A26883:153
Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who,…Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who,…
Richard Baxter's Catholic theology plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriors who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,Richard Baxter's Catholick theologie plain, pure, peaceable, for pacification of the dogmatical word-warriours who, 1. by contending about things unrevealed or not understood, 2. and by taking verbal differences for real,
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1675
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.
III. And what Practical misguided zeal about worship hath done, almost all Sects, Novatians, Anabaptists, in Germany and here, and the various sort of Churches that refuse Communion with one another, and that condemn, or cast out dissenters from them, and preach and talk and backbite their brethren into the odium or distaste of their seduced auditors; the bitter invectives in Pulpit, talk and press of the several Pastors and people against each other (and worse than words where they have power:) all these speak so loud, as may spare me the labour of any further discovery; and calls us all to make it the matter of our lamentation.
And what shall I say in the conclusion, now I am near to my departure from this contentious world? but sound a Retreat to all these unhappy militants, that will not let Holiness prosper by the necessary advantage of Peace. Cease your Proud ⟨image 18⟩contendings, O vain-glorious Militant Clergy! Learn of the Prince of peace and the holy Angels that preached him, to give Glory to God in the highest, who giveth Peace on Earth, and well-pleasedness. in (or towards) men. Did Christ or his Apostles make such work for Christians as you do? The great Shepherd of the flock will take your pretences of ORDER, ORTHODOXNESS (or Truth) and PIETY, for no excuse, for your corrupting ORDER, FAITH and PRACTICE by your TYRANNY, SELF-CONCEITEDNESS and blind ZEAL and SUPERSTITION; and for using his name against himself, to the destroying of that Love, and Concord and Unity which he hath bequeathed to his Church; and for serving his enemy, and dividing his people, and hardening Infidels and ungodly ones by these scandals. Return to the primitive simplicity, that we may return to unity, Love and peace. Dream not of them upon your own corrupting terms. And read and read over again and again Jam. 3. which doth describe you, condemn you, and instruct you.
And what shall I say in the conclusion, now I am near to my departure from this contentious world? but sound a Retreat to all these unhappy militants, that will not let Holiness prosper by the necessary advantage of Peace. Cease your Proud