A76157:308
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.
3. Besides these, there are some that are tractable and of willing minds, that by their expressions seem to be ignorant of the very Essentials of Christianity; which yet I find to have obscure conceptions of the truth, when I have condescendingly better searched them, and helped them by my enquiries. These also (as weak in the Faith) we receive.* 4. Some there are that are of competent understandings, and of lives so blameless, that we durst not reject them; but they hold off themselves, because they are taught to question, if ⟨p. 159⟩not to disown our Administrations; for all that, we give liberty to all that in tolerable things do differ. 5. Some there are, that are secret Heathens, believing with Aristotle, that the world was from Eternity; making a scorn of Christ, and Moses, and Heaven, and Hell, and Scripture, and Ministers, and all Religion; thinking that there is no Devil, no Immortality of the Soul, or Everlasting Life: But this they reveal only in secret, to those that they find capable, by viciousness, unsettledness, or any malignity, or discontent against the Godly, or the Orders of the Church: And yet for the hiding of their minds, they will hear and urge us to baptize their children, and openly make the most Orthodox Confessions, and secretly deride it when they have done, as I can prove. And this is the only differing party among us, in Judgment and design, that is in danger of leavening many,2 that God forsaketh. 6. many there are that have tolerable ⟨p. 160⟩knowledge, and live in some notorious, scandalous sins: some in gross Covetousness, and these will not be convinced: some in common drunkenness, and those will confess their faults, and promise amendment a hundred times over, and be drunk within a few days again; and thus have spent the most part of their lives: some in as constant •ipling, drinking as great a quantity, but bearing it better away: some in ordinary swearing, cursing, ribaldry, whoredoms sometimes. Many in neglect of all Family-duties, and the Lords Day: and some in hateful, bitter scorns at Prayer, holy Conference, Church-Order and holy living, and the people that use it; sometimes rising up in tumults against the Officers