A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented…
A petition for peace with the reformation of the liturgy, as it was presented to the right reverend bishops, by the divines appointed by His Majesties commission to treat with them about the alteration of it.
Richard Baxter 1615–1691London printed : s.n., MDCLXI 1661
[2], 101 p. · 40k words · Wing B1343 · ESTC R39870
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.
Most Gracious God, According to thy Command we 1have warned this sinner, and told him of thy threatenings, and foretold him of thy certain terrible Judgements, 2that he might sly from the wrath to come, but, alas, we perceive not that he repenteth, or resenteth, but 3hardeneth his heart against reproof, as if he were able to contend with thee, and overcome thy power; O let us prevail with thee 4for grace, that we may prevail with him for Penitent confession 5and reformation, O Pity a miserable sinner! miserable, as that he layeth not to heart his misery, nor Pitieth himself. O save 6him from the Gall of Bitterness, and from the Bonds of his Iniquity? give him stance unto life; that he may recover 7himself out of the snare of the Devil, who is taken Captive by him at his Will. Give him not up to a blind mind, to a seared conscience, 8
of God is according to truth, against them that commit such things, and let him not think in his impenitency to escape thy judgement; O suffer him not, when he heareth the threatenings of thy Word, to
Anger and Jealousy smoke against him, and thou wilt not spare him, but blot out his name from under Heaven, and all thy curses lye upon him, and thou separate him to Evil, even to the worm
that dyeth not, and to the fire that is not quenched. O save him from his sins, from his Impenitency, and the Pride and stubborn. ness of his heart; O save him from the Everlasting Flames,
and from thy wrath, which he is the more in danger off; because he feeleth not, and feareth not his danger;
MOst Gracious God, According to thy Command wée 1have warned this sinner, and told him of thy threatenings, and foretold him of thy certain terrible Judgements, 2that hée might sly from the wrath to come, but, alas, wée perceive not that hée repenteth, or resenteth, but 3hardeneth his heart against reproof, as if hée were able to contend with thée, and overcome thy power; O let us prevail with thée 4for grace, that wée may prevail with him for Penitent confession 5and reformation, O Pitty a miserable sinner! miserable, as that hée laieth not to heart his misery, nor Pittieth himself. O save 6him from the Gall of Bitterness, and from the Bonds of his Iniquity? give him •tance unto life; that hee may recover 7himself out of the snare of the Devil, who is taken Captive by him at his Will. Give him not up to a blinde minde, to a seared conscience, 8a heart that is past feeling, nor to walk in his own counsels, and after his own lusts; Let him no longer despise the riches 9of thy Goodness, and forbearance and long-suffering, nor with a hardened impenitent heart, treasure up wrath, against the day 10of wrath and revelation of thy righteous Judgement, who wist render to every man according to his Déeds, even to them that are 11contentious and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation, and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every ⟨p. 87⟩soul of man that doeth evil. Let him bée sure that the judgement 12of God is according to truth, against them that commit such things, and let him not think in his impenitency to escape thy judgement; O suffer him not, when hée heareth the threatnings of thy Word, to 13bless himself in his heart, and say, I shall have peace, though I walk in the Imaginations of my heart, and add sin to sin, lest thy 14Anger and Jealousie smoke against him, and thou wilt not spare him, but blot out his name from under Heaven, and all thy curses lye upon him, and thou separate him to Evil, even to the worm 15that dyeth not, and to the fire that is not quenched. O save him from his sins, from his Impenitency, and the Pride and stubborn. ness of his heart; O save him from the Everlasting Flames, 16and from thy wrath, which hée is the more in danger off; because hée féeleth not, and feareth not his danger;
Let him know how hard it 1is for him to kick against the Pricks, and how woeful to strive against his maker, lay him at thy footstool in sackcloth, and ashes, in tears, and lamentation, crying out, Woe unto me that I have sinned, and humbling his soul in true contrition, and loathing himself, and begging thy pardoning and healing grace, and begging the 2Prayers and Communion of thy Church, and resolving to sin wilfully no more, but to live before thee in uprightness, and obedience 3all his days; O let us prevail with thee for the Conversion of this Impenitent sinner, and so for the saving of his soul from death, and the hiding, and pardoning of his sins; that he that 4is lost may be found, and he that is dead may be alive, and the Angels of Heaven, and we thy unworthy servants here on Earth 5may rejoice at his repenting, let us see him restored by thy grace, 6that we may joyfully receive him into our Communion, and thou mayest receive him at last into thy Heavenly Kingdom, and Satan 7may be disappointed of his Prey; for thy mercy sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour,
Let him know how hard it 1is for him to kick against the Pricks, and how woful to strive against his maker, lay him at thy footstool in sackcloath, and ashes, in tears, and lamentation, crying out, Woe unto mée that I have sinned, and humbling his soul in true contrition, and loathing himself, and begging thy pardoning and healing grace, and begging the 2Prayers and Communion of thy Church, and resolving to sin wilfully no more, but to live before thée in uprightness, and obedience 3all his daies; O let us prevail with thée for the Conversion of this Impenitent sinner, and so for the saving of his soul from death, and the hiding, and pardoning of his sins; that hée that 4is lost may bée found, and hée that is dead may bée alive, and the Angels of Heaven, and wée thy unworthy servants here on Earth 5may rejoyce at his repenting, let us sée him restored by thy grace, 6that wée may joyfully receive him into our Communion, and thou mayest receive him at last into thy Heavenly Kingdome, and Satan 7may bée disappointed of his Prey; for thy mercy sake, through Jesus Christ our Lord and only Saviour,
Jesus Christ, the King and Law giver of the Church hath commanded 1that [If a Brother trespass against us, we go and tell him ⟨p. 88⟩his fault between him and us alone, and if he will not hear us, we 2shall then take with us, one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses, every word may be Established; And if he shall 3neglect to hear them, that he tell it to the Church, and if he neglect to 4hear the Church, that he be to us a Heathen Man, and a Publican. Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17.] And that we keep not company; if any that 5is called a Brother, be a Fornicator, or Covetous, or an Idolater, or a Railer, or a Drunkard, or an Extortioner, with such a one, no not 6to eat. 1 Cor 5. 11. And that we withdraw our selves from every Brother, that walketh disorderly, and note him, and have no company 7with him, that he may be ashamed: 2 Thess. 3. 6. 14. According 8to these Laws of Christ, we have admonished this offending Brother, who hath greatly sinned against God; and grieved and injured 9the Church, we have earnestly prayed, and patiently waited for his repentance, but we have not prevailed. But after all, 10he continueth impenitent, and will not be persuaded to confess and forsake his sin: We do therefore according to these Laws of Christ 11Declare him unmeet, for the Communion of the Church, and reject him 12from it; Requiring him to forbear it, and requiring you to avoid him, and we leave him bound to the Judgement of the Lord, unless his true Repentance shall prevent it.
IEsus Christ, the King and Law giver of the Church hath commanded 1that [If a Brother trespass against us, wee go and tell him ⟨p. 88⟩his fault between him and us alone, and if hee will not hear us, wee 2shall then take with us, one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three Witnesses, every word may bee Established; And if hee shall 3neglect to hear them, that hee tell it to the Church, and if hee neglect to 4hear the Church, that hee bee to us a Heathen Man, and a Publican. Matth. 18. 15, 16, 17.] And that wee keep not company; if any that 5is called a Brother, bee a Fornicator, or Covaious, or an Idolater, or a Raylor, or a Drunkard, or an Extortioner, with such a one, no not 6to eat. 1 Cor 5. 11. And that wee withdraw our selves from every Brother, that walketh disorderly, and note him, and have no company 7with him, that hee may bee ashamed: 2 Thess. 3. 6. 14. According 8to these Laws of Christ, wee have admonished this offending Brother, who hath greatly sinned against God; and grieved and injured 9the Church, wee have earnestly prayed, and patiently waited for his repentance, but wee have not prevailed. But after all, 10hee continueth impenitent, and will not be perswaded to confess and forsake his sin: Wee do therefore according to these Laws of Christ 11Declare him unmeet, for the Communion of the Church, and reject him
Though you have greatly sinned against the Lord, and against 1his Church, and your own Soul, yet seeing you humble your self before him, and Penitently fly to Christ 2for mercy, resolving to do so no more: hear now the 3glad tidings of Salvation, which I am commanded to declare unto 4you? 1 John 2. 1, 2. If any man Sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous; And he is the Propitiation for our 5sins. 1 John 1. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful, to forgive us our 6sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Isa. 55, 6, 7. Seek the Lord while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near: Let the Wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and ⟨p. 89⟩let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and 7to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Prov. 28. 13. He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them 8shall have mercy. Gal. 6. 1. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a 9fault, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thy self least thou also be tempted. According to this word of Grace *do 11loose the bonds here laid upon you, and receive you again into the Communion of the Church] requiring them to receive you, and not upbraid you with 12your sin, but rejoice in your recovery. And I do declare to you the pardon of all your sins 13in the Blood of Christ, if your Repentance be sincere. And I exhort & charge you, that you believingly and thankfully accept this Great, unspeakable mercy, and that you watch more carefully for the time 14to come, and avoid temptations, and subdue the Flesh, and accept reproofs, and see that you return not to your vomit, or to wallow again in the mire, when you are washed, but obey the spirit and keep close to God in the means of your preservation.
THough you have greatly sinned against the Lord, and against 1his Church, and your own Soul, yet seeing you humble your self before him, and Penitently fly to Christ 2for mercy, resolving to do so no more: hear now the 3glad tidings of Salvation, which I am commanded to declare unto 4you? 1 John 2. 1, 2. If any man Sin, wee have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous; And hee is the Propitiation for our 5sins. 1 John 1. 9. If wee confess our sins, hee is faithful, to forgive us our 6sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Isa. 55, 6, 7. Seek the Lord while hee may bee found, Call upon him while hee is near: Let the Wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and ⟨p. 89⟩let him return unto the Lord, and hee will have mercy upon him, and 7to our God, for hee will abundantly pardon. Prov. 28. 13. Hee that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them 8shall have mercy. Gal. 6. 1. Brethren, if a man bee overtaken in a 9fault, restore such a one in the spirit of meckness, considering thy self least thou also bee tempted. According to this word of Grace *
O Most merciful Father, We thank thee, that thou 1hast brought us under so gracious a Covenant, as not only to pardon the suis of our unregenerate state, but 2also upon our Penitent confession, and return, to cleanse us, from all our unrighteousness, and pardon our falls by 3the blood of Christ, and to restore our souls, and lead us again in the Paths of Righteousness, and command thy Servants to receive us. We thank thee that thou hast thus restored this thy 4Servant, giving him repentance and remission of sin *and returning him to the Communion, of thy Church! 6We beseech thee comfort him, with the believing Apprehensions of thy forgiveness and reconciliation 7through Jesus Christ. Restore unto him the joy 8of thy salvation, and uphold him by thy free spirit, stablish, strengthen, ⟨p. 91⟩settle him, that with full purpose of heart, he may cleave unto 9thee, and now thou hast spoken peace to him, he may not return again to Folly, as he nameth the Name of Christ, let him depart 10from Iniquity, and never more dishonour Thee, thy Church or 11truth, nor his holy profession, but save him from Temptation, Let him watch and stand fast, and sin no more, least Worse befall 12him. Let him not receive this grace in vain, nor turn it into Wantonness, nor continue in sin, that grace may abound. But 13let this old man be crucified with Christ, and the Body of sin be destroyed; that henceforth he may no more serve sin, remembering 14what fruit he had in those things, whereof he is now ashamed, 15and that the End and ways of sin is death, and let us all take warning by the falls of others, and be not high minded but 16fear; And let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed least he 17fall. Let us watch and pray that we enter not into Temptation remembering that the flesh is weak; And our Adversary the Devil, 18walketh about seeking whom he may devour. And let none of us hate our Brother in our hearts, but in any wise rebuke our neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him, and confirm us unto the end, that we may be blameless, in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thee, O Father! and thy Holy Spirit, be Kingdom, and Power, and Glory for ever.
OMost merciful Father, Wée thank thée, that thou 1hast brought us under so gracious a Covenant, as not only to pardon the suis of our unregenerate state, but 2also upon our Penitent confession, and return, to cleanse us, from all our unrighteousness, and pardon our falls by 3the blood of Christ, and to restore our souls, and lead us again in the Paths of Righteousness, and command thy Servants to receive us. Wée thank thée that thou hast thus restored this thy 4Servant, giving him repentance and remissian of sin *and returning him to the Communion, of thy Church! 6Wée beséech thée comfort him, with the beleeving Apprehensions of thy forgiveness and reconciliation 7through Jesus Christ. Restore unto him the joy 8of thy salvation, and uphold him by thy frée spirit, stablish, strengththen, ⟨p. 91⟩settle him, that with full purpose of heart, he may cleave unto 9thée, and now thou hast spoken peace to him, hée may not return again to Folly, as hée nameth the Name of Christ, let him depart 10from Iniquity, and never more dishonour Thée, thy Church or 11truth, nor his holy profession, but save him from Temptation, Let him watch and stand fast, and sin no more, least Worse befal 12him. Let him not receive this grace in vain, nor turn it into Wantonness, nor continue in sin, that grace may abound. But 13
O Most Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, Father 1Son, and Holy Ghost, three persons, and one God, Infinite in Power, Wisdom, and Goodness, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; our Owner, Governor, and Father; hear our Prayers, and have mercy upon us, Miserable sinners.
O Most Holy, Blessed, and Glorious Trinity, Father 1Son, and Holy Ghost, thrée persons, and one God, Infinite in Power, Wisdome, and Goodness, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; our Owner, Governour, and Father; hear our Prayers, and have mercy upon us, Miserable sinners.
from it; Requiring him to forbear it, and requiring you to avoid him, and wee leave him bound to the Judgement of the Lord, unless his true Repentance shall prevent it.
in the Blood of Christ, if your Repentance bee sincere. And I exhort & charge you, that you beleevingly and thankfully accept this Great, unspeakable mercy, and that you watch more carefully for the time
to come, and avoid temptations, and subdue the Flesh, and accept reproofes, and see that you return not to your vomit, or to wallow again in the mire, when you are washed, but obey the spirit and keep close to God in the means of your preservation.
walketh about séeking whom hée may devour. And let none of us hate our Brother in our hearts, but in any wise rebuke our neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him, and confirm us unto the end, that wée may bée blameless, in the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thée, O Father! and thy Holy Spirit, bée Kingdome, and Power, and Glory for ever.
