A76157:151
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.
And then for the Consequent of the major Proposition (that therefore Ministers must approve of their Profession) I prove it thus. Ministers are naturally free-men, as well as others: and therefore no man can become a member of their charge, and put them upon so great duty as the Relation doth require, against their wills, without their consent, and contrary to their Judgment, and Consciences. It is an exceeding great burden that lieth on us, and a great deal of work that is required of us, to each particular Soul: in our charge we must exhort, instruct, admonish, in season, and out of season, publicly, and privately, and watch over, and govern them, visit them in sickness, comfort, strengthen them, &c. O what a mountain lieth on me, and how should I bear it, if God did not support me? And if every man that will, shall make me more work, and put himself under my Care, without my Consent, ⟨p. 57⟩then I am so far from being a free-man, as all other are, that I am enslaved, and undone in slavery For 1. They may oppress me when they will with Number; and so many may flock in to my charge, in despite of me, as shall nullify the particular Church, and by the magnitude make it another thing, by making it uncapable of its ends, 2. And hereby they may force me to leave undone my duty, both to them and others, by oppressing me with work: For when I have ten times more then I can teach and oversee, I must needs neglect them▪ all or most. 3. And they may abuse the Church, and me with the evil qualities, as well as the excessive quantity of members; and we shall be obliged to give that which is holy to dogs, and to use those as Church members, that are enemies to the Church; and to administrate Sacraments to any, that will have them, how unfit soever; and to profane all Gods Ordinances, and turn them to a lie. 4. And by this means, the Church will be utterly ruined, and made a den of thieves, and a sty of swine: For besides that all the worst may at pleasure be members of it, all men that are faithful, (or most at least) will run away from the Ministry, and sooner turn Chimney sweepers then Pastors.
And then for the Consequent of the major Proposition (that therefore Ministers must approve of their Profession) I prove it thus. Ministers are naturally free-men, as well as others: and therefore no man can become a member of their charge, and put them upon so great duty as the Relation doth require, against their wils, without their consent, and contrary to their Judgment, and Consciences. It is an exceeding great burden that lieth on us, and a great deal of work that is required of us, to each particular Soul: in our charge we must exhort, instruct, admonish, in season, and out of season, publikly, and privately, and watch over, and govern them, visit them in sickness, comfort, strengthen them, &c. O what a mountain lieth on me, and how should I bear it, if God did not support me? And if every man that will, shall make me more work, and put himself under my Care, without my Consent,