A30242:552
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole…
The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgess ...The Scripture directory for church-officers and people, or, A practical commentary upon the whole third chapter of the first Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians to which is annexed The godly and the natural mans choice, upon Psal. 4, vers. 6, 7, 8 / by Anthony Burgesse ...
London: printed by Abraham Miller for T.U., 1659
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.
First, When the Ministry is not one, this is apt in the first place to beget atheism, and irreligion in the people. They begin to think that Religion is nothing but a matter of imagination, or invention; or else that there is no such thing, and therefore they will regard it no more, they will look after it no more. Oh woe be to the world because of offences in this kind! He that makes a division from the true doctrine, or true ends of the Ministry; he had better never have been born; he that is a firebrand here, may fear to be a firebrand in hell: How many Atheists and profane scoffers mayest thou make by this division of thine?
First, When the Ministery is not one, this is apt in the first place to beget atheism, and irreligion in the people. They begin to think that Religion is nothing but a matter of imagination, or invention; or else that there is no such thing, and therefore they will regard it no more, they will look after it no more. Oh wo be to the world because of offences in this kind! He that makes a division from the true doctrine, or true ends of the Ministry; he had better never have been born; he that is a firebrand here, may fear to be a firebrand in hell: How many Atheists and prophane scoffers maiest thou make by this division of thine?
Secondly, Where there is not this unity, it doth much grieve and unsettle the hearts of the godly. They know not what to do; they cannot tell what to take to; such godly men say it's a sin, others as godly say it's not a sin: Now to those that are tender, and would not sin for an whole world, this is a very racking and torturing of their consciences: Oh what shall they do!
Secondly, Where there is not this unity, it doth much grieve and unsetle the hearts of the godly. They know not what to do; they cannot tell what to take to; such godly men say it's a sinne, others as godly say it's not a sinne: Now to those that are tender, and would not sinne for an whole world, this is a very racking and torturing of their consciences: Oh what shall they do!