A76157:360
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.
If Magistrates, Ministers and people do concur, to repute all the Infidels, and utterly Ignorant, wicked men among us to be Christians, how many thousand Souls may this deceive, and undo for ever? Whereas, If Magistrates, Ministers, and People that fear God, would all agree according to the Laws of Christ, to esteem none Adult-Christians, but those that by a Credible Profession of Christianity, do seem to be such, it would abundantly help to convince them of their misery, and the need of Christ and Grace, and the absolute necessity of a change. We see even among good men, in the case of a particular sin, how much common Reputation, doth help to hinder the work upon their Consciences: Among the Reformed Churches beyond the Sea, what Conscience is troubled for these actions, or omissions on the Lords Day, which in England would much trouble men of the same temper in other things. Among several Sects it troubleth them not, freely to revile the Servants of Christ that are against them, ⟨p. 200⟩because they find it rather go for commendable, then much condemnable, by those whom they most esteem. Among the Papists, the believing in a Vice-Christ, and the worshipping of his Image and Cross, with Divine Worship, and also the consecrated Host, and the condemning all the Churches of Christ that do it not, do go for Virtues, and Christian Practices, though they are most heinous, odious sins; and what is it but common Reputation of Prince and Priests, and multitudes of people, that could make so many, yea and such persons as some of them are, to continue in such sins, as if they were a part, yea an essential part of holiness, and one generation to succeed another in them. Were these sins but commonly reputed to be as odious as indeed they are, what a change would it make on millions of Souls? So that it's strange to see the power of Reputation.
If Magistrates, Ministers and people do concurre, to repute all the Infidels, and utterly Ignorant, wicked men among us to be Christians, how many thousand Souls may this deceive, and undo for ever? Whereas, If Magistrates, Ministers, and People that feare God, would all agree accordng to the Laws of Christ, to esteem none Adult-Christians, but those that by a Credible Profession of Christianity, do seem to be such, it would abundantly help to convince them of their misery, and the need of Christ and Grace, and the absolute necessity of a change. We see even among good men, in the case of a particular sinne, how much common Reputation, doth help to hinder the work upon their Consciences: Among the Reformed Churches beyond the Sea, what Conscience is troubled for these actions, or omissions on the Lords Day, which in England would much trouble men of the same temper in other things. Among several Sects it troubleth them not, freely to revile the Servants of Christ that are against them,