A26906:513
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.
The reason of all this is plain to any judicious Observer. 1. The persons are ignorant and never had the right knowledge and skilful improvement, of the sound doctrine which at first they seemed to embrace. And 2. the power of conceit and fancy brought them comfort or quietness in their change. For they thought before, that if they had not somewhat extraordinary they could have no assurance of salvation: And while they held that sound Doctrine which all about them held as well as they, and found no extraordinary power of it on their hearts, they perceived no difference between themselves and others: But when they had entertained new opinions, and entered into a new Sect, which confidently told them, that they only were in the right, they had ⟨p. 171⟩then something extraordinary to trust their souls on. And the novelty of the matter, and greatness of the change with the conceited excellency of the opinions and party, did make them think that they were now grown very acceptable to God.
To this may be added, that as a life of holiness hath far more opposition from the Devil, the world and the flesh, than the changing of an opinion or joining with a party hath; so it must be harder to get and keep that comfort which is got and kept by faith and holiness, than that which is got by such an easy change.
To this may be added, that as a life of holiness hath far more opposition from the Devil, the world and the flesh, than the changing of an opinion or joyning with a party hath; so it must be harder to get and keep that comfort which is got and kept by faith and holiness, than that which is got by such an easie change.
We see among us what abundance of persons can live like beasts in most odious whoredoms, drunkenness and rage; or like devils in bloody cruelty against the good, and yet be comforted, because they are of the Church of Rome, which they think is the true Church. As if God saved men for being of such a side or party! And why may not Separatists, Anabaptists and others easily take such kind of comfort?