A26892:8470
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.
§. 54. Direct. 32. The Pastors must not be impatient under the abuses which they receive from weak 1or distempered brethren. We must excel others in patience and meekness and forbearance, as much as we do in knowledge and in other graces. If the Nurse or Mother will take every word or action of the child, as if it were the injury of an enemy, there will be no preservation of the family in peace! If children cry, or fight, or chide, or make any foul or troublesome work, the mother will not therefore turn them out of doors, or use them like strangers, but remember that it is her place and duty to bear with that weakness which she cannot cure. The proud impatience of the Pastors hath frequently brought them into the guilt of persecution, to the alienating of the peoples hearts, and the distraction and division of the Churches: when poor distempered persons are offended with them, and it may be revile them, and call them seducers, or antichristian, or superstitious, or what their pride and passion shall suggest; or if some weak ones raise up some erroneous opinions; alas many Pastors have no more wit or grace or pity, than presently to be rough with them and revile them again, and seek to right themselves by ways of force, and club down every error and contention; when they should overcome them by evidence of truth, and by meekness, patience and love. (Though there be place also for severity, with turbulent, implacable, impenitent heretics).
§. 54. Direct. 32. The Pastors must not be impatient under the abuses which they receive from weak 1or distempered brethren. We must excell others in patience and meekness and forbearance, as much as we do in knowledge and in other graces. If the Nurse or Mother will take every word or action of the child, as if it were the injury of an enemy, there will be no preservation of the family in peace! If children cry, or fight, or chide, or make any fowle or troublesome work, the mother will not therefore turn them out of doors, or use them like strangers, but remember that it is her place and duty to bear with that weakness which she cannot cure. The proud impatience of the Pastors hath frequently brought them into the guilt of persecution, to the alienating of the peoples hearts, and the distraction and division of the Churches: when poor distempered persons are offended with them, and it may be revile them, and call them seducers, or antichristian, or superstitious, or what their pride and passion shall suggest; or if some weak ones raise up some erroneous opinions; alas many Pastors have no more wit or grace or pity, than presently to be rough with them and revile them again, and seek to right themselves by wayes of force, and club down every errour and contention; when they should overcome them by evidence of truth, and by meekness, patience and love. (Though there be place also for severity, with turbulent, implacable, impenitent hereticks).