A27045:737
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members…
The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far heretics are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.The successive visibility of the church of which the Protestants are the soundest members I. defended against the opposition of Mr. William Johnson, II. proved by many arguments / by Richard Baxter ; whereunto is added 1. an account of my judgement to Mr. J. how far hereticks are or are not in the church, 2. Mr. Js. explication of the most used terms, with my queries thereupon, and his answer and my reply, 3. an appendix about successive ordination, 4. letters between me and T.S., a papist, with a narrative of the success.
London: printed by R.W. for Nevil Simmons, 1660
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.
Reverend Sir, The noted sanctity, admirable integrity, and extraordinary charity so eminently appearing in your pious actions, (and as I have some cause to think, the indelible characters of your sacred function) hath animated me to make choice of your self rather then any of your coat to this present address: hoping your candour and tenderness will bear with what may be (by others less sensible of the value of immortal souls slighted) interpreted according to the candid and true sense of your supplicant by you. It hath pleased the great and terrible Judge of heaven and earth to put me upon some thoughts more seriously then ordinary of my eternal estate, and to be somewhat doubtful (in the midst of external perturbations) of those internal grounds which I have formerly relied upon; And truly Sir with all cordialness, my desire is clearly to know the mind of my God, which were I truly satisfied in, I should soon wave all other interests to entertain: and assuring my self according to what I have seen and read, the Church of Rome, to which I have long cleaved and adhered, to be ⟨p. 366⟩the pillar and ground of truth, and that Catholic Church which the ancient Creed testifies, we are to believe in: My desire is to be as soon satisfied as may be of your thoughts, whether it ever were a true Church, which I suppose you will not deny, when you consider the first verse of the Epistle to the Romans; and if so, when it made its defection? The reason of my urging this is, because I think all other questions to be but going about the bush, and the true Church being proved, all arguments else easily are answered. I have heard Protestants aver the ancient maxim, viz. Extra Ecclesiam non est salus. Therefore I suppose it the only thing pertinent to my purpose, and necessary to salvation to enquire after. My occasions will suddenly draw me from these parts, unless I hear from you speedily: and doubt not Sir, but I am one who freely will resign my self to hear truth impartially. Therefore I beseech you to send something to me by way of satisfaction the next Saturday, after which you shall be more particularly sensible who the person is that applies himself to you, and in the interim subscribes himself, Sir, A thirsty troubled soul, and yours to his power, Tho. Smith. Feb. 11. 1656. ⟨p. 367⟩Direct your Letter to me if you please to Mr.
Reverend Sir, THe noted sanctity, admirable integrity, and extraordinary charity so eminently appearing in your pious actions, (and as I have some cause to think, the indelible characters of your sacred function) hath animated me to make choice of your self rather then any of your coat to this present address: hoping your candour and tenderness will bear with what may be (by others less sensible of the value of immortal souls slighted) interpreted according to the candid and true sense of your supplicant by you. It hath pleased the great and terrible Iudge of heaven and earth to put me upon some thoughts more seriously then ordinary of my eternal estate, and to be somewhat doubtful (in the midst of external perturbations) of those internal grounds which I have formerly relyed upon; And truely Sir with all cordialness, my desire is clearly to know the mind of my God, which were I truely satisfied in, I should soon wave all other interests to entertain: and assuring my self according to what I have seen and read, the Church of Rome, to which I have long cleaved and adhered, to be