A76157:396
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.
5. And for the Anabaptists themselves, ⟨p. 232⟩though we expect not their Consent, yet we may well expect their Moderation, and nonopposition, and that as we thus draw as near them, as possibly (in our present judgment) we can, so they would lay by all bitterness and reproach, and divisive carriage, and come as near us as they can. And as now with the more moderate of them, our difference appeareth less then many of them imagined, so it may appear, that the distance in affection and Communion shall be no greater then there is cause. The odium of Division, and unpeaceableness, hath so long lain upon their party, that methinks they should be willing to have it taken off. And there is no way to take it off, but their visible amendment: by becoming Lovers and Promoters of Union, Communion, and Peace among the Churches of Christ. Men will never take your opinion to be of God, while general experience shall show them, that it will not stand with that Love, Union, and Communion of the Saints, but engageth almost all that receive it, in Divisions, Opposition, and Reproach, of the Servants of Christ and his Churches. Though you think your own Opinion right, let it not so far dispossess you of Charity, and Reason, as to unchurch all the Churches of Christ, that ⟨p. 233⟩think otherwise, or to cast off Communion with the Godly, that are not of your Opinion; as long as we come so near you, as to take none into the Number of Adult Church-members, but those that are Confirmed, or Approved by Christs Ministers, upon their personal, credible Profession of Faith and Holiness.
5. And for the Anabaptists themselves, ⟨p. 232⟩though we evpect not their Consent, yet we may well expect their Moderation, and nonopposition, and that as we thus draw as neer them, as possibly (in our present judgment) we can, so they would lay by all bitterness and reproach, and divisive carriage, and come as neer us as they can. And as now with the more moderate of them, our difference appeareth less then many of them imagined, so it may appear, that the distance in affection and Communion shall be no greater then there is cause. The odium of Division, and unpeaceableness, hath so long laine upon their party, that methinks they should be willing to have it taken off. And there is no way to take it off, but their visible amendment: by becoming Lovers and Promoters of Union, Communion, and Peace among the Churches of Christ. Men will never take your opinion to be of God, while general experience shall shew them, that it will not stand with that Love, Union, and Communion of the Saints, but engageth almost all that receive it, in Divisions, Opposition, and Reproach, of the Servants of Christ and his Churches. Though you think your own Opinion right, let it not so farre dispossess you of Charity, and Reason, as to unchurch all the Churches of Christ, that