A76157:138
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.
The first is grounded by almost all Christians that I know of, and therefore need not may words.
1. If every man should be the sole Judge of the soundness, and validity of his own Profession, then Heretics, and Heathens, and Infidels may all crowd into the Church: for when there is any outward advantage, or other common motive to induce them to it, they would all join with the Church: as if they were Christians. And we see that it is the custom of Heretics to intrude: And who shall say to any of them, why do you so, if themselves are the only Judges? We meet daily among our own neighbours, with abundance that know not whether Christ be God or man; nor who he is, nor what he hath done for us, nor why he came into the world, and are ignorant of almost all the Essentials of the Christian Faith; and with abundance more that live in common drunkenness, scorning at holy duties, and at a Godly life, and hating those that use it, and giving up themselves wholly to the flesh, and the world: And yet all these men are so confident of the soundness, and validity of their own Profession, that they will hate that Minister, that shall make any question of their Right to the Privileges of the Church. I speak not by hearsay, or conjecture, but by sad experience. And if they be their own judges, all these will be approved, and admitted; ⟨p. 51⟩and indeed, what man would not be admitted where Christianity is in credit, or hath any worldly advantages? so that it's certain, that this would pluck up the hedge, and lay open the Vineyard of Christ unto the wilderness. For self-love is such a powerful blinding thing, that it will make every man almost, especially of the worser sort, approve of that which is their Own.
1. If every man should be the sole Judge of the soundness, and validity of his own Profession, then Hereticks, and Heathens, and Infidels may all croud into the Church: for when there is any outward advantage, or other common motive to induce them to it, they would all joyn with the Church: as if they were Christians. And we see that it is the custom of Hereticks to intrude: And who shall say to any of them, why do you so, if themselves are the only Judges? We meet daily among our own neighbours, with abundance that know not whether Christ be God or man; nor who he is, nor what he hath done for us, nor why he came into the world, and are ignorant of almost all the Essentials of the Christian Faith; and with abundance more that live in common drunkenness, scorning at holy duties, and at a Godly life, and hating those that use it, and giving up themselves wholly to the flesh, and the world: And yet all these men are so confident of the soundness, and validity of their own Profession, that they will hate that Minister, that shall make any question of their Right to the Priviledges of the Church. I speak not by hearsay, or conjecture, but by sad experience. And if they be their own judges, all these will be approved, and admitted;