A26906:722
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.
DIRECT. LI.
The more you suffer by your Rulers (or any men) the more be watchful lest your sufferings tempt you to dishonour them. And the more you are wronged by your equals, the more be afraid lest you should be tempted to withdraw the Love which is their due.
The Honouring of our superiors, is a Moral or Natural duty (of the fifth Commandment) which sufferings will not excuse us from: And so is the Love of all men, even of our enemies. And selfishness and Passion are things so powerful, that it is wonderful hard to escape their deceit: They will blind the mind, and change the judgement, and corrupt the affections, before you are aware, or believe that you are at all perverted.
THe Honouring of our superiours, is a Moral or Natural duty (of the fifth Commandement) which sufferings will not excuse us from: And so is the Love of all men, even of our enemies. And selfishness and Passion are things so powerful, that it is wonderful hard to escape their deceit: They will blind the mind, and change the judgement, and corrupt the affections, before you are aware, or believe that you are at all perverted.
Every man must watch most where his temptation is strongest. Do you not think that you have a far stronger temptation, to dishonour a persecuting Magistrate than a good one? And to hate an enemy than a friend? Therefore arm your selves, and one another against this snare. And when others are aggravating the fault and injury, do you in company remember each other, in what danger you are now of losing your innocency, and of doing your selves more hurt by that, than any powers or enemies can do you. It is an easy thing to Love one that loveth you, and