A27054:180
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness…
The true and only way of concord of all the Christian churches the desirableness of it, and the detection of false dividing terms / opened by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
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.
4. The Unity of the spirit is necessary to the fullness of our joy, and the true consolation of our lives: A private selfish Spirit, hath very little matter to feed his joy; even his own poor narrow and interrupted pleasures: And what are these to the treasures which feast the joy and pleasure of a public mind? If Love Unite me as a Christian to all Christians, and as a man to all the world, the blessings of Christians and the mercies of all the world are mine. When I am poor in my own body, I am rich in millions of others, and therefore rich in mind: When I am sick and pained in this narrow piece of flesh, I am well in millions whose health is mine: and therefore I am well in mind: when I am neglected, abused, slandered, persecuted in this vile and perishing body, I am honoured in the honour of all my brethren, and I prosper in their prosperity, I abound in their plenty, I am delivered in their deliverances; I possess the comfort of all the good which they possess.
4. The Vnity of the spirit is necessary to the fulness of our joy, and the true consolation of our lives: A private selfish Spirit, hath very little matter to feed his joy; even his own poor narrow and interrupted pleasures: And what are these to the treasures which feast the joy and pleasure of a publick mind? If Love Vnite me as a Christian to all Christians, and as a man to all the world, the blessings of Christians and the mercies of all the world are mine. When I am poor in my own body, I am rich in millions of others, and therefore rich in mind: When I am sick and pained in this narrow piece of flesh, I am well in millions whose health is mine: and therefore I am well in mind: when I am neglected, abused, slandered, persecuted in this vile and perishing body, I am honoured in the honour of all my brethren, and I prosper in their prosperity, I abound in their plenty, I am delivered in their deliverances; I possess the comfort of all the good which they possess.
Object. By the same reason you may say, that you are holy in their holiness, and righteous in their righteousness, which will be a fanatical kind of com•ort to ungodly persons.