A76157:309
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.
that hear us from day to day, yea and some few of them learn the words of the Catechism, and yet know not almost any more, then the veryest Heathen in America. They all confess, that we must mend our lives, and serve God: but they know not that God is Eternal, or that Christ is God, or that he is man, but say, he is a Spirit; some say neither God nor man; some say God and not man; some say man and not God: abundance say, He was man on earth, but now He is not: Abundance know not what He came to do in the world: nor that there is any satisfaction made for sin, but what we must make our selves; and they tell me, they trust to nothing for Pardon and Salvation, but Gods Mercy, and their good serving him (which is only saying every night and morning in bed, or as they undress them, the Lords Prayer▪ and the Creed for a Prayer, and coming to Church.) They say openly, they do not know of any surety that we have, or any that hath borne the punishment of our sin, or suffered for us: And when I ⟨p. 162⟩repeat the History of the Incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Christ to them, they stand wondering, and say, they never heard it before: what the Holy Ghost is, they know not: nor what Sanctification, Faith, or Justification is: nor what Baptism is; nor the Lords Supper; nor to what use, but in general, for our Salvation. What a Church is, they know not; nor what is the Office of Pastor or People, save only to preach and hear, and give and receive the Sacraments. If I ask them what Christianity is, the best answer is, that it is a serving God as well as we can, or as God will give us leave. So that there is scarce an Article of the Creed, or very few that they tolerably understand. Nay one of about fourscore years of age (now dead) thought Christ was the Sun, that shineth in the Firmament; and the Holy Ghost was the Moon. 8. Many there be, that join this Heathenish ignorance, and wicked obstinacy together; hating to be instructed; scorning to come near me, to be taught, and to be told of their sin, when they come. They will rail at us bitterly behind our backs, if we will not let them have their own will and way about the Sacraments, and all Church-affairs: but they will not submit ⟨p. 163⟩to that Teaching, that should bring them to know what Christ or Christianity is. 9.