A76157:421
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. It is contrary to the honour of Christ, and the very Nature of Christianity, for men to take up with Implicit, uncertain Professions, when we have opportunity of more open free Professions. He is not a Master ⟨p. 245⟩to be ashamed of. And he will have no servants that will not confess him before men, even in the hazard of life; much more in days of the freedom of the Gospel: As with the heart men must believe to Righteousness, so with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. 10. 10. What reason have we to whisper or draw back, in a cause of such a nature and weight as this.
6. It is contrary to the honour of Christ, and the very Nature of Christianity, for men to take up with Implicite, uncertaine Professions, when we have opportunity of more open free Professions. He is not a Master ⟨p. 245⟩to be ashamed of. And he will have no servants that will not confess him before men, even in the hazzard of life; much more in daies of the freedom of the Gospel: As with the heart men must believe to Righteousness, so with the mouth Confession is made unto Salvation, Rom. 10. 10. What reason have we to whisper or draw back, in a cause of such a nature and weight as this.
7. Shall we thus teach our people to esteem Christianity, as an unobservable thing, by no more observing it? The Solemnity of mens Transition into the Adult-state of actual Believers, doth make it more Observable in the eyes of men; and they will see that there is more in it, then commonly is now esteemed. I find by experience that our people hate no preaching more, then Differencing Preaching, which leaves or shuts them out from the number of the Sanctified, and sets them as one the left-hand, in the face of the Congregation, and judgeth them before the time: but fain they would have Ministry confound and jumble all together: And then you may make them as great sinners as you will, so you will make them no worse then the Justified, that are forgiven, and shall be saved. And so in Practice, they love no differencing ways: