A26892:5668
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 103. Direct. 20. Take heed how you let loose your zeal against the Pastors of the Church, lest you 1bring their persons and next their office into contempt, and so break the b•nds of the Churches Unity and Peace. There is no more hope of maintaining the Churches Unity and Concord without the Ministry, than of keeping the strength or Unity of the members without the Nerves. If these nerves be weak or labour of a Convulsion or other disease, it is curing and strengthening them, and not the cutting them asunder that m•st prove to the welfare and safety of the body. Middle with the faults of the Ministry only so far as tendeth to a cure, of them or of the Church, but not to bring them into disgrace, and weaken their interest in the people, and disable them from doing good. Abhor that proud rebellious spirit, that is prone to set up it self against the officers of Christ, and under pretence of greater Wisdom or Holiness, to bring their Guides into contempt; and is picking quarrels with them behind their back, to make them a scorn or odious to the hearers. Indeed a Minister of Satan that doth more harm in the Church than good must be so detected as may best disable him from doing harm. But he that doth more good than hurt, must so be dissuaded from the hurt as not to be disabled from the Good. My brethren be not many Masters (or Teachers) knowing that ye shall receive the greater 2condemnation.
§. 103. Direct. 20. Take heed how you let loose your zeal against the Pastors of the Church, lest you 1bring their persons and next their effice into contempt, and so break the b•nds of the Churches Unity and Peace. There is no more hope of maintaining the Churches Unity and Concord without the Ministry, than of keeping the strength or Unity of the members without the Nerves. If these nerves be weak or labour of a Convulsion or other disease, it is curing and strengthening them, and not the cutting them asunder that m•st prove to the welfare and safety of the body. Middle with the faults of the Ministry only so far as tendeth to a cure, of them or of the Church, but not to bring them into disgrace, and weaken their interest in the people, and disable them from doing good. Abhor that proud rebellious spirit, that is prone to set up it self against the officers of Christ, and under pretence of greater Wisdom or Holiness, to bring their Guides into contempt; and is picking quarrels with them behind their back, to make them a scorn or odious to the hearers. Indeed a Minister of Satan that doth more harm in the Church than good must be so detected as may best disable him from doing harm. But he that doth more good than hurt, must so be disswaded from the hurt as not to be disabled from the Good. My brethren be not many Masters (or Teachers) knowing that ye shall receive the greater