A76157:310
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.
Some there be that are of tolerable knowledge, and no Drunkards, nor Whoremongers that the world knoweth of, but of more plausible lives, and have some forms of Prayer in their families: but yet live in idle or tippling company, or spend their lives in vanity, and hate more a diligent serving of God, and heavenly life, then the open Drunkards do: These make it their work to possess people with a hatred of strict Professors, and of our Churches and Administrations, and to that end get all the books that are written for admitting all to the Lords Table, that they can light of;1 and contrary to the Authors meanings, they make them Engines to harden others in their Impiety, and hatred of Reformation: The like use they make of the Writings of man•y Dissenting Divines, about Church-government; or any from whence they may fetch matter of reproach against the Pastors and Ordinances among us.2 10. Another sort there are, that are ⟨p. 164⟩deeply possest with a conceit, that God having determined before we are borne, whether we shall be saved or not, it is in vain to strive; for if we be predestinated, we shall be saved what ever we do; and if we be not, we shall not, what ever we do; and that we can do nothing of our selves, nor have a good thought, but by the Grace of God, and if God will give it us, we shall have it; and the Devil cannot prevail against him; but if he will not give it us, it's in vain to seek it; for it is not in him that willeth, nor in him that runneth, but in God that showeth Mercy; and therefore they give up themselves to security and ungodliness, because they cannot do nothing of themselves. And thus by misunderstanding some Texts of Scripture, and abusing some Truths of God, they are hardened in ungodliness, thinking that all is long of God: and they will not so much as promise Reformation, nor promise to use the means, because they say, they cannot tell whether God will put it into their hearts: and ⟨p. 165⟩it is all as he will. 11. Besides these, there is one or two honest, ignorant Professors, that are turned Anabaptists, and join with the Church of them in the next Parish.