A26958:172
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.
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.
2. God will stir up some happy King, or Governour, in some Country of Christendome, endowed with Wisdom and consideration; who shall discern the true nature of Godlyness and Christianity, and the Necessity and Excellency of serious Religion; and shall see what is the Corruption and Hinderance of it, in the VVorld: and shall place his Honour and Felicity in pleasing God, and doing Good, and attaining everlasting Happyness: and shall subject all worldly Respects, unto these high and glorious Ends. And shall know, that Wisdom, and Godlyness, 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.
3. This Prince shall have a discerning Mind, to know Wise Men from Foolish, Good from Bad; and among the Ministers of Christ, to discern the Judicious, Spiritual, Heavenly, Sober, Charitable, and Peaceable sort, from Self-seeking, Worldly Men; that make but a Trade of the Ministry, and strive not so much for Heaven, and the Peoples Salvation, as they do for worldly Honours, Power, and Wealth. And he shall discern how such do trouble the Churches, and the World, and cause Divisions, and stir up Violence, for their own Worldly Interests, and Ends.
3. This Prince shall have a discerning Mind, to know Wise Men from Foolish, Good from Bad; and among the Ministers of Christ, to discern the Judicious, Spiritual, Heavenly, Sober, Charitable, and Peaceable sort, from Self-seeking, Worldly Men; that make but a Trade of the Ministry, and strive not so much for Heaven, and the Peoples Salvation, as they do for worldly Honours, Power, and Wealth. And he shall discern how such do trouble the Churches, and the World, and cause Divisions, and stir up Violence, for their own VVorldly Interests, and Ends.