The true Catholick, and Catholick church described. And the vanity of the Papists, and all other schismaticks, that confine the Catholick church to their sect, discovered and shamed. / By Richard Baxter, a member of that one Universal Church, which containeth all the true Christians in the world. With an apologetical postscript against the factious principles and writings of Mr T. Malpas, Mr T Pierce, Philo-Tilenus, and such others.

14. And withall, the Devill who is the great enemy of Peace and Unity, is still watching to cast in some bone of contention, and to make use of the opinions, and passions of all, both good and bad, for the accomplishing of his ends. And alas, his subtilty overreacheth not onely the igno∣rant people, but the most learned Divines, and prudent Princes. They shall not manage their af∣faires of State so carefully, but he will engage them against Christ and the Peace of the Church, before they are aware: He will do his utmost, to make the Interest of Christ and the Prince, of the Church and the Common∣wealth, to seem to stand at an enmity to each other, and make Princes walk in a jealousie of Christ and his Gospel, and Mini∣sters,

least they should encroach upon their honour and greatness: And too oft he engageth them in flat opposition, till this stone fall upon them, and grind them to powder.

And the Ministers of the Go∣spel shall scarcely manage their work so wisely, but he will cast in some wild-fire, and find some occasion to make a dissention by. Either the subtilty of men too wise and learned (in their own eyes) shall start some dividing fruitless Controversies; or the zeal of men that are Orthodox o∣vermuch, shall rise up unpeaceably against all dissenters: or he will entangle the godly in some dan∣gerous errors; or he will seek to make men lay snares for their Bre∣thren, by needless impositions, un∣der pretence of order and decen∣cy, and unity and authority; or some passionate words shall kin∣dle

the fire: There are many un∣sound hypocrites among Godly Ministers; and there's too much Pride and passion in the best, and Satan knowes how to make use of all: [what saith he, to the proud, shall such a one be prefer'd be∣fore thee? shall he bear away the applause? shall he eclipse and stand in the way of thy reputati∣on? Did he not speak dishonou∣rably of thee? or carry himself disregardfully to wards thee? Did he not disgrace thee by such an opposition, or dispute.] A hun∣dred temptations hath Satan at hand to kindle dissention, even among the Ministers of Christ: And where he meets with Proud hearts, he seldom misseth of his purpose. If the Disciples were striving, which should be the grea∣test, and if Paul and Barnabas fall out to a parting, no wonder if Pride and dissension be yet

found among the most renowned men. Though its a sad case that it should be so, when we daily preach humility to our people, and know, that except Conversion make us like little Children, we can in no wise enter into the Kingdnm of God, Matth. 18. 3.

How hard a task hath a Peace∣able Minister to keep one Con∣gregation of Christians in peace? But differences will be rising, and one will be provoking another by injuries, or hard words, and few can bear, and forbear and forgive: yea a Master of a Family, findes it hard to keep one small Family in Peace. Yea, two persons will find somewhat to do to keep peace, especially if they have much trading, or deal∣ing with each other, or any cros∣sing in matters of Commodity: yea Husband and Wife that are as one flesh, have much adoe to a∣void

dissentions. No wonder then, if the enemy of Peace, can disturb the Church of Christ.