A26912:238
A defence of the principles of love, which are necessary to the unity and…
A defence of the principles of love, which are necessary to the unity and concord of Christians and are delivered in a book called The cure of church-divisions ... / by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for Nevil Simmons, 1671
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.
9. And hereby all possibility of Union among Christians and Churches must perish, till this Opinion perish: For if we must unite only in that which is not in being, we must not unite at all. If we must all in singing Psalms, agree in no Metre or Tune in the Church but one that Scripture hath prescribed us, we shall sing with lamentable discord.
10. And hereby is laid a snare to tempt men into odious censures of each other: Because studied Sermons, printed Books, Catechisms and Forms of Prayer, are Images and Idolatry, in these mens conceits, all Gods Churches in the world must be censured as Idolatrous. And almost all his Ministers in the world must be accounted Idolaters; Children must account their Parents Idolaters, and disobey them that would teach them a Catechism, Psalm or Form of Prayer. Our Libraries must be burnt or cast away as Images; And when Ministers are diminished, and accounted Idolaters, if Satan could next but persuade people against all the holy Books of the Ministers of Christ (such as Bolton's, Prestons, &c.) as Images and Idols, had he not plaid a more successful game, then he did by Julian, and doth by the Turks, who keep the Christians but from humane Learning?
10. And hereby is laid a snare to tempt men into odious censures of each other: Because studied Sermons, printed Books, Catechisms and Forms of Prayer, are Images and Idolatry, in these mens conceits, all Gods Churches in the world must be censured as Idolatrous. And almost all his Ministers in the world must be accounted Idolaters; Children must account their Parents Idolaters, and disobey them that would teach them a Catechism, Psalm or Form of Prayer. Our Libraries must be burnt or cast away as Images; And when Ministers are diminished, and accounted Idolaters, if Satan could next but perswade people against all the holy Books of the Ministers of Christ (such as Boltons, Prestons, &c.) as Images and Idols, had he not plaid a more succesful game, then he did by Iulian, and doth by the Turks, who keep the Christians but from humane Learning?