A26906:542
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.
Obj. But at least you have no proof for imposing ⟨p. 180⟩forms •n the Ministers themselves.
Ans. First, I know no man that questioneth but some form of prayer and praise were imposed by God himself, on the Jewish Ministers; And one was taught by Christ to his Apostles: And a form of Profession of faith, and of Baptism and the Lords supper is imposed on all the Ministers of the Church. And Joel 2. 17. a form of prayer is taught the Priests: Secondly, But we are not now pleading for the needless imposing of any forms, nor the causeless restraint of extemporary prayers. I have fully born my testimony against that in due season: But many things are lawfully and necessarily obeyed, which are not lawfully commanded, as I shall show you more anon. I could heartily wish that we could say that all Ministers (of any party) were such as were wholly above the need of forms. Or at least such whose own composures were better for for the Church, than any that could be offered them by others (If it were not a contradiction)
Ans. First, I know no man that questioneth but some form of prayer and praise were imposed by God himself, on the Iewish Ministers; And one was taught by Christ to his Apostles: And a form of Profession of faith, and of Baptism and the Lords supper is imposed on all the Ministers of the Church. And Ioel 2. 17. a form of prayer is taught the Priests: Secondly, But we are not now pleading for the needless imposing of any forms, nor the causless restraint of extemporarary prayers. I have fully born my testimony against that in due season: But many things are lawfully and necessarily obeyed, which are not lawfully commanded, as I shall shew you more anon. I could heartily wish that we could say that all Ministers (of any party) were such as were wholly above the need of forms. Or at least such whose own composures were better for for the Church, than any that could be offered them by others (If it were not a contradiction)