←1918
←1918
Baxter wisely recommends an active and orderly use of the gifts of our people under our own superintendence, lest they use them in a way of division against us. He remarks to Ministers, as one of the causes of schism—‘a desire not to make use of the gifts that God has given them for their assistance;’—and he adds,: I am persuaded, if Ministers had thus made use of the parts of their ablest members, they might have prevented much of the divisions, and distractions, and apostacies that have befallen us: for they would then have found work enough on their hands for higher parts than theirs, without invading the Ministry. Experience would have convinced and humbled them more than our words can do. A man that never tried may think he can stir up a block, or pluck up a tree by the roots; but when he sets his hand to it, he will come off ashamed. And see that you drive them to diligence in their own works, and let them know what a sin it is to neglect their own families, and their ignorant miserable neighbours; and then they will be kept humble, and have no such mind to be running up more work, when they feel you spurring them on to their own work, and rebuking them for its neglect; nor will they have any leisure for schismatical enterprizes, because of the constancy and greatness of their employment.’