A26906:739
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.
And though it be sad that true Christians should abuse each other, yet this also must be born. Many can beareth: scorn and cruelties of the openly profane, who can scarce bear to be neglected or set light by, much less to be hardly censured by the Religious. But observe first, that your Pride may notably appear in this: and it is no great sign of humility to suffer only from the worst. For you look on them as persons of no honour, and the • fore not capable of dishonouring you: For a dog to bark at you, you take for no disgrace: Nay you take it for your honour to suffer by such persons, as supposing it a mark of Christs disciples. But the Religious you more reverence, and think their contempt is a great dishonour to you; and ⟨p. 248⟩fore your pride will not suffer you to bear it patiently.
And though it be sad that true Christians should abuse each other, yet this also must be born. Many can bear•th: scorn and cruelties of the openly profane, who can scarce bear to be neglected or set light by, much less to be hardly censured by the Religious. But observe first, that your Pride may notably appear in this: and it is no great sign of humility to suffer only from the worst. For you look on them as persons of no honour, and the • fore not capable of dishonouring you: For a dog to bark at you, you take for no disgrace: Nay you take it for your honour to suffer by such persons, as supposing it a mark of Christs disciples. But the Religious you more reverence, and think their contempt is a great dishonour to you; and ⟨p. 248⟩fore your pride will not suffer you to bear it patiently.
Secondly, And remember that different opinions and interests may possibly so far exasperate some that are otherwise religious, as to make them afflicters, or more plainly, persecutors of one another, though Godliness it self be applauded by them all. The experience of England, Scotland and Ireland within these 25 years doth sadly tell us and the world, how far men can go in persecuting each other for different interests and opinions, who all profess a zeal for godliness.