A26906:402
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.
Secondly, when your zeal is moved by any personal interest of your own: By honour or dishonour; By any wrong that is done you, or any reputation of wisdom or goodness, which lieth on the cause. Or at least when your own interest hath too large a proportion in your zeal.
Secondly, when your zeal is moved by any personal interest of your own: By honour or dishonour; By any wrong that is done you, or any reputation of wisdome or goodness, which lieth on the cause. Or at least when your own interest hath too large a proportion in your zeal.
Thirdly, when your zeal is more for the interest of your party, than for the Universal Church, and the common cause of Godliness, and Christianity; and can be content that some detriment ⟨p. 123⟩to the whole, may further the interest of the party.
Fourthly, when your zeal tendeth to hurt and cruelty, and would have God rather to glorify his Justice by some present notable judgement; than his Mercy by patience and forgiving: And when your secret desire of fire from heaven, or some destruction of the adversaries is greater than your desire and prayer for their conversion. The sure mark of true zeal is, that it is zealous Love: It maketh you love your neighbours and enemies more fervently than others do: But false zeal: maketh you more inclined to their suffering; and to reproach and hurt them.
Fourthly, when your zeal tendeth to hurt and crueley, and would have God rather to glorifie his Iustice by some present notable judgement; than his Mercy by patience and forgiving: And when your secret desire of fire from heaven, or some destruction of the adversaries is greater than your desire and prayer for their conversion. The sure mark of true zeal is, that it is zealous Love: It maketh you love your neighbours and enemies more fervently than others do: But false zeal: maketh you more inclined to their suffering; and to reproach and hurt them.