A76157:326
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.
Answ. I am as much against a rash, unnecessary censure, or use of the severity of Discipline, as another: I know that a fly must not be killed with a beetle. Let it be exercised but according to the Parliaments Ordinance, called The form of Church-Government, to be used in the Church of England and Ireland, Aug. 29. 1648. Or let it be exercised but with one half, or the sixth part of the severity of the Ancient Canons of the Church, and you shall certainly see the effects ⟨p. 177⟩that I tell you of. Do you think to use it but with few, when Impenitent, scandalous sinners are so many? But perhaps you think to use it only in terrorem or now and then one, and let others alone that are in the same case. But 1. That's the same disobedience to God, as to use it upon none at all. He that hath commanded us to reject a Heretic, to have no company with the disorderly livers, to turn away from scandalous, ungodly men, and not to enter with drunkards, railers, &c. hath not bid us do thus by some some but by all. God 2. condemneth partiality. 3. Your Partiality will presently be so noted by men, that it will turn to your reproach, and make both you and your Discipline odious, when they can say, He cast out one, and forbeareth others in the same case.
Answ. I am as much against a rash, unnecessary censure, or use of the severity of Discipline, as another: I know that a fly must not be killed with a beetle. Let it be exercised but according to the Parliaments Ordinance, called The form of Church-Government, to be used in the Church of England and Ireland, Aug. 29. 1648. Or let it be exercised but with one half, or the sixth part of the severity of the Ancient Canons of the Church, and you shall certainly see the effects ⟨p. 177⟩that I tell you of. Do you think to use it but with few, when Impenitent, scandalous sinners are so many? But perhaps you think to use it only in terrorem or now and then one, and let others alone that are in the same case. But 1. That's the same disobedience to God, as to use it upon none at all. He that hath commanded us to reject a Heretick, to have no company with the disorderly livers, to turn away from scandalous, ungodly men, and not to enter with drunkards, railers, &c. hath not bid us do thus by some some but by all. God 2. condemneth partiality. 3. Your Partiality will presently be so noted by men, that it will turn to your reproach, and make both you and your Discipline odious, when they can say, He cast out one, and forbeareth others in the same case.