Baxter - BX5202 B29 1689

[t i S] by cold or hunger,. a Neighbour Parifl7 tho' forbidden by men, is bound by God to relieve them in difirefs : Every Chriftian is related to all the Catholick Church, and as he hath need, hath right to the Communion ofSaints, out of his Parilh. In London, where fome Churches have excellent men, ifa Lord or Gentleman live in a'farifli where a Patron hath fet over them, one that Preacheth not lincerely but railingly in ftrife, contention; or grofs Error, why may not fuch a man go to. a Neighbour Church ? And why muft that Neighbour Minifter re- pel him ? When yet our Antagonifts in this cafe, maintain that the Catholick Church, being but one, every Chriftian mui `:'o:n- municate in every place where he hath occafion -: And that a Diocefs is the lowett fort ofChureh, of which Parifhes are + ..;tit parcels : And confequeritly a man never feparateth from his ,church, thatfeparatethnot from the Dïocefan. `Chap. XXXI, Point XXVIIí. Of Canon 38. Excommuni- cating APmilers that repent of Subfcriiirg. F Subfcribing prove a Sin , (of which I am paff doubt) 1. this Canon commandeth the Excommunicating Men for repentingof Sin. Whereas Chrift's Law of Excommunication is to Excommunicate none but for not repenting of Sin. Are not thefe two very contrary ? Anddo you think that Chrift will ftand to fuch an Excommunication ? or difown them that are thus call out ? Some Mens abufe of Excommunication is fuch, as ifat laft, if all their Canons be executed, they would tempt Men to doubt whether they live likeChriftians, becaufe they are not Excommunicate; and would make it a good argument, .,[lie is call out of the Church for Confciencefake : ergo, it is a good fign that he is a Man ofConfcience. Or as if theywere but fulfilling [They (hall call out your names as Evil doers, &c.] L. Why fhould you put Cafes that may never come to pafs ? I do not thinkyou were ever commanded to Publifh an Excommunication sigaiuft any fach. M. But to Promife and Swear Canonical Obedience, is a thing ,that is required of us all : And promifing to Sin, is Sin, and oft worfe than a .fudden a`t. Yea, if a Minifter do but omit foone Forms

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