A26906:448
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.
If I had a benefit to do or give, which I can give but to one, ten shall censure me, because they have it not, when the one that had it is scarcely thankful. If you would give all that you have to the poor, when all is given, many that had nothing will censure you more then those that had it will be grateful. Expectations with most men are high, and they understand not your inability: And mens necessities are many and great; And every one will say, why I look but for so much; when all set together is ten times more than you have to give.
And as to the Manner of our duties, the censures will be as sure and many. If I would cure any hearers of an error, instead of a cure, they make me know they feel the smart; And that they came not to be taught, but to be pleased. (So dangerous a thing is it for men to come into the School of Christ, as Judges and not as Scholars, (or Disciples.) Its two to one but there are present many persons of contrary opinions▪ what shall I do to please them all? shall I first preach for Separation, Anabaptism, Antinomianism, P• pery, to please those on those sides; and then preach against them all again to please those on the other side? This would displease them all: (and God and Conscience who are more than all.) If I speak on one side, I lose the other. If I meddle with no Controversy▪ ⟨p. 146⟩I must meddle with no truth: For one or other controverteth all things; (the Immortality of the Soul, Christianity and the Deity, not excepted.)
And as to the Manner of our duties, the censures will be as sure and many. If I would cure any hearers of an error, instead of a cure, they make me know they feel the smart; And that they came not to be taught, but to be pleased. (So dangerous a thing is it for men to come into the School of Christ, as Iudges and not as Scholars, (or Disciples.) Its two to one but there are present many persons of contrary opinions▪ what shall I do to please them all? shall I first preach for Separation, Anabaptism, Antinomianism, P pery, to please those on those sides; and then preach against them all again to please those on the other side? This would displease them all: (and God and Conscience who are more than all.) If I speak on one side, I lose the other. If I meddle with no Controversie