A26912:85
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.
1. To make up my foregoing Directions to weak Christians more complete. Having directed them about the private matters of their souls, I intended this as another Part, to Direct them in order to the Churches Peace.
1. To make up my foregoing Directions to weak Christians more compleat. Having directed them about the private matters of their souls, I intended this as another Part, to Direct them in order to the Churches Peace.
2. Many good people of tender Consciences and weak judgements, desiring my advice about Communion in the public Assemblies, I found it meetest to publish this general Advice for all, to save me the labour of speaking to particular persons, and to serve those that lived further off.
2. Many good people of tender Consciences and weak judgements, desiring my advice about Communion in the publick Assemblies, I found it meetest to publish this general Advice for all, to save me the labour of speaking to particular persons, and to serve those that lived further off.
3. I saw those Principles growing up apace, in this time of provocation, which will certainly increase or continue our divisions, if they continue and increase. I am sure that our wounds are made by wounding principles of doctrine; And it must be healing doctrines that must heal us: And I know that we cannot be healed, till doctrinal principles be healed. To give way to the prevalency of dividing Opinions is to give up our hopes of future unity and peace. And to give up our hopes of Unity and Peace, is to despair of all true Reformation, and happiness of the Church on earth. If ever the Church be reduced to that Concord, Strength, and Beauty, which all true Christians do desire, I am past doubt that it must be by such principles, as I have here laid down.