The cure of church-divisions, or, Directions for weak Christians to keep them from being…

Secondly, But suppose that your deserts be as great as you conceive, and their love to you as little; I would further ask you: First, is it for their own sake who thus hinder their own edification by it, that you are troubled at them? or is it for your selves, because you have not the respect which is your due. If it be the later, I need not tell you what it is for Ministers of Christ thus to seek themselves, and overvalue their own esteem: If it be the former, 2 Why doth it not please you then that they are edified by others, though not by you. Do you think that it is not the same Gospel which others preach to them. And may not that Gospel edify and save them, by the Preaching of another as well as by yours. And if their dis-esteem of you, be a sign or means, that they are not edified by you, is not their great esteem of others who are as faithful a sign and means that they are or may be edified by them.

Secondly, But suppose that your deserts be as great as you conceive, and their love to you as little; I would further ask you: First, is it for their own sake who thus hinder their own edification by it, that you are troubled at them? or is it for your selves, because you have not the respect which is your due. If it be the later, I need not tell you what it is for Ministers of Christ thus to seek themselves, and overvalue their own esteem: If it be the former, 2 Why doth it not please you then that they are edified by others, though not by you. Do you think that it is not the same Gospel which others preach to them. And may not that Gospel edifie and save them, by the Preaching of another as well as by yours. And if their dis-esteem of you, be a sign or means, that they are not edified by you, is not their great esteem of others who are as faithful a sign and means that they are or may be edified by them.

Thirdly, And why are you not much more troubled at the state of all those who are not converted or edified by you, though they do not slight you or forsake you. How many be there that seem to love and honour you, and yet do not love and honour God? but despise religion and their own Salvation? If it be for their sakes and not your own that you are offended, you will grieve most for them that are most ungodly, though they honour you never so much; and you will be glad for them that are faithful and Godly, whose Ministry soever it be that they most esteem.