A76157:336
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.
Object. But fiat Justitia & ruat coelum: let us trust God with His own Ordinances: we must do our duty, what ever come of it?
Object. But fiat Justitia & ruat coelum: let us trust God with His owne Ordinances: we must do our duty, what ever come of it?
Answ. This doth but beg the Question: Gods Ordinances are not for destruction, but edification; at least as to the multitude of the ungodly, they tend to their Conversion, ⟨p. 186⟩and not to their perdition. Is that likely to be Gods Ordinance, which certain experience telleth us, will put such multitudes of men into a hopeless case, or next to hopeless? Ministers are appointed to make Disciples, and gather men to Christ, and further their Conversion, and not plunge them into a remediless state, and to hurry them all unprepared into Church-communion, that they may be thrust out again, and brought t• hate the Church. It's another's work to advance them to the Pinnacle of the Temple, that he may cast them down headlong. And I yet never knew the man, nor saw his face, that practised what this Objection pleads for; and exercised Discipline, faithfully on a whole Parish. Nor do I believe that any man can do it that would; unless the Magistrate do it for him. For he cannot do it without the peoples consent: and if he sentence such to be avoided by the people, they will despise his sentence, and hold communion with them the more, and do as our Drunkards do, when one of their Companions is put in the stocks, bring him Ale and good cheer▪ and eat, and drink, and make merry with him, if the Magistrate restrain them not.
Answ. This doth but beg the Question: Gods Ordinances are not for destruction, but edification; at least as to the multitude of the ungodly, they tend to their Conversion, ⟨p. 186⟩and not to their perdition. Is that likely to be Gods Ordinance, which certain experience telleth us, will put such multitues of men into a hopeless case, or next to hopeless? Ministers are appointed to make Disciples, and gather men to Christ, and further their Conversion, and not plunge them into a remediless state, and to hurry them all unprepared into Church-communion, that they may be thrust out againe, and brought t hate the Church. It's anothers work to advance them to the Pinacle of the Temple, that he may cast them down headlong. And I yet never knew the man, nor saw his face, that practised what this Objection pleads for; and exercised Discipline, faithfully on a whole Parish. Nor do I believe that any man can do it that would; unless the Magistrate do it for him. For he cannot do it without the peoples consent: and if he sentence such to be avoided by the people, they will despise his sentence, and hold communion with them the more, and do as our Drunkards do, when one of their Companions is put in the stocks, bring him Ale and good cheare and eat, and drink, and make merry with him, if the Magistrate restraine them not.