A76157:110
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of…
Confirmation and restoration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the sovereign powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and welfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.Confirmation and restauration the necessary means of reformation, and reconciliation; for the healing of the corruptions and divisions of the churches: submissively, but earnestly tendered to the consideration of the soveraigne powers, magistrates, ministers, and people, that they may awake, and be up and doing in the execution of so much, as appeareth to be necessary as they are true to Christ, his Church and Gospel, and to their own and others souls, and to the peace and wellfare of the nations; and as they will answer the neglect to Christ, at their peril. / By Richard Baxter, an unworthy minister of Christ, that longeth to see the healing of the churches.
London: printed by A.M. for Nevil Simmons book-seller, 1658
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.
I know that any thing that may truly be called a Profession, will (in that point) seem to prove the Being of the Church. But as it will not seem to prove the well-being; so an obscure Profession doth but obscurely prove the Being of it: which an open, plain Profession doth more clearly prove. Let us ⟨p. 36⟩not befriend either the Kingdom of darkness, or the Separatists so much, as to leave our Churches so open to their exceptions, and so apt to cherish and befriend their ignorance, and infidelity of the world. If coming to Church, and sitting there be somewhat a probable argument, that men do implicitly believe, as that Church believes; yet, it's a very dark proof, that they understand what the Church believes: especially when experience hath acquainted us with the Contrary of many of them.
I know that any thing that may truly be called a Profession, will (in that point) seem to prove the Being of the Church. But as it will not seem to prove the well-being; so an obscure Profession doth but obscurely prove the Being of it: which an open, plain Profession doth more clearly prove. Let us ⟨p. 36⟩not befriend either the Kingdom of darkness, or the Seperatists so much, as to leave our Churches so open to their exceptions, and so apt to cherish and befriend their ignorance, and infidelity of the world. If coming to Church, and sitting there be somewhat a probable argument, that men do implicitly believe, as that Church believes; yet, it's a very dark proof, that they understand what the Church believes: especially when experience hath acquainted us with the Contray of many of them.
But now I have said this much for a personal and plain Profession, I would fain know what any man hath against it. The Church through the great mercy of God, hath yet liberty to use it. And we see how many thousands make a blind kind of show of Christianity, going from one public duty to another, and knowing not what they do.1