A76157:417
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.
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?
3. An Implicit Profession makes or proves men but Implicitly Christians. Such dumb uncertain signs, do leave us in So great uncertainty of the thing signified, that it seems but a very mocking of God (that will not be mocked) when we have opportunity for an open Intelligible Profession, and will not use it, or require it.
3. An Implicit Profession makes or proves men but Implicit•ly Christians. Such dumbe uncertaine signes, do leave us in So great uncertainty of the thing signified, that it seems but a very mocking of God (that will not be mocked) when we have opportunity for an open Intelligible Profession, and will not use it, or require it.
4. It is against Nature for a man that hath a Tongue in his head, to refuse to utter his ⟨p. 244⟩mind any other wise then by dumb shows, and yet expect to be understood and accepted. What is the Tongue made for but to express the mind? Indeed if a man be dumb, and can neither speak not write, it is more tolerable to take an uncertain sign from such a man; then from another that hath the use of Tongue or pen.