A26888:497
The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls…
The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadducees and infidels, by Richard Baxter.The certainty of the worlds of spirits and, consequently, of the immortality of souls of the malice and misery of the devils and the damned : and of the blessedness of the justified, fully evinced by the unquestionable histories of apparitions, operations, witchcrafts, voices &c. / written, as an addition to many other treatises for the conviction of Sadduces and infidels, by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for T. Parkhurst, 1691
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.
One thing more I desire to be observed, about the warfare between Christ and Devils; That both sides make great use of Human Instruments, especially of Princes and Pastors or Teachers, and Parents. These are the three great Organs (under Angels) appointed by God, for the Moral, Free Agency in promoting the Kingdom of Christ on Earth: And where these three are Faithful, O! How great a Blessing are they? Therefore it is the grand design of Devils, to Corrupt these three, and to make them Traitors to Christ, that is their Rightful Lord, and Enemies to his Work, and him whom they should Represent. No deadlier Enemies to Children, then ungodly Parents. No deadlier Enemies to the Worshippers of Christ, than Malignant, Proud, Ignorant, Worldly Clergy-men? No such Powerful Enemies to Kingdoms, as Ungodly, Ignorant Kings and Magistrates. O! How much Good, or Mischief may One King, •• Supreme Power do, by the great Advantage that God the Institutor of Government hath given them? Asia, Africa, America and Europe, are doleful Monuments of the Success of Devils, by making Princes, Priests and Parents their Instruments, corrupting them by Ignorance, and by worldly fleshly Baits! Mr. Cotton Mather in the Life of Mr. Eliot the New-England Evangelist, Reciteth this Account of his (p. 93.) why the ⟨p. 245⟩Lin Indians were all naught, save one, Because their Sachem (or King) was naught: For they and the Powwows or (wizards) like Priests, did with Malice, Threatening and Persecution, drive the People from receiving the Gospel, and praying to God. What a dangerous case through Mutual Hostility, and cruel• Persecution, hath sometimes one Law, Political or Ecclesiastical, brought a Nation into, by locking the Church Doors against Unity, Concord, and Mutual Love, and by Stoning the Dissenters from such dividing Snares? And what a Blessing hath one good Prince; yea, one Reforming or Healing Law or Proclamation been to a Land?
One thing more I desire to be observed, about the warfare between Christ and Devils; That both sides make great use of Human Instruments, especially of Princes and Pastors or Teachers, and Parents. These are the three great Organes (under Angels) appointed by God, for the Moral, Free Agency in promoting the Kingdom of Christ on Earth: And where these three are Faithful, O! How great a Blessing are they? Therefore it is the grand design of Devils, to Corrupt these three, and to make them Traytors to Christ, that is their Rightful Lord, and Enemies to his Work, and him whom they should Represent. No deadlyer Enemies to Children, then ungodly Parents. No deadlyer Enemies to the Worshippers of Christ, than Malignant, Proud, Ignorant, Worldly Clergy-men? No such Powerful Enemies to Kingdoms, as Ungodly, Ignorant Kings and Magistrates. O! How much Good, or Mischief may One King, Supream Power do, by the great Advantage that God the Institutor of Government hath given them? Asia, Africa, America and Europe, are doleful Monuments of the Success of Devils, by making Princes, Priests and Parents their Instruments, corrupting them by Ignorance, and by worldly fleshly Baits! Mr. Cotton Mather in the Life of Mr. Eliot the New-England Evangelist, Reciteth this Account of his (p. 93.) why the