nation
           do
           in
           their
           Synods
           recognize
           their
           own
           Confessions
           ,
           and
           also
           receive
           the
           Confessions
           of
           other
           Churches
           ;
           and
           having
           considered
           of
           both
           ,
           do
           send
           to
           those
           Churches
           ,
           whose
           Communion
           and
           friendship
           they
           desire
           ,
           a
           double
           message
           :
           that
           is
           ,
           both
           an
           acknowledgment
           of
           the
           truth
           of
           those
           Churches
           ,
           with
           a
           profession
           of
           our
           Brotherly
           love
           to
           them
           ,
           
             &c.
             
          
           And
           also
           our
           desire
           of
           the
           like
           Brotherly
           Charity
           from
           them
           to
           us
           .
           To
           which
           end
           we
           send
           them
           the
           Confession
           of
           our
           Faith
           .
           In
           order
           to
           this
           it
           were
           to
           be
           desired
           ,
           that
           our
           common
           Confessions
           ,
           
           be
           in
           generall
           the
           holy
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           more
           particularly
           the
           Ancient
           Creeds
           of
           the
           Church
           ;
           (
           if
           this
           satisfie
           not
           )
           a
           fuller
           collection
           of
           all
           ,
           and
           only
           the
           Essentials
           ,
           and
           neer
           adjoyning
           points
           of
           Christianity
           ,
           and
           that
           as
           much
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           in
           the
           very
           words
           of
           Scripture
           :
           if
           this
           cannot
           be
           done
           for
           want
           of
           time
           ,
           or
           concord
           ,
           then
           let
           the
           present
           Confession
           of
           such
           Churches
           be
           sent
           as
           it
           is
           ;
           but
           with
           this
           profession
           ,
           that
           only
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           is
           our
           Rule
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           thing
           in
           our
           Confession
           be
           found
           disagreeable
           to
           that
           rule
           ,
           we
           are
           ready
           when
           we
           understand
           so
           much
           ,
           to
           disown
           it
           and
           correct
           it
           .
           If
           you
           get
           but
           the
           Churches
           thus
           to
           own
           each
           other
           ,
           and
           profess
           their
           Brotherly
           love
           and
           concord
           ,
           your
           work
           is
           done
           :
           some
           such
           acknowledgment
           we
           should
           all
           Subscribe
           .
           
             E.G.
             [
             We
             the
             Servants
             of
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
             representing
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             in
          
           England
           ,
           
             in
             our
             Assembly
             at
             W.
             having
             considered
             of
             the
             Confession
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             in
          
           (
           E.G.
           )
           
             Saxonie
             ,
             and
             heard
             of
             their
             stability
             in
             the
             Christian
             Faith
             ,
             do
             heartily
             own
             them
             as
             the
             true
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
             and
             love
             them
             as
             our
             dear
             Brethren
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             take
             it
             for
             our
             duty
             to
             pray
             for
             them
             ,
             and
             praise
             God
             on
             their
             behalf
             ,
             and
             assist
             them
             in
             the
             common
             cause
             ,
             according
             to
             our
             severall
             capacities
             and
             opportunities
             ;
             and
             we
             earnestly
             desire
             the
             like
             Brotherly
             love
             and
             Communion
             from
             them
             ,
             having
             sent
             them
             our
             Confession
             of
             Faith
             ,
             and
             this
             profession
             of
             Brotherly
             love
             to
             that
             end
             .
          
           ]
        
         
           This
           much
           of
           the
           work
           is
           with
           one
           side
           Actually
           ,
           or
           Virtually
           done
           already
           .
           For
           we
           perceive
           by
           the
           Papers
           you
           sent
           us
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           frequent
           Professions
           of
           many
           Reformed
           Churches
           ,
           that
           they
           are
           generally
           resolved
           to
           own
           the
           Churches
           called
           
             Lutherans
          
           ;
           and
           for
           our
           parts
           we
           take
           it
           as
           a
           thing
           that
           Charity
           alloweth
           us
           not
           to
           question
           (
           though
           in
           every
           point
           we
           be
           not
           of
           their
           mindes
           )
           So
           that
           on
           one
           part
           the
           work
           is
           done
           already
           ,
           and
           nothing
           is
           wanting
           but
           a
           solemn
           manifestation
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           an
           invitation
           of
           them
           to
           the
           like
           Charity
           and
           Communion
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           second
           part
           of
           the
           work
           to
           be
           done
           is
           ,
           that
           those
           Churches
           which
           upon
           these
           Brotherly
           Invitations
           ,
           shall
           reject
           any
           neighbour
           Churches
           ,
           and
           refuse
           to
           own
           them
           as
           Brethren
           ,
           in
           Communion
           ,
           may
           be
           desired
           (
           as
           we
           must
           do
           with
           particular
           Members
           )
           to
           set
           down
           in
           terms
           ,
           out
           of
           their
           Confessions
           the
           Heresie
           or
           other
           sin
           that
           they
           charge
           them
           with
           ,
           as
           the
           cause
           of
           their
           rejection
           ,
           and
           hear
           them
           speak
           for
           themselves
           ,
           before
           they
           judge
           them
           ;
           which
           if
           they
           refuse
           ,
           we
           can
           proceed
           no
           further
           ,
           but
           commit
           our
           cause
           to
           God
           ,
           as
           we
           would
           do
           against
           the
           accusations
           of
           any
           unreasonable
           men
           .
           But
           if
           they
           performe
           it
           ,
           we
           shall
           ,
           it
           is
           like
           ,
           correct
           some
           phrases
           that
           offend
           them
           ,
           and
           explaine
           others
           ,
           and
           give
           them
           satisfaction
           ;
           which
           one
           would
           think
           none
           should
           need
           :
           when
           the
           question
           is
           not
           [
           
             Whether
             we
             have
             any
             errors
          
           ]
           (
           for
           so
           have
           the
           accusers
           ,
           and
           all
           men
           on
           earth
           )
           but
           ,
           [
           
             Whether
             we
             are
             true
             Christians
             ,
             and
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             ,
          
           ]
           which
           nothing
           but
           lamentable
           darkness
           ,
           or
           frowardness
           can
           cause
           Brethren
           to
           deny
           .
           The
           two
           chiefest
           expedients
           to
           satisfie
           ,
           or
           silence
           all
           accusations
           would
           be
        
         
           First
           ,
           To
           reduce
           our
           Confessions
           as
           aforesaid
           ,
           to
           Scripture
           and
           the
           Antient
           Creeds
           ,
           and
           to
           Scripture
           phrase
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           And
           to
           cause
           some
           judicious
           moderate
           men
           to
           draw
           up
           a
           discourse
           containing
           our
           mutuall
           agreements
           ,
           and
           contracting
           our
           differences
           ,
           and
           explicating
           the
           mistaken
           points
           ,
           and
           shewing
           how
           much
           of
           the
           difference
           is
           but
           seeming
           ,
           how
           much
           but
           verball
           ,
           and
           that
           the
           reall
           are
           but
           in
           lesser
           points
           ,
           where
           a
           difference
           is
           tollerable
           and
           consistent
           with
           Christianity
           and
           holy
           Communion
           .
           Some
           of
           us
           think
           it
           no
           hard
           matter
           to
           manifest
           the
           disagreements
           that
           are
           most
           odiously
           exagitated
           ,
           to
           be
           farre
           smaller
           then
           many
           on
           both
           sides
           apprehend
           them
           .
           And
           much
           is
           done
           towards
           this
           already
           ,
           by
           severall
           learned
           Pacificators
           whom
           ,
           you
           have
           excited
           .
        
         
         
           XXX
           .
           Having
           thus
           shewed
           you
           our
           thoughts
           of
           our
           work
           in
           generall
           ,
           and
           in
           particular
           ,
           what
           remains
           but
           that
           we
           return
           you
           our
           hearty
           thanks
           for
           your
           great
           labours
           and
           patience
           for
           the
           Churches
           sake
           ,
           and
           for
           communicating
           your
           endeavours
           to
           us
           ;
           who
           profess
           that
           our
           hearts
           are
           much
           upon
           this
           Work
           ;
           and
           if
           at
           any
           time
           you
           can
           informe
           us
           which
           way
           we
           may
           be
           any
           whit
           serviceable
           to
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           it
           ,
           we
           shall
           very
           thankfully
           accept
           your
           intimations
           ,
           and
           devote
           our
           interests
           and
           abilities
           to
           so
           blessed
           a
           work
           .
           In
           the
           mean
           time
           it
           shall
           have
           our
           hearty
           desires
           and
           Prayers
           for
           success
           ;
           and
           so
           shall
           all
           the
           friends
           of
           Peace
           :
           and
           You
           especially
           ;
           whose
           Name
           is
           hereby
           made
           honourable
           in
           the
           Churches
           ,
           and
           very
           honourable
           to
        
         
           
             Your
             Brethren
             in
             the
             Faith
             and
             Patience
             of
             the
             Gospell
             .
          
           
             Subscribed
             in
             the
             Name
             ,
             and
             by
             the
             Appointment
             of
             the
             Assembly
             of
             the
             Associated
             Ministers
             of
             
               Worcest●r-Shire
               ,
            
             held
             at
             
               Worcester
               ,
            
             
               August
               .
               6th
               1658.
               
            
          
           
             By
             us
             
               Richard
               Baxter
               ,
            
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Kederminster
               .
               John
               Boraston
               ,
            
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Bewdly
               .
               Thomas
               Wright
               ,
            
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Hartlebury
               .
               Giles
               Collyer
               ,
            
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Blockley
               .
               George
               Hopkins
               ,
            
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Evesham
               .
               Joseph
               Trebell
               ,
            
             Pastor
             of
             the
             Church
             at
             
               Church-Lench
               .
            
          
        
      
       
         
           
             Deare
             Brother
             .
          
        
         
           THough
           our
           particular
           Associations
           meet
           once
           a
           moneth
           ,
           yet
           our
           general
           meeting
           being
           but
           once
           a
           quarter
           ,
           I
           could
           no
           sooner
           dispatch
           an
           Answer
           to
           your
           Letters
           .
           Our
           Brethren
           are
           thankfull
           for
           your
           great
           Respect
           in
           Communicating
           of
           your
           Papers
           concerning
           so
           sweet
           and
           desirable
           a
           thing
           as
           the
           Concord
           of
           the
           Churches
           .
           I
           conceive
           the
           way
           that
           we
           have
           here
           expressed
           will
           be
           by
           farre
           the
           most
           expeditious
           ,
           namely
           for
           the
           most
           peaceable
           Churches
           to
           begin
           and
           send
           to
           the
           rest
           .
           First
           ,
           A
           Confession
           of
           their
           Faith
           ▪
           (
           as
           much
           as
           may
           be
           in
           Scripture
           phrase
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           make
           no
           quarrels
           ,
           )
           And
           Secondly
           ,
           With
           it
           such
           a
           Profession
           of
           Brotherhood
           and
           Communion
           ,
           as
           in
           the
           
             Formula
          
           we
           have
           expressed
           ;
           and
           if
           this
           be
           accepted
           ,
           that
           we
           desire
           a
           return
           of
           the
           like
           from
           them
           .
           When
           this
           is
           done
           ,
           the
           work
           is
           done
           ,
           (
           save
           only
           that
           the
           Recording
           this
           by
           their
           Synods
           ,
           and
           Improving
           it
           by
           their
           Princes
           and
           Divines
           must
           help
           forth
           the
           fruits
           of
           it
           )
           If
           they
           deny
           this
           ,
           they
           must
           be
           desired
           to
           set
           down
           in
           their
           Accusation
           the
           Reasons
           on
           which
           they
           deny
           us
           their
           Communion
           :
           which
           when
           we
           have
           received
           ,
           its
           two
           to
           one
           but
           we
           shall
           ,
           partly
           by
           correcting
           our
           Expressions
           which
           offend
           ,
           and
           partly
           by
           explaining
           them
           ,
           and
           partly
           by
           manifesting
           their
           Mistakes
           ,
           give
           some
           satisfaction
           .
           If
           this
           way
           will
           not
           do
           ,
           I
           think
           no
           way
           will
           ,
           but
           Princes
           correction
           of
           Intemperate
           Divines
           .
           We
           may
           calmlier
           thus
           satisfie
           them
           by
           Writings
           then
           by
           confused
           debates
           in
           great
           Assemblies
           ,
           and
           You
           ,
           or
           I
           may
           not
           hope
           to
           live
           to
           see
           an
           Assembly
           of
           all
           or
           most
           of
           the
           Churches
           for
           this
           Work
           .
           The
           Lord
           direct
           ,
           strengthen
           and
           prosper
           you
           in
           this
           blessed
           Work
           ,
           I
           rest
        
         
           
             Your
             unworthy
             Brother
             
               RICHARD
               BAXTER
               .
            
          
           
             
               August
               18th
               1658.
               
            
          
        
         
           
             INSCRIPTION
             .
          
           
             To
             my
             Reverend
             and
             much
             Honoured
             Brother
             Mr
             
               John
               Durey
               ,
            
             Preacher
             of
             the
             Gospell
             in
             
               LONDON
               ,
            
             this
             deliver
             .
          
        
      
       
         FINIS
         .