A76157:415
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. Object. Is it not better take up with an Implicit Profession and Covenanting, then make so great a trouble to our selves, and disturbance among the people, as this will make?
Answ. 1. Me thinks, not only the face of the Roman Church, but of our own, might by this time have afforded us satisfying experience, what Implicit Faith, and Implicit ⟨p. 243⟩Professions are, and to what they tend. Peruse the forementioned Evils of this course, and look upon the state of our people, where you may see them in existence, and then judge whether this Objection be answered.
2. An Implicit Profession, is the lowest and least, that in any case of extremity or necessity can be thought tolerable, and accepted by God, and consistent with the life and being of a Church. And shall we deliberately choose to offer God the worst, the least, the lowest that's possible to find acceptance? Nay he will have the best, as he deserves the best, or he will not accept it, when we have it to give: Shall we think that in a case of freedom, the same will be accepted, which Necessity only can excuse? Or shall we be content that our Churches have as many diseases as will consist with life and being?