A76157:487
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.
4. Do you not know that all the Work of God is so much against Nature, and hath such abundance of enemies and difficulties in the way, that few men are like to be guilty of over-doing? Why be you not as careful to hinder men from overdoing in sanctifying the Lords day, in teaching and praying with their families, &c. but because you see that few need your curb. I am confident, should Parliaments do their best to drive on Ministers ⟨p. 275⟩to such works as these, and make Laws upon Laws, to spur them to the practice, they would not be able to bring one half of us, nor the tenth man, to reach so far, as Christ hath bound us; no nor one man of us, in all respects.
4. Do you not know that all the Work of God is so much against Nature, and hath such abundance of enemies and difficulties in the way, that few men are like to be guilty of over-doing? Why be you not as carefull to hinder men from overdoing in sanctifying the Lords day, in teaching and praying with their families, &c. but because you see that few need your curb. I am confident, should Parliaments do their best to drive on Ministers ⟨p. 275⟩to such works as these, and make Laws upon Laws, to spur them to the practice, they would not be able to bring one half of us, nor the tenth man, to reach so farre, as Christ hath bound us; no nor one man of us, in all respects.
And yet I again say, that if any rash men are overrigid and abuse their trust (which is likest to be those whose maintenance no whit cometh from the people; for in the rest there is more danger of the contrary,) we desire not that they should be exempted from the Magistrates, Ministers, or peoples due means for their amendment. But let the spur be most used, seeing there is most need; and let us see some severe Laws, to drive us on to those duties, that flesh and blood, and all the world is so much against.
And yet I againe say, that if any rash men are overrigid and abuse their trust (which is likest to be those whose maintenance no whit cometh from the people; for in the rest there is more danger of the contrary,) we desire not that they should be exempted from the Magistrates, Ministers, or peoples due means for their amendment. But let the spurre be most used, seeing there is most need; and let us see some severe Laws, to drive us on to those duties, that flesh and blood, and all the world is so much against.