A26948:52
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters.
London : Printed and are to be sold by E. Whitlock, 1697
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
§ 11. Reas. 8. By these means also Magistrates will be provoked to take Men of tender Consciences for factious, unruly, and unreasonable Men, and to turn their Enemies, and use violence against them, to the great injury of the Church: when they see them so self-conceited, and refusing Obedience in lawful Circumstances.
§ 12. Reas. 9. By this means also the Conversion and Establishment of Souls will be much hindered, and People possessed with Prejudice against the Church and Ordinances, when they take us to be but humorous People, and see us in such Contentions among our selves. To my knowledge, our late difference about some such lesser things, hath turned off, or hindered abundance of People from liking the holy Doctrine and Life which we profess.
§ 12. Reas. 9. By this means also the Conversion and Establishment of Souls will be much hindred, and People possessed with Prejudice against the Church and Ordinances, when they take us to be but humorous People, and see us in such Contentions among our selves. To my knowledge, our late difference about some such lesser things, hath turned off, or hindered abundance of People from liking the holy Doctrine and Life which we profess.
§ 13. Reas. 10. It will seem to the wisest, to savour of no small measure of Pride, when People on the account of lawful Circumstances, dare set themselves against their Governors and Teachers, and quarrel with the Ordinances of God, and with the Churches: Humble Men would sooner suspect themselves, and quarrel with their own Distempers, and submit to those that are wiser than themselves, and that are set over them for their Guidance by the Lord. There may more dangerous Pride be manifested in these matters, than in Apparel, and such lower Trifles.
§ 13. Reas. 10. It will seem to the wisest, to savour of no small measure of Pride, when People on the account of lawful Circumstances, dare set themselves against their Governours and Teachers, and quarrel with the Ordinances of God, and with the Churches: Humble Men would sooner suspect themselves, and quarrel with their own Distempers, and submit to those that are wiser than themselves, and that are set over them for their Guidance by the Lord. There may more dangerous Pride be manifested in these matters, than in Apparel, and such lower Trifles.