A27054:245
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. IV. The Love of our own souls obligeth us, considering how many and great impediments discord doth raise against all grace and duty, and against our holiness, comfort and salvation: And how much Christian Love and Concord do conduce to the preservation of all grace, and to the attainment of Glory: All men in true Concord are our helpers, and all men in discord are our hinderers, and tempters. How fair and easy is the way to Heaven among true Loving and agreeing Christians? and how hard is it where divisions and contentions take place?
§. 4. IV. The Love of our own souls obligeth us, considering how many and great impediments discord doth raise against all grace and duty, and against our holiness, comfort and salvation: And how much Christian Love and Concord do conduce to the preservation of all grace, and to the attainment of Glory: All men in true Concord are our helpers, and all men in discord are our hinderers, and tempters. How fair and easie is the way to Heaven among true Loving and agreeing Christians? and how hard is it where divisions and contentions take place?
§. 5. V. The Love of our neighbours souls obligeth us to this: That which is best for us is best for them. Alas, carnal minds deceived by sin need not to have the way to heaven made harder, nor to ⟨p. 77⟩be tempted by the discords of Christians to despise them: Their own malignity and the devils temptations, when we have done our best may suffice to deceive them and undo them: Every Christian should be a helper to the salvation of all about him, and a soldier under Christ, to fight against Satan as he is the great divider and destroyer. As ever therefore we pity the souls of sinners, and would not be guilty of their damnation, we should keep the Unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
§. 5. V. The Love of our neighbours souls obligeth us to this: That which is best for us is best for them. Alas, carnal minds deceived by sin need not to have the way to heaven made harder, nor to ⟨p. 77⟩