A76157:315
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. And by this means the Heathens, Jews, Mahometans and all Infidels are exceedingly hindered from believing in Christ; when they can say as the Turks, when men question their fidelity; what? dost thou think I am a Christian? He that knows any thing of Religious affairs, knoweth that commonly the first thing that draweth men to any party, is the liking of the Persons and their Practices; from whence they grow to enquire with inclination into their doctrines. The Ancient Christians that lived before the days of Constantine, did bring Christianity into reputation by their Holiness, and God was then more eminently seen among them. But when the countenance of the Emperor, and worldly advantages had drawn in all men to the Church, and the Bishops did set the door too wide open, Christianity looked like another thing, and that inundation of wickedness overspread the Church, which Salvian and so many more complain of. Our likeliest way to win the Jews, and all Infidels to the Church, is by showing them the true Nature of Christianity in the Church-members.
3. And by this means the Heathens, Jews, Mahometans and all Infidels are exceedingly hindred from believing in Christ; when they can say as the Turks, when men question their fidelity; what? dost thou think I am a Christian? He that knows any thing of Religious affaires, knoweth that commonly the first thing that draweth men to any party, is the liking of the Persons and their Practices; from whence they grow to enquire with inclination into their doctrines. The Ancient Christians that lived before the daies of Constantine, did bring Christianity into reputation by their Holiness, and God was then more eminently seen among them. But when the countenance of the Emperour, and worldly advantages had drawn in all men to the Church, and the Bishops did set the door too wide open, Christianity lookt like another thing, and that inundation of wickedness overspread the Church, which Salvian and so many more complaine of. Our likeliest way to win the Jews, and all Infidels to the Church, is by shewing them the true Nature of Christianity in the Church-members.
4. Hereby also we confound the ancient Order of Catechumens, or Expectants with