A76157:352
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.
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.
18. And by this means we give the Papists more roome 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 boiles to a Leprosie; yet we do ill to give them so much occasion, as we do, who are ready to make the worst of all.
19. By this means also we leave all Sects, to quarrel with us, and dispute against us, even whether we be true Churches of Christ or not, because our Adult-profession and Covenant is no more express, and discernible, then it is. And though we have enough to prove our selves a Church, yet do we leave them under their temptations, and our selves under the obloquy. And indeed we perversely maintain our own dishonour, while we think it a condition to be rested in, if we can but prove our selves true Churches; when our Learned Divines do give as much to ⟨p. 193⟩the Romanists themselves, though not as Papal, yet as Christian. A Leper is a true man, and yet his cure is a thing to be desired.
19. By this means also we leave all Sects, to quarrel with us, and dispute against us, even whether we be true Churches of Christ or not, because our Adult-profession and Covenant is no more express, and discernable, then it is. And though we have enough to prove our selves a Church, yet do we leave them under their temptations, and our selves under the obloquy. And indeed we perversly maintain our own dishonour, while we think it a condition to be rested in, if we can but prove our selves true Churches; when our Learned Divines do give as much to