A76157:484
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.
1. That most certainly there is no part of all our Ministry, that stirs up near so much ill will, passion, malice, yea and persecutions against us, as this part, about taking in and casting out, and exercising the Keys of the Kingdom; in which you are so jealous of us.
1. That most certainly there is no part of all our Ministry, that stirs up neer so much ill will, passion, malice, yea and persecutions against us, as this part, about taking in and casting out, and exercising the Keyes of the Kingdom; in which you are so jealous of us.
2. And alas Ministers are flesh and Blood, as well as others: and all of them too tender of their Interest, of Profit, Reputation, and Ease: which are all contradicted notably by this work. Do you think Ministers will be so hot on it, to have their neighbours hate them and revile them, and to live as Owls in the places where they live, and to put themselves on a great deal of trouble? Surely it is a very self-displeasing thing to the very Nature of man, unless he be a monster, to displease his neighbours, and be hated and baited by them. And it will provoke them not only to forbear all acts of kindness or bounty, but to deny them their due maintenance, as far as ever they can: And many, if not most Ministers, have no great mind to be so used; ⟨p. 274⟩nay had rather lose it, then go to Law for all their dues; the trouble, and cost, and odium of it is so great. So that our Parliaments have been too much afraid, lest Ministers should cease to be men, or to be sinners, and to be man pleasers, and to indulge their flesh; and lest we should run into the fire, and lie down among the thorns, and choose a life of trouble and sufferings.
2. And alas Ministers are flesh and Blood, as well as others: and all of them too tender of their Interest, of Profit, Reputation, and Ease: which are all contradicted notably by this work. Do you think Ministers will be so hot on it, to have their neighbours hate them and revile them, and to live as Owles in the places where they live, and to put themselves on a great deal of trouble? Surely it is a very self-displeasing thing to the very Nature of man, unless he be a monster, to displease his neighbours, and be hated and baited by them. And it will provoke them not only to forbeare all acts of kindness or bounty, but to deny them their due maintenance, as far as ever they can: And many, if not most Ministers, have no great mind to be so used;