A76157:317
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.
5. And then by this means, the Souls of millions of poor people are deprived of the great benefits of the Ordinances and Administrations suitable to their state. The begetting Word goeth before the feeding, strengthening Word, even before the milk for babes. The laying of the foundation ⟨p. 169⟩must go before our building thereon. Every one will thrive best in his Own Element and place. A fish will not prosper on dry land, nor a man under water. The womb is the only place for the Embryo and unborn child, though not for those that have seen the Sun. If you will break the shell before the Chicken be hatched, that you may hasten its production, or honour it with a premature association with the rest that see the Sun, your foolish charity will be the death of it. And so deal abundance of mistaken Zealots with the Souls of men; who cry out against the wisest and most conscionable Ministers, as if they were unchristening the People, and undoing the world, because they would feed them with food convenient for them, and will not be such hasty midwives, as to cast the mother into her throws, if not rip her up, that she may have the child at her breasts, which should yet be many days or months in the womb. Moreover they thus cause our people, to lose all that benefit of preparations, and solemn Engagement to Christ: of which more anon among the Benefits.
5. And then by this means, the Souls of millions of poore people are deprived of the great benefits of the Ordinances and Administrations suitable to their state. The begetting Word goeth before the feeding, strengthning Word, even before the milk for babes. The laying of the foundation ⟨p. 169⟩must go before our building thereon. Every one will thrive best in his Own Element and place. A fish will not prosper on dry land, nor a man under water. The womb is the only place for the Embrio and unborn child, though not for those that have seen the Sun. If you will break the shell before the Chicken be hatcht, that you may hasten its production, or honour it with a premature association with the rest that see the Sunne, your foolish charity will be the death of it. And so deale abundance of mistaken Zealots with the Souls of men; who cry out against the wisest and most conscionable Ministers, as if they were unchristning the People, and undoing the world, because they would feed them with food convenient for them, and will not be such hasty midwives, as to cast the mother into her throws, if not rip her up, that shee may have the child at her breasts, which should yet be many daies or moneths in the womb. Moreover they thus cause our people, to lose all that benefit of preparations, and solemn Engagement to Christ: of which more anon among the Benefits.