A26892:7374
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.
Part 3 › Question 134: Quest. 134. What are the mischiefs of unlawful Additions in Religion?
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.
And by this it hath quenched Charity in the hearts of both sides, and taught the sufferers and the afflicters to be equally bitter in censuring if not1 detesting one another. 14. And the Infidels seeing these dissensions and bitter passions among Christians, deride and scorn and hate them all. 15. Yea, such causes as these in the Latin and Greek Churches have engaged not only Emperors and Princes against their own subjects, so that Chronicles and Books of Martyrs perpetuate their dishonour, as Pilate's name is in the Creed, but also have set them in bloody Wars among themselves. These have been the fruits, and this is the tendency, of usurping Christs prerogative over his Religion, and Worship in his Church.
And by this it hath quenched Charity in the hearts of both sides, and taught the sufferers and the afflicters to be equally bitter in censuring if not1 detesting one another. 14. And the Infidels seeing these dissensions and bitter passions among Christians, deride and scorn and hate them all. 15. Yea, such causes as these in the Latine and Greek Churches have engaged not only Emperours and Princes against their own subjects, so that Chronicles and Books of Martyrs perpetuate their dishonour, as Pilate's name is in the Creed, but also have set them in bloody Wars among themselves. These have been the fruits, and this is the tendency, of usurping Christs prerogative over his Religion, and Worship in his Church.
- 1Rom. 14 & 15.
And the greatness of the sin appeareth in these aggravations. 1. It is a mark of pitiful Ignorance and Pride when dust shall thus (like Nebuchadnezzar) exalt it self against God, to its certain infamy and abasement.