A26906:38
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.
2. Some on the other side will say, that it is an unseasonable time, when so much anger is breaking forth against those that we account Dividers, to mention their faults, and so to stir up more. I will give these men no other answer, than to bid them read the last part of this Book; or else do not talk till they know of what.
3. And some will say that I am doing that which will prove a hurt to my self and others. For if I should draw the People to Communion with the Conformists, there would little compassion be showed to the Ministers that cannot conform. But selfish ⟨image 17⟩wisdom must be shut out of the Council, when we are consulting about the healing of the Churches, and the good of Souls. And indeed there is little danger of this consequence, as long as the people are far more averse to Communion or Concord with the Parish-Churches, than the Nonconforming Ministers are. But suppose it prove true, should we not do good to Souls, and save men from sin, and heal divisions, at the dearest rate? What though it cost us more than is here mentioned; The reviving of decayed Love, and the closure of any of the Churches wounds, is a recompense worth our liberties and lives.
3. And some will say that I am doing that which will prove a hurt to my self and others. For if I should draw the People to Communion with the Conformists, there would little compassion be shewed to the Ministers that cannot conform. But selfish ⟨image 17⟩wisdome must be shut out of the Council, when we are consulting about the healing of the Churches, and the good of Souls. And indeed there is little danger of this consequence, as long as the people are far more averse to Communion or Concord with the Parish-Churches, than the Nonconforming Ministers are. But suppose it prove true, should we not do good to Souls, and save men from sin, and heal divisions, at the dearest rate? What though it cost us more than is here mentioned; The reviving of decayed Love, and the closure of any of the Churches wounds, is a recompence worth our liberties and lives.