A76157:333
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.
The Disposition of the matter, must go before the Reception of the form: For undisposed matter will not receive it. As the Operation followeth the Being, and the Disposition, so we must employ every person and thing, in such operations only, as their Being and Qualification is capable of, and suited to. A due placing of all according to their Qualifications, is the chiefest part of ⟨p. 183⟩our Government. Misplace but one wheel in your watch, and try how it will go. If any person or thing be not good in his Own place, he will be much worse out of in, it the place of his Superior. Fire is better in the chimney then in your bed, or upon your Table: A good Clerk may make but a sorry Counsellor; and a good Subject may make but an ill Magistrate: And many a man becomes the seat of a Justice, that would not become the Princes Throne. If you would not undo mens Souls by a Discipline, which they cannot bear; let them stay in the Seminary of Expectants, till they are ripe for it.
The Disposition of the matter, must go before the Reception of the forme: For undisposed matter will not receive it. As the Operation followeth the Being, and the Disposition, so we must employ every person and thing, in such operations only, as their Being and Qualification is capable of, and suited to. A due placing of all according to their Qualifications, is the chiefest part of ⟨p. 183⟩our Government. Misplace but one wheel in your watch, and try how it will go. If any person or thing be not good in his Own place, he will be much worse out of in, it the place of his Superiour. Fire is better in the chimny then in your bed, or upon your Table: A good Cleark may make but a sorry Counseller; and a good Subject may make but an ill Magistrate: And many a man becomes the seat of a Justice, that would not become the Princes Throne. If you would not undoe mens Souls by a Discipline, which they cannot bear; let them stay in the Seminary of Expectants, till they are ripe for it.
Object. But how do the Churches of France, Holland, Geneva and Scotland, that have exercised Discipline upon all?