A26965:54
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things…
The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacify such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.The nonconformists plea for peace, or, An account of their judgment in certain things in which they are misunderstood written to reconcile and pacifie such as by mistaking them hinder love and concord / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1679
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.
Yet as it is the good providence of God, that the Names of Wisdom, Godliness, Truth, Justice, Mercy, Honesty and Virtue, are all still honourable even among those that hate and oppose them; and the names of Folly, Ungodliness, Lying, Unjustice, Unmercifulness, Dishonesty and Vice, are all dishonourable where the things themselves are followed and prevail; so Love, ⟨p. 3⟩Peace and Concord, are names that are by most commended; when if most were for the things indeed, we were in a hopeful way of recovery: And Malice, Schism and Discord, are cried down by those, whom no entreaty will prevail with to forbear them, or to accept any remedy against them.
Yet as it is the good providence of God, that the Names of Wisdom, Godliness, Truth, Justice, Mercy, Honesty and Vertue, are all still honourable even among those that hate and oppose them; and the names of Folly, Ungodliness, Lying, Unjustice, Unmercifulness, Dishonesty and Vice, are all dishonourable where the things themselves are followed and prevail; so Love, ⟨p. 3⟩Peace and Concord, are names that are by most commended; when if most were for the things indeed, we were in a hopeful way of recovery: And Malice, Schism and Discord, are cryed down by those, whom no intreaty will prevail with to forbear them, or to accept any remedy against them.
Yet we are thus far prepared for peace, that if we be not false Hypocrites, if we did but know which is the true way of Love, Peace and Concord we would follow it: And if we knew what is Schism indeed, we would avoid it. And its pity that men that think themselves wise should yet not know the way of Love and Peace: Especially that the Learned Preachers of the Gospel of Love and Peace, should still be the incendiaries, and stir up the Laity that would be more peaceable, against each other. And that after so many Volumes of History have these thirteen hundred years at least, asperst the Clergy with the reproach of being the contentious troublers of the world. And yet must we despair of a cure of so odious a disease?