by John Dury
in ePub, .mobi & .pdf formats
This text has been initially updated from EEBO-TCP by Project Puritas (Logan West, with David Jonescue and Alex Sarrouf.) www.puritansearch.org. Further revision and editing done by Monergism. Copyright Monergism via universal text usage permission from the above.
"A Peacemaker without Partiality and Hypocrisy" considers the crucial task of reconciling divisions and disputes within the brotherhood of reforming professors and ministers in the Kingdom. At a time when these divisions dishonor their professions and endanger both the Church and State, Dury seeks to provide a Gospel-based roadmap to unity and peace.
The book embarks on a detailed exploration of:
- Christian Pathways to Peace: Here, Dury outlines the means by which peace, both in civil and ecclesiastical contexts, can be achieved. He stresses the roles and responsibilities of both pastors and the laity in pursuing this peace.
- Obstacles to Ecclesiastical Reconciliation: This section delves into the specific challenges hindering ecclesiastical reconciliation. It seeks to identify the roots of division and provides potential remedies to overcome them.
- The Foundations of Brotherly Unity: With a special focus on the Churches of England, Dury examines the essential principles, terms, and motivations that should underpin unity and mutual respect among church members.
Drawing inspiration from biblical texts, the author emphasizes the beauty of unity (Psalms 133:1) and the challenges of division (Judges 5:15, Proverbs 18:19).
Through its chapters, the book systematically tackles various facets of unity:
- Understanding Christian Brotherhood: A deep dive into what binds members of the faith together.
- General and Specific Terms of Unity: Analyzing the general terms of unity and specific agreements among ministers regarding the doctrine of faith.
- The Principles of Forbearance and Toleration: The book discusses mutual toleration's principles and how they can be established and maintained.
- Overcoming Challenges: A thoughtful examination of the causes of disaffection and how they can be addressed and resolved through common consent.
- The Imperative of Unity in Ministry: The concluding chapters stress the importance of unity, particularly within the ministry, emphasizing its necessity and the benefits it brings.
In essence, "A Peacemaker without Partiality and Hypocrisy" serves as a comprehensive guide to fostering unity, mutual respect, and peace within the Christian community, based on Gospel teachings and the spirit of brotherly love.
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Table of Contents
Preface
Preface II.
CHAPTER I. The Introduction, showing the Scope and Matter of the Discourse.
CHAPTER II. Of the first Assertion. Concerning the Law of Christian Brotherhood, what it is, and whereunto it binds us.
CHAPTER III. Of the second Assertion. Concerning the Terms of Unity and Forbearance in general.
CHAPTER IV. Concerning the terms of Unity by themselves what they are, why not regarded, and wherefore they ought to be regarded.
CHAPTER V. Concerning the particular terms of Unity, whereunto the Ministers of this kingdom have attained, in the doctrine of Faith, and in their relation to Christ and his Church.
CHAPTER VI. Concerning the terms of unity in the chief Acts of our Religious profession.
CHAPTER VII. Concerning the terms of forbearance, that therein is, and may be found an agreement.
CHAPTER VIII. Concerning the principles of mutual toleration wherein there is a full agreement.
CHAPTER IX. Concerning the way how to settle and prosecute a mutual Toleration, by rules wherein there is an agreement.
CHAPTER X. Of the rules of condescension, how they may be found out.
CHAPTER XI. Concerning the causes of disaffection and of breaches, how they should be removed by common consent.
CHAPTER XII. The third Assertion. Concerning the motions which should induce us to make profession of this unity and forbearance: Why these are requisite, and what they are.
CHAPTER XIII. Concerning the necessity of Brotherly unity in the Ministry.
CHAPTER XIV. Concerning the usefulness and commendableness of brotherly unity in the work of the Ministry.