A26948:66
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters.
A26948:66
Mr. Richard Baxter's last legacy in select admonitions and directions to all sober dissenters.
London : Printed and are to be sold by E. Whitlock, 1697
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
And Sect. 37. They ought to be Preservers of Peace and Charity among Churches, and to hinder Preachers from uncharitable and unrighteous Reviling each other, and their unpeaceable Controversies and Contentions.
Pag. 35. Sect. 40. They may make their own Officers circa Sacra, to execute their Magistratical Power: And if they authorize any particular Bishops or Pastors to exercise any such Power as belongs to the Prince to give, not contrary to Christ's Laws—we judge that the Subjects ought to obey for Conscience sake.
Christian Direct. He that is silenced by a just Power, though unjustly, in a Country that needeth not his preaching, must forbear therefore.
Let none persuade you (i. e.) the Magistrates, that you are such Terrestrial Animals that have nothing to do with the Heavenly Concernment of your Subjects; Bodily things (Rewards and Punishments) are the Means whereby you may promote it; you are Custodes utriusque tabulae, and must bend the force of all your Government to the Saving of the Peoples Souls.
Let none perswade you (i. e.) the Magistrates, that you are such Terrestrial Animals that have nothing to do with the Heavenly Concernment of your Subjects; Bodily things (Rewards and Punishments) are the Means whereby you may promote it; you are Custodes utriusque tabulae, and must bend the force of all your Government to the Saving of the Peoples Souls.
The Mischief of Separation lies not in the bare Error of Judgment,1 but in the Unchristian and Church-dissolving Division and Alienation, which thence followeth; contrary to that Humility and Love, which is the visible Character of Christians, and to that Oneness, which is still in Scripture ascribed to the visible Church. Alas, that Pride and Ignorance should have such power among Believers, that Men cannot be of several Judgments in lesser Points, but they must needs be of several Churches. God will make us value Peace and Union a little more, before we shall taste of the perfect everlasting ⟨p. 13⟩Peace and Union; yea, before we shall see the Blessing of Union in the Church. Wounding is a dividing, healing is a re-uniting; a Building is of many Stones or Pieces orderly conjoined; a Church is an Aggregation of Individuals, an Association of Believers: What then is it to demolish, but to separate and disjoin? and what is it to dissolve Churches, but to break their Association, to reduce them to the Individuals, to cut them into shreds?
The Mischief of Separation lies not in the bare Errour of Judgment,1 but in the Unchristian and Church-dissolving Division and Alienation, which thence followeth; contrary to that Humility and Love, which is the visible Character of Christians, and to that Oneness, which is still in Scripture ascribed to the visible Church. Alas, that Pride and Ignorance should have such power among Believers, that Men cannot be of several Judgments in lesser Points, but they must needs be of several Churches. God will make us value Peace and Union a little more, before we shall taste of the perfect everlasting ⟨p. 13⟩Peace and Union; yea, before we shall see the Blessing of Union in the Church. Wounding is a dividing, healing is a re-uniting; a Building is of many Stones or Pieces orderly conjoyned; a Church is an Aggregation of Individuals, an Association of Believers: What then is it to demolish, but to separate and disjoyn? and what is it to dissolve Churches, but to break their Association, to reduce them to the Individuals, to cut them into shreds?
As for the Differences in way of Government, between the moderate Presbyterians, Independents, Episcopal, and Erastian, I make no doubt, but if Mens Spirits stood not at a greater distance than their Principles, they would quickly be united. But of all the four sorts, there are some that run so high in their Principles, that they run out of the hearing of Peace or Truth.—For Anabaptism and Antinomianism God spake effectually against them, by those wondrous Monsters in New-England; but Wonders are over-looked, where the heart is hardened, and God intends to get his Justice a Name. The fearful Delusions, that God hath formerly given them over to, and the horrid Confusion which they have introduced where they have sprung, hath spoken fully against both these later Sects. The weeping Eyes, the bleeding Sides, the lacerated Members of these Churches, the reproach of the Gospel, the disappointed Reformation, the hideous Doctrines, and unheard of Wickedness that hath followed them, the contemned Ordinances, the reproached, slandered, and ejected Ministers, the Weak that are scandalized, the Professors are apostatized, the Wicked hardened, and the open Enemies of the Gospel, that now insult; all these do describe them more plainly to England, than words can do, and cry loud in the Ears of God and Man. What will be the Answer, time will show; but from Rev. 2. 14, 15, 16, &c. we may probably conjecture.
As for the Differences in way of Government, between the moderate Presbyterians, Independants, Episcopal, and Erastian, I make no doubt, but if Mens Spirits stood not at a greater distance than their Principles, they would quickly be united. But of all the four sorts, there are some that run so high in their Principles, that they run out of the hearing of Peace or Truth.—For Anabaptism and Antinomianism God spake effectually against them, by those wondrous Monsters in New-England; but Wonders are over-lookt, where the heart is hardned, and God intends to get his Justice a Name. The fearful Delusions, that God hath formerly given them over to, and the horrid Confusion which they have introduced where they have sprung, hath spoken fully against both these later Sects. The weeping Eyes, the bleeding Sides, the lacerated Members of these Churches, the reproach of the Gospel, the disappointed Reformation, the hideous Doctrines, and unheard of Wickedness that hath followed them, the contemned Ordinances, the reproached, slandered, and ejected Ministers, the Weak that are scandalized, the Professors are apostalized, the Wicked hardned, and the open Enemies of the Gospel, that now insult; all these do describe them more plainly to England, than words can do, and cry loud in the Ears of God and Man. What will be the Answer, time will shew; but from
He that is not a Son of Peace, is not a Son of God. All other Sins destroy the Church consequently, but Division and Separation demolish it directly. Building the Church is but an orderly joining of the Materials, and what then is disjoining but pulling down? Many Doctrinal differences must be tolerated in a Church, and why, but for Unity and Peace? therefore Disunion and Separation is utterly intolerable. Believe ⟨p. 14⟩not those to be the Churches Friends, that would cure and reform her by cutting her throat. Those that say, no truth must be concealed for Peace, have usually as little of the one as the other. Study Gal. 2. 22. Rom. 14. 1. Acts 21. 24, 26. 1 Tim. 1. 4. & 6. 4. Titus 3. 8, 9. I hope, sad experience speaks this lesson to your very hearts, if I should say nothing. Do not your hearts bleed to look upon the State of England, and to think how few Towns, or Cities there be (where is any forwardness in Religion) that are not cut into shreds and crumbled as to dust, by Separations and Divisions? To think what a wound we have hereby given to the very Christian Name, how we have hardened the Ignorant, confirmed the Papists, and are our selves become the scorn of our Enemies, and the grief of our Friends, and how many of our dearest best esteemed Friends, have fallen to notorious Pride or Impiety, yea, some, to be worse than open Infidels? These are Pillars of Salt, see that you remember them. Though of your own selves, Men should arise, speaking perverse things, to draw Disciples after them, Acts 20. 30. Yea though an Angel from Heaven should draw you to Divisions, see that you follow him not. If there be erroneous practices in the Church, keep your selves innocent, with Moderation and Peace. It must be no small Error, that must force a Separation. Justin Martyr professed, that if a Jew should keep the Ceremonial Law, so he did not persuade the Gentiles to it, as necessary, yet if he acknowledged Christ, he judgeth that he might be saved, and he would embrace him, and have communion with him. Paul would have him received, that is weak in the Faith, and not Un-church whole Parishes of those that we know not, nor were ever brought to a just trial. I ever loved a godly peaceable Conformist, better than a turbulent Non-conformist.
I differ from many, in several things of considerable moment, yet if I should zealously press my judgment on others, so as to disturb the Peace of the Church, and separate from my Brethren that are contrary minded, I should fear, lest I should prove a Firebrand in Hell, for being a Fire brand in the Church. And for all the interest I have in your Judgments and Affections, I here charge you, that if God should give me up, to any Factions, Church rending Course, (against which I daily pray) that you forsake me, and follow me not a step. And ⟨p. 15⟩for peace with one another, follow it with all your might, If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12. 18. (mark this.) When you feel any sparks of discontent in your Breasts, take them as kindled by the Devil from Hell, and take heed you cherish them not. If the flames begin to break forth, in Censoriousness, Reproaches, and hard Speeches of others, be as speedy and busy in quenching it, as if it were Fire in the Thatch of your Houses. For why should your Houses be dearer to you than the Church, which is the House of God? Or your Souls, which are the Temples of the Holy Ghost? Hath God spoke more against any Sin than Unpeaceableness? If ye forgive not Men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you: which Lodovicus Crocius says, is the measure, and essential property of the least degree of true Faith; if you love not one another, you are not Disciples of Christ.
I differ from many, in several things of considerable moment, yet if I should zealously press my judgment on others, so as to disturb the Peace of the Church, and separate from my Brethren that are contrary minded, I should fear, lest I should prove a Firebrand in Hell, for being a Fire brand in the Church. And for all the interest I have in your Judgments and Affections, I here charge you, that if God should give me up, to any Factions, Church rending Course, (against which I daily pray) that you forsake me, and follow me not a step. And ⟨p. 15⟩for peace with one another, follow it with all your might, If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, live peaceably with all men, Rom. 12. 18. (mark this.) When you feel any sparks of discontent in your Breasts, take them as kindled by the Devil from Hell, and take heed you cherish them not. If the flames begin to break forth, in Censoriousness, Reproaches, and hard Speeches of others, be as speedy and busie in quenching it, as if it were Fire in the Thatch of your Houses. For why should your Houses be dearer to you than the Church, which is the House of God? Or your Souls, which are the Temples of the Holy Ghost? Hath God spoke more against any Sin than Unpeaceableness? If ye forgive not Men their trespasses, neither will your Heavenly Father forgive you: which Lodovicus Crocius says, is the measure, and essential property of the least degree of true Faith; if you love not one another, you are not Disciples of Christ.
Public Wars and Private Quarrels usually pretend the Reformation of the Church,1 the vindicating of the Truth, and the welfare of Souls; but they as usually prove in the issue, the greatest means to the overthrow of all. It is as natural for both Wars and private Contentions to produce Errors, Schisms, contempt of Magistracy, Ministry, and Ordinances, as it is for a dead Carrion to breed Worms and Vermin. Believe it from one, that hath too many years experience of it; it is as hard a thing to maintain even in your People, a sound understanding, a tender Conscience, a Lively, gracious, Heavenly frame of Spirit, and an upright Life in a way of War and Contention, as to keep your Candle lighted in the greatest Storms, or under the Waters. The like I may say of perverse and fierce Disputings about the Circumstantials of Discipline, or other Questions, that are far from the Foundation; they oftener lose the truth than find it. Woe to those Ministers, that make unnecessary Divisions, and Parties among the People, that so they may get themselves a name, and be cried up by many Followers. The way to prosper your labours is to quench all flames of Contention, to your power. Study the Peace and Unity of your Congregations, keep out all occasions of Divisions, especially the Doctrine of Separation, and popular Church-Government, the apparent Seminary of Faction, and perpetual Contentions. If ⟨p. 16⟩once the People be taught, that it belongs to them to govern themselves, and those the Scripture calleth their Guides and Rulers, we shall have mad work. They that would pluck up the Hedge of Government, as if the Vineyard could not be fruitful, except it lay waste, to the pleasure of all the Beasts of the Forest, are like the pond, that grudged at the Banks and Dam, and thought it injurious to be restrained of its liberty, and therefore combined with the Winds, to raise a Tempest, and so assault and beat down the Banks in their rage; And now where is that peaceable Association of Waters? We feel now, how those are mistaken that thought the way for the Churches Unity, was to dig up the Banks and let all loose, that every Man in Religion might do what he list.
Publick Wars and Private Quarrels usually pretend the Reformation of the Church,1 the vindicating of the Truth, and the welfare of Souls; but they as usually prove in the issue, the greatest means to the overthrow of all. It is as natural for both Wars and private Contentions to produce Errors, Schisms, contempt of Magistracy, Ministry, and Ordinances, as it is for a dead Carrion to breed Worms and Vermine. Believe it from one, that hath too many years experience of it; it is as hard a thing to maintain even in your People, a sound understanding, a tender Conscience, a Lively, gracious, Heavenly frame of Spirit, and an upright Life in a way of War and Contention, as to keep your Candle lighted in the greatest Storms, or under the Waters. The like I may say of perverse and fierce Disputings about the Circumstantials of Discipline, or other Questions, that are far from the Foundation; they oftner lose the truth than find it. Wo to those Ministers, that make unnecessarry Divisions, and Parties among the People, that so they may get themselves a name, and be cryed up by many Followers. The way to prosper your labours is to quench all flames of Contention, to your power. Study the Peace and Unity of your Congregations, keep out all occasions of Divisions, especially the Doctrine of Separation, and popular Church-Government, the apparent Seminary of Faction, and perpetual Contentions. If
Woe to those Ministers, that make unnecessary Divisions, and Parties among the People, that so they may get themselves a name, and be cried up by many Followers. The way to prosper your labours, is to quench all Flames of Contention. Study the Peace of your Congregations; keep out all occasions of Divisions, especially the Doctrine of Separation, and popular Government, the apparent Seminaries of Faction, and perpetual Contentions. Every tender Conscience should be as tender of Church Divisions, and real Schism, as of Drunkenness, Whoredom, and other such enormous Sins, James 3. 14, 15, 16. Reasons for Christ. Relig. p. 485. Sect. 34.
Wo to those Ministers, that make unnecessary Divisions, and Parties among the People, that so they may get themselves a name, and be cried up by many Followers. The way to prosper your labours, is to quench all Flames of Contention. Study the Peace of your Congregations; keep out all occasions of Divisions, especially the Doctrine of Separation, and popular Government, the apparent Seminarys of Faction, and perpetual Contentions. Every tender Conscience should be as tender of Church Divisions, and real Schism, as of Drunkenness, Whoredom, and other such enormous Sins, James 3. 14, 15, 16. Reasons for Christ. Relig. p. 485. Sect. 34.
If it be objected that I preached to separate Congregations; my Answer is, That I preached only to some of many Thousands that cannot come into the Temples, many of which never heard a Sermon of many years. And what I did, was only to preach to such as could not come to our Churches. Answ. to Letter, p. 24. quasi dicerit that where Parish Churches are large enough, there Separate Congregations are unlawful.
If it be objected that I preached to separate Congregations; my Answer is, That I preach'd only to some of many Thousands that cannot come into the Temples, many of which never heard a Sermon of many years. And what I did, was only to preach to such as could not come to our Churches. Answ. to Letter, p. 24. quasi dicerit that where Parish Churches are large enough, there Separate Congregations are unlawful.
They are, usually, Men least acquainted with a Heavenly Life,1 who are the violent disputers about the Circumstantials of Religion. As the body doth languish in consuming Fevers, when the native heat abates within, and unnatural heat inflaming the external parts succeeds: so when the Zeal of a Christian doth leave the Internals of Religion, and fly to Ceremonials, Externals, or Inferior things, the Soul must needs consume and languish.
For Conformity, 1though to Ministers it be another thing, by reason of the new impositions, than it was to our Predecessors; yet to the People, Conformity is the same, if not easier, (especially to them that I now speak to:) for it is the Liturgy, Ceremonies, and Ministry, that most alienate them. And the Liturgy is a little amended, as to them, by the change of the Translation, and some little words, and by longer Prayers; and the Ceremonies are the same; and Thirty Years ago, there were many bare reading, not preaching Ministers, for one that is now. Therefore our case of Separation being the same as of old, I take it to be fully confuted, by the ancient Non-conformists: and I have so great a Veneration for the worthy Names, much more an Estimation of the Reasonings, of Mr. Cartwright, Egerton, Hildersham, Dod, Amesius, Parker, Baines, Brightman, Ball, Bradshaw, Paget, Langley, Nicols, Herring, &c. that I shall not think, they knew not why they chose this Subject, and wrote more against Separation, than the Conformists did. I am very glad that the pious Lectures of Mr. Hildersham, Mr. R. Rogers, and such old Non-conformists, are in so good esteem among good People, where they will read them, urging the People, not only against Separation, but to come to the very beginning of the Public Worship, and preferring it before their Private Duties.
For Conformity, 1though to Ministers it be another thing, by reason of the new impositions, than it was to our Predecessors; yet to the People, Conformity is the same, if not easier, (especially to them that I now speak to:) for it is the Liturgy, Ceremonies, and Ministry, that most alienate them. And the Liturgy is a little amended, as to them, by the change of the Translation, and some little words, and by longer Prayers; and the Ceremonies are the same; and Thirty Years ago, there were many bare reading, not preaching Ministers, for one that is now. Therefore our case of Separation being the same as of old, I take it to be fully confuted, by the ancient Non-conformists: and I have so great a Veneration for the worthy Names, much more an Estimation of the Reasonings, of Mr. Cartwright, Egerton, Hildersham, Dod, Amesius, Parker, Baines, Brightman, Ball, Bradshaw, Paget, Langley, Nicols, Herring, &c. that I shall not think, they knew not why they chose this Subject, and wrote more against Separation, than the Conformists did. I am very glad that the pious Lectures of Mr. Hildersham, Mr. R. Rogers, and such old Non-conformists, are in so good esteem among good People, where they will read them, urging the People, not only against Separation, but to come to the very beginning of the Publick Worship, and preferring it before their Private Duties.
When I think what holy Learned Men the old Conformists were,1 my heart riseth against the thoughts of separating from them. If I had come to their Churches, when they used the Common Prayer, and Administered the Sacrament, could I have departed and said, It is not lawful for any Christian here to communicate with you? What! to such Men as Mr. Bolton, Whateley, Fenner, Dent, Crook, Dike, Stock, Smith, Dr. Preston, Sibbs, Stoughton, Taylor, and abundance other such? yea, such as Bishop Jewel, Grindal, Hall, Potter, Davenant, Carleton, &c. Dr. Field, Smith, Jo. White, Willet, &c. yea, and the Martyrs too? as Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper himself, Farrar, Bradford, Fillpot, Sanders, &c. Could I separate from all these on the Reasons now in question? Yea Calvin himself, and the Churches of his way were all separated from by the Separatists of their times.
When I think what holy Learned Men the old Conformists were,1 my heart riseth against the thoughts of separating from them. If I had come to their Churches, when they used the Common Prayer, and Administred the Sacrament, could I have departed and said, It is not lawful for any Christian here to communicate with you? What! to such Men as Mr. Bolton, Whateley, Fenner, Dent, Crook, Dike, Stock, Smith, Dr. Preston, Sibbs, Stoughton, Taylor, and abundance other such? yea, such as Bishop Jewel, Grindal, Hall, Potter, Davenant, Carleton, &c. Dr. Field, Smith, Jo. White, Willet, &c. yea, and the Martyrs too? as Cranmer, Ridley, Hooper himself, Farrar, Bradford, Fillpot, Sanders, &c. Could I separate from all these on the Reasons now in question? Yea Calvin himself, and the Churches of his way were all separated from by the Separatists of their times.
He that is not a Son of Peace, is not a Son of God. All other Sins destroy the Church consequently, but Division and Separation demolish it directly. Building the Church is but an orderly joyning of the Materials, and what then is disjoyning but pulling down? Many Doctrinal differences must be tolerated in a Church, and why, but for Unity and Peace? therefore Disunion and Separation is utterly intolerable. Believe ⟨p. 14⟩not those to be the Churches Friends, that would cure and reform her by cutting her throat. Those that say, no truth must be concealed for Peace, have usually as little of the one as the other. Study Gal. 2. 22. Rom. 14. 1. Acts 21. 24, 26. 1 Tim. 1. 4. & 6. 4. Titus 3. 8, 9. I hope, sad experience speaks this lesson to your very hearts, if I should say nothing. Do not your hearts bleed to look upon the State of England, and to think how few Towns, or Cities there be (where is any forwardness in Religion) that are not cut into shreds and crumbled as to dust, by Separations and Divisions? To think what a wound we have hereby given to the very Christian Name, how we have hardned the Ignorant, confirmed the Papists, and are our selves become the scorn of our Enemies, and the grief of our Friends, and how many of our dearest best esteemed Friends, have fallen to notorious Pride or Impiety, yea, some, to be worse than open Infidels? These are Pillars of Salt, see that you remember them. Though of your own selves, Men should arise, speaking perverse things, to draw Disciples after them, Acts 20. 30. Yea though an Angel from Heaven should draw you to Divisions, see that you follow him not. If there be erroneous practices in the Church, keep your selves innocent, with Moderation and Peace. It must be no small Error, that must force a Separation. Justin Martyr professed, that if a Jew should keep the Ceremonial Law, so he did not perswade the Gentiles to it, as necessary, yet if he acknowledged Christ, he judgeth that he might be saved, and he would imbrace him, and have communion with him. Paul would have him received, that is weak in the Faith, and not Un-church whole Parishes of those that we know not, nor were ever brought to a just trial. I ever loved a godly peaceable Conformist, better than a turbulent Non-conformist.