Reliquiæ Baxterianæ, or, Mr. Richard Baxters narrative of the most memorable passages of his…

it much composeth and calmeth our Minds, and killeth the contrary Corruptions, and disposeth us to love and tenderness to our Brethren: So that were we sure to have no other Success, we have a plentiful Reward. As our studies of Heaven, and preaching of it to our People, occasioneth such foretasts that are worth our labour a thousand fold, so do the studies and attempts for Peace. Brethren, our hearts desire is, that as the Lord hath let fall on you, some of the same Spirit of Peace, as on us his unworthy Servants, that you would join with us at the Throne of Grace in prosecution of this Design, and follow it bard with God and Men, and let us be minded of you in those your Addresses to God, not only as Christians, as you do others, but in special at Peace-makers, that we may prosper in this Work, and the Lord would call in the Spirit of Division, and command down those Winds and Waves that have threatened the ruin of his distressed Church; and we hope the Lord will help us to be mindful also of you. Truly, it is sweeter treating with God than with Men. Yet both must be done. And as we desire to resist all Temptations to Despondency, so we hope that the Lord will enable you to break over discouraging Oppositions, with such fixed victorious Resolution as becomes Men that are engaged in so sweet a Work, and honoured to be Leaders under so faithful, omnipotent, and victorious a General. You love not the Work of Piety in general ever the worse for opposition; now would you surcease as discouraged though you had me with more. Let it be also in particular for Unity and Reformation. We shall next give you our Answer to your three Questions. 1. As we did purposely leave the first Question unresolved, so we are loth to put the Question to any one Association, much less to all; lest we either agree not, or agree in Points that may hinder the Work, when we foresee the certain disagreement of others. ⟨p. 166⟩2. To your second we say, Its true that we take our Parishes for true Political Churches; and we take it as probable (and so to be judged by us and others) that all those that constantly submit to the Ordinances and Ministerial Offices, are true visible Members, and take themselves for such; except they do otherwise discover their dissent.

it much composeth and calmeth our Minds, and killeth the contrary Corruptions, and disposeth us to love and tenderness to our Brethren: So that were we sure to have no other Success, we have a plentiful Reward. As our studies of Heaven, and preaching of it to our People, occasioneth such foretasts that are worth our labour a thousand fold, so do the studies and attempts for Peace. Brethren, our hearts desire is, that as the Lord hath let fall on you, some of the same Spirit of Peace, as on us his unworthy Servants, that you would joyn with us at the Throne of Grace in prosecution of this Design, and follow it bard with God and Men, and let us be minded of you in those your Addresses to God, not only as Christians, as you do others, but in special at Peace-makers, that we may prosper in this Work, and the Lord would call in the Spirit of Division, and command down those Winds and Waves that have threatned the ruine of his distressed Church; and we hope the Lord will help us to be mindful also of you. Truly, it is sweeter treating with God than with Men. Yet both must be done. And as we desire to resist all Temptations to Despondency, so we hope that the Lord will enable you to break over discouraging Oppositions, with such fixed victorious Resolution as becomes Men that are engaged in so sweet a Work, and honoured to be Leaders under so faithful, omnipotent, and victorious a General. You love not the Work of Piety in general ever the worse for opposition; now would you surcease as discouraged though you had me with more. Let it be also in particular for Unity and Reformation. We shall next give you our Answer to your three Questions. 1. As we did purposely leave the first Question unresolved, so we are loth to put the Question to any one Association, much less to all; lest we either agree not, or agree in Points that may hinder the Work, when we foresee the certain disagreement of others.