A76157:351
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.
17. By this means also we dishonour the work of Reformation, when we hinder the fruits of it, that should be visible to the world; and make men believe that it lieth but in a change of bare opinions. They that see no great difference between the Reformed and the Romanists in their lives, will think it is no great matter, which side they are joined to. It's noted by some Protestant Writers, that when Luther opposed Popery in Germany, abundance of the common licentious people, that were weary of Popish Confessions, and Penances, did join with those that were truly conscientious, and dishonoured the Reformation by their lives, though they increased the number, and did ⟨p. 192⟩the service as Erasmus his Gospeller, that used to carry a bottle of wine, and Erasmus New Testament, with great brass bosses, and when he disputed with a Papist, knocked him about the pate with the Bible, and so confuted him.
17. By this means also we dishonour the work of Reformation, when we hinder the fruits of it, that should be visible to the world; and make men believe that it lieth but in a change of bare opinions. They that see no great difference between the Reformed and the Romanists in their lives, will think it is no great matter, which side they are joyned to. It's noted by some Protestant Writers, that when Luther opposed Popery in Germany, abundance of the common licentious people, that were weary of Popish Confessions, and Penances, did joyne with those that were truly conscientious, and dishonoured the Reformation by their lives, though they increased the number, and did ⟨p. 192⟩the service as Erasmus his Gospeller, that used to carry a bottle of wine, and Erasmus New Testament, with great brass bosses, and when he disputed with a Papist, knockt him about the pate with the Bible, and so confuted him.
18. And by this means we give the Papists more room then they should have, to reproach our Churches, and glory comparatively of the Holiness of theirs. Though I know that their glory is exceeding unreasonable, and that our Impurities are no more to theirs, then a few boils to a Leprosy; yet we do ill to give them so much occasion, as we do, who are ready to make the worst of all.