A26912:420
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.
2. There is no one that useth not some things not commanded to make them lawful, in the worship of God: Therefore, if he teach true doctrine, there is no one but useth Idolatry. The antecedent I have oft proved by many instances: The method of every Sermon, and Prayer, the words, the time and length, the translation of the Scripture, whether it shall be this or that, ⟨p. 79⟩the dividing of the Scripture into Chapters and Verses, the Metre of Psalms, the Tunes, Church utensils, Sermon notes (which some use,) Catechisms in forms, &c. the Printing of the Bible, or any other books, &c. none of these are commanded. And all these are used in the worship of God. And must all Christians in the World be taught to fly from one another as Idolaters? Is this the way of Love and Unity?
2. There is no one that useth not some things not commanded to make them lawful, in the worship of God: Therefore, if he teach true doctrine, there is no one but useth Idolatry. The antecedent I have oft proved by many instances: The method of every Sermon, and Prayer, the words, the time and length, the translation of the Scripture, whether it shall be this or that, ⟨p. 79⟩the dividing of the Scripture into Chapters and Verses, the Meeter of Psalms, the Tunes, Church utensils, Sermon notes (which some use,) Catechisms in forms, &c. the Printing of the Bible, or any other books, &c. none of these are commanded. And all these are used in the worship of God. And must all Christians in the World be taught to fly from one another as Idolaters? Is this the way of Love and Unity?
Q. 10. Why should this, brother, be so extreme impatient with me for calling Dividers, weak and peevish, and censorious Christians? If in his own judgement all men be Idolaters, that use any thing in Gods worship not commanded? Is not this to censure all men as Idolaters? And yet is a censure of peevishness on these Censurers a justifying of persecution.