A26906:1197
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.
Qu. To what purpose do you set together all these words of Scripture, without any exposition, or telling us what you conclude from them?
Answ. I purposely avoid glosses and collections, that you may not say that I obtrude any thing on you of my own, which is not the mind of your Lord himself. And I set them together that they that overlook them, may have a deeper apprehension than they have had. First, What is the true spirit of a Christian, and nature of Christianity? ⟨p. 425⟩Secondly, What is the office and work of the Ministry, and which way they are to win souls, and convince or silence gain-sayers and extirpate errors, and prevent or cure schisms, and secure the Churches peace? And as for them that can seriously peruse all these words of the spirit of God, and yet can find in them no matter of correction or instruction without a Commentary and argumentation, I have no more to say to them at this time; but to add Christs next words Joh. 13. 18. I speak not of you all! I know whom I have chosen.] And I shall annex a few texts which characterize the contrary spirit; Contrary I say, to CHRISTIANITY and the faithful MINISTRY, and with them I shall conclude.
Answ. I purposely avoid glosses and collections, that you may not say that I obtrude any thing on you of my own, which is not the mind of your Lord himself. And I set them together that they that overlook them, may have a deeper apprehension than they have had. First, What is the true spirit of a Christian, and nature of Christianity? ⟨p. 425⟩Secondly, What is the office and work of the Ministery, and which way they are to win souls, and convince or silence gain-sayers and extirpate errours, and prevent or cure schismes, and secure the Churches peace? And as for them that can seriously peruse all these words of the spirit of God, and yet can find in them no matter of correction or instruction without a Commentary and argumentation, I have no more to say to them at this time; but to add Christs next words