A76157:382
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.
Give me leave here a little, by way of Application, to review what I said concerning our Accord.
1. How much many Brethren of the Episcopal Judgment, do censure other mens attempts, for Reforming their Congregations, is too open to be hid. But how little cause ⟨p. 218⟩they have to be offended with any Moderate attempts, let their own forecited Principles be judge. I know that it is the Administration or Government of the Churches, that seems by the noise of Opposition among us, to be the greatest point of differences: But as far as I can discern, it is not so. The Constitution of our Churches is the great difference: It's a shame to speak it: we differ most where we are Agreed. I have so much experience of the minds of Godly Ministers, and private men in England, that I dare boldly say, would we but all Agree in Practice, in the constituting our Churches of due Materials, where for ought I know, we are almost all Agreed in Principles, there were no Probability, that all the rest of our disagreements, would keep us at a quarter of the distance as we are. Truly the common, honest, godly people, stick not much on the difference in formalities, and extrinsic modes of Government: If they hear a Minister pray heartily, preach soundly, judiciously and powerfully, live holily and righteously, and charitably, and beat down sin, and set himself to promote true Piety, they are (commonly where I am acquainted) if not indifferent what form of Government he is for, yet at least, can easily ⟨p. 219⟩bear with him, though he differ from them. Let us have the Work of God well done, and we shall care the less who it is that doth it. The greatest offence, that commonly is taken against Episcopacy is, 1. The former viciousness, negligence and persecution, that men of that way were guilty of; and 2. Because men know that a Diocesan Bishop hath so much work upon his hands, that he will certainly leave the far greatest part undone. So that the Question is not so much who shall do the work, as whether it shall be done or not.