A76157:409
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.
6. Ministers (as I before showed) have no Tyrannical or Arbitrary Power. For Christ hath tied them by a Law, who to admit, and whom to reject. And if they disobey this Law, the Magistrate may correct them: So that in the exercise of this Tyrannical Power, every Minister is under the lash of the Magistrates violence, (if he grossly offend) whereas none of the people are under any violence, or force from us to obey us; but if all of them disobey us and rebel, it is their own loss, and we have no remedy. This is the Tyranny.
6. Ministers (as I before shewed) have no Tyrannical or Arbitrary Power. For Christ hath tied them by a Law, who to admit, and whom to reject. And if they disobey this Law, the Magistrate may correct them: So that in the exercise of this Tyrannical Power, every Minister is under the lash of the Magistrates violence, (if he grosly offend) whereas none of the people are under any violence, or force from us to obey us; but if all of them disobey us and rebel, it is their own loss, and we have no remedy. This is the Tyranny.
7. Lastly, If you think it (as it is) so great a Power, for us to judge of mens Profession and fitness for Church Privileges, let it awaken you the more, to get the wisest, ablest men you can for the Ministry, that are fit for so a great trust. If the best that are to be got, are not in the Office, beshrew our Governors, and the choosers. And if you do not cast us all out, if you can put fitter men into the place, that are meeter for the trust, beshrew you for your negligence: we give you no thanks for it. But if you have no fitter for this work and trust, will you cast it upon unfitter or on none? It is a great trust for a Physician to be trusted with your lives, and a School-master and Tutor with ⟨p. 240⟩your Children? But what of that? Will you therefore trust the good women, or common neighbours about you with them; yea or the Magistrate himself. Or will you have no Tutors or Physicians? Or rather will you not be the more careful to keep our Empirics and unworthy persons, and get the ablest and faithfulest that you can. O unthankful men, that grudge us the Power of labouring and spending our selves for their Salvation, and judging, where we must act!