A26906:956
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 what I have said of Catechising, is true also of Prayer & Confession and every other part of worship: In which the Hypocrites part is easy; even the out-side form and lifeless image; But it is the inward Life, the spirit and truth, which is the excellent, heavenly and difficult part.
And what I have said of Catechising, is true also of Prayer & Confession and every other part of worship: In which the Hypocrites part is easie; even the out-side form and lifeless image; But it is the inward Life, the spirit and truth, which is the excellent, heavenly and difficult part.
Eighthly, And some make a formality and a snare of the gift of extemporary expression; And by a preposterous care to avoid all forms, they teach them not these Catechism forms, with that diligence as the matter doth require: But leave their minds void of those orderly well-settled second notions, which should help the first: And thus while some neglect the soul or spirit of Christianity, and others neglect the form or body of it; betwixt them both it is too much neglected by almost all.
Eighthly, And some make a formality and a snare of the gift of extemporary expression; And by a preposterous care to avoid all forms, they teach them not these Catechism forms, with that diligence as the matter doth require: But leave their minds void of those orderly well-setled second notions, which should help the first: And thus while some neglect the soul or spirit of Christ•anity, and others neglect the form or body of it; betwixt them both it is too much neglected by almost all.
Ninthly, Too many are mere worldlings, and ungodly self-seekers, and enter upon the Ministry but as a trade to live by, and never had that humble holy mind themselves, which they expect in the people; But as riches, and preferment and honour and ease, are the things which they most seek, so they do proportion and choose the means accordingly; And when they have thus made themselves contemptible, and alienated the hearts of the people from them, they the call them all that passion can suggest, not for their sin against God, but for crossing their carnal ends and interest.