A26906:809
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 speech being ended the hearers derided it, and made a Law for Unity to destroy it, and set every man on hating and fighting against his neighbour, to make all one.
It is very desirable that all Christians were perfect in knowledge, gifts and graces, and consequently that there were no different opinions, nor no different forms or modes of worship; but that all were equal to the wisest, and to the most sober, pious, zealous and sincere. But if a Law be made that none shall be endured in any Kingdom•, that are not of this temperament and stature, the subjects of all Princes may soon be numbered. Set `Parents, Schoolmasters and Ministers at work, to make men wiser, and drive them on to diligence in their duty, and restrain men from hindering them, and from intolerable wickedness and sin, and patiently expect the success of this: And what this will not do expect not.
It is very desirable that all Christians were perfect in knowledge, gifts and graces, and consequently that there were no different opinions, nor no different forms or modes of worship; but that all were equal to the wisest, and to the most sober, pious, zealous and sincere. But if a Law be made that none shall be endured in any Kingdom•, that are not of this temperament and stature, the subjects of all Princes may soon be numbered. Set `Parents, Schoolmasters and Ministers at work, to make men wiser, and drive them on to diligence in their duty, and restrain men from hindering them, and from intollerable wickedness and sin, and patiently expect the success of this: And what this will not do expect not.
And I entreat the Separatists who will think this doctrine of forbearance gratifieth them, to observe that I speak all this to them as well as to Magistrates. I told you that there is a Church-persecution and a Church-forbearance, as well as a Civil. If Christ will have Magistrates forbear the weak, he will have you forbear them and not say, We will have no Communion with those that pray by such Frms and Liturgies, or that use such a Ceremony, or are not of our own opinions: Read