A27054:264
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.
§. 11. 9. And when they go abroad in the world, the difference among those that they converse with all their lives, may well be expected to cause much difference in their thoughts. If they be set Apprentices, one falls into a family of one mind, and another of another: And so if they be servants: And their friends and companions will occasion as much: And if they marry, the different judgements of Husbands and Wives may do the same.
§. 12. 10. And especially when differences in Religion have already got possession of all mankind (in some degree) and they set themselves to enquire after the nature of these differences, and ⟨p. 84⟩being at first unskilful are unable to try and judge aright, they must needs fall into great variety of judgements.
§. 13. 11. And the great difference among Preachers and Pastors of the Church will be as powerful a cause of discord to youth and learners, as almost any of the rest: while one Preacher condemneth that as a dangerous error, and frighteneth them from it as a heinous sin, which another extolleth as necessary truth or duty. And yet thus it is in many particulars even where men profess the same Religion: witness the many loads of books that are written by the Papists against each other; As the Dominicans against the Jesuits, and the Jesuits against them; The Jansenists against both, and their odious charges of highest false doctrines and crimes in their provincial Letters, and the Jesuits Morals: Gulielmus de sancto Amore and his partners against the Friars; The secular Priests against the regulars, such as Watson in his Quodlibets, and abundance more such like: And in what Country almost or City do not preachers in some measure differ, and breed diversity of senses in the people? Which Paul foretold even in the purest times and Church, that of their own selves should men arise speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Besides the grievous Wolves that should enter and devour the flock,