A26906:1007
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. IX.
Distinguish between weakness of Gifts and of Grace, and remember that many that are weak in the understanding of matters of Church-order, may yet be stronger in grace than you.
HE is the strongest Christian and the most Godly man, who hath the greatest Love to God, and heavenliness of mind and life: And this may be the case of many a one, who by some error about the circumstances of discipline and worship, is yet a trouble to the Church. He that offendeth yo• by his mistake and unwarrantable singularity, though he be weak in judgement in that point, and perhaps in many other controversies, may yet be a far stronger Christian, than I who see his error: He may have more Love to God and man, more humility and self-denial, more fear of sinning, and more fitness to die, and more heavenly desires, and patience in tribulation. Let us therefore value men according to the Image of God upon them, and not despise them as weak in grace, because they are weak in this point of knowledge: Though still their errors are not to be owned.
HE is the strongest Christian and the most Godly man, who hath the greatest Loveto God, and heavenliness of mind and life: And this may be the case of many a one, who by some errour about the circumstances of discipline and worship, is yet a trouble to the Church. He that offendeth yo by his mistake and unwarrantable singularity, though he be weak in judgement in that point, and perhaps in many other controversies, may yet be a far stronger Christian, than I who see his errour: He may have more Love to God and man, more humility and self-denial, more fear of sinning, and more fitness to die, and more heavenly desires, and patience in tribulation. Let us therefore value men according to the Image of God upon them, and not despise them as weak in grace, because they are weak in this point of knowledge: Though still their errours are not to be owned.