A26912:519
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.
39. And this you do in the very day of our scandals and reproach, where thousands are already hardened into a distaste of serious Religion, by our former divisions and injudicious miscarriages; As if you would thrust these miserable souls yet deeper into Infidelity and Atheism. And when the scandal of our divisions hath turned many (and some old professors of Religiousness) unto Popery; you take the course to turn off more.
40. Yea, by making us thus odious, you do very much to increase the distaste and displeasure of our Afflicters, and to bring more sufferings upon us, as a people that are Fanatics indeed: Even while you make Proud imposition and persecution the cause of our divisions. And when the world knoweth, not only that in the first 300 years of the Church, there were swarms of heresies and sects, and also after Luther's reformation, and among us in Armies, Cities, and Country for about 20 years, even to our own confusion; yet would you tempt them ⟨p. 107⟩to take us for a people not to be believed, by seeming to deny all this. And when I proved to you, that it is Gods way after our misdoings, to take the shame to our selves, that it may not fall on our Religion; and the Devils way to justify the misdoings of Christians, that Christianity and Religion may bear the blame; you give no confutation of any of this, and yet go on to wrong the truth, by defending that which is not to be defended; If there be none of all this that in your eyes is matter fit for your Repentance, I still pray that you may better know what manner of spirit you are of.
40. Yea, by making us thus odious, you do very much to increase the distaste and displeasure of our Afflicters, and to bring more sufferings upon us, as a people that are Phanaticks indeed: Even while you make Proud imposition and persecution the cause of our divisions. And when the world knoweth, not only that in the first 300 years of the Church, there were swarms of heresies and sects, and also after Luther's reformation, and among us in Armies, Cities, and Countrey for about 20 years, even to our own confusion; yet would you tempt them ⟨p. 107⟩