A76157:307
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.
1. That our Churches are lamentably corrupted and diseased, (though they are true Churches, and have Life in them) while they are made so like the unbelieving and ungodly world; and the Garden of Christ is ⟨p. 157⟩made too like the common wilderness For Heathens, and Impious persons, and all sorts of the unclean (almost) are the members of them, where Parishes, or Parish-meetings are made convertible with Churches. I would make the case neither worse nor better then it is. Till within these few years, I knew but very imperfectly how it is, and I thought the case had been better with some, and worse with others then I have found it upon trial. And had I not set upon the duty of Personal instruction, I should never have known the state of the people: But now we have dealt with them almost all in private personally, I shall truly tell you the state of this Parish, by which you may conjecture at the rest of the Nation. I know not a Congregation in England that hath in it Proportionably so many that fear God: and yet our whole Parish consisteth of all these sorts following. 1. Among eight hundred Families, there are about five hundred persons, such as the vulgar call precise, that are rated to be serious Professors of Religion, (or perhaps somewhat more) These live in Unity, and seem to me to seek first the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness; and are of as peaceable, harmless, humble Spirits, and as unanimous without inclination to Sects, or ⟨p. 158⟩Ostentation of their parts, as any people I know. 2. Besides these there are some of competent Knowledge and exterior performances, and lives so blameless, that we can gather from them no certain Proof, or violent Presumption that they are ungodly, or that their Profession is not sincere. So many of these joining with the rest, as make about six hundred, do own their Church-membership, and consent to live under so much of Church-Order and Government, as unquestionably belongeth to Presbyters to exercise, and to be my Pastoral charge.
1. That our Churches are lamentably corrupted and diseased, (though they are true Churches, and have Life in them) while they are made so like the unbelieving and ungodly world; and the Garden of Christ is ⟨p. 157⟩