A26958:170
A moral prognostication I. what shall befall the churches on Earth, till their concord
A moral prognostication I. what shall befall the churches on Earth, till their concord, by the restitution of their primitive purity, simplicity, and charity, II. how that restitution is like to be made, (if ever) and what shall befall them thence-forth unto the end, in that golden-age of love / written by Richard Baxter ...
London: printed for Thomas Simmons, 1680
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.
A Prognostication OF THE CHANGES That will be in CHRISTENDOM, IN THE Golden Age, AND Time of True Reformation and Unity.
1. Because it is made part of our Prayers, [Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven] and [We look for a New Heaven, and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness] I hope, their Opinion is not True, who think that the Earth shall still grow liker and liker to Hell, till the general Conflagration turn it into Hell, and make it the proper Seat of the Damned. Yet, lest this should prove ⟨p. 38⟩True, I will place my Chiefest Hopes in Heaven; remembering who said, [Sell all, and follow me, and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven;] (and not on Earth.) But supposing, that ever the World will come to Full Reformation and Concord, (which I am uncertain of, but do not despair of) I proceed to my Prognostics of the way.
1. BEcause it is made part of our Prayers, [Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven] and [We look for a New Heaven, and a New Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteousness] I hope, their Opinion is not True, who think that the Earth shall still grow liker and liker to Hell, till the general Conflagration turn it into Hell, and make it the proper Seat of the Damned. Yet, lest this should prove ⟨p. 38⟩True, I will place my Chiefest Hopes in Heaven; remembring who said, [Sell all, and follow me, and thou shalt have Treasure in Heaven;] (and not on Earth.) But supposing, that ever the World will come to Full Reformation and Concord, (which I am uncertain of, but do not despair of) I proceed to my Prognosticks of the way.
2. God will stir up some happy King, or Governor, in some Country of Christendom, endowed with Wisdom and consideration; who shall discern the true nature of Godliness and Christianity, and the Necessity and Excellency of serious Religion; and shall see what is the Corruption and Hinderance of it, in the World: and shall place his Honour and Felicity in pleasing God, and doing Good, and attaining everlasting Happiness: and shall subject all worldly Respects, unto these high and glorious Ends. And shall know, that Wisdom, and Godliness, and Justice, leave the most precious Name on Earth, and prepare for the most Glorious Reward in Heaven: In comparison of which, all fleshly Pomp and Pleasure, is Dross and Dung, and worthy of nothing but Contempt.