A26885:231
Catholic unity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…Catholick vnity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one…
Catholic unity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one religion by Rich. Baxter.Catholick vnity, or, The only way to bring us all to be of one religion by Rich. Baxter.
London: printed by R. W. for Thomas Underhill and Francis Tyton, 1660
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.
2. And it somewhat tieth their tongues from reproaching the ⟨p. 199⟩Faith, and arguing against it, and seducing others from it. And of the two, it would be more hurtful to the Church to have these men open enemies to the truth, and bend their wits and tongues against it, and to have the multitude assaulting their neighbours with invectives and cavils against Religion, then to have them falsely pretend to be Religious.
2. And it somewhat tyeth their tongues from reproaching the ⟨p. 199⟩Faith, and arguing against it, and seducing others from it. And of the two, it would be more hurtful to the Church to have these men open enemies to the truth, and bend their wits and tongues against it, and to have the multitude assaulting their neighbours with invectives and cavils against Religion, then to have them falsly pretend to be Religious.
3. And it is a great mercy to the Church, hereby to have the benefit of these mens common parts and interests. When they profess the same Religion with us, though unsoundly, yet it engageth them to stand for the Religion which they profess; and their illumination and conviction may lead them to do much service for the truth. By this means many hands are at work to build up the Church of Christ. And by this means the lives of many faithful Christians are preserved ⟨p. 200⟩and their estates much spared. Many have skill in building, that are not true heirs of the house which they build. Many have excellent gifts for preaching and expounding Scripture, by which the Church may be edified, and the Truth defended against the adversaries, when yet the same men may themselves be destitute of the Power of this truth. The Church hath great cause to be thankful to God for the gifts of many an unsanctified man: Had the Church been denied the Ministry and Gifts of all mn except Saints, it would have been confined to a narrower room, and many a soul might have ben unconverted, that have been called by the Ministry of unsanctified men. By some such did God work Miracles themselves for the confirmation of the Christian Faith. And in times of war, if the Church had none but Saints to