A26906:424
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.
Mistake not the nature of the sin of scandal: Think not that it is the bare displeasing or grieving of another; For it is the laying of a stumbling block, that is, a temptation, or occasion of sinning before another.
Indeed the word [offend] hath occasioned the mistake of many in this point, to the great ensnaring of themselves and others. Offending sometime signifieth only Displeasing or grieving another: And this is not the scandal which the Scripture speaks against. But it signifieth also the laying of a stumbling block before another, upon which he may be occasioned to fall into sin; And this is the offence which is called scandal. Abundance of well meaning people, have thought that they must not use any form or words or order or action (especially if it be indifferent in it self) which others are displeased or grieved at: Because they think that is scandal: Indeed there is a grieving others which is scandal; that is, when by grieving them we occasion them to sin. But consider I beseech you these two things.
INdeed the word [offend] hath occasioned the mistake of many in this point, to the great ensnaring of themselves and others. Offending sometime signifieth only Displeasing or grieving another: And this is not the scandal which the Scripture speaks against. But it signifieth also the laying of a stumbling block before another, upon which he may be occasioned to fall into sin; And this is the offence which is called scandal. Abundance of well meaning people, have thought that they must not use any form or words or order or action (especially if it be indifferent in it self) which others are displeased or grieved at: Because they think that is scandal: Indeed there is a grieving others which is scandal; that is, when by grieving them we occasion them to sin. But consider I beseech you these two things.
First, what a wretched person that is. who will sin against God every time that his brother doth not humour him? Durst these persons profess this openly with their tongues? Dare you say, Do not you use such a form of prayer or such a ceremony for if you do, I will sin against God? What elf do you mean, when you blame men for scandalizing