A76157:369
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.
11. By this means the Church, and the Christian Religion will be more honourable in the eyes of the world, who judge by the members and professors lives, before they can judge of the thing as in it self: And as ⟨p. 206⟩Christ will be thus honoured, and the mouths of adversaries of all sorts stopped, so it will do much to further their Conversion, when they have such a help to see the beauty of the Church and Christian Faith. Many more such benefits I would name, but that you may gather some of them, from what was said of the contrary incommodities: Only I add
11. By this means the Church, and the Christian Religion will be more honorable in the eyes of the world, who judge by the members and professours lives, before they can judge of the thing as in it self: And as ⟨p. 206⟩Christ will be thus honoured, and the mouths of adversaries of all sorts stopped, so it will do much to further their Conversion, when they have such a help to see the beauty of the Church and Christian Faith. Many more such benefits I would name, but that you may gather some of them, from what was said of the contrary incommodities: Only I adde
13. Lastly, it is a way that is admirably suited both to Reformation, and Reconciliation; to Unity, as well as Purity: which removeth many of the Impediments, that else would trouble us in the way. For as all wicked men will agree against it, as they will against any holy practice, so all parties considerable among us, do in their doctrine and professions own it; and it will suit the Principles, or the Ends of all that fear God, either wholly of very far. I shall here distinctly show you, 1. That the Episcopal: 2. Presbyterians: 3. Independents: 4. Anabaptists: 5. Yea and I may put in, the Papists themselves, have no reason to be against this practice; but all of them have great reason to promote it, supposing them to be what they are.