A26906:1102
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.
The Pastors who will preserve the Churches Peace, must neither neglect to preserve their interest in the Religious persons of their charge; nor yet be so tender of it as to depart from sober principles or ways to please them, nor to make them their rulers, nor follow them into any exorbitancies to avoid their censures.
The Pastors who will preserve the Churches Peace, must neither neglect to preserve their interest in the Religious persons of their charge; nor yet be so tender of it as to depart from sober principles or wayes to please them, nor to make them their rulers, nor follow them into any exorbitancies to avoid their censures.
Both these extremes will tend to confusion: First, They that care not at all what men think of them, do but despise their advantages to do good, whilst they think that they only despise the praise or dispraise of men. We are commanded not to please our selves, but to please all men for their good to edification. Rom. 15. 1, 2, 3. Our power over them is upon their minds and wills, and not like Magistrates upon their bodies or estates: Therefore when we have lost their hearts, we have lost our power to do them good: They will not easily hear him that is despised or abhorred by them. Therefore a prudent care must be taken, that we be not prodigal of our interest in them, lest it prove to be cruelty to their souls.
BOth these extreams will tend to confusion: First, They that care not at all what men think of them, do but despise their advantages to do good, whilest they think that they only despise the praise or dispraise of men. We are commanded not to please our selves, but to please all men for their good to edification. Rom. 15. 1, 2, 3. Our power over them is upon their minds and wills, and not like Magistrates upon their bodies or estates: Therefore when we have lost their hearts, we have lost our power to do them good: They will not easily hear him that is despised or abhorred by them. Therefore a prudent care must be taken, that we be not prodigal of our interest in them, lest it prove to be cruelty to their souls.