A26906:1004
The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…
The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being dividers or troublers of the church with some directions to the pastors how to deal with such Christians / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Nevil Symmons, 1670
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.
DIRECT. VIII.
Remember Christs interest in the weakest of his servants, and do nothing to them which Christ will not take well.
Think well how far he beareth with them, and how far he owneth them, and how tender he is of them in all their weaknesses. If it be a member of Christ that you are offended with, though you must never the more love the fault, yet remember how you must use the person. It was not for nothing that he setteth little children before his disciples, when he would teach them not only humility, but respect and patience towards each other by his example. Math. 18. And how terrible a passage is it v. 5, 6. Who so shall receive one such little child in my name, receiveth me: But who so shall offend one of these little ones, that believe in me, it were far better him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. And Math. 25. What is done to one of the least of his brethren (for so he calleth them) Christ judgeth as done unto himself. He will not break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, until he bring forth judgement unto victory. Remember but Christs interest in them and affections to them, and imitate his tenderness and pity.